What's Your Shop Air Compressor & Why

[csp]

1963 Quincy 216 on an 80 gallon vertical tank in my attached garage and a 1991 Quincy 325 on an 80 gallon horizontal tank in my shop.

I have a number of other portable compressors, probably 4-5 of them.

 

[vwpieces]

Bought mine used. It's a mutt of parts but good parts.
80 gal Husky tank
Quincy QT5 pump
Dayton high torque 5hp motor
Siemens Contactor
Why? Was cheap @ $500 considering the motor runs $1k on Grainger and $1500 for pump
Cost me another $250 for valve plate, gaskets, HP piston and rings for both pistons. I also put a Square D adjustable pressure switch on it. Think that was $42. Oh and had motor apart and installed new SKF bearings I had on hand and new contact plate. Total is about $900 with oil, Inlet filter housing etc.

 

[anndel]

8 year old 30 gal upright Husky.

 

[Renegade1LI]

The missing fan shroud probably makes a difference in your running temps.

As for a new compressor, unfortunately prices have really gone up since COVID. Pre-covid an entry level 80 gallon version of the Grizzly compressor was sometimes under $1000. Personally, unless you need the new compressor right away I would look for a good used 60-80 gallon unit.

Looking at the Long Island craigslist,

80 gallon Ingersoll Rand Compressor **read ad** - tools - by owner -...

80 gallon Industrial compressor DOES NOT RUN The air portion works great but the electric motor doesn't run I replaced the caps but that didn't fix it. It's been sitting I don't have time or need...

longisland.craigslist.org

This one looks interesting. Really stout compressor but says motor is bad.
Here is a suitable motor from HD for $500

5 RHP 4-Pole Baldor Electric Air Compressor Motor 160-0291 - The Home Depot

The Motor 5-1/5 RHP 4-Pole Baldor L1430T comes with rigid base for long lasting usage. This rotates counter clockwise direction by facing the motor shaft. It features open drip proof housing with start

www.homedepot.com

That would net you a very nice IR 5HP compressor for around $1000.
I suspect a cheaper motor could be found.

I'm not suggesting this is the right answer, just a suggestion that new might not be the best option.

Thanks, might call & go take a look.

 

[Citation]

Thanks, might call & go take a look.

It's also possible the motor issue is just an issue with the centrifugal switch.

 

[Citation]

8 year old 30 gal upright Husky.

That's about what I have except mine is closer to 20 years old.

 

[joshmodelskidoo]

Upgraded from a very similar compressor as you to a sanborn 60 gallon from menards. Tons better but iffy im sure with a sand blast cabinet. Everything else it’s great for

 

[lbhsbz]

Ingersoll 5hp 80gallon 2 stage. Bought in 2008, it got pretty limited use until the last couple years where it probably runs 3 hours / day average. I just recently plumbed in an aftercooler and water separator. The tank (and everything else) was getting pretty hot when it's running for an hour straight, now the tank is cold, and about 90% less water gets to the tank.

I can't say I have any complaints...it just works.

 

[sparky 1971]

Mine is a Masterforce (Sanborn) 60 gallon three horsepower. I went that route because of the Menards rebates that are spoken so highly of on GJ. At the time I bought it, the price was $550ish, I spent no money on it and got $50 some back in store credit. It does everything I need it to. It has a hard time keeping up with the cutting wheel or die grinder, but I have my old 30 gallon Craftsman plumbed into it and turn it on when a little help is required.

 

[Renegade1LI]

Upgraded from a very similar compressor as you to a sanborn 60 gallon from menards. Tons better but iffy im sure with a sand blast cabinet. Everything else it’s great for

According to HF the blast cabinet requires 9.5 cfm so most 5hp compressors should be ok. For a bigger blasting pot I will use two compressors into a manifold, I have a gas powered one already. Otherwise just nice to have air available in the shop.

 

[PBCampbell]

A 5 hp 2 stage would be the ideal compressor for an active DIY home shop, but I've managed to get by with a 3 hp single stage. Primarily blow gun, impact wrench, air hammer, and an old "portable" sand blaster. A continuous duty motor gives some peace of mind on the occasions it sees more intense use.

 

[Rinspeed]

Mine is a Masterforce (Sanborn) 60 gallon three horsepower. I went that route because of the Menards rebates that are spoken so highly of on GJ. At the time I bought it, the price was $550ish, I spent no money on it and got $50 some back in store credit. It does everything I need it to. It has a hard time keeping up with the cutting wheel or die grinder, but I have my old 30 gallon Craftsman plumbed into it and turn it on when a little help is required.

I have the 3.7 HP Dewalt/Sanborn 60 gallon and have been very happy with it, especially at the price I paid three years ago.

 

[oldmachinenut]

The orange one is a 1947 Quincy310 2hp.
The blue one is a 1984 Quincy325 5hp.
The orange 310 was a pile of parts on an Exxon distributors garage floor when I bought it and rebuilt it in 1981. It has been in continuous use since then.
The blue 325 I bought as a bare pump then rebuilt it. I sourced the motor, tank and other parts to build the compressor. I enjoy a project/challenge.

 

[ezriderga]

I bought this almost 4 years ago and it still runs great. I use it for many things like inflating tires, my air impact wrench, and other things. When I bought it new from Northern Tool it was $289. I was curious what the price is now so I looked it up. The exact same air compresor is now $469. No surprise.

 

[Renegade1LI]

Just ordered an IR 5hp 60gal single stage model SS5L5 from Northern. Really don't need 2 stage & this puts out 18cfm at 90 100% duty cycle so should handle my needs. Was on sale, if you call it that 1450$ with free delivery & a 200$ store gift card so not a bad deal & it will be here within a week. The problem buying stuff like this is you can get analysis paralysis, find what you want, find good terms & buy it, done.

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_211720_211720

 

[Jawn]

Browsing TSC in 2013 I saw they had an Ingersoll Rand SS3L3 (60gal, 3hp) on clearance for $400 so I bought it. Not a bad little compressor.

 

[ATC]

5HP, 60gal Curtis. Still doesn't have a home, so it sits there with a hose coming out of it, and the wiring run up to the rafters and over to an outlet.

 

[red94chev]

5 H.P., 220 volt Champion, 2 stage, 80 gallon tank. It's a beast.

Same, needed it run my sandblaster.

 

[kaymccampbell]

20yo CH 5hp/60 gal. Picked it up cheap as the last one at Blowes. They were switching to another brand. It runs my little blast cabinet, as well as any painting or other air needs.

 

[LeeG]

I lucked into what, for me, is the perfect compressor. It is a RolAir with a 30 gallon horizontal tank, an 18cfm, 175psi (K30) pump, and a 5hp Leeson motor. It is all the air I need in quite a small size.



I picked it up on CL for $350 I think.

Lee

 

[ipgenie]

My 10 hp 120 gallon Eaton has served me well for the past 15 years. It's quiet, makes all of the air I can use and has required very little maintenance. Any parts I've needed were readily available and priced right. It'll likely be the only non-portable compressor I ever buy. Probably too big for a smaller garage but it's nice in the shop.
Time to change the oil again. I think I'm going to install an hour meter on it when I do that. All compressors should come with a meter when new in my opinion.

 

[mogandave]

Just ordered an IR 5hp 60gal single stage model SS5L5 from Northern. Really don't need 2 stage & this puts out 18cfm at 90 100% duty cycle so should handle my needs. Was on sale, if you call it that 1450$ with free delivery & a 200$ store gift card so not a bad deal & it will be here within a week. The problem buying stuff like this is you can get analysis paralysis, find what you want, find good terms & buy it, done.

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_211720_211720

Looks like a great deal, hope it works out well for you.

 

[TJMtl]

Super happy about my Saylor-Beall 737-80 Pressure Lubed, 707 with 5hp motor.
I've had it a bit over a year now.

 

[BFHtime]

Cheap and quiet from Harbor Freight 30 gallon, because it was cheap and quiet, and will handle most of what I will need.

 

[Gurp]

I use a 26 gal Harbor Freight job.
I really just use it to for air gun and inflating tires. I have a few air tools but they get so little use I don't count them.
Every great once in a while some light soda blasting.

I was using a air hammer a month or so ago and I had to keep switching back and forth between it and a mini sledge/chisel.