Air Compressor.... which one?

[DarkBlack]

Those husky's and most of the rest have Chinese pumps and motors on them and I try to avoid Chinese machinery as a rule. Even IR now has their castings made in India. Quincy is all domestic and so is Speedaire.

Speedaire (Dayton/Grainger) uses Mexico made Dayton motors. If you consider Mexico domestic then, you are right.
I think Quincy is using mostly Baldor motors. Those may be US made or in one of their other worldwide factories

 

[bigtiller]

I'm with ericm979, Spend your money on CFM not tank size. You have to make it before you can store it. Quincy has a 50,000 hour pump warranty, and its QT54 model makes 15.4 cfm@90psi.

Also, get an electric condescend valve and set it to blow for 5 seconds, 4 or more times a day. The tank should outlast you.

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[2manyrocks]

Why use an air grinder instead of electric? Do you do a lot of air painting?

 

[ponytug]

I have an Ingersoll 3HP 60 gallon that works well for me. (SLS-3?) Found it on sale for 30% off, free shipping.

Unless you do a lot of spraying, I would not go too large on the air compressor, and put some of the budget toward replacing your air grinders with corded electric grinders. A few corded electric grinders will do a lot of grinding. I have both air grinders and corded, and if I were doing over again, I would not buy the air grinders; they use a lot of air and aren't that powerful compared to what is available these days in corded models.

One thing that will help the tank and your tools is to buy a compressor with, or add, an intercooler and automatic float drain. It should remove 90-95% of the water before the air ever gets to your tank or lines. I no longer get visible water spray out of the bottom air tank drain when I open the drain. YMMV: a larger, longer brass or copper drain will allow the water to drain out the tank as it accumulates, lowering the potential for rust and pinholes.

For most uses, it is not ideal to run the compressor to a higher pressure and then use a regulator to bring it down to your operating pressure as it wastes energy. E.g. stop compressing at 120psi, rather than 175psi.

All the best,

Peter

 

[5030]

Speedaire (Dayton/Grainger) uses Mexico made Dayton motors. If you consider Mexico domestic then, you are right.
I think Quincy is using mostly Baldor motors. Those may be US made or in one of their other worldwide factories

Mexico is better than China by a tad. I have a Century on my Quincy. 10 horse, 3 phase.

 

[5030]

I have an Ingersoll 3HP 60 gallon that works well for me. (SLS-3?) Found it on sale for 30% off, free shipping.

Unless you do a lot of spraying, I would not go too large on the air compressor, and put some of the budget toward replacing your air grinders with corded electric grinders. A few corded electric grinders will do a lot of grinding. I have both air grinders and corded, and if I were doing over again, I would not buy the air grinders; they use a lot of air and aren't that powerful compared to what is available these days in corded models.

One thing that will help the tank and your tools is to buy a compressor with, or add, an intercooler and automatic float drain. It should remove 90-95% of the water before the air ever gets to your tank or lines. I no longer get visible water spray out of the bottom air tank drain when I open the drain. YMMV: a larger, longer brass or copper drain will allow the water to drain out the tank as it accumulates, lowering the potential for rust and pinholes.

For most uses, it is not ideal to run the compressor to a higher pressure and then use a regulator to bring it down to your operating pressure as it wastes energy. E.g. stop compressing at 120psi, rather than 175psi.

All the best,

Peter

The higher the pressure, the more heat is produced in the compressed air and consequently, more moisture in your receiver, air lines and tools. I run my shop air system at 135 psi but I use high flow fittings and all my piping is in black iron with 1.5" main runs and 3/4" drops plus I have a dedicated refrigerated air dryer on the line for the CNC plasma table and I have a Motorguard replaceable cannister on the plasma cutter I use in the shop. Moist air is death on ANY plasma cutter, manual or CNC.

My philosophy is do it once and cry and never do it again. Don'
t want to even allude to what all the black iron pipe cost. My only saving grace was, I bought it all in mill lengths as I own a Rigid pipe threading machine. Still had to buy all the fittings however.

 

[kenmac]

BelAire 8090253165 Iron Series Piston Compressors

BelAire 418VL 7.5HP, 208-230V, 1PH, 80 Gal Vertical Two Stage Electric Iron Series Compressor

www.mile-x.com

I have this one for several years now to operate my glass bead machine which takes a lot of CFM's .... Out of your 2K price range though..
CFM's cost money !

 

[Richard]

If this happens, it will be a new building with its own independent power from the service provider, so I could wire anything I want.

Years ago, I had an oil-less unit.... it didn't last long. Current unit is oiled. If we do the garage, I like the idea of locating compressor somewhere and plumbing some lines, specifically, taking a line so I have access to an outlet on the outside of the building (so I don't have to drape hoses from unit through garage out to whatever.

I understand the higher expense and can get one cheaper..... if however, I can avoid something made in china, mexico, India, anywhere and get something that is more US made, I rather do that. I know it will cost a bit more. I figure if I'm going to try to support red/white/blue blood.... then I need to support red/white/blue verses foreign and that's simply going to cost more. I've always been that way, even going back to when I was in my teens.

 

[Richard]

you can purchase a Quincy today for well under 2 grand

Any links? (what do you consider "well under"?

I've seen a 60 gallon Quincy for roughly $1,800 (which I rounded to $2,000 for simplicity)

 

[5030]

Any links? (what do you consider "well under"?

I've seen a 60 gallon Quincy for roughly $1,800 (which I rounded to $2,000 for simplicity)

Compressors direct. Was just on their website last night and prices have increased, like everything else has. The 'QP' like I own are way above 2 grand now but the 5 horse ones with splash lubrication are still under 2 grand.

Mine is a 10 horse, 3 phase btw.