Now that I have my welder, thanks again to everyones input I want to buy an air compressor for my garage. Wondering good brands, size and stuff like that. Going to buy a grinder, saber and all that good stuff. Nothing cheap but nothing that will break the bank if u know what I mean. Thanks again fellas.
The right compressor???
- Thread starter tikiboi13
- Start date
Now that I have my welder, thanks again to everyones input I want to buy an air compressor for my garage. Wondering good brands, size and stuff like that. Going to buy a grinder, saber and all that good stuff. Nothing cheap but nothing that will break the bank if u know what I mean. Thanks again fellas.GeorgiaHybrid
Well-known member
Being the happy owner of a QR-25 Quincy bought off of CL for a song, I am biased and will keep quiet about them but if you can afford it, try one of the Quincy, Eaton or IR units. Another good choice are the upper end units from HF at the mid range level (these have Baldor motors and ABAC pumps). Most of the box store units are re-branded CH compressors and, for all practical purposes, are equal if the CFM ratings are similar.
Also check Craig's list for a good used compressor, have the cash handy and buy when a good deal comes along. If it is a 3 phase unit, count on spending $300 to $400 for a 5HP Leeson or Baldor motor (the 7.5HP motors will run a little more) to convert them to single phase. You can also get a rotary converter but it should be rated for starting a compressor motor of the HP yours has. That can wind up costing even more than replacing the motor.
Also check Craig's list for a good used compressor, have the cash handy and buy when a good deal comes along. If it is a 3 phase unit, count on spending $300 to $400 for a 5HP Leeson or Baldor motor (the 7.5HP motors will run a little more) to convert them to single phase. You can also get a rotary converter but it should be rated for starting a compressor motor of the HP yours has. That can wind up costing even more than replacing the motor.
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dfndr
Well-known member
I'm shopping also. Maybe Eaton or a Bel Aire from Tooltopia with free shipping. Good luck--let us know what you do.
It is a very hard for me to decide on witch one! It's starting to come down to how its easiest to get it in my garage. It seams picking it up locally will work best for me. I would have it delivered to me but I have grass and gravel drive and mite no work well.
GeorgiaHybrid
Well-known member
dfndr,
Check out the Bel Aire specs real closely. They are a VERY nice compressor but the ones that HF sells (US General) are made in the same plant as the BelAire compressors. They are made in the Carolinas and are very similar at a lower price point with minor differences in the pumps used or the motors. Some will use ABAC pumps with Baldor motors and are very nice. Having said that, there is a brand new Bel Aire 318V on the Atlanta CL for $1099 that is a very good deal...Just do a search for "belaire"
Check out the Bel Aire specs real closely. They are a VERY nice compressor but the ones that HF sells (US General) are made in the same plant as the BelAire compressors. They are made in the Carolinas and are very similar at a lower price point with minor differences in the pumps used or the motors. Some will use ABAC pumps with Baldor motors and are very nice. Having said that, there is a brand new Bel Aire 318V on the Atlanta CL for $1099 that is a very good deal...Just do a search for "belaire"
On the HF compressors how do you distinguish which pump is on the tank ? Is it branded or is in a casting ? I am also looking for a compressor as I left my old one with the house when I sold it . I really want a Quincy , and hadnt even considered the HF stuff but it seems I learn something every day .
hetkind
Banned
Personally, I would go with a name brand, IR, Quincy, Speedair so when you do have a parts failure, spares are available.
I have been very happy with my IR 2430, only needed a check valve in six years of service. Plus yearly oil changes.
I got it for $800 new from a local auto parts store...
Howard
I have been very happy with my IR 2430, only needed a check valve in six years of service. Plus yearly oil changes.
I got it for $800 new from a local auto parts store...
Howard
jamesemery728
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 2, 2009
- Messages
- 961
Brand name is important, but try to get something that you think you will not outgrow in the future. There are numerous compressor posts in the archives and many, many comments. Lots of people wished that they a gotten a larger one or are in the process of getting a larger one. If you ever want to operate a sandblaster or air sanders or 3/4 drive tools you will need something large enough to handle those tools. A 2 stage 5 to 7.5hp would be the minimum to look at IMO. There are tons of good deals on CL now if you have the time to wait for them. I have a Quincy QT-5 which is 10+ years old and still looks and runs like new. Quincy customer service is top notch and parts availability on the name brands is something to consider if you are going to buy used.
GeorgiaHybrid
Well-known member
greg,
Download the product sheets from the HF web site and do a search on the part numbers. The large compressor they have uses a 7.5 HP Baldor motor, a B6000 ABAC pump and sits on a ASME rated tank. ABAC is an Italian company that is one of the largest (if not the largest) compressor pump makers in the world. They are built in the same plant that makes Bel Aire compressors.
That was the compressor I was planning on buying until my Quincy dropped out of the sky. If you want to go with a top end machine, look for low pump rpms (Eaton, Quincy or IR) and enough air to furnish what you think you MIGHT need in the future.
The HF compressor also includes a mag starter but the other parts on the machine might be suspect after a few years. For the price they sell for, as long as the pump, motor and tank are good, I think I could afford to replace the odd part here and there. This is for home use only though. If I had a business to run, I would be buying the best I could afford as the last thing you need is downtime at work.
EDIT:
To see the pumps that are being made by ABAC/American IMC, take a look at the following link:
ABAC/American IMC pumps
Download the product sheets from the HF web site and do a search on the part numbers. The large compressor they have uses a 7.5 HP Baldor motor, a B6000 ABAC pump and sits on a ASME rated tank. ABAC is an Italian company that is one of the largest (if not the largest) compressor pump makers in the world. They are built in the same plant that makes Bel Aire compressors.
That was the compressor I was planning on buying until my Quincy dropped out of the sky. If you want to go with a top end machine, look for low pump rpms (Eaton, Quincy or IR) and enough air to furnish what you think you MIGHT need in the future.
The HF compressor also includes a mag starter but the other parts on the machine might be suspect after a few years. For the price they sell for, as long as the pump, motor and tank are good, I think I could afford to replace the odd part here and there. This is for home use only though. If I had a business to run, I would be buying the best I could afford as the last thing you need is downtime at work.
EDIT:
To see the pumps that are being made by ABAC/American IMC, take a look at the following link:
ABAC/American IMC pumps
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Major Ramifications
Well-known member
FYI, Speedaire is made by Campbell Hausfeld.
hetkind
Banned
Speedaire is the brand of choice for providing compressed air to support advanced fire protection systems. They have a very solid reputation for reliability.