Picking A Compressor

S

SPR

So I have read other threads about choosing a compressor. I’m looking to upgrade my current 80 gal single stage. The rings are leaking and I’m getting massive amounts of oil blow by. It also doesn’t keep up with my blast cabinet. At any rate, I was all set on a two stage 80 gallon but considering working in my garage, the lower dB’s of a scroll is enticing. It seems like unless you go massive on them though, the cfm’s suffer. I have also heard that maintenance on the head is costly. If I go piston it will have a factory mounted after cooler and I will pair it with a stand alone chiller. My goal is to eliminate as best as possible oil/water vapor in my lines. I have a motorguard toilet paper filter and desiccant filter of the tank and then a 3 stage sharpe filter setup and then a motorguard oil filter in the booth.
So my question to the group who have way more knowledge than me, help me spend some money. My budget is max $4,500.00 I need first and foremost volume for the blast cabinet and spraying with hvlp’s and clean air for the hvlp’s and my gema powder coating setup. Quiet is an added bonus. Has to be single phase. Do I go scroll/screw or piston? I have narrowed the piston choices down to a Ingersoll Rand Type 30 7.5-HP 80-Gallon or a Quincy Quincy QT MAX 7.5-HP 80-Gallon. Either would be matched with a chiller.
Thoughts, ideas or recommendations are sincerely appreciated.
 
unless you have a shop with people working and using air non stop then dont get a screw compressor. they typically run non stop without shutting off so you paying the elec bill to run that motor all day long. they are also no better at keeping things oil free...atleast from what i have noticed. the better quincy piston compressors are pressure lubed, qp line, not splash so are made for 100% duty cycle....if needed for your blasting. i would go quincy way before i bought an IR.
 
Thanks for everyone’s input thus far. I have been leaning towards the Quincy.what about a stand alone chiller? I’d rather do it right the first time.
 
Chris_Hamilton said:
I have the IR 7.5 no real complaints, but if I had it to do over again, I'd go with a Quincy or a Champion. The lower the rpm's the compressor runs at is an indication of whether or not it's a quality machine.

This one is Made in the USA and probably the one I get when I need to replace my IR 7.5.

https://www.shopcompressor.com/champion-air-compressor-advantage-series-7-5-hp/
Click to expand...

I have one at home bought 22 years ago, have blasted two full frames over the years change the oil every year with moble 1, replaced belt twice.
Two at plant bought around 2007 both been perfect, never changed belt but change oil with moble one every six months.
My new screw compressor, I have only heard it kick on twice, so it does not run all the time. And the 7.5 hp is replacing the two 7.5hp, and he said I could replace both with a 3hp 30 gallon, so total cost 4400 dollars.
And I don't know compressors, but compressor world guy did so I went with his recommendation except for size. They're in Boston or close to.
 
@Barry bought my first IR 7.5 around that same time. 1999. It lasted 15 years of hard service at my first shop (sold it to the guys that took over the shop when I left in 2004). That's why I bought the 2nd one. Like I said no real complaints but the build quality is definitely not the same as in 1999. Think they are cast in India now and the quality isn't the same. If I knew that when I bought it (online) I would have gone with the Champion. But like I said no real complaints other than the noise.
 
The HF chiller isn't rated for the CFM to run your whole shop on that compressor. It only has a 3/8" in/out if I recall. To run your whole shop, I'd be looking for a chiller matched to the CFM of the compressor and 1/2" or greater in/out hookups.
 
Just a footnote how much I learned in this process.
I talked to a lot of compressor guys that knew what they were talking about and one was telling me how good the Quincy was, and the Eaton and my comment was I thought they were crap, and two different guys said most companies that sell wholesale and to industrial have two different machines and never buy one from a big box store.
I don't know if right, but it makes sense to me.
 
Barry,
it is not just compressors! The big box stores have models made just for them, that are not sold through the normal supplier network. They are intentionally designed to look like the top quality models sold to the industry, but are a cheaper price point! Just look at a John Deere riding mower when you are at Home Depot some day. Then look at a mower at a John Deere dealer, and you will see that while they both may be painted green and yellow, there is a world of difference in the machines. I bought a Deere right at 30 years ago, and it has a water-cooled Kawasaki engine and is built like a tank. It cost over $3000 30 years ago, but it has never had anything done to it but tires, belts, batteries, oil and filter change, and coolant change every 5 years. It has never failed to start, and I have never regretted spending the money. You look at the machine they sell at HD, and it is only about $1500, but it will not be running 30 years from now! I have been through a number of compressor in my 60+ years, but I am absolutely positive that the Curtis Compressor I bought over 15 years ago, will be the last compressor that I will ever need to buy.


Regards, John McGraw
 
i have a HF chiller plumbed into my 3/4 in air lines . works just fine . if i still had the large shop i would still likely use it . i do not worry about air quality other than my booth . i can tell you one thing for sure , if you can pick up an electric motor with one hand it is not a 5hp motor . a good 5hp motor will set you back around 700 dollars .
 
John McGraw said:
Barry,
it is not just compressors! The big box stores have models made just for them, that are not sold through the normal supplier network. They are intentionally designed to look like the top quality models sold to the industry, but are a cheaper price point! Just look at a John Deere riding mower when you are at Home Depot some day. Then look at a mower at a John Deere dealer, and you will see that while they both may be painted green and yellow, there is a world of difference in the machines. I bought a Deere right at 30 years ago, and it has a water-cooled Kawasaki engine and is built like a tank. It cost over $3000 30 years ago, but it has never had anything done to it but tires, belts, batteries, oil and filter change, and coolant change every 5 years. It has never failed to start, and I have never regretted spending the money. You look at the machine they sell at HD, and it is only about $1500, but it will not be running 30 years from now! I have been through a number of compressor in my 60+ years, but I am absolutely positive that the Curtis Compressor I bought over 15 years ago, will be the last compressor that I will ever need to buy.


Regards, John McGraw
Click to expand...

Dang,
Bought a 140 John Deere about 4 years ago for wife as we keep about and 3/4 of acre mowed in mifddle of woods.
Lowes where I bought it, never thought about looking at dealer but will take a peek now.
 
this is a perfect example . this is not a 5hp compressor but sold as one . pure junk, 3hp .
ir compressor.jpg
 
MTD built the best quality mowers and have for 40 years . my last one lasted 25 years . problem with JD and newer stuff is the cheap chinese steel they are made with . i'm sure MTD will fall into it also but even big JD tractors are unreliable .
 
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