Shopping for a new air compressor

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The drive pulley fell off my dayton/speedaire compressor the other day.  It chewed up the crankshaft and pulley.  Parts are pretty expensive for these, so I'm looking into buying a new one.  I've looked at some online, but want to know what you more experienced minds think I should get.  My old one was a speedaire capable of 9.5 CFM running on a 5hp motor with a 60 gallon tank.  It seemed to keep up for most things but if I was using the disc sander or the impact alot it would run continuously.  I have about every normal air tool, air gun for cleaning and drying parts, and I just got my Powermax 65 today, so I don't know how it would keep up with that.  I would like to stay with 60 gallon to fit into the room in my shop where it's plumbed into.  Can you guys help me narrow it down a bit between brands/models?  I only have 50 amps of single phase 220V currently wired to the compressor so  keep that in mind.   So far I have looked at kobalt, craftsman pro line, speedaire, IR, and westward (grainger brand).Thanks for any help.There is no failure...only feedback
Reply:How much do you want to spend? Most companies make different quality units. For example, Northern Tool has two different 5HP Ingersoll-Rand compressors one for $900.00 and one for $1300.00.Top brands in my opinion are Champion, Quincy and Ingersoll. I have a 5HP 80 gal Champion."Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:Have you considered just replacing the pump? keeping the motor, controls, and the tank??I offer three choices: Good, Fast, & Cheap. You may pick two.Hobart AC/DC StikMate LXHarbor Freight AD HoodHarbor Freight Industrial Chop SawDeVilbis 20 Gallon, 5 HP Compressor
Reply:Have you considered just replacing the pump? keeping the motor, controls, and the tank??That is probably what it will come down to.  But the tank I have is rated for 135psi, and I thought about moving to the 150 or 175 rated system.  I was looking tonight at the northern tool website, they have a 13.5cfm pump for $399.  If I replace the whole unit, it the budget will probably be around $1k give or take some.  I had never heard of the champion, but they look nice.  I have read the specs at the Quincy and IR, both I would say are nice units.Does anyone know anything about the Northern Star brand from norther tool?  I would guess they are just rebranded from something else.  thanks for the repliesThere is no failure...only feedback
Reply:I would give the Harbor Freight pumps a look, but then I am frugal.Last edited by nadogail; 02-19-2011 at 12:21 PM.Reason: lack of automatic spell correctionI offer three choices: Good, Fast, & Cheap. You may pick two.Hobart AC/DC StikMate LXHarbor Freight AD HoodHarbor Freight Industrial Chop SawDeVilbis 20 Gallon, 5 HP Compressor
Reply:ArronL,The same IR compressor (5HP, 80gal tank) that Northern Tools sells for $1,299 can be purchased from Tractor Supply for $999.  Exact same compressor.  Rated at about 15 cfm @ 175 psi.Looked at IR and Quincy and the deal at Tractor Supply was the best around.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:Quincy, especially ythe pressure lubed series makes IR look like junk, at least the consumer reciprocating compressors.  It quality relation it's Quincy, Champion, Speedaire and IR commercial.  All the rest are basically the same unless you go rotary screw and then Sullaire is the best.I have a Quincy QP series and it cost 2 times what an IR from tractor supply cost but it will run twice as long and twice as hard and when it's time to rebuild it, you can.If you can find a secondhand IR that was built 20 years ago, buy that.  It has real tempered steel disc valves and ringed pistons plus a crank running in Timken bearings and it can be rebuilt to run like new, over and over.  It will outlast you.  Same for an old Quincy or Champion but most people hang on to the old ones.  They know quality means longevity.
Reply:check out eaton i had i IR that failed on me 2 times is 4years it was the pump both times. i had a 5hp 80gal 18.1cfm @90 after it quit the second time i retrofitted a Eaton pump that was actuall for a 7.5hp motor and put out 32cfm and spun it a little slow so it will put out 20cfm with a 5hp. Eaton has very good customer support it is a family owned and operated business and they know there stuff. www.eatoncompresor.com
Reply:I agree with Stickman and Shanem, I have a Champion right now and if it fails, I will go with Eaton. The reason I have the Champion is just before I bought an Eaton, the used Champion popped up used for a price I couldn't refuse. I have been loving it ever since. Might even try to rebuild if its something small.
Reply:Well there is most certainly a trend.  3 or 4 brands mentioned mostly.  Thanks for all the good info.  I love the older heavy duty equipment, my lathe is old enough that no one knows when it was made.  l'll keep my eye out for one of the old IR or Quincy pumps.  What do you guys think of this one?  It is only an hour from me, I would have to buy one new motor.  http://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?fa...68&acctID=1580There is no failure...only feedback
Reply:We just got the IR SS5L5 here at the shop.  We don't have a huge air demand but it keeps up very well.  I read some reviews online and blowing head gaskets seems to be an issue.  Sure enough about a month into using it the head gasket blew.  IR was very helpful in getting us a replacement for free and we installed it ourselves.  Looking at the specs and for the price it seemed hard to beat.  Hopefully the headgasket isn't going to be an ongoing issue though...
Reply:so far, I have only heard OK things about the IR pumps.  I was looking at the Eatons just now, they look pretty nice, the bare pumps seem like the best deal for me since I already have a tank and motor.  I did a decent repair on my pump/pulley this weekend to get me by until it fails again, but I'm still searching out a new unit.There is no failure...only feedback
Reply:if you do go with a bare pump. Look at the amps that your motor pulls as a lot of compressor manufactures over rate there stuff and its not really what they say it is
Reply:Originally Posted by AaronLWell there is most certainly a trend.  3 or 4 brands mentioned mostly.  Thanks for all the good info.  I love the older heavy duty equipment, my lathe is old enough that no one knows when it was made.  l'll keep my eye out for one of the old IR or Quincy pumps.  What do you guys think of this one?  It is only an hour from me, I would have to buy one new motor.  http://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?fa...68&acctID=1580