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.

 

[DarkBlack]

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.

Speedaire (Dayton/Grainger) uses Mexico made Dayton motors. If you consider Mexico domestic then, you are right.
I think Quincy is using mostly Baldor motors. Those may be US made or in one of their other worldwide factories

 

[bigtiller]

I'm with ericm979, Spend your money on CFM not tank size. You have to make it before you can store it. Quincy has a 50,000 hour pump warranty, and its QT54 model makes 15.4 cfm@90psi.

Also, get an electric condescend valve and set it to blow for 5 seconds, 4 or more times a day. The tank should outlast you.

​

​

 

[2manyrocks]

Why use an air grinder instead of electric? Do you do a lot of air painting?

 

[ponytug]

I have an Ingersoll 3HP 60 gallon that works well for me. (SLS-3?) Found it on sale for 30% off, free shipping.

Unless you do a lot of spraying, I would not go too large on the air compressor, and put some of the budget toward replacing your air grinders with corded electric grinders. A few corded electric grinders will do a lot of grinding. I have both air grinders and corded, and if I were doing over again, I would not buy the air grinders; they use a lot of air and aren't that powerful compared to what is available these days in corded models.

One thing that will help the tank and your tools is to buy a compressor with, or add, an intercooler and automatic float drain. It should remove 90-95% of the water before the air ever gets to your tank or lines. I no longer get visible water spray out of the bottom air tank drain when I open the drain. YMMV: a larger, longer brass or copper drain will allow the water to drain out the tank as it accumulates, lowering the potential for rust and pinholes.

For most uses, it is not ideal to run the compressor to a higher pressure and then use a regulator to bring it down to your operating pressure as it wastes energy. E.g. stop compressing at 120psi, rather than 175psi.

All the best,

Peter

 

[5030]

Speedaire (Dayton/Grainger) uses Mexico made Dayton motors. If you consider Mexico domestic then, you are right.
I think Quincy is using mostly Baldor motors. Those may be US made or in one of their other worldwide factories

Mexico is better than China by a tad. I have a Century on my Quincy. 10 horse, 3 phase.

 

[5030]

I have an Ingersoll 3HP 60 gallon that works well for me. (SLS-3?) Found it on sale for 30% off, free shipping.

Unless you do a lot of spraying, I would not go too large on the air compressor, and put some of the budget toward replacing your air grinders with corded electric grinders. A few corded electric grinders will do a lot of grinding. I have both air grinders and corded, and if I were doing over again, I would not buy the air grinders; they use a lot of air and aren't that powerful compared to what is available these days in corded models.

One thing that will help the tank and your tools is to buy a compressor with, or add, an intercooler and automatic float drain. It should remove 90-95% of the water before the air ever gets to your tank or lines. I no longer get visible water spray out of the bottom air tank drain when I open the drain. YMMV: a larger, longer brass or copper drain will allow the water to drain out the tank as it accumulates, lowering the potential for rust and pinholes.

For most uses, it is not ideal to run the compressor to a higher pressure and then use a regulator to bring it down to your operating pressure as it wastes energy. E.g. stop compressing at 120psi, rather than 175psi.

All the best,

Peter

The higher the pressure, the more heat is produced in the compressed air and consequently, more moisture in your receiver, air lines and tools. I run my shop air system at 135 psi but I use high flow fittings and all my piping is in black iron with 1.5" main runs and 3/4" drops plus I have a dedicated refrigerated air dryer on the line for the CNC plasma table and I have a Motorguard replaceable cannister on the plasma cutter I use in the shop. Moist air is death on ANY plasma cutter, manual or CNC.

My philosophy is do it once and cry and never do it again. Don'
t want to even allude to what all the black iron pipe cost. My only saving grace was, I bought it all in mill lengths as I own a Rigid pipe threading machine. Still had to buy all the fittings however.

 

[kenmac]

BelAire 8090253165 Iron Series Piston Compressors

BelAire 418VL 7.5HP, 208-230V, 1PH, 80 Gal Vertical Two Stage Electric Iron Series Compressor

www.mile-x.com

I have this one for several years now to operate my glass bead machine which takes a lot of CFM's .... Out of your 2K price range though..
CFM's cost money !

 

[Richard]

If this happens, it will be a new building with its own independent power from the service provider, so I could wire anything I want.

Years ago, I had an oil-less unit.... it didn't last long. Current unit is oiled. If we do the garage, I like the idea of locating compressor somewhere and plumbing some lines, specifically, taking a line so I have access to an outlet on the outside of the building (so I don't have to drape hoses from unit through garage out to whatever.

I understand the higher expense and can get one cheaper..... if however, I can avoid something made in china, mexico, India, anywhere and get something that is more US made, I rather do that. I know it will cost a bit more. I figure if I'm going to try to support red/white/blue blood.... then I need to support red/white/blue verses foreign and that's simply going to cost more. I've always been that way, even going back to when I was in my teens.

 

[Richard]

you can purchase a Quincy today for well under 2 grand

Any links? (what do you consider "well under"?

I've seen a 60 gallon Quincy for roughly $1,800 (which I rounded to $2,000 for simplicity)

 

[5030]

Any links? (what do you consider "well under"?

I've seen a 60 gallon Quincy for roughly $1,800 (which I rounded to $2,000 for simplicity)

Compressors direct. Was just on their website last night and prices have increased, like everything else has. The 'QP' like I own are way above 2 grand now but the 5 horse ones with splash lubrication are still under 2 grand.

Mine is a 10 horse, 3 phase btw.