Air Compressor Decision

[RichT]

For general shop use - air tools, autobody work, painting, tractor work & implements (metal shaping, cutting, etc), some sandblasting. Narrowed field down to 2 220v, single phase compressors which suit my needs:

Quincy 1V41C60VC5, single stage 5HP, 60Gal, 18CFM@100psi
Bel Aire 218V, 2 stage 5HP, 80Gal, 15.3CFM@100psi

Both manufacturers seem highly regarded. Prices roughly same, though I can pick up Quincy at local dealer. Quincy has smaller tank but higher flow. Anyone with experience with either of these guys?

 

[mbrule]

Hi,

I have had a Bel-Air for a number of years now. Use it for similar purposes and love it. It will run 2 DAs, Will sandblast and keep up with my pressure blaster until the 1/8" tip is worn well past 3/16".

Just my experience, either will probably work fine, given the higher flow and "local pickup", the Quicy may make more sense.

Matt

 

[Marlowe]

I like a two stage compressor. When running an air tool such as an impact gun, air pressure at the tool is critical for performance. Just as in electricity, the longer the hose, the lower the pressure at the working end. The two stage allows for a higher pressure in the tank, and therefore a higher pressure at the tool. Not a big deal with paint sprayers and D/A's, but when it counts I want the higher pressure.

I've got both type compressors that I use around the house. One is a big, heavy industrial unit that I fire up for the big jobs, and the other is a light weight 2hp unit that will run off any 15amp outlet. The lower air pressure of the single stage unit just doesn't cut it with an impact gun.

Just my humble opinion.

Tom

 

[Spiffy]

I'll pretty much second Marlow, but will add that it is true CFMs at your desired pressures that matter. Most higher cfm units are two-stage just to squeeze out a little more efficiency and maybe less stress on your primary stage (only stage for singles), but around 100 to even 120psi it isn't a big difference in efficiency.

If you need the 150 to 175psi 2-stage is certainly advantageous for both reasons, but again it is what CFM are really being cranked out at the pressure you need that counts. Even with trusted companies, and I don't think you could choose better, I don't trust any CFM ratings without really reading the fine print - then I'm still skeptical.

Intermitant use will allow a bigger tank to make up for a smaller pump, but continuous use really reflects the capacity of the pump.

If the numbers are trusted: as much as I like 2-stage I'll take 18CFM over 15 any-day.

Also, see how many amps that thing is drawing at 230: it should be getting close to 20A when it's pulling hard (If my memory is right /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif).

I have a 15A 110V twin-tank portable too: it gets used much more often than the 5HP (230V X 20A running, not "peak"), but for sandblasting or even low pressure continuous use, the choice is obvious. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Bird]

I really don't think you can go wrong with either of those compressors. I like the fact that the Quincy is a "V" twin cylinder; just seems that it ought to cool the cylinders better (no evidence at all for that; just my guess). The Bel Aire appears to be twin vertical cylinders (and while I have a slight personal preference for the "V", I'm using a vertical twin cylinder myself). I do like the two stage compressors, although I've never owned one for home and personal use; only in a service station and my brother's tire business. The Quincy only goes to 125 psi, while the Bel Aire goes to 175. Now, like Marlowe, I like to have plenty of both volume and pressure; however, all the air tools I'm familiar with are rated for no more than a maximum of 90 psi. As I've stated many times before, you can certainly get more power from your impact wrench by using the 175 psi right up until it breaks. A lot of mechanics did that, and it sure helped my air tool repair business. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif But of course if you need that power, maybe it's worth the extra repair/maintenance costs. My single stage compressor cuts off at 155 and on at 125 and I'll probably run it full blast when I use my IR231H impact, but if it breaks . . . well, I only gave $40 for it at a pawn shop and I know where to get the parts, overnight if necessary, and I know how to rebuild it. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[RichT]

Thx to all for the excellent inputs (bout what I expect on this forum). I'm leaning toward the Quincy per the higher cfm and local pickup (impt for 400lbs of compressor). The extra reserve of the Bel Aire 2 stage is attractive but not a deal breaker for me. Most air tools operate at 90psi or less and I use #1 son, 6'2" 220lb college wrestler as impact gun when needed /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Full load current spec is 26amps for the Quincy and 22amps for the BA. RPM on the Quincy is slightly less than the BA which should translate to longer compressor lifespan.

I've also got a 6HP (closer to 2.5HP actual) Sears horizontal that I use for small jobs around the house.

 

[3RRL]

Sounds like the perfect shop set-up to me.
I used to have (2) -two stage, 240V three phase 80 gal compressors in my larger machine shop but since I've scaled down I have a set-up similar to yours that runs everything I use. Check what flow requirements your air tools have and you should be OK with your set-up.

 

[Spiffy]

Forgot to mention that for blasting or other high CFM uses you'll really want 1/2in hose and large couplers. Even ratchets ect will benefit from not experiencing hose losses. Of course, running higher pressures (which for tank pressures, as mentioned before, does maximize tank capacity - despite actually slightly reducing continuous output [a somewhat moot point as at continuous demand output will occur at whatever pressure it's keeping up at] /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif)right to the point of use will reduce the effect seen with hose losses too.

Also, plenty of water knock-out with steel pipe coming up out of the tank and a separator or two is good planning. I really like a coalescing at the end of my hose too. For painting, I run a 3/8" hose after the coalescing then a descicant right at the gun. Water and sand or water and paint just isn't pretty!

 

[gobbler]

I've got a Quincy Compressor but not the same model you're looking at. When I was shopping, the Quincy just seemed to be built better. Mine has a Baldor motor and a Manchester tank, and that cast iron compressor pump looked bullet proof.

I poiint blank asked a local dealer who carries several brands and his recommendation was the Quincy. He told me that he rarely has trouble with them, and this is from a guy who sells and services them for nearly all the garages and small businesses in town.

 

[CT_Tree_Guy]

Rich:

You might want to consider a 2-stage even if you will never need to use 175 (or so) psi for anything (although it is just dandy for filling up portable air tanks, or running a tire machine).

I have a Quincy QE-5 2-stage that I run at the max allowable rpm of around 1,000 so I can get about 25 cfm out of it @ 90 psi. What I'm getting at is that I think you get better overall performance out of a compressor if it cycles on and off well above your regulated (at the compressor outlet) pressure. Mine is regulated at 120 most of the time, and cycles between 140 and 165. If it cycled between 90 and 120, or whatever max pressure your single stage would put out, I think I'd go nuts listening to it going on and off. And although I'm not prepared right now to back this up scientifically, and as usual, could easily be full of cra*, I think you might just (as some others here might have alluded to) get more cfm (and get more work done, especially with "air hogs" like grinders) at a given regulated pressure if the tank is at a significantly higher pressure than what the regulator is set at. I've tried it both ways and it just seems to have more "****" at the higher setting. (Can I say "****" in here? One way to find out I guess).

I do love my Quincy, and have always heard that they were hard to beat. I got mine well-used, and after new reed valves, high-side piston/pin, and a new tank, she'll go for a long long time. I work it pretty hard, too - a lot of pressure sandblasting (1/8" nozzle at 90 psi) and she gets plenty hot, but keeps chugging.

I know I'm overdoing it - I think a good rule of thumb would be to use only 1/2 as many cfm on a continual basis as your (reciprocating) compressor can put out. They do NOT have a 100% duty cycle, far from it - for that, you need a screw-type - another item on my wish list.

Have a blast, John

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Hehe - that answers that question - you indeed cannot say as* in here /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif