Are all air compressors created equal?

[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.