Air Compressor Help

**street591** · 03-09-2010, 05:29 PM

Well I've been wanting one for a good while now and am finally going to go out and pick one up. I have a question though before I make the purchase.

Requirements:

-Ingersoll Rand
-2 stage unit
-60 or 80 gallon tank

Question:

1. I have found a variety of pricing but some of the 80g tanks say "fully packaged" and contain a automatic tank drain, aftercooler, and low oil level switch. Do I need these? At what point does the tank need these? (I believe it has something do only with the 7.5 hp motors?)

I didnt want to get a husky, retail brand, etc. strictly because of quality. I like the idea of the 7.5 HP motor because of fill up time and CFM output (I could run two guns at once)

Thanks ahead guys!

**mlowry1260** · 03-09-2010, 11:28 PM

If the 7.5 fully packaged unit is within your budget it's nice. Anytime you compress & then cool it water condenses. The aftercooler lowers the output air temp & helps drop out more moisture. An automatic drain is nice keep the tank free of water & avoid corrosion. Water in air tools is not a good thing. Water in blasting or painting air is obviously worse. A 7.5 hp IR is most likely a 175 psig unit. The more you compress air the more likely you are to see moisture.

Most of the big box store units are chinese junk. Crappy motors etc... The IR is definitely a cut above the craftsmans & husky stuff. It's usually the classic you get what you pay for with compressors.

**map351** · 03-10-2010, 08:15 AM

Find the slowest pump RPM and the highest free air CFM. Check with Kruman on Penn Ave in the strip they might have a used commercial air pump at half the price.

http://www.kruman.com/

Mike

**street591** · 03-10-2010, 03:07 PM

Thanks guys!

I'm down to:

1. Ingersoll Rand 60g 5HP
2. Ingersoll Rand 80g 5HP
3. Quincy 60g 5HP

**mlowry1260** · 03-10-2010, 10:34 PM

All nice units. 5HP will more plenty of air for most home shops.

**street591** · 03-10-2010, 10:40 PM

Originally Posted by mlowry1260

All nice units. 5HP will more plenty of air for most home shops.

Would you recommend one over the other?

I called total equipment today and asked them the difference between the two 80g Ingersoll 5HP units and they said one has a bigger piston but would only be noticeable if running back-to-back 8 hour shifts. Does this mean the one 80g with a smaller piston is junk?

All the ones above are commercial grade 2 stage units. I'm assuming the 60g and 80g both have the smaller piston.

**mlowry1260** · 03-10-2010, 10:53 PM

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/tls/1602678704.html

I don't think any of those units are junk. If it's a small difference in price, the slower machines generally last longer. But, I'm talking real commercial/industial use. If this is for home/hobby use I wouldn't be concerned with the larger unit. If I was going to install it in a body shop then I'd go for the larger unit.

What's your intended uses?

**street591** · 03-11-2010, 11:54 AM

Just in the garage right now but I would rather get a nice one the first time and keep it for decades instead of a use, abuse, throw away husky type from home depot, etc.

**mlowry1260** · 03-11-2010, 09:01 PM

Here's another used unit on craigs list & a lift I wish I could fit!
Reply to: sale-sp88a-1614598639@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]

( 1 ) - 7000 lb. LIFT $ 1200.00 O/B/O ---( 1 ) 9000 lb. LIFT $1200.00 O/B/O ----- ( 1 ) SNAP -ON SISSOR LIFT $ 1000.00 O/B/O -- AIR COMPRESSOR 120 GAL.TANK TWO STAGE COMPRESSOR HEAD 3 PHASE $1500.00 O/B/O ---- ( 2 ) -- WORK BENCHES STEEL HEAVY DUTY $ 75.00/EACH --- ACCUTURN BRAKE LATHE $900.00 CALL 412-337-3117 EVERYTHING NEEDS TO SELL BY THE 28TH.