Are all air compressors created equal?

[Boondox]

I've settled on a two-stage compressor rated at 175psi and able to deliver at least 14cfm at 90psi. But now that I'm in the shopping mode, what's the difference between a $1200 Quincy or Puma, a $1000 Ingersoll-Rand, and an $800 extreme duty Campbell-Hausfeld? The specs are really close between the models. What makes a Puma worth $400 more than a C-H? (BTW: Those prices include magnetic starters where required.)

Pete

 

[RobertN]

I can't answer your question, but can recomend you stay away from oilless machines(sounds like you are). Mine has worked ok, but is LOUD, and now I understand the rings and stuff do not last as well as a cast iron oil type compressor(I took an oilless, a broken one, apart and saw the insides).

 

[Boondox]

Robert -- Thanks. I have a little oil-free Porter-Cable compressor I use for the staple gun and other small woodworking tools, and also for filling tires, etc. Now I need a real compressor! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Pete

 

[Anonymous Poster]

The quick & dirty answer is QUALITY.
Quincy, Champion, Gardner Denver are all quality machines that you will will to your kids if you take care of them.
Cambell Housefeld and others are bargain basement box store sucker merchandise.
Rather than me sit here typing all night, go to this site and learn about compressors.
www.devair-compressors.com/index.html
Even if you don't buy a quality machine after reading this information, you'll know why the few dollars you saved cost you a second compressor a few years from now.

 

[MikePA]

<font color="blue"> Cambell Housefeld and others are bargain basement box store sucker merchandise. </font>
Therefore, anyone who buys a 'CH and others' compressor, regardless of how, or how long, they plan on using it, is a 'box store sucker'?

 

[Bird]

Pete, I don't think I have quite as low an opinion of Campbell-Hausfeld as a couple of the other guys (not bad stuff for the price, but if it ever breaks, it's not likely to be worth fixing), but basically they're right. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif If we knew the specific models you're looking at, we might be able to tell you where the quality differences are. Look for things like crankcase capacity, are all of them cast iron cylinders vs. aluminum, are they vertical twin vs. V-twin cylinders, cooling fins on the lines, perhaps better motors, perhaps not, but if you look closely for awhile, I suspect you'll see the difference. I generally like Ingersoll-Rand stuff, but in that size compressors, the Puma sure looks a lot better to me. And I've just never looked at a Quincy.

 

[EdDekker]

The Quincy two-stage compressors are better than the Ingersoll-Rand or Campbell-Hausfeld compressors. How much better and is the difference enough to matter for your use are more difficult questions.

I have been looking into compressors myself. My oilless compressor just doesn't have enough oomph for my plasma cutter. I have narrowed the decision down to the Quincy QT series, an 80 Gallon tank with either 5 HP or 7.5 HP. (My purchase is on hold until after I rewire the garage with a sub-panel for my toys.) The QT series compressors are a high quality splash lubricated compressor. I am convinced that one will last my lifetime.

An indication of the quality is the cost of a service contract. The seller of the contract expects to make money on average. The local Quincy dealer offers a 2 year on-site service contract for $40 on the $1200 QT 5 (with commercial use allowed 24 by 7). This is the least expensive service contract I have been offered (at 1.66% of the purchase price per year). Its even better, the service contract includes the maintenance kit (a change of compressor oil plus replacement parts) for the scheduled maintenance. I think but my notes dont say this is a Quincy contract. The contract price shows me that Quincy (or the dealer) has a lot of confidence in the compressor.

There have been a large number of threads on rec.crafts.metalworking, rec.autos.tech on compressors, and rec.woodworking on the choice of compressors and the recitative quality of the brands. I found the newsgroups to be a good source for information. You can search the archives on google.com ( Google Advanced Groups Search ). The consensus from rec.crafts.metalworking (and other newsgroups) is: that the Quincy QT series (and better) are excellent, that the Champion 2 stage are excellent, that the Ingersoll-Rand quality has dropped over the last 10 years and is no longer what it once was but is still good, that the Campbell-Housfield units can be mediocre to good (the higher priced cast iron compressors) or poor (the less expensive aluminum compressors).

A lot of people on these lists are very happy with the CH and IR compressors, so 'good' may be good enough.


TP Tools link has a good selection of air accessaries including driers and regulators as well as advice on plumbing air lines.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

Morning Pete,

I have an IR T-30. That sounds like the one you're considering.

I paid a thousand for it at Grainger about six or so years ago. Then late last year I had to have the reeds changed and that was a couple of hundred.

Overall I'd say it was a fine buy and wouldn't back away from recommending it to others. I'd have to say I use it more than the average do it yourselfer but less than a shop that runs day in and day out. I run a plasma torch, air tools, sand blaster, etc.

I would back off from CH. And if the money is available I would step up to the better one like the Puma or Quincy. It has been my experience that when an important tool breaks it's never at an opportune moment.

 

[Boondox]

Thanks for all the solid advice, guys. After looking more closely, I see that not all the compressors I was considering were 2-stage designs. I glanced at the output and made some assumptions. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

So here's a followup question: If a quad-cylinder single stage from Quincy has the same cfm as its two-stage larger brother, would you consider it? Or is the 2-stage design that much better?

Thanks again! Pete

 

[Egon]

Pete:
The single stage would have a higher rod loading and require a more robust bottom end than a multi stage. There should be fewer items to wear out like releif valves and interstage check valves.

Please note these comments are based on larger compressors in the three phaze 50 horsepower or more category with cooling and liquid separators producing around 400 psi.
Egon

 

[Boondox]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Please note these comments are based on larger compressors in the three phaze 50 horsepower or more )</font>

Ugh! How about a 5hp 240V 1 phase unit? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif I'm looking at TP Tools. The Champion and Quincy 5hp units are the same price. The Champion runs at lower RPMs and puts out slightly more cfm...but the Quincy is rated their Best Buy. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif I need to call those people!

Pete

 

[Egon]

Pete:
Big, little, the same basics apply. You asked about single stage compared to multi stage putting out the same pressure and volume. The rod loading and cooling are the critical factors.

Egon

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Champion's cast iron machines are definite long living work horses. Champion is currently also making a cast aluminum unit with cast iron sleeves. I have doubts it will compare to the original machine over a 30 year period, due to dissimilar rates of expansion between the components.
Quincy has had a great reputation for over 50 years, and many machines built 50 years ago are still in service producing air every day.
Unfortunately, even the best machine when improperly installed, or improperly serviced can and will become junk way before its time.

 

[luoisz]

The only thing equal about air compressors is that they all blow air when they are working. How long they stay working is a different matter. I have seen many come and go through the years. Before you start you must ask yourself just how much air do you need. If you are going to change a car tire with an impact once a month then the cheap compressor at wal-mart will be sufficient. On the other hand if you want to use several air tools at the same time a higher capacity machine is needed. My favorite compressors are Quincy and Champion, but these mfgr. also make cheaper quality units now to compete with the Sams Club types. Just because it says quincy or champion doen't automatically mean that you have a top of the line compressor any more. There are many others that are very good as well. Without a doubt the main factor that separates the men from the boys is the RPM of the air pump, slower is better. What a lot of companies have done over the years is to place a bigger motor and turn a small pump faster. Not good! Same is true for the electric motors.
While not as big a factor, most of the cheaper units use a 3450 rpm motor while the better units use a 1725 rpm motor. You will notice that the 5+ hp models with magnetic starters are 1725 while those that offer "no starter required" are 3450 rpm motors.

I recently replaced my 1967 model Kellogg American compressor. It was a 2 stage model with a 1.5 hp motor pump rpm was about 400. Worked fine and pumped a lot of air. I got a great close out deal on a Ingersoll Rand TS5N5 at home Depot for $674 . Couldn't pass that up. The unit performs great. It certainly isn't Quincy quality but it more than serves my needs.

Be honest with yourself with what you need. You don't need a 10hp quincy rated continuous duty at 225 psi to blow up a few tires every month. If you have a body shop or tire service station you will.

If you sent me an email I can point you in the right direction.