Air Compressors, any recommendations?

[Ford850]

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.
View attachment 499826

That's a beauty. I've never heard of Polar Air until this thread, and they're built right here in Ohio! A family run business for 40 years. The pump RPM is really low on their units, and their designs are definitely the opposite of other manufacturers. They purposely design heavy, slow, and cool (which equates to quiet) for very long life. Very impressive!

 

[Turbys_1700]

That's a top of the line unit that will serve you a lot of years. Thanks for posting and making me envious.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Looks like Polar Air is a decent "copy" (made in china) of a high quality American made pump, then the whole compressor is assembled in USA.

SO, some parts are USA made and others china...

SR

 

[oliver1555]

Looks like Polar Air is a decent "copy" (made in china) of a high quality American made pump.
SR

I'm going to take a shot in the dark and say you are talking about Saylor-Beall. They do make all parts in the U.S.A. I liked that, but the price difference between the two was more than I was willing to make. I got my compressor on sale, so the Saylor-Beall would have been about $800 more. If I was going to be using a compressor hard, I might have gone with them. But, the Eaton does what I ask and it was affordable and quiet. Eaton has been around for years and I have seen various models used in the oil patch. They must be getting pretty good service from the pumps to put a five year warranty on them. Otherwise, you'd hear negative feedback.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Yup, a copy of a Saylor-Beall...

Some say a direct copy internally, others say there are some distinct differences... I personally have no dog in that fight...

I understand the tanks are made here, and that is a good thing!

DM

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

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...

Yep.

Today a $700 cellphone is good for two years, maybe three, and it's shot. Not obsolete, just no good anymore. And try to buy a quality household appliance. They don't exist.

 

[flynlow8740]

I used to run a shop that had a Champion from the mid '70's. Never a problem with it. The new Champions are almost identical, so I would feel pretty good calling it a "lifetime" compressor.

 

[fried1765]

I used to run a shop that had a Champion from the mid '70's. Never a problem with it. The new Champions are almost identical, so I would feel pretty good calling it a "lifetime" compressor.

I love my now 30 year old Quincy, but the Champions are great also!
Made in Princeton, IL.
My (ex) brother-in-law was previously CEO of Champion.
I gave my son a new 5HP 2 stage 60 gal. Champion for Xmas 15 years ago.
Excellent machine!

 

[jenkinsph]

I love my now 30 year old Quincy, but the Champions are great also!
Made in Princeton, IL.
My (ex) brother-in-law was previously CEO of Champion.
I gave my son a new 5HP 2 stage 60 gal. Champion for Xmas 15 years ago.
Excellent machine!

I like Quincy and feel they have some well made compressors that are built to last. I also like Ingersol-Rand and that is what I wound up with a T30 gas driven. I have 19 years on my IR now and makes me wonder where the time went. It has been a good unit.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

The problem with threads like these is, someone will have a certain brand compressor for a LONG time, then proclaim THAT brand is great because theirs has help up.

The problem with that thinking is, over the years, most brands have went down hill or came out with much lower quality products to keep the price down!

I have a couple compressors that fit that description perfectly...

SR

 

[Big Barn]

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.
View attachment 499826

That's a nice clean install. I like it!

Terry

 

[Fallon]

The problem with threads like these is, someone will have a certain brand compressor for a LONG time, then proclaim THAT brand is great because theirs has help up.

The problem with that thinking is, over the years, most brands have went down hill or came out with much lower quality products to keep the price down!

I have a couple compressors that fit that description perfectly...

SR

Yup. Those 30 year old Quincies or T-30s don't have a lot in common with what is being sold in big box stores or at competitive prices today under the IR or Quincy name. At least with Quincy their big industrial gear is still in the same league. Lots of debate if IR still lives up to their reputation at any level.

 

[Jeepnford]

The problem with threads like these is, someone will have a certain brand compressor for a LONG time, then proclaim THAT brand is great because theirs has help up.

The problem with that thinking is, over the years, most brands have went down hill or came out with much lower quality products to keep the price down!

I have a couple compressors that fit that description perfectly...

SR

You never know. I know a guy that opened his own body shop. Bought a brand new Quincy industrial Compressor, didn't last a month before a catastrophic failure. You hope stuff like that is rare.

 

[bigtiller]

Quincy has a 1 year and 2 year, parts & labor warranty.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...iNHIfOuhrC_zd_cDzPBZeCIvX3_TZx2wUMRoCoGrw_wcB