What compressor would you get?

dstig1 · Aug 28, 2023

Best friend has an IR30(?) 60 gal single stage. From the era when they were OK ~20 yrs old. Pressure switch failed - age, no biggie. Got a replacement from IR which took weeks and went through 4 of them until one actually worked. Getting them on the phone was apparently nearly impossible too. Fortunately not a critical machine for him at that point. I helped him with this fix so saw it. Second hand I have read many people talk about pump and motor failures in new compressors and crap warranty service the past few years. Several years back i would be on the bandwagon saying they make great stuff and recommending them. Unfortunately that has changed for the worse. I have it heard it consistently and so many times, it cannot be fake news.

It seems Quincy is still solid. I have one that is locally made by C-Aire that has been bullet proof for 10+ yrs now in an 80 gal 2 stage. There are others like Atlas but they get very pricey. You get what you pay for ... When you say you want to do sandblasting, the air requirements go off the charts, and that is where you start getting into serious equipment.

Deleted member 371759 · Aug 28, 2023

dstig1 said:
Best friend has an IR30(?) 60 gal single stage. From the era when they were OK ~20 yrs old. Pressure switch failed - age, no biggie. Got a replacement from IR which took weeks and went through 4 of them until one actually worked. Getting them on the phone was apparently nearly impossible too. Fortunately not a critical machine for him at that point. I helped him with this fix so saw it. Second hand I have read many people talk about pump and motor failures in new compressors and crap warranty service the past few years. Several years back i would be on the bandwagon saying they make great stuff and recommending them. Unfortunately that has changed for the worse. I have it heard it consistently and so many times, it cannot be fake news.

It seems Quincy is still solid. I have one that is locally made by C-Aire that has been bullet proof for 10+ yrs now in an 80 gal 2 stage. There are others like Atlas but they get very pricey. You get what you pay for ... When you say you want to do sandblasting, the air requirements go off the charts, and that is where you start getting into serious equipment.

You are right you do get what you pay for. One way or the other you get it. Most people would think most of what I own is trash and it probably is. Its about all I can afford.

ultrarunner · Aug 28, 2023

As long as it does the job needed is all that matters...

I was painting cars and using air tools with a Sears Best 30 gallon air compressor for decades...

Most of the time Good Enough is just that...

At the machine shop we had ancient low speed DeVilbiss compressors that worked decade after decade...

lilranch2001 · Aug 28, 2023

Do not forget that there will be a negative Nancy regarding any name brand, so you have to take the “one off” with a grain of salt!

dstig1 · Aug 29, 2023

It's called honest feedback from experience, but you can call it what you want. Like I said, I would have been right in line recommending IR as a "can't go wrong brand" several years back. Seen too much to keep doing that, unfortunately. I hate to see a good classic American name like that cheap out, but it does happen these days.

The one problem I see is that your air needs are quite high, and you start running out of low cost models once you get up there in CFM as they just don't make them (not where the big volumes are for them). So you are left with the more serious industrial types. Or used. I bought one used compressor and was quite happy with it until my needs grew too big for it. Or maybe you don't really need as much air as you implied at first. In which case you have many options. But again, this is now moot and I hope it works out well for you.

BarryTX · Aug 29, 2023

dstig1 said:
Correction: MADE. They no longer do and are just trading on their previous good name. Have seen it first hand and heard many confirm it second hand. I hate to see it happen, but it does and did here.

My uncle still has this solid IR compressor but may retire soon. With new projects on the way, he may get a new one and it's too bad to hear about the quality of the new IR models. We'll look for new tools once we mount the lift kit, wheels, and shocks from 4Wheelonline onto the Wrangler this week.

Sawyer Rob · Aug 29, 2023

ultrarunner said:
As long as it does the job needed is all that matters...

I was painting cars and using air tools with a Sears Best 30 gallon air compressor for decades...

Most of the time Good Enough is just that...

At the machine shop we had ancient low speed DeVilbiss compressors that worked decade after decade...

Thing is, decades ago, Sears best was a pretty good compressor!

Lots of brands were pretty good "decades" ago, but no more.

SR

Deleted member 371759 · Aug 29, 2023

dstig1 said:
It's called honest feedback from experience, but you can call it what you want. Like I said, I would have been right in line recommending IR as a "can't go wrong brand" several years back. Seen too much to keep doing that, unfortunately. I hate to see a good classic American name like that cheap out, but it does happen these days.

The one problem I see is that your air needs are quite high, and you start running out of low cost models once you get up there in CFM as they just don't make them (not where the big volumes are for them). So you are left with the more serious industrial types. Or used. I bought one used compressor and was quite happy with it until my needs grew too big for it. Or maybe you don't really need as much air as you implied at first. In which case you have many options. But again, this is now moot and I hope it works out well for you.

Will be here Friday. I have seen some issues with pressure switch complaints. Not a huge deal seeing as those are a dime a dozen if you dont like the IR switch. Ill hook a amp meter to it and make sure things are in spec and possibly get a magnetic starter. After that not much I can do. Like I have said before Im just a poor guy, lucky I could even get this. My welder is harbor freight, my tractor is indian and it all pretty much matches my skill level and ability. Both low.

jwmorris · Aug 30, 2023

Zarkhillbilly said:
What IR compressor did you have and what failed? Sounds like I will have to suffer with more junky stuff.

The one I posted a photo of failed, that’s how I got it for free. It was ran hard, everyday at a shop for a decade or so with almost zero maintenance, the tank probably would have been ruined but there was one guy that would drain it every day.

The rebuild kit cost me $157 and I have been using it for a number of years since then. If you think you are going to buy one and not do any maintenance, ever, a cheaper disposable compressor would probably be a better idea. Just throw it away when it fails and get another. That said, changing the oil and air filter is a hell of a lot easier and faster than rebuilding the compressor and that’s if nothing was ruined by the lack of maintenance.