Replacement Air Compressor Options

[Mr. Roboto]

So I used to have a 60 gallon stationary Husky air compressor, hard wired in to 220V. I bought it brand new at a steal ($429). After 3 years, it started to give me issues. Because of how inaccessible it was (bolted to the floor in my garage, in the corner, surrounded by a bunch of other heavy stuff) I didn't get around to diagnosing it for almost a year. Long story short.... it was just the belt slipping. I replaced the belt, tensioned it up, and it worked fine. Yes, how silly of me.... oh well. Live and learn. During this year, I had just been using my 5 gallon pancake compressor to run my air tools. The price of compressors have gone up quite a bit, and it got me thinking how I really do not need such a large compressor, so it may be a good opportunity to cash in on selling this one. I threw the husky up on Facebook for $400 and it sold the next day, effectively getting my money back for what it cost me.

I only run my pneumatic impacts, air hammer, and if I am building something in the garage, my assortment of framing nailers/brad nailers. Plus the usual airing up of tires, floats, pools, balls etc.

Which brings me to the next question. What do I get for a replacement? I can't go back to an oilless unit because I don't want to listen to it. I like the idea of it being portable in case I ever need to use it outside the garage. And I want it to be vertical to take up less floor space. So, this puts me in the 20-30 gallon range.

I have been thinking about this Quincy:

Quincy Single-Stage Portable Electric Air Compressor 2 HP, 24-Gallon Vertical, 7.4 CFM, Model# Q12124VPQ | Northern Tool

Long-lasting Quincy Single-Stage 2 HP, 24-Gallon Vertical Portable Electric Air Compressor is perfect for light commercial ...

www.northerntool.com

Anybody have any experience with it? Any recommendations on other units to get that may fit my uses? it seems like this question has been asked a lot, but I have not been able to find many providing first hand experience, or anyone looking to downsize like I am.

Thank you!

 

[GeoBruin]

I've owned that exact compressor. Technically two of them for a short while

Long story (kinda) short, the first one showed up with a bent flywheel. I called Quincy to get a replacement flywheel and the model was so new (they had just switched from a very similar model) none of the parts were in the system yet. After going back and forth, the easiest thing (apparently) for them to do was send me a replacement compressor.

They had me "field decommission" the old one which entailed peeling the stickers with the serial number off and cutting off the name plate that was welded to the tank. I sent them pictures and then they sent the new compressor.

Meanwhile, I was very careful about how I removed the stickers and the name plate so as soon as I sent them the pics, I slapped the stickers back on and hit the spots where I (carefully) cut off the name plate with some matching spray paint. I then went on a hunt to find a replacement flywheel which I finally located and and replaced the old one in short order.

Long story short, I had a basically brand new compressor by the time the new one arrived. I sold the new one still in the box but I ran the other for a couple years.

Now the part you are wondering about: how was the compressor?

In short, fine. It served its purpose which was allowing me to start running some air tools, do some painting, and even run a small blast cabinet without running 240 power to my shop. It is, after all, the the highest flow 120 l volt "portable" compressor available. Trust me, I checked.

I also checked the spec'd flow rate with a pump up test and eventually even a gcm industries differential pressure flow meter and it was right on.

As far as problems...

- It's loud. I mean it's not the worst compressor out there but it's louder than the new quiet oilless models and louder than a big, slow turning 5 horse machine.
- It's made in China. I mean, I think the tank may actually have been made in the US but the motor and pump are definitely Chinese. It says Quincy on the label but it's not made in a Quincy plant. IMC/Atlas Copco/Bellaire and even Napa have branded this machine.
-There is no other bung on the tank besides the main one at the top and the drain bung on the bottom. If you wanted to bypass the mediocre Condor regulator it comes with and come straight out of the tank with a 1/2 or even 3/4 npt fitting, you just can't.

Other than that, it truly is portable. It's heavy as hell but the wheels and handle they put on it make it easy to roll around. It makes a lot of air on a 120 volt (20 amp) circuit which is rare. And I really can't argue with the customer service experience I had since they basically gave me a new compressor.

Happy to answer any other questions you have.

 

[borgdog]

I'm looking for something similar after having sold my 60gal with my last shop/house. I saw this one at Home Depot the other day that has decent specs/price and is supposedly made by Campbell Hausfeld. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-3...tical-Electric-Air-Compressor-C304H/312074155

That Quincy looks nice as well, will be following this thread. The Husky runs on a 15 amp circuit vs the 20 amp of the Quincy so can plug into most any outlet, but predictably produces less air.

 

[Mr. Roboto]

I've owned that exact compressor. Technically two of them for a short while

<SNIP>

Interesting, thanks for all of that information. That's great that you essentially got the compressor for free haha. Nice to hear that your testing confirmed the advertised specs are legitimate. Do you run it on a 20A breaker?

That really is a bummer about the tank output limitations though - not something I had considered. I have a regulator setup from my old 60 gallon that was threaded into the side of the tank via 3/4" NPT setup..... I guess I cannot do that with this tank.

ALSO, interesting to hear how loud it is, and you mention that the "new" oil-free compressors are quieter. I had a craftsman oil free compressor 15+ years ago that was extremely loud. But after just doing some quick research, it sounds like oil free has come a long way, and is a viable option that I should further look into.

I'm looking for something similar after having sold my 60gal with my last shop/house. I saw this one at Home Depot the other day that has decent specs/price and is supposedly made by Campbell Hausfeld. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-3...tical-Electric-Air-Compressor-C304H/312074155

That Quincy looks nice as well, will be following this thread. The Husky runs on a 15 amp circuit vs the 20 amp of the Quincy so can plug into most any outlet, but predictably produces less air.

On paper, that does look like a good option as well. I was hoping to stay away from Husky in favor of a better brand this time, but the reality is they're mostly all made in China without jumping up in price quite a bit.

 

[GeoBruin]

I'm looking for something similar after having sold my 60gal with my last shop/house. I saw this one at Home Depot the other day that has decent specs/price and is supposedly made by Campbell Hausfeld. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-3...tical-Electric-Air-Compressor-C304H/312074155

That Quincy looks nice as well, will be following this thread. The Husky runs on a 15 amp circuit vs the 20 amp of the Quincy so can plug into most any outlet, but predictably produces less air.

A single stage compressor with a 175 psi max pressure rubs me the wrong way. I can't imagine that being sustainable for the long term.

Of everything in this class, I think this one from harbor freight is the best buy. From my inspection, the pump seems to be very nearly the same as the one on the Quincy.

Harbor Freight Tools – Quality Tools at Discount Prices Since 1977

Harbor Freight buys their top quality tools from the same factories that supply our competitors. We cut out the middleman and pass the savings to you!

www.harborfreight.com

If you're considering oilless, look at any of the 2 hp California Air Tools models. They're very compact, make a little over 5 cfm and they're very quiet (about 70 dba). They'll also run on a 15 amp outlet. I'm thinking of this one:

California Air Tools - The Largest Manufacture of Ultra Quiet, Oil-Free & Lightweight Air Compressors - CAT-10020C

New page

www.californiaairtools.com

 

[Terra Nova]

Not sure your budget and you said you want vertical but the Eastwood scroll compressor is very intriguing to me. If you want quiet and big compressor performance in a small package it may be for you. 12.7 scfm at only 63 dB!

Eastwood Elite QST 30/60 Scroll Air Compressor with Automatic Drain System

Combining whisper-quiet operation with high airflow and 100% duty cycle, the Eastwood Elite QST30/60 compressor delivers unmatched performance without unwanted noise.

www.eastwood.com

On a more budget friendly side, the Ingersoll Rand may do the trick for you. Only 20 gallons compared with the Husky but is a 'better' brand name. May consider this one if my current Husky 30 gallons dies. It's an older one they don't make anymore (≈15 yrs old) but is a solid unit my by CH. Cast iron oiled pump (135 psi max though ) so it'll likely be with me for a while.

Ingersoll Rand Reciprocating 20 Gal. 2 HP Portable Electric Garage Mate Air Compressor P1.5IU-A9

Ingersoll Rand utilizes over 140-years of experience to bring you the best quality in compressed air. Designed for professionals and serious do-it-yourselfers who want the trusted Ingersoll Rand performance.

www.homedepot.com

 

[GeoBruin]

ot sure your budget and you said you want vertical but the Eastwood scroll compressor is very intriguing to me. If you want quiet and big compressor performance in a small package it may be for you. 12.7 scfm at only 63 dB!

Yes, very intriguing. But 3 - 5 times more expensive than the options being discussed here and it's 240 volt.

 

[Terra Nova]

Yes, very intriguing. But 3 - 5 times more expensive than the options being discussed here and it's 240 volt.

That's why I prefaced it with the comment on budget. Per the original post I read it that 220/240v was available. Either way, it's likely way overkill for the OPs needs, but still a neat option if he had plans of a blast cabinet or the like eventually.

 

[finn]

Wipe away your preconceived notions that all oilless compressors are intolerable from a noise standpoint. The newer “silent “ compressors made popular by California Air are now available at almost all retailers, and, based on your usage description, should be suitable for your duty cycle and provide sufficient life.

They are inexpensive, readily available, and quiet. They won’t likely run 40000 hours, but are suitable for homeowner use.

 

[GeoBruin]

That's why I prefaced it with the comment on budget. Per the original post I read it that 220/240v was available. Either way, it's likely way overkill for the OPs needs, but still a neat option if he had plans of a blast cabinet or the like eventually.

Sorry, I didn't mean for my post to come off that way. I should have added the context that I really am intrigued by this compressor. I now have a typical 5 hp 60 gallon compressor in my very small shop that is loud, takes up a ton of space, and draws a ton of current. I am contemplating putting it outside in a shed but still, it seems inefficient for my uses which can have high air demands, but are not all-day-every-day.

To that end, my ideal setup would be something like this that is quiet and efficient and could be bolstered by a "peaking" compressor which would be a small, quiet, 5 cfm oilless unit that would supplement my air demands when running high consumption air tools or even occasional blasting. Combined, it would be about 18-19 cfm which is more than the 15ish I have now and because the small compressor would be on a separate 120 volt circuit, it would leave some overhead on the 240 volt circuit.

The only concerns are, of course, the cost, and there have been a couple threads where members here have had issues with the machine and have had to return/exchange it.

Anyway, I hate it when people post short, quippy, reactive/combative posts here in response to posts that are genuine and offer additional information/context so I'm sorry I got suckered into doing just that.

 

[Mr. Roboto]

Thank you everyone, for all your feedback. My eyes have been opened.... I am really leaning towards getting an oil free "silent" unit now. I love the fact that there is less maintenance involved, they are lighter weight, smaller footprint, all while still perfectly suiting my needs.

This Husky looks decent for the price. Similar to the California Air Tool, but for almost half the price

Husky 20 Gal.165 PSI Vertical Electric Oil-Free Quiet Auto/Workshop Air Compressor with Dual Gauges and 2-Quick Couplers 3332013 - The Home Depot

Finish your sanding and painting work easily with the selection of this Husky 2-Vertical ElectricPowered Silent Air Compressor.

www.homedepot.com

Or possibly a Kobalt, which looks to be a very similar build, just with a bigger tank.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-QUIET-TECH-26-Gallon-Single-Stage-Portable-Electric-Vertical-Air-Compressor/1001014062

Or the harbor freight, which has them both beat on SCFM

27 Gallon , 200 PSI High-Performance Vertical Shop/Auto Air Compressor

Amazing deals on this 27Gal 200Psi Hp Shop/Auto Air Compressor at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[Crabman]

In this size range I have this Porter Cable 24 gallon 1.5 hp.

Similar stats to the Husky but cheaper.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/porter-cable-24-gallon-portable-air-compressor?cm_vc=-10011

Not sure if you have TSC up in NH.

They go on sale a few times a year, I got mine for $159 plus tax on a Black Friday sale I think in 11/20, I am thinking they were a little higher on BF last year but under $200 for sure.

Mine works well, is very portable, and to me anyway, not very loud at all.

Good luck finding the right fit.

Bruce

 

[GeoBruin]

Thank you everyone, for all your feedback. My eyes have been opened.... I am really leaning towards getting an oil free "silent" unit now. I love the fact that there is less maintenance involved, they are lighter weight, smaller footprint, all while still perfectly suiting my needs.

This Husky looks decent for the price. Similar to the California Air Tool, but for almost half the price

Husky 20 Gal.165 PSI Vertical Electric Oil-Free Quiet Auto/Workshop Air Compressor with Dual Gauges and 2-Quick Couplers 3332013 - The Home Depot

Finish your sanding and painting work easily with the selection of this Husky 2-Vertical ElectricPowered Silent Air Compressor.

www.homedepot.com

Or possibly a Kobalt, which looks to be a very similar build, just with a bigger tank.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-QUIET-TECH-26-Gallon-Single-Stage-Portable-Electric-Vertical-Air-Compressor/1001014062

Or the harbor freight, which has them both beat on SCFM

27 Gallon , 200 PSI High-Performance Vertical Shop/Auto Air Compressor

Amazing deals on this 27Gal 200Psi Hp Shop/Auto Air Compressor at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

I would recommend this fortress model over the one linked. 200 psi is crazy for a single stage compressor and it shows. It makes a ton more noise. This one will be quieter and will probably last longer.

26 Gallon 175 PSI Ultra Quiet Vertical Shop/Auto Air Compressor

Amazing deals on this 26Gal 1.7Hp 175Psi Oil-Free Compressor at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

You can get 5.5 cfm and 70db sound from the 2 horse CAT compressor but it will run you at least $100 more than these models.

 

[Mr. Roboto]

I would recommend this fortress model over the one linked. 200 psi is crazy for a single stage compressor and it shows. It makes a ton more noise. This one will be quieter and will probably last longer.

26 Gallon 175 PSI Ultra Quiet Vertical Shop/Auto Air Compressor

Amazing deals on this 26Gal 1.7Hp 175Psi Oil-Free Compressor at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

You can get 5.5 cfm and 70db sound from the 2 horse CAT compressor but it will run you at least $100 more than these models.

Oops, you're right, I linked to the wrong one. That ultra quiet 26 gallon from HF is my frontrunner at the moment.

 

[Mr. Roboto]

Thanks for the help and advice, all. I’m glad I asked. I went with the 26 gallon oil free “silent” fortress from HF.

 

[GeoBruin]

Nice lookin' unit. Let us know how it works out.

 

[Mr. Roboto]

Nice lookin' unit. Let us know how it works out.

Will do, and thanks again for all of your help!