Looking for NEW shop Compressor

[dstig1]

Compressors - there's no magic. You get what you pay for. IR or Qunicy are very good. When you pay less for the Craftsman or Sanborn,. etc they are compromised in some way with cheaper parts/construction. No free lunch here. If it fits your needs, then go for it, but don't think you are saving $300 when you are really just getting a cheaper-made tool.

We have a local outfit in the Twin Cities that makes great stuff: C-Aire, and maybe you have a local outfit with a good rep too? If so you might be able to score a deal like I did. They had a few refurbs and I got a massive industrial grade 80gal/5hp/2 stage 17 scfm for $1100 which was $4-500 less than new. They had some smaller ones too, but I was tired of compromising with my previous single stage (was from them too - worked great, just not enough output). This one is awesome as I can blow out my sprinklers and it even catches up and stops during the blow-out, which is a job that takes a ton of air.

 

[nwngunner]

I got what i believe is an industrial air 80 gallon upright that runs up to 175psi and 17cfm. The thing is a monster two stage full castiron pump and 5 horse motor. I spent 1400 on mine, but i was in bad need of a compressor and couldnt find one any better. The pressure switch went out on me and i had a new one under warrenty in days. Was fantastic service. Also it has a built in regulator right on the front of the tank which i love.

The only issue i have with it, being that my shop is not heated in the winter its kind of hard for it to start. I gusse it has to do with the 30 weight oil they want you to run in it.

 

[EddieWalker]

Hi All:

looking for a 60~80 gallon shop compressor 150PSI + light Sand Blasting in cabinet, maybe outside. also air tools grinders DA sanders ect. so looking at 13+CFM at 120 PSI+

lots of them on sale now.

IR at TSC looked good but 1000 bucks on sale is a bit more than I want to spend.

HF US General on sale 799 looks like one maybe

Though I found some at Menards that I could get 2 for the price they are on sale for 368 or so with 11 CFM at 90 PSI so could double up get 22 CFM at 90 PSI and I think 18 at 120PSI.


Sears stuff was mostly all aluminum, not cast iron so not as durable

similar stuff at HD & Lowes still looking as HF was out of stock at my local store.

any opinions on these things?

thanks

Some things you can get away with buying cheap, others are life time investments. By your description of what you want it to do, especially running a DR, means you want a good compressor. HF is not the place to look. Not even for free would I want to own one from there. If it was a small backup compressor, maybe, but not something that is expected to run continuously to supply enough air for a DR.

Sears used to have a decent reputation, but they have gone cheap on a lot of their tools. I feel that buying Craftsman anything is taking a chance on how long it will last and to what degree they will honor their warentee when it dies.

DeWalt took over Emglo, which was a very good brand. DeWalt has cheapened those compressors to the point that I wont buy one either. I tried, and after two failures, I gave up on them forever. I have an older Emglo and it's awesome. It's also not even close to what they are making today!!!!

My small compressor that I take out to jobs is an IR. It's a good compressor and I'm impressed with it. I would consider looking at their bigger compressors if and when my Emglo dies on me. I don't know how their support is because I've never had a problem.

Stick with a name brand, spend what it costs to get quality, and wait a little longer if you don't have the extra cash for it today.

Eddie

 

[SPIKER]

Eddy:

I agree that the IR is probably near top brand now for semi pro compressors. issue being price for me. maybe 30 hrs a year run time is what I'm expecting from it. that means for the extra $ I get a stand up blast booth on top of a compressor with near exact same specs as the IR. while all the on-line reviews I have read all point to satisfactory or better opinions on the US General compressors of this size sold by HF. I spoke to the manager of my local HF store who sells a LOT of them with out a single return or warranty claim yet.

I had a chance at a returned IR compressor at the local TSC but figured if someone returned it for a reason so skipped it.

mark

 

[Bird]

I guess I'd fit in between you two, Mark & Eddie.:laughing: I wouldn't necessarily buy a high dollar compressor. In fact, my "Industrial Air" by Coleman Powermate came from Northern Tool 6 years ago and has been trouble free. However, there's no way I'd buy one from Harbor Freight. I've got some tools from Harbor Freight; don't mind at all buying from them. But I'd not buy anything from them that I'd mind throwing away when it breaks. When I was repairing air tools, I found that parts are only available (supposedly) from Harbor Freight and they have (or had) an 800 customer service number to order parts. I tried repeatedly and never was able to contact a human on that number.

I have an air ratchet, die grinder, and farm jack right now from Harbor Freight, but as I said, if there's ever a problem, you just throw it away.

 

[toy]

Eddy:

I agree that the IR is probably near top brand now for semi pro compressors. issue being price for me. maybe 30 hrs a year run time is what I'm expecting from it. that means for the extra $ I get a stand up blast booth on top of a compressor with near exact same specs as the IR. while all the on-line reviews I have read all point to satisfactory or better opinions on the US General compressors of this size sold by HF. I spoke to the manager of my local HF store who sells a LOT of them with out a single return or warranty claim yet.

I had a chance at a returned IR compressor at the local TSC but figured if someone returned it for a reason so skipped it.

mark

About a couple years ago I bought an IR 80 gallon two stage upright compressor with a 5 hp 220 volt motor on it. I got it at Tractor Supply and it was under $1,000. I like it, but don't use it every day. It keeps up good with the air demands that I have. I also have a porter cable and a craftsman, 30 gal single stage compressors that I have in sepperate garages. The single stage compressors won't keep up with a high air demand tool and that should be considered when you are buying a tool, cheaper to buy right the first time. That being said if you would need to move the compressor from place to place and don't need a huge air supply then one of the smaller ones would work and then you would buy a tool that needs the huge air supply. Check out TSC they might still have that model or one that will fit your needs, wish you the best in your decision.

 

[SPIKER]

HI ALL:

Wanted to give a update. I ended up getting the I.R. Compressor for a lot of reasons. I ended up with the 175PSI 5 HP 80 Gallon compressor for 999.99 at TSC on sale now. It is now in the barn, going to get the parts for all the lines and find a high flow regulator as well.

I have been waiting for over a month for my local HF to get the 799.99 5HP 60 gallon 165PSI compressor in and got tired of waiting. I went there today and asked them when I could expect to get my rain check filled and got a run around. (also waiting for my engine stand to arrive from them) while there I saw they got a shipment of the sand blaster cabinets in so I got one of those (189.99 with club membership) and left went to TSC and got the IR one. Shopping was a MAD HOUSE traffic was bad to say least. I also picked up 100 lbs of Black Beauty Sand blasting sand. Hope it sprays through the HF blaster. next on my list after the hook up pipe parts will be a good parts cleaner and a shop press then I should be pretty well stocked for my barn maintenance shack...

Last week I ordered parts for my DAYTON torpedo heater I picked up at auction as a parts unit. I paid 1.35 for the heater and 40 bucks for some parts (Ignitor and Flame sensor) now all NEW the parts unit was from Grainger and appears to have never been fired as the front end was not even discolored. a little beat up but all new now for less than 50 bucks 110000 BTU. similar ones are 400 bucks on sale at Menards now.

anyone know of a good regulator?

Thanks
Mark

 

[CompactTractorFan]

but as I said, if there's ever a problem, you just throw it away.

...or break out the duct tape...

 

[crbr]

Good choice on the copmpressor

 

[EddieWalker]

Congrats on the IR compressor. I can't speak from experience on that model, but I'm really impressed with my small IR compressor. I think that extra amount that you paid up front will be something that you will appreciate over the years and be happy that you did.

If you can't even buy the thing from HF, what makes you think they will support it when you need parts?

Eddie