Recommendation for shop air compressor

[Blackhole49]

No, no sandblasting. That requires way too much flow. I remember a lot of compressors had a bad rep back in the 90's with Aluminum pumps instead of cast iron. The line to day may be blurred a bit between consumer and farm use.

The thing is I have a 7.5hp Champion two stage cast iron compressor that I was intending for my regular shop. But we kinda need one now at the machine shed. I think my tank is 80 gal. and I was afraid that might not be enough storage for using the d blower. The blower is one that is a long wand to reach in places. Some of you may know that type? Anyway that Champion was like almost $6K like 8 years ago. (It's still like new). I'm afraid to see what that same one would cost now. But I'm going to find out. But how much tank storage do I need is the question.

Before I spent $6,000 for a compressor for an unheated shop (unless you plan on heating soon), I would look for something like this. More continuous air than you'll ever need for a farm project.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplac...wse_serp:1cee16d4-12eb-4363-a2d4-dad6f2af3bb6

 

[sotxbill]

I need an air compressor for blowing out my baler and running a few tools in my equipment shed. It is not heated, but I don't see it being used between November and March much at all. It has to be single phase, which probably limits me to 7.5HP I'm thinking. How big a tank should I have, and should I have a second tank for storage when blowing out the baler? It'll mainly be used to prep for hay, cleaning after first cutting, and after second cutting, airing up all the tractor and implement tires. We don't often get a third cutting unless it's a weird year with more rain than normal at the right intervals. I have a compressor in my other shop where I do a lot of other stuff. Thanks, Brad

Quincy makes a BALANCED compressor.. that is a dual stage but a 4 cyl.. so there are two small cyls and two large cyls in perfect opposition to each other.. The "mean time between failure" is significantly longer than the two cyl out of balance models,, no belt side bearing failures. AND... it also around half as loud as the two cyl off balance models, and when I purchased mine,, it was still American made.. And back then it was only around 200 bucks more... And had a higher cfm at 175 lbs... And they ship to you house included in the price... And after going though three IR compressors, the quincy has lasted longer... BUT I cannot tell you how long it will last as mine is still going..

 

[Mobuck]

For the desired purposes, I'd recommend a compressor like I bought as a 'fill in' substitute for a full sized high output compressor after my shop burned in 2022. I purchased a 110V oil-less 30 gallon tank 175PSI compressor from Harbor Freight (around $300 IIRC). Works far better than expected. We haven't found time to run the 220V to the far side of the building so this interim compressor is handling the needs and doing so quite well. Tire inflation, air operated tire changer, 1/2" impact wrenches, blowing out dirty filters and debris, all handled effectively.
When the 220V compressor is hooked up, this expedient unit will move to a remote storage building that only has 110V service and continue it's usefulness.

 

[Fritz Maurer]

I recommend NOT getting a noisy oil-free compressor, unless you like holding your hands over your ears.

 

[m16ty]

In my opinion the farm shop doesn't have as many air needs as the shop of old did. Now I have all battery powered impacts and don't even go to the trouble to pull out the hose when I need a impact. I've got a gas powered leaf blower to remove chaff from equipment, if it's something the leaf blower won't remove I go for the steam cleaner.

I've got a big old Quincy compressor I've had for 25 years. It came from a old sawmill that had been in business since the 1920s. I'm not saying that compressor is as old as the mill it came from but it's very old. Still does what I need, about all I use it for anymore is airing up tires.

Sand blasters and air tools are the big air hogs. I've got a local guy that does sandblasting dirt cheap and all my air tools have been replaced by battery tools for the most part.

 

[Mobuck]

The OP is asking about a limited use compressor that can handle being run in cold temps. This is one of the perks of an oil-less compressor.
For the OP: We used to run a Gleaner combine with Deutz air cooled diesel engine that required a daily blow out of air ducts and such. This was handled easily by a 5 CFM gas powered compressor with about 50 gallon of air storage capacity(same outfit I used to run the air powered post driver). A medium sized leaf blower to remove the majority of the loose stuff followed by more energetic air flow to remove dust and debris from smaller areas would be a good combination.

 

[sotxbill]

In my opinion the farm shop doesn't have as many air needs as the shop of old did. Now I have all battery powered impacts and don't even go to the trouble to pull out the hose when I need a impact. I've got a gas powered leaf blower to remove chaff from equipment, if it's something the leaf blower won't remove I go for the steam cleaner.

I've got a big old Quincy compressor I've had for 25 years. It came from a old sawmill that had been in business since the 1920s. I'm not saying that compressor is as old as the mill it came from but it's very old. Still does what I need, about all I use it for anymore is airing up tires.

Sand blasters and air tools are the big air hogs. I've got a local guy that does sandblasting dirt cheap and all my air tools have been replaced by battery tools for the most part.

Still have a lot of G rated tires on all my trailers than need 110 lbs to air up, a few E rated that need 120, and have to pull out the one inch impact several times a year.. But the quincy is great. https://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/Quincy-2V41C60VC-Air-Compressor/p855.html

 

[m16ty]

Still have a lot of G rated tires on all my trailers than need 110 lbs to air up, a few E rated that need 120, and have to pull out the one inch impact several times a year.. But the quincy is great. https://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/Quincy-2V41C60VC-Air-Compressor/p855.html

It’s not hard to get even a cheap box store compressor to build to 150psi.
We regularly change big truck tires, and I probably haven’t pulled out the 1” air impact in a couple years. My 3/4 Milwaukee has busted any nut loose I’ve come across since I’ve had it. Milwaukee even has a 1”, but as strong as the 3/4 is I don’t think I need it.

 

[3LFarms]

I went thru the his about 3 years ago. After shopping around for way too long, I found the best deal at the local Quincy dealer. 5hp 175 psi and it will run a die grinder or air nozzle indefinitely. They delivered for free and it was $300 cheaper than anything comparable online. American made with a Baldor motor. I’m pretty sure it will out me with regular oil changes

 

[Sberry]