I am looking at this air compressor at Tractor Supply - Ingersol 2-stage

[jimgerken]

NIce... but isnt that 200% of what you wanted to spend?

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

 

[Midniteoyl]

...

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

ch,ch,ch,shushsshush....

 

[Raspy]

Ingersoll Rand | TS4N5 Two-Stage Reciprocating Compressor

I need to replace a 5 hp single stage Puma, 60 gallon. The Ingersol looks like a nice upgrade. I assume the quality of Ingersol is high and the compressor will now outlive me. This one is on sale for $999 (if I remember correctly) until year-end. That's a hundred off normal retail at TSC. I run a metalworking shop, with plasma cutter, and a car service bay, and do fabrication and occaisional sand blasting in a cabinet.
Are there other compressors I should consider? Does anyone have experience with this Ingersol unit? Is there a better price available? Thanks.

Jim,

I looked at that one, but ended up getting the single stage 5 HP Ingersoll. Fine quality and looks like it will last a lifetime. A true 5HP motor and large cast iron compressor. These are the real deal and not some Home Depot or Sears toys

The main difference between the single stage and two stage, for normal use, is that the two stage, with the same motor, is about 2 1/2 cfm less output, but can produce 175 PSI. For shop use I don't know why you would need 175 PSI, but for air tools or a plasma cutter, you might need the full 18 cfm of the single stage.

Mine keeps up with my plasma cutter and anything else I've run with it. The plasma uses more air than any other tool I have.

 

[bubbacuse77]

Jim,

I looked at that one, but ended up getting the single stage 5 HP Ingersoll. Fine quality and looks like it will last a lifetime. A true 5HP motor and large cast iron compressor. These are the real deal and not some Home Depot or Sears toys

The main difference between the single stage and two stage, for normal use, is that the two stage, with the same motor, is about 2 1/2 cfm less output, but can produce 175 PSI. For shop use I don't know why you would need 175 PSI, but for air tools or a plasma cutter, you might need the full 18 cfm of the single stage.

Mine keeps up with my plasma cutter and anything else I've run with it. The plasma uses more air than any other tool I have.

Jim, I am late to the post here but will jump in with Raspy. I bought the single stage IR 5hp with 18CFM. I have had it 6 years and it is bullet proof. I paid $800 for 18CFM at 90PSI which is perfect for running things like sandblasters and air tools. I looked at Quincy when looking but settled on the IR for the money. Just like I looked at a Mercedes last time I went car shopping and ended up with a Ford. Only you know your budget and how much you will use it.
The only thing I don't like about this compressor is that the lower limit pressure switch to turn the pump on is around 85psi and I also have a wood shop and I use air nailers. when the tank pressure gets below 100psi it tends to not sink the nails all the way. I'm sure I can set the limit higher but haven't taken the time to figure it out.

 

[crbr]

1958 Quincy... still going.....

.

 

[jimgerken]

Jim,

I looked at that one, but ended up getting the single stage 5 HP Ingersoll. Fine quality and looks like it will last a lifetime. A true 5HP motor and large cast iron compressor. These are the real deal and not some Home Depot or Sears toys

The main difference between the single stage and two stage, for normal use, is that the two stage, with the same motor, is about 2 1/2 cfm less output, but can produce 175 PSI. For shop use I don't know why you would need 175 PSI, but for air tools or a plasma cutter, you might need the full 18 cfm of the single stage.

Mine keeps up with my plasma cutter and anything else I've run with it. The plasma uses more air than any other tool I have.

I think the idea of higher pressure is to have an on-off operating range which is always above the desired regulated point. In other words, the compressor runs between 145 and 175, but you regulate to 125 psi (or whatever) and always have 125 psi available, regardless of what the compressor is doing, unless it is undersized. Today I have a single stage, and to get the most mechanical bending pressure from my press brake, I have to intentionally dump some air to get the compressor to run up to its shut-off point (125).
My plasma cutter almost overwhelms my Puma single stage 5Hp (14 gpm @ 90psi when it was new). It can just keep up, but runs continuously. Of course the computer doesnt take breaks, so it cuts out whole parts without stopping for a "breather".

 

[GManBart]

I didn't see it listed before, but a good site for comparing compressors (including country of origin) is:

Air Compressors Direct | Your Online Air Compressor Store

 

[jimgerken]

The Champion compressor came yesterday. She's a beauty Clark! I will try to get some pictures of it in the next couple days. It might take half a day to get the crate dissmantled off of it. It appears the only foreign made part on it is the pressure gauge (made in chinola of course). Otherwise, all USA. It feels good to do this once in a while.

 

[mikehaugen]

Good for you, I doubt you'll regret it.