New compressor

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Jim Lusk

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I need a new compressor. My old Husky (nearly 20 years old) 60 gallon single stage has been making clunking noises from the pump. Got it out today and it appears to have a lot of crankshaft end play. Not sure if it's worth it to rebuild the pump. New pump is about $250, but the rest of it is still old. I was looking at the Kobalt two-stage 3.7hp 60 gallon. Price looks good, but the picture of the compressor and the text of the ad have vastly different CFM ratings. I will also be surprised if the tank does indeed have a 1/4" NPT outlet as the text states.

BUT, the other concern is the 175psi. I assume that I need to regulate that down to around 125 for my tools to last. The Husky has mostly been able to keep up with the work that I throw at it unless I am using high air usage tools like the blast cabinet and the 3" cutoff tool. Never had a problem keeping up with painting.
 
Most air tools are rated at 90 psi. I set my regulator at 100 and it drops to about 95 when in use. My old boss didn't believe in regulators or oil and we never had a problem. IMO that's abuse.
I have a 5HP 2 stage with an 80 gallon tank. I don't know what you need but I wish I would've had the electrical service to run a 7.5HP w/ a 120 gallon tank.
 
Just a FYI when you do replace it with whatever you choose if you have the room take the old tank and put it in the system to store more air, you will be glad you did. Mine is after the regulator and it can be set to where I need it. Really helps.
 
Always buy bigger than you think you will need.

The best deal is high cfm and low rpm. Cheap pumps get their cfm ratings up because they rev the pumps real high... that creates noise and hot air which holds moisture that gets in your tools and paint.

Look for a 1725 rpm motor and compare pump rpm ratings.
 
Just a FYI when you do replace it with whatever you choose if you have the room take the old tank and put it in the system to store more air, you will be glad you did. Mine is after the regulator and it can be set to where I need it. Really helps.
If you run the 2nd tank in series you will find a lot less condensate in the tank, and less moisture will go out to your system.
 
we ran the tank off an old 60 gallon crapsman compressor in series in our garage. works great. empty tank doesn't weigh much. we put it up in on top of our parts bin.
works great! pretty much eliminated water in the lines when painting
 
Lowe's and Home Depot are Chinese pumps, so that's a no. I got the pump off Friday night and will check out some real compressor companies this week. I already have a second 26 gallon tank and it certainly helps with water in the air hose. Looks like I will probably be rebuilding mine instead of buying all new. The old Husky pump is made in the US.
 
I plug my air tools into 125PSI and never look back. As long as you keep them oiled regularly, you'll never have a problem. I do regulate when I use my blaster, as it's too much for the compressor. Regulating it to 90PSI helps the compressor keep up......a little.
 
Went and looked at a Quincy today at a "real air compressor store". Damn nice unit for $1,325. Four cylinder, two stage, 60 gallon tank, true 5hp. Probably gonna bite the bullet this week. They might even deliver it for free (sales guy wasn't sure). 15.2 CFM, too. All Made in the USA.

Also took my Husky pump apart tonight. Exactly what I expected to see. One broken con rod. So, for some time it has been operating on a single cylinder, but keeping up with most tasks I threw at it, except my blast cabinet.
 
Take a look at Eaton Compressor's Polar Air line of compressors. I have a 10HP 80 Gal I bought over a year ago now and I've never wanted for air again. I can use my cut off wheel even when the compressor turns on and fills the tank while I'm running the tool the whole time. Its also dead quiet, like you can have a normal conversation right next to it.
 
I just bought a 5hp Quincy 80 gal. Works great. Actually cycles off even when blasting in my cabinet.

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I just bought a Quincy QT5 80 gallons 240v, runs strong and quiet, got a good deal locally. Made in USA.

F808B6E2-1B8D-41F5-BACA-2D7D22D9482D (2).jpeg
 
The 80 gallon are a little out of my budget. Truth be told, so is the Quincy 60 gallon, but there's just not much between the Chinese crap and the Quincy as far as price goes for a 60 gallon unit.
 
Take a look at Eaton Compressor's Polar Air line of compressors. I have a 10HP 80 Gal I bought over a year ago now and I've never wanted for air again. I can use my cut off wheel even when the compressor turns on and fills the tank while I'm running the tool the whole time. Its also dead quiet, like you can have a normal conversation right next to it.

Out of my price range...
 
i was looking at those quincy's, now i wish my compressor would die :)
 
It is amazing. My blasting cabinet requires 12 CFM @90 PSI. Hell I run it at 125 PSI and this compressor still cycles off while I’m blasting.
 
The 80 gallon are a little out of my budget. Truth be told, so is the Quincy 60 gallon, but there's just not much between the Chinese crap and the Quincy as far as price goes for a 60 gallon unit.
I bought last years floor (display) model 80 gallon for the price of the 60 gallon one. I had all intentions of buying the 60, the Baldor motor can’t be beat.
Have you checked Northern Tool?
 
I had an 80 gallon 5 HP 2 stage North Star Compressor From Northern tools for almost 20 years. I replaced it a few months ago with Champion 80 gallon 5 HP 2 stage Compressor from TP Tools. It is a great compressor. It was on sale plus free shipping. It is way quieter than my last one, and it has better air flow.
 
Out of my price range...

They make lower HP that are in the same price range at the Qunicy compressors everyone else is posting here raving about. Plus you won't have to build a box to keep the compressor inside and still being able to think while its running. I went with a 10HP so I could run my blast cab all day long or paint a car.
 
New compressor should be here Monday or Tuesday. Hopefully they have a good way to get it off the truck...
 
Jim....I know that you know, but be careful moving that thing around to get it in place. I have the same compressor you just bought, and they are top heavy as hell !!! I thought I'd just unbolt mine from the pallet and walk it off there. Yeah.....that worked out real good! :realcrazy:
 
Yeah, I think it's listed at around 475 lbs...They have a truck with a crane, crane has been problematic...we'll see when it gets here. Still might have to go pick it up with the car trailer...

I have moved the old Husky around, but the pump and motor were lighter. Not real sure that the tank is lighter, but it is rated at a lower pressure so it probably is lighter as well.
 
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