Air compressor

[Her69fastback 4]

I’m looking to get a new air compressor. Looking  for 80 gal 2 stage 240 volt. Been looking at ingollsol Rand. What brand has ever one had good luck with? Will be doing body & paint with it & running air tools. 

[RPM 1,249]

Yep, that's what I bought maybe around five years ago. It keeps up with everything I've used on it including blasting cabinet. 

I purchased a 60 gallon with a lighter duty compressor from Tractor Supply online, they loaded it at the local store wrapped in plastic. When I was unloading it with my 80 year old neighbor's help, he asked if I got a big enough compressor. Told him it was only a 60 gallon, he laughed. Removed the plastic to check, it was the larger 80 gallon. Called the store, left a message with the manager, who was the guy who loaded it, and he never returned my call.

[jmlay 91]

Her69fasback,

I recommend researching the IR, especially those sources for Tractor Supply. Seems they sell a lesser quality through the outlets such as Tractor Supply. My friend and body guy bought a new unit from tractor supply 2 years ago and has had the motor replaced within the first year under warranty. I just replaced the motor for him yesterday, third motor in just over two.  Model: Ts4n5

Bob,

Great to hear yours is chugging along nicely!

[RPM 1,249]

No worries Mike. I am aware that name brand manufacturers make a lower quality product for most big retailers, which includes all appliances.

I've got a good buddy who sells high end air compressors, some with 500hp, who tried to get me to buy a different one from him at a big discount. He considers Quincy (which he used to sell) a low quality compressor.

$700 on a compressor for me is a big deal. I see that the TS 80 gallon is now fifteen hunert bucks! Yikes! It was $1k when I was looking. 

[jmlay 91]

Longtime buddy of mine owned and ran a small powder coating shop. Equipment ran only on the weekends so was not over worked by any means.  Had 2 IR compressors, not sure of models, purchased new and had troubles with from day one. Not great quality in my book.

[Midlife 838]

I bought the IR 80 gallon compressor back in 2002 fir something like $1800.  Was extremely reliable.  You need to drain the water out of the tank a couple times a year, and install piping that can catch moisture before the end of the hose.  I had some difficulty finding filter and oil replacements, as there was no local dealer near me. 

[Ridge Runner 1,153]

I bought the Campbell hausfeld  80 gallon 240 from lowes probably 10 years ago ,still going strong after all this time and I use the crap out of it every day with autbody saws and grinders making fiberglass parts . I did replace the switch last year but lowes has those in stock. Been a very good compressor ,I actually have another one incase I should need it . I believe it was around 700 at the time ,probably closer to 1000 now .

I drain it every day ,hot days it builds up a bit more water 

[Mach1 Driver 597]

I just got a Polar Air by Eaton. The dang things cost about twice what they did 5 years ago. The thing I like about this one is that the 2 Stage units turn about half the speed of single stage units and are quieter. I haven't got it installed yet, but am working on it. What they don't tell you anywhere in the instructions is that any wire run over 50 feet has to be 6ga. They put a sticker on the tank. Since it isn't magnetic start they apparently get a low voltage start condition if the wire isn't big enough, frying the motor. This thing is a monster... I'd show you pictures but....

And since we all love a 56 F100, here's a pic of my neighbor's new purchase.

 

[RPM 1,249]

Send them to me Terry.

[buening 68]

Personally if I were in the market for one, I'd look on local ads like FB Marketplace to see what is for sale on the used market given the large price increase on these things lately when buying new. I picked up a used 80gal BelAire 318VL 80gal dual stage for about 25% the cost of a new compressor about 10yrs ago and that thing has been a beast.  It puts out 25cfm @ 90psi and all I've done to it is change the oil, air filter and drain the tank periodically. I run sandblasting cabinet and big die grinders (air hogs) and it never runs out of air.  If you are just spraying and using sanders then you might not need high cfm compressors, but if you do plan on using a sandblaster you might want to look at the CFM ratings at the compressors you are looking at because they vary widely.  An 80gal 5hp single-stage Campell Hausefeld for $1200 only has 12cfm @ 90psi, whereas on the flipside the 80gal 7.5hp Quincy dual-stage puts out 31cfm @ 100psi but is also $3k.  If you have extra garage space, you can sometimes get horizontal tanks much cheaper than vertical ones.

 

Mach1Driver brings up a good point in that you'll need the proper electrical hookup depending on what size compressor you get.  I'm handy enough with electrical that I ran my own wire to a disconnect box in the garage. Smaller compressors can be plugged in whereas larger ones will need direct wired with a disconnect box (like what is at your outdoor A/C unit)