Contemplating buying an air compressor.. Need advice/suggestions.

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I'm about to sale a toy and put the money towards a new air compressor.  I'm tired of the noisey, oiless craftsman I have now.  Time to upgrade.I'm eyeballing this one for my garage and this looks like a pretty good deal.  Plus from all the research I've done.. it looks like you can't go wrong when investing in IR.  [ame]http://www.amazon.com/Ingersoll-5-Horsepower-230-Volt-60-Gallon-Compressor/dp/B001NGP8JI/ref=sr_1_9?s=power-hand-tools&ie=UTF8&qid=1329251816&sr=1-9[/ame]Please chime in on any suggestions or alternative brands if needed.  Thanks
Reply:You need to know how many CFM you'll need for the air tool that consumes the most air such as a sandblaster, die grinder, etc. I couldn't find any info on CFM on the link you provided. Lots of folks have bought what they thought was a bada$$ compressor and too late found it was lacking in the CFM dept.                               MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:Sub-CategorySingle-Stage StationaryType                Splash LubricatedHP5Max. Pressure (PSI)        135Free Air CFM @ 90 PSI18.10Free Air CFM @ 135 PSI15.5Free Air CFM @ Max. Pressure 5.5Voltage230Phase1Amps AC21.5Tank (Gal.)60Tank TypeVertical(F)NPT Outlet (In.)1/2Duty CycleContinuousLength (In.)20Width (In.)30Height (In.)71IncludesPrecision Bearing
Reply:This is basically overkill for me for right now but I would rather buy more than I need right now than regret it later.  I recently purchased a plasma cutter as well and the Craftsman can't keep up with it.  Plus.. every time I'm working on something, I have to wear ear plugs because the thing is so loud.  I just basically want to get the best for my money at around that price range and be able to depend on it years down the road and know that it can keep up with hobbies around the house.Thanks
Reply:I bought a Porter-Cable at Grizzly Tools a couple years ago..Works like a champ    80gl.vert.tank   6hp.    175psi.   15.6scfm@100psi.   15.2@175psi.   230v.   Operates everything   da sander   all air tools   cabinet type sand blaster.  Cost about $900  Plummed it in with 1/2" black iron pipe    Check out TP Tools  they have a plumming diagram to get an idea whats needed - then design your own.   The unit you are checking out should do a fine job,too.     If it will run a da   then all is good.Last edited by Albie; 02-14-2012 at 07:03 PM.Reason: wrong info
Reply:Was just repairing an air compressor today,  timing is funny.I am not impressed with new IR air compressors, old ones yeah there good, not the new stuff.Scratch a little deeper and go for a decent quality size machine if you use air a lot or want the compressor to last. My 1-2 favorite compressors are Curtis, and Saylor Beale, with Quincy following up on number 3. Air compressors are kind of like shops never big enough as your tools grow so does the air compressor needs. I was suprised on how much air my new plasma cutter uses its up there with my impact driver, and DA and I always thought that abrasives were my air hogs.Anyway here a site with a good selection of compressors, and this is a Curtis 5 HP:http://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/...sor/p4460.html
Reply:here's a 2 stage IR-http://www.factoryauthorizedoutlet.c...340L5.asp?rt=2That looks like a good deal. Did you check out Quincy ??  I know, more money. I hate when that happens!
Reply:I think the IR will work for you since it seems to be inside your budget.Good advice you've been given to buy bigger now, but it still depends on how thick the wallet is at this point in time. I have an Emglo 4 cyl that's rated about the same as far as pressure & CFM. One little feature I like on the Emglo is it has a little valve on the control circuit I can open when running the sand blaster and the motor runs continuous while the compressor cycles. Saves a lot of heat buildup in the motor by eliminating all the starts and stops. My blaster is not huge. It's an old craftsman siphon that holds maybe 40 lbs. The Emglo has no problem keeping up w/ it.                                         MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:Looks like a great deal right here.  More than I wanted to spend but..http://www.ebay.com/itm/Quincy-Compr...item4cfbde9aee
Reply:Yes more money but a much better compressor. Here are reviews:http://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/...5.html#reviewsPrice is good also.
Reply:hey Stainless. take a look at Tractor Supply if you have one close by. that same comp sells for $850 at my local TS. check their website. the IR 2 stage with 80g tank is $999 at TS.225NT bobcatAEAD200LEScott 125mm175, mm252 w 30A, PT225mm211, TA 181iHyper Therm 380, cut master 529100X & XX, Digital Elite6 Victor setssmith little torch, meco midget kalamazoo band sawsteel max saw evoulution circular saw
Reply:I run a fleet of Quincies that includes 22 Quincy QR325's, 3 QR 345s and one large V type, can't remember the designation.  These things are awesome.  They seem to last 25-30 years with daily use and no maintenance other than oil changes.  Random problems that have come up?  One QR325 started lifting the inter-stage safety.  I think the suction valve came unseated in the head.  Someone else had their hands in there and probably caused the suction valve to unseat from the head.  I just tightened the valve retainer and it is back in service.  I've got one other that knocks on the first startup of the day.  I inspected the connecting rod and crank, all is good.  I think it's an unloader problem but that boat doesn't run so I don't need to fix it.
Reply:Mr Stainless - Since We Are Talking Air Compressors,Let Me Throw My 2¢ In I Am A Welder In The Factory Where That Unit Is Built ( central Ky ) - Those Units Are Built On Line 1 At The Rate Of 100 A Day - We Buy The Tank,Pump,Motor, We Just Build The Package - The SS5 Is A Pretty Good Unit - Just Like Any Other Compressor If They Are Kept Out Of The Weather, Tank Drained Of Water Once A Week And Not Over Run They Will Last A Long Time - If Your Compressor Starts More Than 6 Times An Hour Then It May Be To Small For The Job At Hand - The Motor Needs Cool Down Time So It Doesn't Get To Hot - Now That Not Saying You Can Not Run 15 Minutes Flat Out - The Motor Needs Time To Cool From The Inrush Of Amps On Startup -  Just A Little More Info - We Build From 2HP tO 40HP - 40Psi Single Stage To 6000Psi Four Stage Units - Thanks - The Biggest Problem With Todays Compressors ( any brand ) They Have Increased The Speed To Get More Out Of Pump - Just Like Any Thing Else The Faster You Run It The Shorter The Lifetime - Just My 2¢
Reply:I bought my Kobalt 80 gallon last year at Lowe's.  I got it for $669 out the door.  It was while they had a big discount for father's day.  Zero complaints with it so far.  The way I look at it is that it will last me many many years.  I'm going to guess 20 minimum at the rate I use it.  If anything dies on it I will replace with better parts.  I can always throw a Quincy pump on it is the way I looked at it.When I purchased my machine I had looked at all compressors for months.  I actually had a Quincy in my cart at aircompressorsdirect when I went out for dinner on father's day.  Stopped in Lowe's and could not get anything comparable for the price.  For my budget, which was around a $1k at the time I was looking mainly at the IR and the Quincy's.  I have seen Quincy's running that are decades old running day after day with not the slightest hiccup.  My neighbor has a Quincy that his grandfather bought and it runs daily in a repair shop.  My second choice was an IR, pretty much the exact one you are looking at.  I will say that I have seen a few IR fail with low hours on them, but others that go and go and go.  I was going for the IR only because it was slightly cheaper for the air output that I wanted.  It is probably what I would have in my garage right now if I had not seen the big sale last year at Lowe's.  For the $300 I saved on my Kobalt, I purchased my filters, fittings, an hour meter, and another 50 foot 1/2" air hose.Like I said the way I looked at it was once I had the 80 gallon tank I could always swap parts out as they fail.  It won't be anytime soon, so I'm really not worried.
Reply:Go to Ebay look up Eaton Compressors , never heard anything bad about them old cast iron low speed design . New IR  or Campbell Haussfield is all homeowner grade at Lows or Home depot . John
Reply:Well Gentleman.. I bit the bullet today.  I went with the Quincy from the EBay link from Northern Tool.  They had the best price.  A few years ago I wouldn't have imagined myself spending big money on these kinds of tools but as I mature in my projects.. I find the one time investment will pay for itself over time with quality and longevity.  I appreciate all the replies above.  Thanks
Reply:Fun spending someone's else's money ! GOOD CHOICE! Please et me know how you like it. Just wondering on how quiet it is. thanks
Reply:Good choice most of IRS consumer line is crap unless you get a low rpm big boy. Our 7.5 HP 80 gal spits more oil than a sunken oil rigMillermatic 252millermatic 175miller 300 Thunderboltlincoln ranger 250smith torcheslots of bfh'sIf it dont fit get a bigger hammer
Reply:Good choice,A compressor is one of those foundation tools and having a good one to build your tool inventory up around is a smart move.Show pics after you install it.
Reply:Here she is.. beautiful blue.  For something I don't use much right now.. I sure have to look at it every time I'm in the garage and admire it Not exactly plumbed the way I want it right now but I needed it hooked up since I sold the old one.  It's nowhere as noisy as the oil-less craftsman it replaced.  I definitely don't miss that. Attached Images
Reply:Drool!!!!!I too am also in the works for a upgrade buying up more air tools. How much was the setup?
Reply:Around 1500. I already had the regulator and filter. Plus I got the wire for free which helped a lot.Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk
Reply:EXCELLENT choice!    I bet you'll never have to buy another compressor as long as you live.  Those things last forever, and if you find yourself needing more air than that, chances are you'd be better off renting a portable diesel unit.
Reply:The air compressor is a never large enough as the growth of your tools, such as shops, so that the demand for air compressors. I was amazed at my new air plasma cutting machine using my impact driver.HDMI Converter | Wall Stickers
Reply:Originally Posted by 76GMC1500I run a fleet of Quincies that includes 22 Quincy QR325's, 3 QR 345s  They seem to last 25-30 years with daily use and no maintenance .I bounced around years back with a couple of smaller compressors, one the speedair was a decent small unit, just not enough air, I built a 120 gallon 7.5 Hp three phase Curtis and it does about 90% of my air jobs well, I am glad I am not building it now, about twice as much for the same outfit I have had mine about 15 years. Downsides, not portable, and the other 10%. I am just now finishing up a E.L. Smith V480 with 13.5 HP gas which is 25 CFM ( ish ) on my truck.When I do another I want 45-50 CFM min and if I get back into installing fiber optic cable I need about 150 CFM.Yes its sizing to your tools, under 14 CFM isn't much use to me, they just run constantly and can't keep up, which pretty much means burn out (up )
Reply:" I built a 120 gallon 7.5 Hp three phase "Was out looking over and adjusting pressure today, correction 10 HP dayton three phase.