Posted: 1/28/2014 7:34:47 AM EDT
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I need some opinions for options on air compressors. Looking at spending around $800. I have a little 2 tank Hitachi right now that's blowing more oil out the fill hole plug air vent than the Exxon Valdez. Think the rings on the piston are shot (even though it's just out of warranty and is always well maintained). Regardless, I'm looking at replacing it with a not so portable tank that uses a belt driven compressor for my large garage. Are any of the large Kobalt options from Lowes like this worth the money:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_48365-1126-TQ3126_0__?productId=3370338&Ntt=air+compressor&pl=1¤tURL=%3FNtt%3Dair%2Bcompressor&facetInfo= Or should I spend a couple hundred more for something like this Ingersoll Rand? http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?partNumber=337408-28309-SS5N5&langId=-1&storeId=10151&productId=3354162&catalogId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1 Most of the use is small jobs and air tools, but I'd like to pick up a blast cabinet after buying a decent sized compressor. |
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The Kobalt is a very nice compressor. Great value for the money.
I have a Campbell Hausfield from Lowes (60 gallon) because I got a good deal on it. I would be happy with the Kobalt one and that was the one I was going to buy but the store I went to had the CH one in stock. 80 gallon is a BIG compressor but you'll never regret going that big. The average homeowner will never need one that big but you won't ever go wrong buying bigger! |
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Quoted:
I need some opinions for options on air compressors. Looking at spending around $800. I have a little 2 tank Hitachi right now that's blowing more oil out the fill hole plug air vent than the Exxon Valdez. Think the rings on the piston are shot (even though it's just out of warranty and is always well maintained). Regardless, I'm looking at replacing it with a not so portable tank that uses a belt driven compressor for my large garage. Are any of the large Kobalt options from Lowes like this worth the money: http://www.lowes.com/pd_48365-1126-TQ3126_0__?productId=3370338&Ntt=air+compressor&pl=1¤tURL=%3FNtt%3Dair%2Bcompressor&facetInfo= Or should I spend a couple hundred more for something like this Ingersoll Rand? http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?partNumber=337408-28309-SS5N5&langId=-1&storeId=10151&productId=3354162&catalogId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1 Most of the use is small jobs and air tools, but I'd like to pick up a blast cabinet after buying a decent sized compressor. Air tools and blast cabinets use a lot of air volume if I had the money I would pick the IR since it has a little higher CFM rating. Here is a secret for air impacts they are rated at 90 PSI but they work so much better at 120 PSI. If you are looking for a good 1/2in impact get an IR 231. |
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That one is smaller in the terms of CFM then the one the OP is looking at CFM is the name of the game when it comes to compressor. |
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Quoted:
Air tools and blast cabinets use a lot of air volume if I had the money I would pick the IR since it has a little higher CFM rating. Here is a secret for air impacts they are rated at 90 PSI but they work so much better at 120 PSI. If you are looking for a good 1/2in impact get an IR 231. Quoted:
Quoted:
I need some opinions for options on air compressors. Looking at spending around $800. I have a little 2 tank Hitachi right now that's blowing more oil out the fill hole plug air vent than the Exxon Valdez. Think the rings on the piston are shot (even though it's just out of warranty and is always well maintained). Regardless, I'm looking at replacing it with a not so portable tank that uses a belt driven compressor for my large garage. Are any of the large Kobalt options from Lowes like this worth the money: http://www.lowes.com/pd_48365-1126-TQ3126_0__?productId=3370338&Ntt=air+compressor&pl=1¤tURL=%3FNtt%3Dair%2Bcompressor&facetInfo= Or should I spend a couple hundred more for something like this Ingersoll Rand? http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?partNumber=337408-28309-SS5N5&langId=-1&storeId=10151&productId=3354162&catalogId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1 Most of the use is small jobs and air tools, but I'd like to pick up a blast cabinet after buying a decent sized compressor. Air tools and blast cabinets use a lot of air volume if I had the money I would pick the IR since it has a little higher CFM rating. Here is a secret for air impacts they are rated at 90 PSI but they work so much better at 120 PSI. If you are looking for a good 1/2in impact get an IR 231. I like running impacts at 150+, I have run them daily for 5+ years at these pressures, no noticable loss of performance, if oiled properly and the water is kept out of them |
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Air compressors are kind of like welders, always buy the absolute max you can afford. I have an 80gal Ingersoll Rand in my shop, and love it. If you do go with an 80 gal sized compressor, make sure you don't skimp out on airlines (especially if you are running air-hungry tools). Run your main lines with at least 1/2", and I've seen some shops go even higher. Also, if you plan on running a lot of tools, go ahead and invest in a good drier/separator and oiler unit for your air tools.
Oh yeah, last recommendation. Whatever you do, spend the money and get an auto drain for the tank. Its one thing I regret when I installed mine, and now it would be a PITA to add one to my tank. |
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Has anyone noticed that the OP mentioned that he has a small twin tank compressor? Going to a 20-30 gallon would be a HUGE improvement in performance. Going to a 60-80 gallon compressor would be even more impressive. If the OP has managed with a tiny compressor for this long, pretty much anything he buys will be an improvement.
But, still go as big as you can afford!! |
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The quality of Ingersoll Rand's consumer level offerings seem to be a bit flaky as of late.
If I was in the market for a new 60-80 gallon air compressor (actually, I am), I would be looking at Quincy or Champion first - then maybe Jenny. Try to at least get something with a Baldor motor. |
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