Which Compressor?

[[email protected]]

I've read so much on this forum about compressors I'm chasing my tail. They usually start out with an ask for a recommendation and then devolve into discussions of far more expensive (and capable, but probably overkill) units, brands, etc.

My needs are pretty simple. Pretty much all Automotive in nature. I've gotten by with a crappy oil-less 8 gal 2 hp model for the past 6 years now. The days of living with the constant cycling of the loud POS that often times won't power my impact enough for my needs are over. My 4 post lift in a new larger garage will expand my opportunities to want more out of my compressor, but I'm not doing massive bodywork, sanding, painting, etc. though I may start to dabble in some of those over time. For now though I'm looking at 4 models and just looking for folks to vote.

Feel free to write the reason for you vote, but please don't stray into other compressors unless they fit into the price/performance envelope of these 4 and have some compelling reason over the 4 I've listed.

Harbor Freight 60 Galllon

http://www.harborfreight.com/5-hp-60-gallon-165-psi-two-stage-air-compressor-93274.html

Craftsman Professional 60 Gallon

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-prof...p-00916476000P?prdNo=3&blockNo=3&blockType=G3

Kobolt 60 Gallon

http://www.lowes.com/pd_54284-1126-VT6362_1z10d76__?productId=3370356&pl=1

Husky 60 Gallon

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-60-Gal-Stationary-Electric-Air-Compressor-C602H/205389936

 

[autotechallen]

I bought this at Northern Tool, but the Kobalt 60 is a quality product! I don't recommend the Harbor Freight compressor because the head/compressor is not beefy enough in my opinion.


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[bcradio]

I bought this at Northern Tool, but the Kobalt 60 is a quality product! I don't recommend the Harbor Freight compressor because the head/compressor is not beefy enough in my opinion.


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Did you paint the pipe behind your compressor blue?

 

[mg283680]

None in the poll look very good to me.
I like that Quincy too. I'd guess the specs are close to my CL Saylor-Beall.
Spend some time looking for a good compressor on CL and you'll have more air for less money and it won't die and leave you unable to get parts.
Specs:
17CFM@175PSI
80 gal tank
5HP 1725RPM 240V US made motor

 

[jrobb316]

None in the poll look very good to me.
I like that Quincy too. I'd guess the specs are close to my CL Saylor-Beall.
Spend some time looking for a good compressor on CL and you'll have more air for less money and it won't die and leave you unable to get parts.
Specs:
17CFM@175PSI
80 gal tank
5HP 1725RPM 240V US made motor

I second that. I picked up a 80 gal Champion off CL. Big compressors don't have a large market = buyers market.

 

[BearsFan315]

i would buy a quincy if i had the space and money, more so the money

i prefer to get a Puma 6060V or 6070V for the garage

 

[[email protected]]

Rocket1420, thank you for the most helpful post on this thread.

I don't mean to offend the others who chimed in, but nearly everyone here has done exactly what I asked them NOT to; raise the bar. Hell the very first post was for a compressor that goes for around twice the price of the ones I posted.

And I don't have a NEED or even use for the foreseeable future for more air. I've been getting along with an 8 gal 2 hp HF oil-less for 6 years working on my race car and learned to work around the annoyances but there was nothing I wanted to do and couldn't due to my lack of air. I'm merely looking to up my experience a bit and potential for the future.

When I read the threads of all the people religiously emptying and draining their tanks after each use, and some extolling their electric impact 'for the times when you don't want to flip on the compressor' I can actually envision going too big and then having the issue where I want to go out and do a quick little job and it takes too long to fill the compressor, or I think (do I really want to put more hours on the motor just to .....

Yeah, I can look at the used market but that does pose other potential problems. Why are they selling it? Is there an impending problem they're dumping on me? So I spend the same for a better compressor but after a a number of uses I find I need to put another few hundred into it to fix xyz.

I love this forum, but there is certainly a level of overkill sometimes in certain topics.

 

[larry_g]

I'm with Rocket, pick the one with the color that matches your decor. And I do agree with your assessment that the members tend to go hunting for a mouse with an elephant gun.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[CNGsaves]

OP should just shop by price. The $399 deal last year at Tractor Supply or Menards for approx 4 HP and 60 gal would have been fine for his use, if he absolutely "has to have" a new compressor.

Compressors are one thing that can't go too wrong buying used . . . . just need to SEE it in operation. Time how long it takes to fill up from empty. Open up drain at bottom and see what you get. See what oil looks like. All this investigation costs you nothing except trip over to CL seller's shop.

An estate sale or moving sale also great place to get good used compressor.

 

[jrobb316]

It could be overkill, it could be bang for the buck. Used compressors, the large one, typically were in a shop that closed down. At least thats been my experience. There isn't a huge market for them, so they often go fairly cheap. And if you have to stick a few bucks into something, so what? You're getting a superior product. Since you lived to work around your current set up (I did the same thing), you are sized too small. From reading the reviews on those compressors, you are rolling the dice on wether you get a good one or not. I looked at those same compressors at one time and decided to go the used route.

 

[autotechallen]

The "blue" air line is a neat product. I got from Northern, but I think you can buy online. I would have to get name tomorrow when back at the shop. It is like Pvc, inside a thin aluminum pipe with another Pvc on the outside. Flexible/bendable


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[mg283680]

"When I read the threads of all the people religiously emptying and draining their tanks after each use, and some extolling their electric impact 'for the times when you don't want to flip on the compressor' I can actually envision going too big and then having the issue where I want to go out and do a quick little job and it takes too long to fill the compressor, or I think (do I really want to put more hours on the motor just to ....."

There's no reason to drain the tank to get water out. You just need to drain the water. Mine has air all the time. I just open the valve letting air into the air lines and off I go.
If you want to buy a new junk compressor, have at it. Understand that having a ready supply of good air is like having another utility, and no matter how much air you have, you always want more...

 

[94EG8]

I don't mean to offend the others who chimed in, but nearly everyone here has done exactly what I asked them NOT to; raise the bar. Hell the very first post was for a compressor that goes for around twice the price of the ones I posted.

I will answer your original question a little further down, but I just want to say. I used to have a 60 gallon single stage Campbell Hausfeld along the lines of most of these compressors you're looking at. It did work ok, actually quite well for doing mechanic work, honestly it didn't cycle much at all running my IR 2135 TiMAX impact. However the big issue I had with it was trying to keep it together. It used to break reed valves, I had a horrible time trying to keep pulleys on it (both of them cracked at the hub and the large one was a ridiculous amount of money (and you almost need to buy the proper pulley since it's also the cooling fan for the compressor) When I did start doing a little body work it just flat out wouldn't keep up with my air sander and would get way too hot. I picked up a used 2 stage industrial unit for $600 with a true 5hp motor that's been trouble free so far.

When I read the threads of all the people religiously emptying and draining their tanks after each use, and some extolling their electric impact 'for the times when you don't want to flip on the compressor' I can actually envision going too big and then having the issue where I want to go out and do a quick little job and it takes too long to fill the compressor, or I think (do I really want to put more hours on the motor just to .....

It doesn't normally take much longer to fill a large compressor than a small one since the motor and pump and sized to the tank. You're only looking at around 5 minutes to get usable air. And to be totally honest with you I never shut mine off. It's on auto 24/7/365.

To answer your original question I like the HF model listed the best simply because it's a 2 stage.

The "blue" air line is a neat product. I got from Northern, but I think you can buy online. I would have to get name tomorrow when back at the shop. It is like Pvc, inside a thin aluminum pipe with another Pvc on the outside. Flexible/bendable

You sure it's PVC? I have some Quick Line from Topring which looks the same, but it's aluminum coated with some sort of a thick blue powdercoat. I can't remember if the inside is coated or not though.

 

[JRC3]

When I read the threads of all the people religiously emptying and draining their tanks after each use, and some extolling their electric impact 'for the times when you don't want to flip on the compressor' I can actually envision going too big and then having the issue where I want to go out and do a quick little job and it takes too long to fill the compressor, or I think (do I really want to put more hours on the motor just to .....

Put a ball valve on on the air output. My older in age 60g Campbell stays charged up all the time. Though I keep meaning to do it, a small ball valve and a little plumbing can make draining water a simple task and a charged tank makes it easier.



As stated earlier a used one is a good choice. I bought mine at a garage sale and it had a brand new pump on it. As I recall they wanted $165 and I got it for $140. A few years later I chose to replace the pressure switch with one from Rural King for like $14. I also found my brother a 60g Porter Cable on CL for $325-375 I can't remember exactly. It had very little use and came with a pigtail and hose.

Go cruise Craigs List out of curiosity.

 

[PT Doc]

With compressors it's a go big or go home recommendation. It was explained to me that the jump in quality from a 60g to an 80g was substantial. Get w compressor with a great warranty. Quincy stands behind their compressors and will send someone out to your home. In this case you get what you pay for. Buy once, cry once. I think most of us have learned this the costly way.

 

[lightning02]

id stay away from the CM compressor. iv had 2 diff ones of theres and hate them both.

also with the HF one they now have a diff one out and about. not sure how that one stacks up agaist the old model. but the older and the people that had them seem to like them alot with some mods done to them.

like PT Doc said. go big or go home. i learned that the hard way. i might not need that size im buying but i know it will make me happy and not disappoint me.

 

[JRC3]

I don't mean to offend the others who chimed in, but nearly everyone here has done exactly what I asked them NOT to; raise the bar. Hell the very first post was for a compressor that goes for around twice the price of the ones I posted.

^A Quincy

With compressors it's a go big or go home recommendation. It was explained to me that the jump in quality from a 60g to an 80g was substantial. Get w compressor with a great warranty. Quincy stands behind their compressors and will send someone out to your home. In this case you get what you pay for. Buy once, cry once. I think most of us have learned this the costly way.

LOL I say read all the replies before you comment to a thread.