Air Compressors, any recommendations?

[Surreal001]

I got myself a Kobalt brand 60gal 3.5hp. It was made by IR at the time, been a great compressor so far. Belt powered, 230v, oil sump. I run a lot of air tools and have shop air piped from it. A good water filter and regulator with 50ft of air line between it and the compressor (I use a cheap hose, coiled up) will make a world of difference. Build an enclosure around it without restricting the air intake and you will be able to converse next to it while it runs.

 

[Jeepnford]

I have this one. http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200350475_200350475 The only time it runs a lot is when I'm using a tool with a continuous draw such as a die grinder. It works great with an impact gun or plasma cutter. If you build an enclosure make sure it gets enough ventilation to avoid over heating.

 

[fried1765]

I got this guy and couldn't have chosen a better one.
QP | Quincy Compressor

You ABSOLUTELY made the BEST CHOICE!
Pressure lube is THE BEST!
I have had my Quincy pressure lubed compressor for 30 years.

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

I wonder how two of these would work side by side? They are on sale for $149.00 each with the coupon. That would give you 9.4 cfm @ 90 psi for $300. I am super cheap though. Ratings are so-so, not too bad.

21 gal. 2.5 HP 125 PSI Cast Iron Vertical Air Compressor

You'd have $300 worth of side-by-side throwaway junk.

 

[JLwoodworks]

I have this one. http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200350475_200350475 The only time it runs a lot is when I'm using a tool with a continuous draw such as a die grinder. It works great with an impact gun or plasma cutter. If you build an enclosure make sure it gets enough ventilation to avoid over heating.

I just installed the same compressor last week. Haven't had a chance to put it through it's paces. I was disappointed to see it's a 3450 rpm. Quincy lists it as low rpm as does some other online sellers.
I added an hour meter for maintenance.

The ingersolrands at tractor supply have been tempting for a while but the poor reviews deterred me despite the low prices.

 

[jbwilson]

I just installed the same compressor last week. Haven't had a chance to put it through it's paces. I was disappointed to see it's a 3450 rpm. Quincy lists it as low rpm as does some other online sellers.

The 3450 rpm specified is for the electric motor which is the normal speed for a single phase 2 pole AC universal motor operating under normal load on a 60 hz supply. The noise of the electric motor itself is just a quiet hum. The real loudness of the compressor is dictated by the rpm of the compressor pump. This can be attenuated by reducing the speed of the pump (eg by having a bigger pulley on the pump allowing for a higher reducing rpm ratio between the electric motor and the pump). The rpm of your compressor pump will be a lot less than 3450. John

 

[Fallon]

The 3450 rpm specified is for the electric motor which is the normal speed for a single phase 2 pole AC universal motor operating under normal load on a 60 hz supply. The noise of the electric motor itself is just a quiet hum. The real loudness of the compressor is dictated by the rpm of the compressor pump. This can be attenuated by reducing the speed of the pump (eg by having a bigger pulley on the pump allowing for a higher reducing rpm ratio between the electric motor and the pump). The rpm of your compressor pump will be a lot less than 3450. John

Motors pun at 3450 or 1800 depending on the number of poles they have. Then have a small pulley on the motor & big one on the pump. So the pump is turning 1000rpm or so. Better ones turn 600-800rpm at the pump.

Somebody mentioned pressure lubrication. It's definitely better than splash lubrication, but also more expensive. Splash lube will be fine for a home user. My 30+ year old Saylor Beall came out of years of abuse in an auto shop just fine & is only splash lubricated.

Quincy & IR were great industrial machines. However they also have cheaper machines to compete in the big box stores. Not nearly the same quality, but also not nearly the same price. Not saying they are bad machines, but they aren't the storied industrial machines the name is usually associated with.

 

[rustydollar]

Old two stage Quincey with some unique features, cast iron construction it has an oil pump the bearings are pressure fed, also the oil pressure has to reach a certain pressure before the unloader valve kicks in or out.

I still have a few things tp do before it's a completed project, yet to install an magnetic motor start switch wired to the pressure switch.

This compressor came from an old grain elevator.

 

[ultrarunner]

I got this guy and couldn't have chosen a better one.
QP | Quincy Compressor

I always thought Quincy to be tops but not anymore.

Have a 20 year old Quincy here at the Hospital and Quincy told me they no longer have parts for it... this took several calls.

At the time I bought it one of the big selling points is that Quincy services what it sells and has parts going back decades...

Not what I was expecting to hear at the first sign of trouble...

I have older Devellbis Compressors that have been running 50+ years...

 

[fried1765]

Old two stage Quincey with some unique features, cast iron construction it has an oil pump the bearings are pressure fed, also the oil pressure has to reach a certain pressure before the unloader valve kicks in or out.

I still have a few things tp do before it's a completed project, yet to install an magnetic motor start switch wired to the pressure switch.


This compressor came from an old grain elevator.

Something is not quite right with the belt slapping like that.

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

I have older Devellbis Compressors that have been running 50+ years...

You won't find a machine on the market today that will be running in 50 years. Not at any price.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Well, I bought my old Le Roi new, (Made in USA) 34 yrs ago and still going strong!

Of course, 34 years ago they didn't make as much import junk as they do today...

SR

 

[ultrarunner]

You won't find a machine on the market today that will be running in 50 years. Not at any price.

It used to be quality was always available for a price.

When I think of all the chrome 1940's Wedgewood stoves still on the job and old lathes/shop equipment dating from WWII it's proof that we really could build things to last...

My first car dates from 1929.... still does everything today that it did in 1929...

In the meantime I keep using my 1960's and 70's appliances until they give up the ghost...

Sad when 5 years on a laptop is considered good and the same for flat screens and 10 years for appliances...

At least I should be able to do well for a longtime with what others toss out.

 

[rustydollar]

Electronics fail from the growth of tin whiskers a multi billion dollar nightmare..

Tin Whiskers found in NASA Study of Toyota Unintended Acceleration Issue - See more at: Tin Whiskers found in NASA Study of Toyota Unintended Acceleration Issue | Dr. Ron Lasky | Indium Corporation Blogs | Soldering Products | Solderability | Tin Lead Solder | Solder Reliability | Soldering | Solder Alloys | Solder | RoHS | Lead Free Solder | Indium Corporation | Bismuth

 

[oliver1555]

When we built our new shop last summer, we installed this compressor and have been very happy with it. It has the best warranty I've seen and is pretty quiet:
5hp Single Ph Vertical Silent Air System 8gal|Polar Air by Eaton Compressor

 

[ultrarunner]

^^^ I like it and certainly would consider one next time.

Quiet and durable are hard qualities to give up...

The warranty is impressive if they really do deliver.

Thanks for the link.

 

[ray66v]

When we built our new shop last summer, we installed this compressor and have been very happy with it. It has the best warranty I've seen and is pretty quiet:
5hp Single Ph Vertical Silent Air System 8gal|Polar Air by Eaton Compressor

What?? Your choice of color???? How can you not like that.

 

[Turbys_1700]

I scored a nice used 60 gallon unit off Craigslist with a 50' hose, full regulators, etc... for $200 8 years ago or so. I can't remember the name but it is rated 9.6 CFM at 90 psi. I've not tried to run a sand blaster but everything else has run fine.
Size your unit based on your usage requirements and you will be good. I would suggest a 60 gallon unit with 10 CFM at 90 psi as a benchmark for shop use.

 

[oliver1555]

^^^ I like it and certainly would consider one next time.

Quiet and durable are hard qualities to give up...

The warranty is impressive if they really do deliver.

Thanks for the link.

Here it is when I got it hooked up. That was in late October. The shop has filled up considerably since this picture was taken. I went with the blue because it is similar to the color on our lift. Plus, my wife said she didn't want to see any more John Deere green... It is a very heavily built unit. Both the intercooler and after cooler are cast iron. Others I looked at only had an after cooler, and they were just fins on copper line. The pulley is built with blades that move a lot of air across the whole unit to cool the air going into the tank. Having an auto drain is nice, as well. I'm not sure what I did wrong to make the picture show up so small.

 

[ultrarunner]

I really like it and the auto drain is a very nice feature.

If something is loud it is a non-starter for me...

Never heard of this company but I sure would consider them for my next purchase.

I have a commercial Dayton with a Dryer I bought through Grainger in 1995 for the Hospital... nice unit.

Only problem has been sticking points on the start/stop pneumatic motor control...

The last time it stuck it ran most of a 3 day weekend without stopping until the motor thermal overload kicked in... not good.

My real old compressor uses a mercury switch instead of a points... guess it will keep going as long as I'm around and longer.