Should I buy this compressor?

[brianpgriset]

I have the chance to buy a Bel Aire 318VE air compressor for a bit under $1000. Thats a 7.5 HP compressor, makes 25CFM at 175 psig and 32 CFM free air, which is probably enough for me for a long long time. One thing has me hung up though, the motor is a 3450 RPM, so my guess is the pump RPM is somewhere in the 1300 range. Faster (and louder) than I'd really like. I was really eying a new Quincy 5HP from Northern Tool new for 1700, but it makes around 7 CFM less, but spins slower, quieter and would be new.

Could I just get a smaller pulley on the motor and turn the pump slower to decrease noise/increase life? I know I'd loose some CFM though...

The used Bel Aire is very clean.

Any opinions?

 

[brianpgriset]

BTW I want this to be the "last compressor I'll ever buy". I have a small sandblaster and plan on upgrading to a medium sized one soon, also will be running body tools like a DA sander on occasion, but not all the time.

 

[94cobra2615]

I was really eying a new Quincy 5HP from Northern Tool new for 1700, but it makes around 7 CFM less, but spins slower, quieter and would be new.

For that price you could get a 4 cylinder EATON that would kill the Quincy and the bel aire. AND it spins around 600 rpm......I can talk on a cell phone beside mine. They are on sale till the end of February.

BUT I am biased

Specs on mine: 4 cyl, 2 stage, 34 cfm @ 0psi, 28 cfm @ 100psi, 26 cfm @ 175psi, 7.5 hp.


The bel aire sounds nice for the price though.

 

[morehead]

I would like to replace my compressor because it runs @ 3450,it is built by a local company I bought used $450 has stood up fine but is too LOUD.Some older stuff runs nice & quiet but I would stick with a unit that runs @ about 1750rpm.

Just my 12 cents worth.

 

[Kev442]

Google says that Bel Aire model is 5 HP?

 

[930dreamer]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Bel-Aire-5-Hp-A...emQQptZBI_Air_Compressors?hash=item1c1049a2b3

This ad shows 5 hp in the title, but 7.5 hp in the specs?

 

[irisservice]

For that price you could get a 4 cylinder EATON that would kill the Quincy and the bel aire. AND it spins around 600 rpm......I can talk on a cell phone beside mine. They are on sale till the end of February.

BUT I am biased

Specs on mine: 4 cyl, 2 stage, 34 cfm @ 0psi, 28 cfm @ 100psi, 26 cfm @ 175psi, 7.5 hp.


The bel aire sounds nice for the price though.

I dont see a 4 cylinder only a 3...
http://www.eatoncompressor.com/catalog/item/504747/6112301.htm

 

[Rentawrench]

Well If you want to Travel This one looks like it would Handle your blaster,or buy a rotary at auction

http://westernmass.craigslist.org/tls/1612505422.html

 

[PurdueSD]

I am am really really happy so far with my 5hp/ 80 Gal Quincy.

I found it a a local farm store (Rural King) much to my surprise. I waited for them to run one of their wacko good sales and picked it up for $1200 brand new. This was a couple years ago, but i think it was retailing for 1600-1700 at the time.

I will tell you that it is the quietest large compressor i have ever been around right out of the box. I had plans to enclose it in a closet under the stairs, but after firing it up, it wasn't loud enough to bother.

I don't have a sandblaster yet, but it laughs at die grinders.

 

[94cobra2615]

I dont see a 4 cylinder only a 3...
http://www.eatoncompressor.com/catalog/item/504747/6112301.htm

4 cylinder model here: http://www.eatoncompressor.com/catalog/item/504747/1710568.htm

I really like mine. I've had it for about 3 weeks now.


Pics of mine:
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj121/94cobra2615/Compressor/compressor1.jpg
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj121/94cobra2615/Compressor/compressor3.jpg

 

[brianpgriset]

http://www.belairecompressors.com/p_piston-2stage-electric.html

Here is a listing of their models, the 318VL is down the list (7.5 HP).


If I could pick up the 5hp quincy for that price I'd do it, does Northern Tool ever run sales on those compressors? Or a good coupon? Will that be enough to run a medium sized blast cabinet? I told myself going in I wanted a 7.5HP outfit.

I thought for a long time about the eatons, I just wish A) I could get it local and B) it was USA made.

 

[94cobra2615]

The belair is almost usa made. The pump unit is made in italy from what i can tell. It's all ASSEMBLED here though.

 

[rwhite692]

You simply cannot compare anything that Eaton sells, with a Quincy.

All of Eaton's pumps are Chinese-made. Not to say they aren't "good" pumps but the Quincy product line is in an entirely different league and is a US-made industrial-duty pump designed for long service life and high duty cycle. Apples and Oranges.

 

[dfndr]

rwhite, are the entry level Quincy's like the ones on the net that you can get for about $1250 delievered as good a quality as you say the others are or is it just like a "homeowner" model of lesser grade? I am really interested in this stuff as I want a good compressor but can't justify a huge price for weekend garage work. I notice that the Quincy runs pump at over 1300 rpm. Is this too loud a pump when all is said and done? Thanks.

 

[Dave Heacock]

Just a quick note, when looking at compressors be aware that the pump size is a huge factor beyond just the H.P. of the motor that turns it. Several compressor manufacturers have fast compressor models that put a larger H.P. electric motor on a smaller pump and spin it faster. This is a recipe for long term failure. I see many in the thread are noting RPM and are informed, but I thought I would just put that out there for the newbies who might be shopping for a compressor. Also when comparing CFM between different brands be sure you comparing at like delivery pressures.