If you are thinking about something temporary now I agree, fix your current compressor which is really simple and cheap to do and get another one like a 5 gallon portable. They're good for doing a lot of stuff including running tools non-continuously and only use your big one when needed. You don't even need to chain them, put up with the noise on the rare occasion.
Recommend a compressor
- Thread starter soloz2
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AVOID-I'm going to talk with my wife this weekend about budget. I'm thinking I'll hold off on the 60 gal for now just due to price as I remembered I was going to buy a new set of wheels or tires this month.
Anyway, I was looking at what Napa has and I think this Napa compressor is the same Quincy that is often talked about in other threads. Both made by Atlas Copco and 7.4acfm @ 90 psi. Except the Napa version is grey instead of blue and is $450 instead of $700.
vs the Quincy
Quincy Compressor 8975705101 2 HP 24 Gal 135 Max PSI Single-Stage Portable Electric (120 Volt) Reciprocating Air Compressor | Ferguson Home
Save on the Quincy Compressor 8975705101 from Ferguson Home. Low Prices + Fast & Free Shipping on Most Orders. Find reviews, expert advice, manuals, specs & more.www.aircompressorsdirect.com
My brother bought this exact unit (Qunicy), its a turd. Lots of quality issues, def can find better unit out there.
There is a thread floating around here with reviews on this unit.
I suppose my anecdote is only about as good as your anecdote but I've owned this compressor and I found it to be very good for what it was. In fact, I I've owned two of them. It is, simply, the the highest output 120 volt compressor available. It is indeed sold by others but the previous version that was carried by other brands has been discontinued.
To the OP: If you can really find it in stock at Napa for the price you posted, I would buy it. But I'm guessing that will be a challenge.
I've searched the forums and the only real negatives I've seen for the Quincy are that it's over priced and from the same person saying their brother was not impressed in multiple threads.
I called my local Napa and they told me they could order the compressor and have it in store for pickup mid-week since it's a holiday weekend.
I did see some reference to the HF 29 gallon compressor using the same pump as the Quincy. It has a lower CFM rating, but is less expensive even and available at some local stores, but not mine.
Honestly, I think I'm leaning towards the Napa compressor. I just need to decide what Napa I want to pick it up from as my work schedule won't allow me to get to the nearest Napa to my house until Friday at the earliest. I'm helping out together a suicide prevention/overdose awareness candlelight vigil this week after work.
I called my local Napa and they told me they could order the compressor and have it in store for pickup mid-week since it's a holiday weekend.
I did see some reference to the HF 29 gallon compressor using the same pump as the Quincy. It has a lower CFM rating, but is less expensive even and available at some local stores, but not mine.
Honestly, I think I'm leaning towards the Napa compressor. I just need to decide what Napa I want to pick it up from as my work schedule won't allow me to get to the nearest Napa to my house until Friday at the earliest. I'm helping out together a suicide prevention/overdose awareness candlelight vigil this week after work.
Not loud at all, in fact if it were I would through some walls up around it with sound deadening.
The Harbor freight is not the same pump. It's very close, but not exactly the same.
I think you're going to be happy. The version you bought from Napa is actually the older version which in my estimation is the better version.
It's the best bang for the buck in the "reduced footprint" arena and I verified the current draw and cfm (with a flow meter) on that Quincy.
Good luck!
Badgerstate
Well-known member
Id look at some of the Husky compressors at HD. You really cant beat them for the value. You could get a 27-gallon for less than $500. Ive got the 8-gallon now and its plenty to run an impact wrench, die grinder, drill, impact driver, impact ratchet, blower or air up tires. Im probably going to upgrade to the 27-gallon when my 8 dies because you sometimes do have to stop and let it catch up. A 27 wouldnt have that issue.My 20gal compressor bit it last night. It does look like I could fix it, but I've never really beEn happy with it. From day one it's leaked and been stupid loud. My wife hates how loud it is and I agree... I don't want to hear my compression from my house when it's in my detached garage. To top it off, it just wasn't quite powerful enough for my needs anyway.
RIP
Anyway, for my needs. I mostly use my compressor to blow off my chainsaws, run an impact and to spray my vehicles each year with woolwax. I would like to get some other pneumatic tools. Just last week I bought a Milwaukee M12 Fuel RA die grinder because I knew my compressor was too weak to run a die grinder... Now turns out I should have waited a week and threw that $200 towards a new compressor, but I digress. I have been looking at some 30 gal units in the neighborhood of 6cfm @90 psi. Both Lowes and HD have ones that would fit the bill and should be quieter, and about 150% the output of my old Husky for under $600. I like that these can run off 110v and are still portable while being bigger than what I have... My only concern is about future proofing. I'd like to have the ability to do some light grinding, or potentially get a small plasma cutter in the future as I've recently picked up welding as a hobby. I know I don't need a big 80gal stationary compressor, but TSC does have some nice 60gal units from Dewalt or IR for $700-800 that would likely fit the bill. My concern with these would be the noise. Neither are supposed to be nearly as quiet as the smaller ones and I'm not sure how loud they are or that I absolutely need a 60gal.
I would also have to run a 240v line from my breaker box. I have just enough room for a double breaker, but that would max out my box and likely lead to needing to upgrade sooner rather than later.
Short version: I need a hobby garage air compressor capable of running tools typically used in automotive, woodworking, or metalworking. It won't be used all the time, but I tend to use my tools heavily when I do use them so I prefer not to just get junk. Should I upgrade to a larger 30gal portable or 60gal stationary? Or should I consider something else?
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
That looks like a solid value. I'm curious to hear about the noise level
While I am waiting for my compressor, I was looking at fittings and I ordered a set of Milton V type connectors. I was also looking at running air line in my garage since it's usually a PITA to get air to the opposite corner of my garage, which I do quite often. I was looking at the Rapidair or Primefit garage setup, but I have some pex left over and I already have the crimp tool so I might just use that with some of these fittings for the drops: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BSMBT3X/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Any reason this wouldn't work?
Any reason this wouldn't work?
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Pex is susceptible to UV damage, IIRC, so having it exposed near windows and lighting wouldn't be ideal.
It also isn't rated for air, but unlike pvc, won't explode if it fails, so the only real risks are lost air, loud noise and a running compressor
It also isn't rated for air, but unlike pvc, won't explode if it fails, so the only real risks are lost air, loud noise and a running compressor
You need to like at the CFM rating. A bigger tank will run longer between run times, but the compressor will run longer to fill it assuming the same size compressor. I have a little 2 gallon tank 3/4 HP and a 7 gallon tank 3/4 HP. the 2 gallon will do pretty much all the 7 gallon will do.
I did find some pex-al-pex that is apparently better for air, but I am not sure I could use barbed fittings with my crimp tool and would have to use the more expensive sharkbite style fittings. Regular pex is rated for 160psi at 74 degrees so theoretically it would work fine for air line. It's also 1/2" ID while the less expensive airline kits are 3/8" ID. Not sure this really matters for a home garage.
I used these PEX drop ear Tees. You can ad a drip leg to the bottom for moisture. They come in 1/2 and 3/4in, 2pk avail also.
Pexuniverse had the best ball valve deals and supplyhouse.com is another good online source for the plumbing supplies I used to to run my shop air.
Also went with the Milton V style couplers and connectors. I quickly found that changing all the couplings over that I needed will cost more than plumbing my entire shop air. That is with 300ft of PEX and 12 plumbed in drops with valves. But I am getting there on couplers, second order made... JBtools.com had the best deal on the V couplers/fittings.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08K7DKMLK/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Pexuniverse had the best ball valve deals and supplyhouse.com is another good online source for the plumbing supplies I used to to run my shop air.
Also went with the Milton V style couplers and connectors. I quickly found that changing all the couplings over that I needed will cost more than plumbing my entire shop air. That is with 300ft of PEX and 12 plumbed in drops with valves. But I am getting there on couplers, second order made... JBtools.com had the best deal on the V couplers/fittings.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08K7DKMLK/?tag=atomicindus08-20
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Badgerstate
Well-known member
True. CFM is very important. Most of the 20-gallon or bigger ones all run at at around 4 cfm though, which is plenty to run most air tools. For someone who just does light auto repair and runs small air tools in their garage, its really all you need.
Part of me wants to look at an oiled compressor but I just cant justify spending almost twice as much for it. If I really get into using air tools, I may look at getting the Husky 30 gallon oiled compressor with the big v-twin pump but right now, as someone who is just an occasional user, I cant talk myself into spending the money on it.
My garage is way to small and packed with **** that I'm not free to dispose of (damn it). My compressor is in one corner and the door by the outside parking spaces is at the opposite corner. My original plan was to run pex but that plan also assumed a larger garage where the added flow would make a difference. In the end I did the quick and cheap and ran a dedicated PVC air hose (not PVC pipe, the cheap, inflexible in winter hose) across the rafters to the other side. I think that works out to be 50' of hose though I could shorten that if I wanted. My brother did something similar
In his case we connected the hose right into the plumbing. This is basically the same as running a second hose or in his case a longer hose (his air flow isn't restricted by couplers).
This is certainly the cheapest way to get a second air drop. Not the best but plenty sufficient for my air gun, tire filling and the impact wrench (IR 231).
That said, I just helped a friend run perhaps 300ft of basic PEX for his new repair shop. He didn't like the idea of sending 175psi air into the pex lines so he has a regulator at the compressor outlet. Given his needs and things he doesn't do (paint) he figures this is a cost effective option. If it gives him trouble he will upgrade.
pitterpat
Well-known member
Look at the Home Depot website just to get a comparison. They have a lot of compressors listed and have their db ratings, just to get a comparison.
Speed-Racer
Well-known member
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- Aug 25, 2008
- Messages
- 731
I would recommend the Quincy or rebadged Atlas copco priced in the 1,500-1,999 range Lowe’s has the QT5 for 2K or qt54 and it was less earlier this year, get a Lowe’s card for 10% off or work a floor model deal. A manual ball valve can easily drain water, spend the money on the pump, motor and thicker tank. Cheaper regulator and filter can be purchased off eBay or later.
Look at the weight compared to the other brands, they are heavy duty, USA made and designed for a long life. Plus some of the best support if needed, give Quincy a call and see for yourself. These are not disposable and you will find other uses - this can do it all. Reasonably quiet, dry air for plasma cutting, sanding, paint and 175psi with volume can remove a really stuck bolt or air hammer you out of a problem that the smaller compressor cannot due.
Look at the weight compared to the other brands, they are heavy duty, USA made and designed for a long life. Plus some of the best support if needed, give Quincy a call and see for yourself. These are not disposable and you will find other uses - this can do it all. Reasonably quiet, dry air for plasma cutting, sanding, paint and 175psi with volume can remove a really stuck bolt or air hammer you out of a problem that the smaller compressor cannot due.
Iron Beaver
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- May 3, 2020
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Check that tank with a magnet, it looks like an aluminum forklift tank painted white. No idea on the pressure rating, google might answer that.The two compressor idea is an interesting one.
This is I believe the compressor I have. I picked it up several years ago on BF.
175psi 4.0 CFM @90psi. Loud as can be oilless
Husky 20 Gal. 175 PSI Portable Electric Air Compressor-C201H - The Home Depot
The Husky 20 Gal. compressor features a high performance pump and motor that delivers 175 max PSI along with 4.0 SCFM at 90 PSI. Higher PSI in a 20 Gal. tank provides 80% longer tool run times comparedwww.homedepot.com
I do have multiple 120v circuits in my garage and I recently added a 240v circuit for my welder. I have room in my plane to add one more 240v circuit or two 120v ones. At some point I will need to upgrade to a larger service panel, but that's another topic.
I actually have a second compressor setup that came with my garage. It's an interesting setup. That appears to be a 120v compressor from a fridge or similar and an old gas/propane tank. There is no way to drain the water from the tank so I don't really use it. It does work for airing tires or light duty blow gun, and is quiet.
I've attached a picture of it.
IRQVET
Well-known member
These were my two compressor purchases for 2021.
Dewalt 60 gallon (mislabeled price) at Tractor Supply so I paid $490
Factory Reconditioned Metabo pancake for portable stuff, paid $129
Not bad for a $619 total investment.
Sold my California Air Tools 2hp/10 gallon compressor I had for about 6 years. It was great for what it was, but I like to do paint and body so I needed something bigger. I did use that little thing to paint and sand blast my Willys, just had to take a few breaks in order for it to catch up. But I did stuff with that thing people said it could never do, lol.
Dewalt 60 gallon (mislabeled price) at Tractor Supply so I paid $490
Factory Reconditioned Metabo pancake for portable stuff, paid $129
Not bad for a $619 total investment.
Sold my California Air Tools 2hp/10 gallon compressor I had for about 6 years. It was great for what it was, but I like to do paint and body so I needed something bigger. I did use that little thing to paint and sand blast my Willys, just had to take a few breaks in order for it to catch up. But I did stuff with that thing people said it could never do, lol.
Attachments
Magnet sticks to the tank so I’m going with steel.
got my new compressor yesterday after work.
it looks like the current version of the Quincy since it is 24gal instead of the older 26. It is way quieter than my old one, but still decently loud. I’ll have to find a piece of tubing to add to the intake. I didn’t have a piece with a large enough ID to try it last night. I’m hoping it holds air well. My old one would leak slowly from the compressor head and run more frequently than it needed too. I left it off and pressured up last night and will check when I head out to the garage later this morning.Looks like it is made in China.
The motor is prewired for 110v, but can be configured for 230v. It says made in China and continuous duty.
I can't find anything specific on the pump. it does get warm when compressing air, but all compressors get warm. The belt does move enough air to keep air movement over the fins. It does have some intake noise so I'll have to find a cheap piece of 3/4" ID tubing to see if that helps.
I let it sit with the power off and it didn't lose any air for 48 hours so that's a good thing!
I free spun my impact and the cheap HF die grinder I just picked up for a minute or two and the compressor seems to cycle well. It doesn't take nearly as long to pump back up as my old one did so that's a plus as well.
I ordered some PEX connectors and am going to run an airline or two across my garage. I also picked up a pack of Milton V style connectors and they flow so much better... But now I need a ton more... So not sure that was really a "good" buy.
I found some Amazon Basics that don't cost as much so I might give those a try, or just pony up for some more Milton ones.
The motor is prewired for 110v, but can be configured for 230v. It says made in China and continuous duty.
I can't find anything specific on the pump. it does get warm when compressing air, but all compressors get warm. The belt does move enough air to keep air movement over the fins. It does have some intake noise so I'll have to find a cheap piece of 3/4" ID tubing to see if that helps.
I let it sit with the power off and it didn't lose any air for 48 hours so that's a good thing!
I free spun my impact and the cheap HF die grinder I just picked up for a minute or two and the compressor seems to cycle well. It doesn't take nearly as long to pump back up as my old one did so that's a plus as well.
I ordered some PEX connectors and am going to run an airline or two across my garage. I also picked up a pack of Milton V style connectors and they flow so much better... But now I need a ton more... So not sure that was really a "good" buy.
I found some Amazon Basics that don't cost as much so I might give those a try, or just pony up for some more Milton ones.Attachments
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Amazon basics are all rips offs of the real thing. May work fine, may not.
Considering you will have them likely forever, I would buy the real deal, and from somewhere that isn't amazon
Considering you will have them likely forever, I would buy the real deal, and from somewhere that isn't amazon
Wow, I guess they really have sold completely out of the old version. That's definitely the updated model.
If you have any kind of fabrication chops, you can drill a hole in a piece of flat plate and weld some black pipe to it to make the intake a standard thread. Then you can easily put a 90 bend in it and get a solberg filter/silencer to help with the noise.
If you have any kind of fabrication chops, you can drill a hole in a piece of flat plate and weld some black pipe to it to make the intake a standard thread. Then you can easily put a 90 bend in it and get a solberg filter/silencer to help with the noise.
Before hacking up the filter housing, try slipping some tube over that inlet. I did about 1.5' and have no idea if 2x or 1/2x works just as well/better.
My CH based pump originally used a filter housing held in place with two screws. The head was tapped for something like a 5/8" npt female pipe. I think that's 1/2” pipe. The filters all seem pretty standardized so you aren't likely to guess just a bit wrong. You could also buy a short stub of pipe from the hardware store to check.
BTW, I suspect rubber/similar tubing helps because it can expand/contract with the pressure pulses of the air flow. I wouldn't have believed this trick had it not been for my CAT compressor. When I tried it out I didn't have the air filter on it. My thought was it was louder than I remember. Then I put on the filter housing... ok that helped. Then I put in that stupid looking 5" bit of tubing... wow, it made as big a difference as the air filter housing! After that I was a believer.
I used 3/4 pipe because that gave me the most filter options.
Attachments
Thanks! Those pictures are pretty much what I had in mind when I started thinking about fabbing something up.
I figured it was worth a shot trying to fix my old compressor after realizing I only needed some new o rings. I grabbed a pack from HF that included the proper size and it worked for a few minutes, but the discharge tube blew out again at about 160 psi. I think I'll go back to my other idea of plumbing it in the air run I'm going to install to give an air source across my garage or just sell as is for parts.
casestudies
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2015
- Messages
- 68
How has this NAPA compressor performed?
I found the Quincy but came across the NAPA one for $580, which has the same CFM output, and is $170 cheaper than the Quincy ($750). There's hardly any information on NAPA's site on this compressor. The Quincy's description shows it has a cast iron cylinder and aluminum head. It claims the pump has a 10k hour life span. I'm not sure I believe 10k hours is realistic though...
Does the NAPA have a cast iron cylinder, etc. and rated for 10k hour life span like the Quincy? If it's the same unit, I don't see the benefit of buying a Quincy for $170 more. I tend to like buying large/heavy items locally for warranty issues as well. I have a local NAPA, but the Quincy I'd have to buy through an online site.
I'm looking at getting as much CFM in a portable compressor. The highest I've found is 6-6.2 cfm in the larger tank sizes like 26-30 gallons. I'd like a 60 gallon unit, specifically the Quincy QT-54, but don't really have the room at the moment for one. It's also hard to justify a $2k compressor at the moment where most of my tools are battery powered.
I was looking at a Husky 30 gallon 175 psi compressor that I can buy locally, which is rated to 175 psi and has a larger 30 gallon tank. However, it has 6.2 cfm instead of the Quincy/Napa's 7.4 cfm. Has the NAPA's 135psi tank max pressure worked okay? Does it put out the rated 7.4 cfm?
I'm not needing a compressor for production; just for fixing my cars when they have problems, and do some occasional metal working as a hobby. Most of my automotive tools I use are battery powered, but I do use an air hammer. I use air to blow stuff off too. My 4 gallon compressor is supposedly rated for ~4cfm but it's under powered for what I've been using it for, and I wait on it a lot when using air tools for a repair. I've gotten by, but I'm abusing it, as it's really meant for a nail gun.
I'm looking into possibly getting a plasma cutter at some point in the future that specs 6 cfm at 90psi for full cut capacity (hence, looking at a high cfm portable compressor), but mostly would be cutting thinner material, so the requirement would likely be more like 4.5 cfm at 90 psi.
The Husky's higher 175 psi pressure rating and larger tank volume look appealing, but it seems through reading that CFM is more important, and hence, the 7.4 cfm rating for the NAPA/Quincy units looked appealing for the 6 cfm plasma cutter requirement.
I found the Quincy but came across the NAPA one for $580, which has the same CFM output, and is $170 cheaper than the Quincy ($750). There's hardly any information on NAPA's site on this compressor. The Quincy's description shows it has a cast iron cylinder and aluminum head. It claims the pump has a 10k hour life span. I'm not sure I believe 10k hours is realistic though...
Does the NAPA have a cast iron cylinder, etc. and rated for 10k hour life span like the Quincy? If it's the same unit, I don't see the benefit of buying a Quincy for $170 more. I tend to like buying large/heavy items locally for warranty issues as well. I have a local NAPA, but the Quincy I'd have to buy through an online site.
I'm looking at getting as much CFM in a portable compressor. The highest I've found is 6-6.2 cfm in the larger tank sizes like 26-30 gallons. I'd like a 60 gallon unit, specifically the Quincy QT-54, but don't really have the room at the moment for one. It's also hard to justify a $2k compressor at the moment where most of my tools are battery powered.
I was looking at a Husky 30 gallon 175 psi compressor that I can buy locally, which is rated to 175 psi and has a larger 30 gallon tank. However, it has 6.2 cfm instead of the Quincy/Napa's 7.4 cfm. Has the NAPA's 135psi tank max pressure worked okay? Does it put out the rated 7.4 cfm?
I'm not needing a compressor for production; just for fixing my cars when they have problems, and do some occasional metal working as a hobby. Most of my automotive tools I use are battery powered, but I do use an air hammer. I use air to blow stuff off too. My 4 gallon compressor is supposedly rated for ~4cfm but it's under powered for what I've been using it for, and I wait on it a lot when using air tools for a repair. I've gotten by, but I'm abusing it, as it's really meant for a nail gun.
I'm looking into possibly getting a plasma cutter at some point in the future that specs 6 cfm at 90psi for full cut capacity (hence, looking at a high cfm portable compressor), but mostly would be cutting thinner material, so the requirement would likely be more like 4.5 cfm at 90 psi.
The Husky's higher 175 psi pressure rating and larger tank volume look appealing, but it seems through reading that CFM is more important, and hence, the 7.4 cfm rating for the NAPA/Quincy units looked appealing for the 6 cfm plasma cutter requirement.
I owned the Quincy. The Napa model is almost identical, and uses the same pump. It's actually made by IMC/Atlas Copco and Quincy just rebadged it (as does Napa).
I would buy it and not look back. That's less than I paid for the Quincy several years ago and as you can see, the price has gone up. It's the highest CFM portable 120 volt compressor available and I did verify the CFM with a pump up test and a flow meter.
I had no problems with mine. I just outgrew it when I started running bigger air tools and a blast cabinet.
Note that the Quincy is a 19A motor and the web page says it wants a 30A breaker. Is your limitation 120V or a typical 120V outlet that may be on a 20A circuit? Basically that Quincy may be unhappy if you just plug it into your typical garage wiring. 19A would exceed the continuous load rating of a 20A circuit (20A*80%=16A). A compressor may not count as continous and 19A may not be the running load under most conditions. Regardless, that's a lot of amps. In general there is no secret sauce. If the compressors draw about the same amount of power you would expect about the same flow rate. If the flow rate is much different assume the power demands are as well.
wantedabiggergarage
Member Emeritus
Anyone know the differences or where to get, between Quincy and Quincy Industrial compressors? Quite a few years ago I picked up a Quincy Industrial via CL for a song.
I've been happy with my purchase! It has handled everything I've thrown at it, so it fits my needs well. Mostly, filling up tires, blowing out my chainsaws, undercoating vehicles in the fall, running my impact wrench from time to time or my die grinder. I don't have any complaints. It is more powerful and quieter than my old 20gal. Overall I feel it was a good purchase. Still portable if I need to move it, and it takes up less space in my garage than a 60gal would have.
casestudies
Well-known member
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- Jan 23, 2015
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- 68
Thanks all! I saw that it recommended a 30A, 120A breaker. The Quincy unit looked like it could be wired for 240V, so if the NAPA unit is the same it should be possible to wire it for 240v too? Running it on 240V would help reduce the amps used. I have a 100A subpanel in my garage, so power isn't an issue. I'd go with a 60 gallon unit for the extra power/CFM, but I just don't have the physical space at the moment and I'd like to maintain the ability of moving the compressor around if needed as I often find myself rearranging stuff. Someday, I hope to build a larger garage, so perhaps a 60 gallon unit will be possible in the future.
Thanks again for the feedback with the Quincy and the NAPA units!
Thanks again for the feedback with the Quincy and the NAPA units!