Needing a new air compressor

[Fullers Farmalls]

Our old compressor is shot and I want to get a new one. I am, well, frugal, so I can't afford to spend big$$$ but whats the best bang for your buck? I looked at Harbor Freight compressors but didn't like all the reviews so I passed. I am checking craigslist too but needed some input. Also what about those things that help drain the water out of the bottom of the tank? I think that would pay off in the long run. Looking to get one that can run an occasional paint gun, impact wrench, and inflating tires and blowing out the old chainsaw. All comments welcome. Thanks guys.

 

[Bob]

"an occasional paint gun, impact wrench, and inflating tires and blowing out the old chainsaw"



Doesn"t take TOO big of a dollar compressor to do that.

 

[Fullers Farmalls]

Yeah, but I also want something thats not going to quit after a year(had one just do that). Looking for quality and affordability i guess would be my point.

 

[farmall300u]

Find something like a Quincy QTS family of compressors, 2 1/2 hp, 20 gal belt driven compressor.120/220v. Mine is 15 yrs old and still runs like new. Change oil every 6 months.

 

[Deere Scotty]

Ingersoll Rand has a 20 Gallon, 2 HP vertical twin piston for around $500 +/-. Gets 33 5 star reviews at Sears. 1 4 star, 4 1 star; but remember these 4 people probably needed a 10 HP, & didn"t want to spend money! You sound like You just need a basic reliable machine.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I like mine

like a smaller big one

it's rated continuous duty

 

[Jo Bird]

Of what you list, the impact wench will take the most air requirement. Check what it needs to operate, ( CFM / PSI ) and get a little extra to boot and get a larger tank, small tank equals a small volume of air. Nothing worst than waiting for the compressor to recover so you can give the impact wrench another shot at removing a wheel stud.

 

[Chris(WA)]

As to a tank drain, I have never had one that lasted any long time. What I do now is leave the tank drain valve cracked open to let just a tiny hiss of air leak out all the time. I only turn on the compressor when I need it so it doesn't start and stop all the time. I keep a portable tank of air pumped up for those quick just need a shot of air jobs and only run the compressor when I need air for a while. This way I can also hear that the tank is draining.Works good for me.
My compressor is a Vee twin Puma 5 HP and its been a good one for me. Got it at Tool Town for $350.

 

[Leroy]

I dissagree, the paint gun will take more.

 

[Dean]

I researched the compressor market 3 or 4 years ago and bought an Eaton Compressor (new name Polar Air). It offered the best performance for the price, at least at the time.

I visited the plant in Dayton, OH and spent about an hour speaking with one of their engineers.

The pump is US designed and Chinese made. The tank is US made, and the assembly is done in Dayton. The motor and electrical controls are WEG (Brasil).

No issues so far.

They sell online and ship direct.

Dean

 

[Steve@Advance]

I found this informative...

http://truetex.com/aircompressors.htm

The automatic drains, I've had these work very well. The secret is to protect them with a fine screen y-strainer. I use a 1/2" ball valve and 1/2" strainer ahead of the valve.

http://www.zoro.com/g/Electric-Operated%20Drain%20Valves/00064562/None

 

[hd6gtom]

Best bet, look for a used Quincy, I have 1 at home in my shed, or an Ingersol Rand type 30. I found them to be the longest lasting compressors for continuous duty. As far as the auto-drain, I had several of them on cheeper compressors, they turned out to be a joke. put a small elbow in the tank and run it out under the side of the tank, put a small ball valve on the end of the pipe and drain it after every use.

 

[Goose]

I bought one of HF's 60 gallon two stage upright units about six years ago. It's been flawless.

They're around $800.

My 2 cents.

 

[WGM]

Quincy compressors are 100% made in the USA

 

[markiz41]

Their flagship QR25 pumps still are. $2K for a smaller one, just the pump. But their value line (air master or whatever it's called) has long been imported. No other way to stay competitive.

 

[longear]

Fullers, I think you are in Burgettstown pa. There is an online auction today that has an 80 gallon speedaire. Check out : yilitauctions.com

 

[1948 mm]

Check out castair compressors made in minnisota I believe and the motors run quite slowly which is a plus in my book

 

[Fullers Farmalls]

Don't live there but worked there. And I'll check it out. I know I
want an oiled compressor as I hate the loud oilless ones. I am
going to keep my eyes open. Hoping to paint a tractor in the next
year and want to be able to run my gun without stressing the
compressor.

 

[Dean]

Quincy was included in my research.

I bought the Polar Air because I could buy considerably more performance for the same price.

Dean

 

[XRogerX]

I second the QTS Quincy. Puma is a pretty decent unit as well. They are Chinese Swan pumps, which held up pretty good in the units we built up with them. Last time I looked at the Eaton units, they were using Sanborn SC23 and SC46 pumps, which are made in Hong Kong by LaPlante compressors. They also build knock-off Kellogg pumps. The would make nice home owner units, but I wouldn't use them for a business.

 

[Sidekick]

I bought an Eaton about 5 years ago and have no complaints. It was the most compressor for my money that I could find. It has 19.5 cfm of free air at the valve and runs everything I have with ease. A semi with a lift gate brought it to my driveway.

 

[T in NE]

The plan for the newer compressor at work is to put a cable-pull tank drain on it like a semi uses. Going to put one on the old Campbell-hausfeld I picked up today. It has "made in USA" stamped, stickered, or cast all over it, but I doubt the new ones are.