Air Compressor.... which one?

[Richard]

Wife wants to build a detached garage. It will need it's own seperate electrical service (I think).

Current garage would be converted into another room. I have a 20 gallon Campbell Hausfield compressor (horizontal) on wheels.

GENERALLY, this has been good enough however, I've used a grinder for intermittent issues.....wife spray painted all the kitchen cabinet doors... bluntly, at times, mine is insufficient. Might get a vertical. Budget say, $2,000. To be fair, MOST of the time, I'm using this to fill tractor or backhoe tires..... maybe a 1/2" impact.

Debating on Quincy 60 gallon (don't recall CFM but if my Campbell Hausfield works "most" of the time, this should cover the rest). Cost, roughly $2,000

Or, jump up in tank to an 80 gallon DeWalt/other (again, not sure of any CFM's) for approximately same funds.

This is homeowner use, I don't mind paying about $2K for a stationary vertical in a detached garage.

Thoughts on the brand differences and how that might be a pro/con with regard to 60/80 gallon? Small voice in back of my head says if I'm getting by in general with 20 gallon tank, a 60 should be heaven..... but, for similar dollars, could jump to 80 but now we're getting into differences in brands.

 

[gstrom99]

$2k is way over budget. I bought one like this, and it's holding up just fine five years later. You'll need a 220 volt circuit.

Husky 60 Gal. 3.7 HP 1-Phase 175 PSI Oil Lubed Belt Drive Stationary Electric Air Compressor C603H - The Home Depot

The Husky 60 Gal. oil lubed belt drive air compressor is industry leading with 2-stage performance in a single stage pump. This air compressor provides 92% longer air tool runtime compared to 60 Gal. 2 Stage compressors with 175 maximum psi and 7.9 SCFM at 90 psi. The heavy-duty, cast-iron...

www.homedepot.com

 

[George2615]

I agree with gstrom. I bought the 80 gallon Husky for my garage about 10 years ago. I upgraded from a 60 gallon that I had for almost 30 years. The tank bottom had rusted out and had pinhole leaks despite blowing it down once a week to get rid on moisture in the tank.

 

[5030]

Industry leading' to me sounds like advertising hype. My philosophy on compressors is buy a quality unit like an IR or a Quincy or even a Speedaire and it will outlast you and still have good resale value. I bought my Quincy QP (pressure lubed, not slash lubed),used 30 years ago and it just purrs along. It's on a 120 gallon vertical receiver Only upkeep is one head removal to clean the carbon off the reed valves and an oil and filter change every 2 years. My Quincy delivers 30 CFM btw and it's in the shop and gets used every day, all day. You get what you pay for just like everything in life and you can purchase a Quincy today for well under 2 grand or an IR or a Speedaire.

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.

 

[5030]

I agree with gstrom. I bought the 80 gallon Husky for my garage about 10 years ago. I upgraded from a 60 gallon that I had for almost 30 years. The tank bottom had rusted out and had pinhole leaks despite blowing it down once a week to get rid on moisture in the tank.

Get yourself a Tsunami condensate remover, 100% mechanical and dump every time the compressor cycles. Have one on my Quincy and I've never drained it and don't plan to....and it's 35 years old btw.

 

[ultrarunner]

My Rolair continues to provide great service.

My roof mounted hospital Quincy gave up at year 19 with all service performed like clock work plus auto drain and dryer.

I piped to it from a larger Speedaire in the basement so the Quincy is now only a air tank.

acmetools.com and Zoro can give you pricing…

I bought my second Rolair when Zoro sent me a 30% off coupon.

 

[sd455dan]

Wife wants to build a detached garage. It will need it's own seperate electrical service (I think).

Current garage would be converted into another room. I have a 20 gallon Campbell Hausfield compressor (horizontal) on wheels.

GENERALLY, this has been good enough however, I've used a grinder for intermittent issues.....wife spray painted all the kitchen cabinet doors... bluntly, at times, mine is insufficient. Might get a vertical. Budget say, $2,000. To be fair, MOST of the time, I'm using this to fill tractor or backhoe tires..... maybe a 1/2" impact.

Debating on Quincy 60 gallon (don't recall CFM but if my Campbell Hausfield works "most" of the time, this should cover the rest). Cost, roughly $2,000

Or, jump up in tank to an 80 gallon DeWalt/other (again, not sure of any CFM's) for approximately same funds.

This is homeowner use, I don't mind paying about $2K for a stationary vertical in a detached garage.

Thoughts on the brand differences and how that might be a pro/con with regard to 60/80 gallon? Small voice in back of my head says if I'm getting by in general with 20 gallon tank, a 60 should be heaven..... but, for similar dollars, could jump to 80 but now we're getting into differences in brands.

If considering a Dewalt 80 gallon 2 stage Consider the lower priced

Model:

IV5048055 Industrial air​

Industrial Air IV5048055 5-HP 80-Gallon Two-Stage Air Compressor 240V 1-Phase

Buy Industrial Air IV5048055 Direct. Free Shipping. Check the Industrial Air 5-HP 80-Gallon Two-Stage Air Compressor (240V 1-Phase) ratings before checking out.

www.aircompressorsdirect.com

same as Dewalt model

DXCMV5048055​

both made by MAT holdings mostly in America, but the Industrial air is MAT holdings own branded unit it is the same as the Dewalt,
They do have a "Made in America sticker" on them as well.

I bought the Black diamond branded one when on sale for $1800 and a $400 gift card rebate at the local North 40 store. Pumps up in just over 6 minutes. Has rebuild kits for the pump parts available and by buying the oil change filter belt kit got a 4 year warranty.

Very happy with it. 17 CFM @175 PSI and came with a Century /Mexico motor and pump runs at under 1000 RPM.

about $400 less than the Dewalt but you don't get the fancy paint.

 

[ericm979]

The CFM of the compressor is more important than the tank size when you are running a tool constantly for more than a few minutes... like with an air grinder. Or maybe a paint gun, depending on what you're painting. Once the extra air in the tank is used up its the pump's capacity that determines if it will be able to keep up with the tool.

 

[JasperFrank]

Definitely look at 220v. I have a DeVILLbiss Pro 4000, 3.5hp, 20 gal, on 110v. And it trips the GFIs on the start draw unless its bleed down first, and has burned out at least three plugs and receptacles.

 

[ultrarunner]

Maybe spec grade outlet rated for 20 amp if 20 amp circuit.

Dealership had the same problem but since the run was in conduit I was able to pull #10 wire and replace the 15 amp breaker with 20 amp and no more problems.

One of the commercial hardwood refinishing guys often has to pull power from the breaker box to power the floor sanders.