Thoughts on this air compressor?

[zyx5432]

http://www.tptools.com/Champion-5HP-2-Stage-80-Gal-Air-Compressor,6253.html

Looking for something sized to be able to do most anything in a one man shop. No current plans for painting, nor do I own a sandblast cabinet but may one day.

It seems among the various brands that get favorable mention here, Champion is usually on the list. The advantage series seems to be well built. Looking to buy right the first time and enjoy (hopefully) a lifetime unit.

Thoughts? (TP Tools is having a 10% off sale, so I'm looking to act soon, just wanted to get opinions before I pulled the trigger).

Thanks!

 

[PT Doc]

I think you would be super happy with this unit. If your cfm demands won't increase then you should have decades of great service from this unit.

Buy once, cry once. Smile forever!

 

[LXCam]

Well that unit is almost identical to my speedair one that is around 15yrs old now. And I do paint and have a blast cabinet and it's never let me down. I think you're making a wise choice.

 

[md21722]

It's a great compressor. Some people have problems with the auto drain valve leaking & scaring them when it does its thing. It's not specific to Champion. It affects any brand that uses an auto drain. It would provide a lifetime of service, but if you get into heavier uses, like blasting, then you may need to step up to 7.5 HP.

 

[The Tool Tyrant]

Great unit, and being the 'Advantage' series, it comes with a belt guard mounted aftercooler, coupled with the auto drain should HELP keep airborne moisture to a minimum.

Champion makes a great product AND it's built in the good ol' USA! You will be happy with it for many years as long as you keep up with the required minimal maintenance. Good luck!

 

[Nexussian]

I've got the 1968 version of that one, I wore the pump out in 1993 or thereabouts, bought a replacement Champion branded pump and it's all still going.

Pops recently bought a 7.5 HP from NAPA for less than the add lists the Champion 5 HP for.

I can't attest to how long it will last, but all the literature for the pump has Atlas Copco on it, the motor is a Baldor and the Mag Starter is Eaton.

7.5 Hp, 24 CFM @ 175 PSI, 80 gallon.

82-378-VAT or 82-378-VATFF to get a belt guard mounted aftercooler, low oil shutdown and auto drain.

Check both part numbers price's when you look, turns out the "fully packaged" (FF) one was on a more deeply discounted sale when we asked.

QP7581VAT is quieter, but quite a bit more money, usually, as always, ask, you never know what's on sale.

 

[engineer2]

I bought a couple of the VR5-8's for the shop last lear and they have performed flawlessly. Paid $2600 from a local distributor.

Extend the 1/4" copper drain line to a bucket or something or it will spray rusty water everywhere. Also consider adding an hour meter to keep track of oil change intervals.

 

[Streetbu]

Nice compressor but seems pricey to me. I don't want this to become a which brand is better ******* match. You will know your usage better than any of us will. Are you restoring a car, live on a farm, have a side business at home? If so, go for it, that will serve you well for decades. If not quite so much, I think you can get away with a much cheaper compressor and still have it last as long. For instance, I bought a rebadged Campbell Hausfeld 60 gallon, three cylinder single stage. Makes 13.9cfm at 90psi. It does 99% of what I need it to do. Only time I had to slow down was sandblasting. It's been 9 years now, I did have to take one head off and clean the steel flappers that werent sealing. Took 15 minutes. I do side jobs in my garage, usually just brakes, but just painted a tailgate, and have been restoring my hotrod for a few years. The compressor cost $600 on sale. Thats a huge difference from $3,000. JMO

 

[Franz1.0©]

Same jug I bought in 1968, been running ever since. Have the twin in the house, Ritter Dental unit replaced by a hospital because no parts were available according to the "Service Technician", Ritter went out of business. Oddly a $4 relay off the shelf solved that.
I know of a 1940 vintage Champion REN 10 still running and producing air.

Champion is now owned by Gardner-Denver, but the quality hasn't changed, unlike Ingersole Rand the fine Mexican units.

Champion had an excellent dealer network in years gone by, and might still. Before jumping to TP tools, an outfit I have little love of, go to Champion's web site and do some checking for other distributors. You might be able to get a better deal.

The only shortcoming I find with Champion is their automatic receiver drain. It sludges up and can suffer freeze damage in an unheated location.

 

[rburke65]

I have the 5 hp, 60 gallon tank and it keeps up with my sandblasting. At 805 rpm, it's super quite. Been a nice unit.

 

[zyx5432]

I bought a couple of the VR5-8's for the shop last lear and they have performed flawlessly. Paid $2600 from a local distributor.

Extend the 1/4" copper drain line to a bucket or something or it will spray rusty water everywhere. Also consider adding an hour meter to keep track of oil change intervals.

Good idea on both counts. Was going to extend the drain line out of my barn.

 

[930dreamer]

I have almost the same unit in three phase, no after cooler, works great.

 

[Keith_MN]

Looks like a great compressor. But for the price, I think I would select a less expensive option. Northern Tool has a Quincy 5HP, 80 Gal, 2 stage for $2k. Or a Puma for $1,300. These might not be as nice, but you could buy two lesser compressors for the price of this one.

 

[Citation]

If cost is no object go for it! If cost is an object and you realistically aren't using it heavily day in and out I'm sure something around $1k would probably do just as well (ie a 12-14 CFM vs 17 CFM).

For what it's worth, I just helped my father install a 4hp version of this Husky
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-80-Gal-5-HP-2-Stage-Air-Compressor-HS5181/100005910

Not as good as his Champion from years back (basically the same as what you have listed) but he no longer does things like painting so a somewhat lower end compressor is fine (well that as we got it for free).

 

[Dr Stan]

The Husky from HD uses a Chinese motor & an Indian pump. The only thing USA about it is the tank & assembly. I do not advise buying one.

I have a 120 gallon 10hp dual stage Champion I purchased used. I probably should not say, but I bought the unit at its scrap value. $275.00. It was 3 phase and when I looked into a phase convertor lets just say it was pricey.
So I found a used 10hp single phase motor about 30 miles from home. It had been gone through, bearings replaced and tested. The electrical shop wired it up for me to inspect. $500 delivered to the bed of my PU.

I cannot see any reason I'll ever need to replace it. It will power my big honkin' sandblaster with ease.

Bottom line Champion & Quincey make the best compressors. Quincey is suppose to be easier to repair, but I've never heard a compressor tech verify that statement.

Before you go new, use Search Tempest to try and find a good used one.

 

[Dr Stan]

I do not know your location, but if it is within a days drive of
Chicago check out Lost Creek Machine. He has at least 3 nice compressors available. This Rolair (another excellent brand) looks virtually brand new. The asking price is $1195.00.

I cannot get the pic to copy & paste so here's the address: http://www.lostcreekmachine.com/

Once there select "other machines".

BTW, no connection other than being a satisfied customer.

 

[Citation]

The Husky from HD uses a Chinese motor & an Indian pump. The only thing USA about it is the tank & assembly. I do not advise buying one.

I have a 120 gallon 10hp dual stage Champion I purchased used. I probably should not say, but I bought the unit at its scrap value. $275.00. It was 3 phase and when I looked into a phase convertor lets just say it was pricey.
So I found a used 10hp single phase motor about 30 miles from home. It had been gone through, bearings replaced and tested. The electrical shop wired it up for me to inspect. $500 delivered to the bed of my PU.

I cannot see any reason I'll ever need to replace it. It will power my big honkin' sandblaster with ease.

Bottom line Champion & Quincey make the best compressors. Quincey is suppose to be easier to repair, but I've never heard a compressor tech verify that statement.

Before you go new, use Search Tempest to try and find a good used one.

I don't think that is correct in the case of the one I got but it was something like a 2009 build. I think the motor was US or Mexico. Not as sure about the pump. It is CH hardware.

It doesn't sound like we are dealing with a ********* user so what is gained by spending 2x+ ? Do the gains justify the cost?