Air Compressor recommendations within my requirements?

[BlazerBill]

I’m in the market for a new air compressor. My Husky 60gal, 3.7hp, single stage, single phase, 230V compressor motor but the dust after about 5 years and paid around $700 for. I’ve used this compressor a lot and for all the bodywork for my ‘83 K5 Blazer. The cost of a new replacement compressor motor is around $250 but given all the negative reviews for Husky air compressors and replacement parts, I’d rather get a better compressor, since I’m going to begin the full resto of my ‘73 Firebird soon. In doing research, I’ve decided that I would be better served by the quietest 5hp, 2 stage, single phase, vertical 60gal (80gal-too big and heavy) with as much cfm as I can get within a $2500 budget. Obviously, I would prefer all American made but I’ve not found one that is completely made in America within my price range. After looking at new Ingersoll Rand, NorthStar, Quincy, Dewalt and many others and reading a lot negative reviews on all of them, I still can’t make a decision and would rather not risk buying a used one. Also, I’ve read that having a “motor starter” helps improve reliability either added on or buying a compressor that already has one. So, within or close to my requirements- budget, specs and features, what do you folks recommend and where would you buy it from that offers a good warranty, a good return policy, offers veteran discounts, reasonable prices for major replacement parts such as the electric motors and compressor motors that are readily available. I had decided on a Quincy QT-54 until I spoke to a Quincy compressor rebuild shop that said that the parts come from overseas and only the high priced industrial/commercial models are all made in America. I’ve provided some photos as a reference for ones that somewhat fits what I (think) that I need but I’m open to other suggestions with emphasizes on cost, reliability and CFM (also for possible abrasive blasting). I understand that I’ll have to make some sacrifices considering my budget but am trying not to get ripped off either. Thanks, everyone!

 

[Ricko1966]

Look at parts instead of compressors. My first big compressor,had a big 220 one piece compressor and motor. The crank was knocking badly,this was 30? Years ago the compressor side still had a crankcase and oil.Anyways I made a mounting plate,bought a new motor from Grainger a Reman compressor pump,reused my tank and switch. It's still going strong.

 

[Grit dog]

^ What he said.
Unless you actually need more cfm or want to spend 3-10x the money, buy a new motor, slap it on and go. 4 bolts, 3 wires and a pulley swap.
It’s bullsheet that it crapped out so soon.
Fwiw I’d go IR but only because I bought dad a new IR 5hp 60gal single stage compressor back in 1993/4 when our garage burned down (I had an old air compressor from my neighbor that died and put a new motor on, insurance company reimbursed for new!)
30+ years later, it still works. It’s hobby use, not daily use but it’s redone a few cars and up til recently run all air tools like days of constant running using an air powered polisher and/or DA or paint gun.
I’ve probably changed the oil in it 3x and I drain the water on, whenever it starts spitting out the tool exhaust or before I paint something. So it should be rusted through by now! lol.
My vote is still new motor since the compressor is so new.

 

[Sad Sack]

I have a QT-54 also and love it. Purchased it around 2014. If you buy the maintenance kit you get to extend the warranty for several years. But I do know that prices have skyrocketed.

 

[Sad Sack]

I’m in the market for a new air compressor. My Husky 60gal, 3.7hp, single stage, single phase, 230V compressor motor but the dust after about 5 years and paid around $700 for. I’ve used this compressor a lot and for all the bodywork for my ‘83 K5 Blazer. The cost of a new replacement compressor motor is around $250 but given all the negative reviews for Husky air compressors and replacement parts, I’d rather get a better compressor, since I’m going to begin the full resto of my ‘73 Firebird soon. In doing research, I’ve decided that I would be better served by the quietest 5hp, 2 stage, single phase, vertical 60gal (80gal-too big and heavy) with as much cfm as I can get within a $2500 budget. Obviously, I would prefer all American made but I’ve not found one that is completely made in America within my price range. After looking at new Ingersoll Rand, NorthStar, Quincy, Dewalt and many others and reading a lot negative reviews on all of them, I still can’t make a decision and would rather not risk buying a used one. Also, I’ve read that having a “motor starter” helps improve reliability either added on or buying a compressor that already has one. So, within or close to my requirements- budget, specs and features, what do you folks recommend and where would you buy it from that offers a good warranty, a good return policy, offers veteran discounts, reasonable prices for major replacement parts such as the electric motors and compressor motors that are readily available. I had decided on a Quincy QT-54 until I spoke to a Quincy compressor rebuild shop that said that the parts come from overseas and only the high priced industrial/commercial models are all made in America. I’ve provided some photos as a reference for ones that somewhat fits what I (think) that I need but I’m open to other suggestions with emphasizes on cost, reliability and CFM (also for possible abrasive blasting). I understand that I’ll have to make some sacrifices considering my budget but am trying not to get ripped off either. Thanks, everyone!

Could go cheapo till you decide:

Amazon.com

Just make sure shaft length is good enough.

 

[mxer147]

When my compressor failed, it turned out to be the run capacitor. The ohm resistance is labeled on the capacitor which I tested to determine it was out of specs. Mine would start but soon shut down. I actually still had a bad motor that I replaced with the one just mentioned and tested the start and run capacitors, found the start capacitor was out of specs which I replaced so I still have an extra motor. Since it was apart, I replaced the piston, ring and head for $75 so I should be good for a long time, hopefully. Capacitors are typically less than $20 and easy to find and replace, just be sure you properly discharge the stored voltage before replacing or it could be fatal. For less than $100, repaired.

 

[bucket]

I also bought the Quincy qt54 about 10 years ago and it has been great. However, it's all American-made. Sounds like they aren't anymore?

 

[Hunter79764]

If you do get a new one, consider keeping the old one as a reserve/receiver tank, i.e. plumb it into the system on a valve. If you are just doing small stuff, close the valve. But if you are running air tools, open the valve and fill the 60 gallon too for better pressure consistency and longer compressor cycles.

 

[MikeB]

Whatever brand you decide on, my advice is to buy from a local store that sells and repairs compressors. I bought my Puma from Green Valley Compressor in Keller, TX north of Ft. Worth. They are knowledgeable folks who sell industrial quality stuff. The guy I dealt with has been there something like 30 years and has seen it all.
Green Valley Compressor: https://www.greenvalleycompressor.com/home

Have to say when my V-twin Puma is running, it's more like chug-chug-chug than the noise the cheapie in-line compressors make.

Mine is an older version of the TE3040V. It's a real 3hp and runs on a 240 volt/20 amp circuit. New models have 3-cylinders. There is also a 60 (or 80?) gallon version.

Also, watch out for horsepower claims! If a so called "5 hp" compressor has a motor that says "air compressor motor" instead of 5 hp, it's not really a 5 hp motor. This was a problem for many years, but it may have been cleaned up by now.

Here's the motor tag on a 25 year old DeVilbiss "Charge Air" model. Volts/amps ratings are very close to my Puma's 3 hp motor, but DeVilbiss claims 6 hp! It must be magic!

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Here's my 3 hp 40 gal Puma. Overkill for my needs.

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[legopnuematic]

Yeah unfortunately air compressors are a victim of shop vac math (5hp on 110v!).

A real 5 hp motor on 240v should be in the 22-26fla range on the nameplate. A lot of the cheaper ones are more like 3.7hp instead of 5.

Also a 1750rpm motor is generally superior to a 3450 rpm motor. Four pole vs two pole, more poles = more copper = more expensive.

 

[CalSgt]

One thing to be aware of is big box stores like TSC sell a lower grade product, the IR compressors they sell at TSC have totally different model numbers and are made as cheaply as possible. I'd gamble any other brand carried by these big stores does the same thing.

 

[Sad Sack]

One thing to be aware of is big box stores like TSC sell a lower grade product, the IR compressors they sell at TSC have totally different model numbers and are made as cheaply as possible. I'd gamble any other brand carried by these big stores does the same thing.

Consumer grade versus commercial grade.

 

[Sgt Gus]

Good info

 

[mattsk8]

I have an Eaton Polar Air compressor and absolutely love it. Mine is 7.5 HP, 2 stage, single phase. Quiet ish. Mine is about 10 years old now.

 

[chevdude]

It seems that most new compressors are being built with a 175 psi. cutoff switch.
I would change that out for a 125 psi. cutout.
Reason being is that compressors will happily go from zero to 125 psi.
Going from there to 175 psi makes the compressor work harder and harder, until it shuts off.
The extra strain creates unwanted heat.
Heat creates moisture.
And nobody likes water in their airlines.