First off The IR is flat out lying about that CFM rating! Some places have recently started rating it at a more believable 15.6 CFM. Of the three you listed none are really good and the IR is about the worst of the lot, they have a terrible reliability problem, we had one thread in the tools forum here a year or so ago that had 4 different owners that had them with bad motors!

By far the best deal to come along lately is at, of all places, Harbor Freight. For a lot less money than the IR (which is a China import BTW) you can get the two Stage American built US General that has got to be the best buy for the money anywhere! These things are built by Belaire in the USA (except for the pump and that is excellent quality built in Italy) and come with AO Smith and Square D electrics. I don't know how they can sell a domestic built compressor for less than the China imports but they do and it is an unbeatable deal!

Don't be afraid of HF for this tool because that thing is good quality no matter who is selling! Also they are "on sale" just about all the time so if you see it at regular price then check the HF internet sales and store sales papers for the sale price, if it is not on sale anywhere right now then just wait a week or so and it will be.

 

I concur with oldred again. I have the 2 stage US General and it's great for the money. You won't be getting any great service, but mine seems alright (I've only had it since the summer, but I'm still happy!).

A little loud and fast, so it probably won't last 35 years, but who cares.

Unfortunately they seem to have gotten rid of their 80 gallon 7.5 hp one (24 cfm or some such!), which I was going to grab instead, but having 100 amp service, I didn't think it was in the cards. Plus i already had 10 gauge wire running, and 6 or 8 gauge would have cost a bundle.. Now if your breaker is in the garage, well then, you'd be gold.

 

I have a US General race jack but that is as far as I've taken Harbor Freight. I guess my question is - are they just going to dump this thing in my driveway? I was really hoping you were going to say try the Husky. It has the amp rating.

 

It looks like Eaton has a compressor sale going on... 1099 for a 14 CFM@100?
I like the low RPM's, should be sort of quiet. They offer a 3 phase motor option too? First time I've seen that.

They still have a good reputation right? I realize they have the whole China thing going now but you really can't avoid it. 5 year warranty.

http://www.eatoncompressor.com/catalog/item/504747/172983.htm

 

Get a 2 stage in the 5 hp range and you should be fine. If it says single stage just move on and be sure the motor rpm is in the low 1700s or less.Most pumps in this range are about 18-20 cfm at 90 or 100.

 

It looks like Eaton has a compressor sale going on.


They still have a good reputation right?


I realize they have the whole China thing going now but you really can't avoid it.

Eaton, good reputation? maybe you should read this?

www.hotrodders.com/forum/eaton-comp...ns-sue-me-over-made-china-compressor-post-143953.html?highlight=eaton+threatens


And yes you certainly CAN avoid that "China thing"!

Maybe you did not notice that the US General is just a rebadged AMERICAN made Belaire compressor. It is made in the USA with the exception of the pump which is from Italy and is very good quality. Also if you want to spend more for a true industrial quality compressor then a Quincy (available at a really good price from Northern tool) is all USA built including the pump and is far better quality that the Chinese Eaton!



Some people just dismiss anything from HF but not everything they have is junk and that compressor is the best example of that. For the money it is THE best deal available anywhere for a compressor in that class.

 

I have a US General race jack but that is as far as I've taken Harbor Freight.

That is comparing "Apples to Oranges" and the quality of the jack, or lack of, has nothing to do with the compressor because they are not built by the same company or from the same place, the brand names are just HF store brands and have nothing to do with where or by who an item was built.


The Husky is just a so-so quality Chinese compressor that is sold at Home/hardware stores under several different names. They last a while under light duty home shop conditions but you can expect to replace it in a relatively short time compared to a quality built compressor just as you would with the CH.

 

Unfortunately they seem to have gotten rid of their 80 gallon 7.5 hp one (24 cfm or some such!),

I don't like hearing that because that one was a real steal! I had noticed it rarely came on sale but even at the regular floor price it was unbeatable. That thing had a genuine Baldor motor and Square D electrics and was quite heavily built. I wondered how they could sell them at that price and I guess maybe the profit margin was just too thin. I wonder how long the 5 HP version will still be around?

 

Not sure but I'm glad I grabbed mine when I did! With the 20% off or so the 24cfm 7.5hp was just at $1000 or so!! Too bad I couldn't run it, amp wise.

And to the OP, the HF 5 hp one draws 22 amps.. 16cfm at 100psi. I don't know if they'll drop it off in the driveway. I just bought a couple wrenches from there and took the motor and pump off and threw the tank in sideways.

 

Good deal

:thumbup: 1,453$ delivered @ aircompressorsdirect.com/Quincy-2V41C60VC

 

:thumbup: 1,453$ delivered @ aircompressorsdirect.com/Quincy-2V41C60VC

That's a REALLY good compressor, how about $1375.99! :thumbup:

Unlike the "Home store" compressors the Quincy is a compressor for the long term and will last a heck of a lot longer than those Chinese tire pumpers!



www.aircompressorsdirect.com/Quincy-2V41C60VC-Air-Compressor/p855.html

 

compressor

Hey there, in my home shop i have the husky 80 gallon it's pretty good for the money i spent on it but it constantly running and re- filling . my buddys shop has a devilibis 120 gallon (i think) but its an expensive unit works really well . All depends on how much use you want from it and how much $$$$$ you wanna spend . Tony

 

Ingersoll Rand - namely the SS5L5 rated at an "optimistic" 18CFM@90 and 22.5 AMPS. There is a service center in Boston.

Might be interesting to see what a real compressor outfit rates those things for CFM.

www.aircompressorsdirect.com/Ingersoll-Rand-SS5L5-Air-Compressor/p689.html


That's the same compressor but with a more believable 15.5 CFM@90 PSI and even that's being generous! When IR had to do some back -up on that ridiculous 18+ CFM rating some places like Tractor Supply, etc still use the inflated figure.

 

Not sure what to do here. I may have to call around because I can't have these "lift gate service" distributors drop a 500 lb compressor in my driveway and leave me to my own devices. If I were lucky I could get my brother to help move the thing but still it is just too risky. I'll try to find someone local I guess who will deliver and place it in spot where I can simply drill and lag the thing in.

In the end I may have no choice but to deal with Lowes or Home Depot. There is a Quincy dealer local that I can call but chances are I'll be looking at retail pricing.

 

Not sure what to do here. I may have to call around because I can't have these "lift gate service" distributors drop a 500 lb compressor in my driveway and leave me to my own devices. If I were lucky I could get my brother to help move the thing but still it is just too risky. I'll try to find someone local I guess who will deliver and place it in spot where I can simply drill and lag the thing in.

In the end I may have no choice but to deal with Lowes or Home Depot. There is a Quincy dealer local that I can call but chances are I'll be looking at retail pricing.

Settling for a cheaper built compressor just for the convenience of moving it may not be such a good idea, remember with the China specials you will be having to move it again before too long! Seriously there is a major difference in both performance and reliability in the cheap compressors you mentioned and the better built outfits. That HF/Belaire can be bought for about the same price as the Husky but there is no comparison in quality, far better to just hire some help than to compromise on quality!

 

Settling for a cheaper built compressor just for the convenience of moving it may not be such a good idea, remember with the China specials you will be having to move it again before too long! Seriously there is a major difference in both performance and reliability in the cheap compressors you mentioned and the better built outfits. That HF/Belaire can be bought for about the same price as the Husky but there is no comparison in quality, far better to just hire some help than to compromise on quality!

Good advice. I'm calling that local shop Monday that sells Quincy. They might have the Belaire or perhaps I can talk them into a setup coordinated from a HF drop off as a service charge. I'll ask if they can service that Italian pump on the US General as well.

 

Good advice. I'm calling that local shop Monday that sells Quincy. They might have the Belaire or perhaps I can talk them into a setup coordinated from a HF drop off as a service charge. I'll ask if they can service that Italian pump on the US General as well.

No no, the Belaire is the same as the HF unit, but it's about $500 more. That's what we are getting at.

I don't understand why you can't do what I did and just pull the pump and the motor off and take all 3 seperately, laying the tank on it's side if need be. Hell, maybe someone in your area from this board could help you!

For what it's worth I also phoned the manager of the HF and had them order in a brand new one on a pallet I could buy so I knew mine hadn't been tinkered with by HF's best.

 

Thanks for all the info on several different threads. I am new to the forum but, looking for a compressor for my garage. I was headed down the Husky path or the cobalt path until this thread. I go to the HF website and cant find the compressor you are talking about being the better of the choices. Which one is it.?

I would like a large tank 80 is good for a start but, need the fill to be quick and fuse size is a concern. can I add another reserve tank later.?

I have a 125 sub-panel in the garage soon to be going to 200. My wife has 3 kilns one 50 amp one 60 amp and one 20 amp one. So she is at 130 amps if she has a large order to fill. But, she cooks at night so my stuff is during the day and I need to take it too 200 anyway. Just need to figure out how to take the house to 320.

So tell me wizards what compressor is the best and will last the longest. I want to will this thing to my kids. :evil:

Is it this one or is there one larger I am missing ?

5 HP, 60 Gallon, 165 PSI Two Stage Air Compressor
Item # 93274 Manufacturer: U.S. General Air Superiority

 

So on my first call today I found someone who will install and service this for around 2K.
The motor is "US Motor" and it is a 2 stage, running at 700 RPM with an 80 gallon tank:
Campbell Hausfeld Two-Stage Air Compressor - 5 HP, 16.6 CFM @ 175 PSI, 230 Volt Single Phase, Model# CE7050

http://ce7050-air-compressor.info/

For my second call I found a Quincy, a bit less money (~200) with a 1399 RPM motor and 16.2 CFM at 175 but only a 60 gallon tank:
Quincy Compressor Model QT54-5-60V Reciprocating Air Compressor rated at 16.2 ACFM at 175 PSIG

http://www.compressorworld.com/quin...ycompressormodelqt54-5-60vreciprocatingaircompressorratedat12acfmat175psig.aspx


Let me know your thoughts. :welcome:

 

So on my first call today I found someone who will install and service this for around 2K.

Wow 2k. Wish I was closer I would do it for allot less. That must be the 220 drop and bolting it down and plumbing it. Geez good help sure costs nowadays.

 

Wow 2k. Wish I was closer I would do it for allot less. That must be the 220 drop and bolting it down and plumbing it. Geez good help sure costs nowadays.

They are discounting the unit but it is still $1895 (no sales tax, from NH...). Delivery is only 50 and they charge labor by the hour.

 

They are discounting the unit but it is still $1895 (no sales tax, from NH...). Delivery is only 50 and they charge labor by the hour.

So I guess we are not talking the HF one. http://www.harborfreight.com/5-hp-60-gallon-165-psi-two-stage-air-compressor-93274.html I thought that was the one they were talking about in the thread earlier.

 

If you get lift gate drop off, the compressor will be on a pallet. Rent or borrow ( buy one from harbor freight and return whe done) a pallet jack and put it in your garage. Mines been on the original pallet for 15 years.

 

It's the one we were talking about.. I'm not sure if it's willable, but it's a good deal!

 

It's the one we were talking about.. I'm not sure if it's willable, but it's a good deal!

So why is he looking at spending 2k when he can spend 8 hundred?

There is one open in MA and one coming soon. 9 within 100 miles, 16 within 200. I think you have states really close to each other back there so a short drive over the boarder in a buddy's truck could get one also. http://www.harborfreight.com/store-finder/

DANVERS MA #345 (14.3 mi)
4 NEWBURY STREET
DANVERS, MA 01923
(Now Open!)
NATICK MA #342 (16.7 mi)
321 SPEEN STREET, STE 3A
NATICK, MA 01760
(Coming soon!)

It is just me but, I am driving 3 hours to Oregon because it saves on sales tax to get one and there is an HF within 15 minutes of me. I hate giving sales tax to my Governor but, that is a whole other conversation.