IR 60 gal Air Compressor oiled

[Alan L.]

I see where Tractor Supply has this air compressor for sale at $499, regular $599. It is a single stage 230V compressor with 3HP motor and says it delivers 11.3CFM @ 90 PSI. The compressor is one of those that you have to put oil in, which is a good thing. Most of the reviews are good, but after reading the thread on Northern Tools reviews I can't say that I trust them.

Anybody have one of these?

I currently don't even own an air tool, but plan to use it for an impact wrench (my electric one is not all that powerful), blowing things off, airing up tires, and also putting 20 pounds of air in my 220 gal galvanized water well pressure tank every few weeks (need to get this fixed where I don't have to do that). I want to get a 50 hose on a retractable reel so I can get air all over my shop. I am just a homeowner with 24 acres, tractor, ZTR, mule, etc. Not doing anything professionally at all. This would seem to be a nice upgrade to what I have.

 

[Elviscaretaker]

Is there a link to the specific compressor you are looking at?
I myself use 4 different ones but that is because of what I do/use them for.
Oil is a better, but if you ever move it let the oil settle before running it. Oilless compressors can be nice but they will overheat under heavy use.
The one you are describing would be a nice "shop" compressor for sure and I think you'll be happy with the sizing.

 

[Bird]

I'm sure this is the compressor being considered and Alan I think that should do anything you want to do. I do wish their description told what the maximum air pressure it will produce is, and does it include a pressure regulator because you will want one if you ever use it for such things as painting. 120 psi max. is common, but I sure like 150 psi. I think maybe Northern Tool has the same compressor? at the same "regular" price; 135 max. psi. However, in spite of Dargo's complaint:laughing:, I'd go to Northern Tool instead of Tractor Supply and buy this Puma compressor with the V-twin cylinders; 150 max. psi. But I only say that because it's exactly the model I had in my shop before I moved back to town and it was used almost every day. It was frequently run continuously for long periods of time for such things as sandblasting. And instead of sweeping a 40' x 60' shop building, I used a blow gun to blow all the dirt and dust out the door.

 

[jmanatee2]

I have an IR compressor, I am very happy with it. Relatively quite, Fast, keeps up with my sand blaster or anything else I have tried, plasma, plastic welder, air tools, paint etc...

Ingersoll Rand are supposed to be top of the line compressors. I would buy with confidence.

I don't have the one you are looking at I have an 80gal 7.5hp 2stage 175PSI, this one:

Ingersoll Rand 80-Gallon Two-Stage Air Compressor - 3452272 | Tractor Supply Company

I did not pay $1999 I think it was on sale for $1600 when I got it.

 

[Western]

I have had 2 of the :

SKU Number: 3496129
Manufacturers Number: TS4N5

Air Compressor | Tank Capacity : 80 gal. | PSI Rating : 175 PSI | Flow Rate : 15.8 CFM @ 90 PSI | Power Rating : 5 HP | Pump Style : Two-Stage | Width : 40 in. | Total Length : 48 in. | Height : 76 in. | Material : Cast Iron | Current Rating : 230V

Gave one to my brother. The main web page on Tractor Supply say's $1999, the actual price is $999 on this one if you click the info link. The one with the 7.5 hp motor is the $1999 one, other than that they are pretty much equal.


You would do real good with the one your looking at, or do like I did, I registered at one of their stores with a farm exemption and they periodically send me discount coupons. You may be able to ask them too. I received a 15% discount coupon and ran down to my local TSC and picked up the the above model. Great savings and a super shop compressor.

I've had oil-less before and wont again, just my opinion.

 

[beersngars]

I have that compressor. Had it for 4 years now now and am very happy. If you plan on using it alot though, you may wany want to step up to the 2 stage.

 

[Alan L.]

The link Bird put up is the one:

Ingersoll Rand 60-Gallon Air Compressor - 3496111 | Tractor Supply Company

That Puma does look like a nice compressor too, similar specs. I wonder if they keep it in stock - there is a store I think in Plano I could check out.

 

[SandburRanch]

Will parts be available for that brand or another brand when it breaks, and it will break.

I have an old Sanborn compressor that the relief valve failed on. That part not available according to a phone call to Sanborn so it was basically junk because of a 10 dollar not available part.

 

[jdonovan]

Anybody have one of these?

I've got the 5hp version. Taken care of all my needs, and WAY quieter than the non-oiled one it replaced.

IMO this is a once every 10-20 year purchase. I'd spend the extra bucks to goto a 5hp. Same 60gal tank, but it makes a bit more air.

If you really had extra cash to spend the 2 stage are VERY nice. The 175 PSI tank means quite a bit more stored air, and much more consistent pressure at the tool. However given your expected uses, it may be overkill for the need.

 

[Bird]

The link Bird put up is the one:

Ingersoll Rand 60-Gallon Air Compressor - 3496111 | Tractor Supply Company

That Puma does look like a nice compressor too, similar specs. I wonder if they keep it in stock - there is a store I think in Plano I could check out.

I am generally an Ingersoll-Rand fan when it comes to air tools, but have no experience with their compressors. I only recently learned that Northern Tool was selling the Puma compressors. I did not buy my Puma compressor from Northern Tool. At one time, I'd had a brief repair experience with Industrial Air of Texas and liked them. In December, 1998, they were located on South Cooper Street in Arlington. On 12/9/98, I noticed the Puma showed "6 hp". The salesman said, "We call it an imitation 6 hp." He then showed me one of their own real 5 hp electric motors on an 80 gallon 2 stage compressor and of course it was twice as big as the Puma compressor motor. But he said they had some of the Pumas in shops running all day 5 or 6 days a week and never had a complaint. I'm not sure exactly what the price of the compressor was, but I find in my records that I paid them $617.61 that day, including some fittings, pressure regulator/filter, sales tax, etc. It was a fine compressor and never gave me any trouble at all, but of course, I only had it nearly 4 years. When I had to move back to town, the realtor who sold our place out in the country, bought that compressor from me (he had a ranch in the same county himself).

Now I see, assuming it's the same company, now in Grand Prairie, that they don't list the Puma as one of their brands so perhaps the Ingersoll-Rand is the better choice if you're concerned with parts in the future. Personally, I'd go with the Puma because I like that V-twin design and had such good luck with mine, but I can certainly understand reasons others may make a different choice.

 

[George2615]

Will parts be available for that brand or another brand when it breaks, and it will break.

I have an old Sanborn compressor that the relief valve failed on. That part not available according to a phone call to Sanborn so it was basically junk because of a 10 dollar not available part.

I had a Sanborn for over 20 years. Bought it from Northern Tool years ago. The safety relief valve went on mine and I replaced it with another from a local store. You should be able to get it most anywhere. It has standard threads and I think it was rated at 125 lb. but other ratings are available. The bottom of my tank finally gave way to rust (mainly from sitting year round in an damp unheated pole barn). Gave the whole thing to a friend of mine who swapped the compressor onto another tank he had and its still running. I replaced mine with an 175 lb max, 80 gallon 2 stage compressor bought from Home Depot. Its the Husky brand made by Campbell Hausfeld and distributed by HD.

 

[timswi]

I had a Sanborn for over 20 years. Bought it from Northern Tool years ago. The safety relief valve went on mine and I replaced it with another from a local store. You should be able to get it most anywhere. It has standard threads and I think it was rated at 125 lb. but other ratings are available. The bottom of my tank finally gave way to rust (mainly from sitting year round in an damp unheated pole barn). Gave the whole thing to a friend of mine who swapped the compressor onto another tank he had and its still running. I replaced mine with an 175 lb max, 80 gallon 2 stage compressor bought from Home Depot. Its the Husky brand made by Campbell Hausfeld and distributed by HD.

I have a 60 Gal CH brand as well...5HP, 60gal 135psi...7 years and not one issue yet. I use it quite a bit for painting, ait tools etc...have to let it catch up on high volume tools like line sanders, but a minor inconvenience.

If you shop the compressors, you'll probably notice that all of the non-commercial brands look nearly identical...One company with multiple badging is my guess.

 

[Bird]

If you shop the compressors, you'll probably notice that all of the non-commercial brands look nearly identical...One company with multiple badging is my guess.

Yep, I didn't know Campbell-Hausfeld made the Husky, but I'm not surprised. All the Craftsman compressors I've seen were made by DeVilbiss and I'm currently using a 30 gallon Industrial Air by Coleman Powermate that I bought from Northern Tool. I turned the pressure down to 40 psi this morning and used my little one quart Campbell-Hausfeld paint gun to spray Sherwin-Williams Deckscape on my wooden fence. Then I turned it back full 125-150 psi to use a blow gun to clean the Stihl string trimmer and then the Toro ZTR after I finished mowing, edging, and trimming the yard and a neighbor's yard. I don't know now anyone can get along without a decent air-compressor.

 

[Bird]

Perhaps I should have mentioned that the Pumas are made in Taiwan. I'm sure that might matter to some. I don't know where the Ingersoll-Rand compressors are made. I didn't ask to see a manual for it, but did look at an Ingersoll-Rand compressor at Northern Tool this morning to see if any of the stickers on it told where it was made, but didn't find that information. And the Lewisville Northern Tool store only had the little Puma compressors in stock (or at least out on display). Of course most air tools, including Ingersoll-Rand, Snap-On, Chicago Pneumatic, etc. are made in Japan with a few made in Taiwan.

 

[Alan L.]

Perhaps I should have mentioned that the Pumas are made in Taiwan. I'm sure that might matter to some. I don't know where the Ingersoll-Rand compressors are made. I didn't ask to see a manual for it, but did look at an Ingersoll-Rand compressor at Northern Tool this morning to see if any of the stickers on it told where it was made, but didn't find that information. And the Lewisville Northern Tool store only had the little Puma compressors in stock (or at least out on display). Of course most air tools, including Ingersoll-Rand, Snap-On, Chicago Pneumatic, etc. are made in Japan with a few made in Taiwan.

I would think Taiwan would be better than mainland China.

 

[Runner]

Not to jack the thread (well, maybe a little), but I'm a little hazy on two-stage compressors. Does a two-stage compressor use a second cylinder to get the extra pressure, or is there such thing as a single-cylinder, two-stage compressor?

This one looks like a single-cylinder, but says it's two-stage.

80 Gallon 2-Stage Air Compressor, 5 HP - 3496129 | Tractor Supply Company

 

[Bird]

Runner, it'll be a 2 cylinder. Maybe this website explains it about as well as any. And it's not unusual for vertical compressors (as opposed to V-twins) to look like one piece. In fact, my current little single stage 30 gallon upright has 2 cylinders, so just a look at the exterior doesn't fully explain. And the V-twin Puma I mentioned is also 2 cylinders but a single stage. In other words, both cylinders pump air into the tank instead of one cylinder pumping air to a second cylinder which in turn pumps air into the tank.

 

[grsthegreat]

i used to have a Ingersoll rand compressor ...had it for 15 years. was a fine piece of machinery.

I currently have a Kobalt (Lowes) 60 gallon vertical unit ...its a single stage but has more than enuf output to keep up with my CNC Plasma bench.

If it ever dies (5 years going strong) I'm planning on either getting a nice 2 stage unit from napa ($2,400.00) or a screw compressor from the local compressor store (its an ingersoll rand unit)...but that costs closer to $4,000. The screw compressors are far superior units, but not sure if i can justify the cost difference though. Some of the screw units ive been near are fairly quiet, some are noisier then He**...SO I WOULD DEFINITELY NEED TO HEAR THE UNITS RUN.. Some day ill build that outdoor air compressor shed that i keep talking about......someday.


ALSO: not to hijack the thread...but if you have an extra $400 lying around. think about adding a dryer unit to your system. I added the one from Harbor freight about 3 years ago
http://www.harborfreight.com/compressed-air-dryer-40211.html

has worked flawlessly and takes nearly 100% of the water out of the system. I used to have to remove and dry my filters daily. One set of filters had replaceable elements that cost about $15.00 each time i replaced them (havnt needed to replace for 3 years...was replacing every month) now everytime i check them...there always completely dry. the unit is amazing. especially usefull if you plan on painting.

 

[grsthegreat]

I am generally an Ingersoll-Rand fan when it comes to air tools, but have no experience with their compressors. I only recently learned that Northern Tool was selling the Puma compressors. I did not buy my Puma compressor from Northern Tool. At one time, I'd had a brief repair experience with Industrial Air of Texas and liked them. In December, 1998, they were located on South Cooper Street in Arlington. On 12/9/98, I noticed the Puma showed "6 hp". The salesman said, "We call it an imitation 6 hp." He then showed me one of their own real 5 hp electric motors on an 80 gallon 2 stage compressor and of course it was twice as big as the Puma compressor motor. But he said they had some of the Pumas in shops running all day 5 or 6 days a week and never had a complaint. I'm not sure exactly what the price of the compressor was, but I find in my records that I paid them $617.61 that day, including some fittings, pressure regulator/filter, sales tax, etc. It was a fine compressor and never gave me any trouble at all, but of course, I only had it nearly 4 years. When I had to move back to town, the realtor who sold our place out in the country, bought that compressor from me (he had a ranch in the same county himself).

Now I see, assuming it's the same company, now in Grand Prairie, that they don't list the Puma as one of their brands so perhaps the Ingersoll-Rand is the better choice if you're concerned with parts in the future. Personally, I'd go with the Puma because I like that V-twin design and had such good luck with mine, but I can certainly understand reasons others may make a different choice.

Just a quick question Bird...are those air lines plastic??

if so please beware. a friend of mine had run plastic lines......they exploded. Luckly no one was in the shop at the time. it shattered a window and had embedded shards in the insulation.

i ran mine in copper pipe after i saw the results of his mess.

 

[Alan L.]

Well the sale expired and I have not bought a compressor yet. One question - seems in some reviews people are saying the compressors they purchase are not ready to use. Seems they have to add a regulator? I assume this determines what the air pressure is coming out of the hose. Every compressor I have seen (smaller ones) have that already included.

Also, on the 230 volt models it appears there is no power cable, it has to wired in. I figured on fixing a plug to plug into the same outlet in my shop as my welder, but some reviews indicate you have to hardwire it direct to the circuit breaker?