Upgrading air compressor

MX442

MX442

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My current compressor is a DeWalt 15 gal, 200 psi, 5.4cfm @ 90. I needed a portable compressor, so it fit the bill. I have used it to spray the floor pans, and fenders which it does just fine to keep up. But, I'm concerned about doing an overall paint job with it, so I'm looking to upgrade.

I have been browsing CL for used ones. My wish list is 2 stage, and preferably upright. Is there a minimum tank size I should be looking for? I would like to go used because if I move in the near future, I can likely sell it for what I'm into it.

Would my current compressor with small tank get the job done? It is choked down with a 1/4" regulator and fittings. I could upgrade to bigger 3/8" fittings and a desicant drier?

Would this get the job done with good results?
Devilbiss 2 stage 40 gal, $250
http://boise.craigslist.org/for/3932088696.html

Or swing the money for this
Speedaire 80g 2 stage pressure oiled $1500
http://boise.craigslist.org/tld/3926608614.html

Or Sanborn 2 cylinder w/Baldor 5hp motor for $700
http://boise.craigslist.org/tls/3947924594.html

Or skip the used stuff and buy brand new Quincy $1400:
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200350475_200350475

Thank you for your advice and opinions.
 
doesnt matter if you go new or used. thats your call but what you need at a min is 15cfm of air. tank size is not as important. that just keeps the compressor from cycling as much. i would probably stay away from something as old as that devilbiss that you posted. speedair and quincy are real good compressors. dont know about sanborn
 
Offer a $1000 on the Speedaire and tell them you will buy it today. If they turn you down give them your phone number and two hours to change their minds before you purchase a new Quincy. Both require 220 volts to operate. Jim's right on the 15 cfm minimum.
 
I have discovered that the Quincy like the one you list is not nearly the quality of their "real" compressors like the QR25. If the pump runs over 1000 RPM it's going to make a racket and not as long as a good one. The Speedaire is the nicest upright on your list, but I don't know enough about it to say for sure. If the motor RPM is near 1750 it's probably good stuff. Pressure lubricated generally indicates high end stuff.
 
That's good to know about Quincy. The pump rpm specs on the quincy is 1310 rpm, and the speedair is 710 rpm. I was thinking with a slower pump it would be quieter. Dang this hobby is expensive! Every thing you look at, you get the "might as wells". Might as well upgrade my compressor, now I'm looking at $3k stuff! I think that Speedaire is the best bang for the buck. Still sitting on the fence... Big expense to paint 2-3 cars and probably never use again, that's why I'm thinking resale value. I'll stay away from those old compressors.
 
I saw that Speedaire on Grainger for $3K, so it may represent a pretty good value. You might try waving $1200 in his direction and see what happens. Nice tools like that are the kind you can leave to your grandkids (if you don't sell it off, lol).
 
That speedaire disappeared before I could get a chance to look at it. It was way out of my budget anyway.

So, what's the opinion on Kellogg? I know they are old and changed names in the 70's. It looks like you can re-ring, gasket, and re-valve them for about $200-300. As long as they don't need pistons, rods or bearings, I could be into one for about $300-600 depending on what it needs. Or would it be like throwing money at a money pit and better off buying new? I don't have the budget to buy new. New ones that interest me are $2000 +/-
 
MX442;30388 said:
That speedaire disappeared before I could get a chance to look at it. It was way out of my budget anyway.

So, what's the opinion on Kellogg? I know they are old and changed names in the 70's. It looks like you can re-ring, gasket, and re-valve them for about $200-300. As long as they don't need pistons, rods or bearings, I could be into one for about $300-600 depending on what it needs. Or would it be like throwing money at a money pit and better off buying new? I don't have the budget to buy new. New ones that interest me are $2000 +/-
Click to expand...


Do you not like this one? I am really thinking of pulling the trigger on it.

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

Granted it's just above the min recommendation for CFM, but it's new, a good brand, and a bit cheaper than Northern Tool. My only worry is I have a really long, narrow, tree lined asphalt driveway. I am hoping if I get the "Lift Gate" service they'll get as close to the garage as possible :)
 
Raymond_B;30389 said:
Do you not like this one? I am really thinking of pulling the trigger on it.

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

Granted it's just above the min recommendation for CFM, but it's new, a good brand, and a bit cheaper than Northern Tool. My only worry is I have a really long, narrow, tree lined asphalt driveway. I am hoping if I get the "Lift Gate" service they'll get as close to the garage as possible :)
Click to expand...

What I found out about the QT series from Quincy is that it is their bottom of the line, with the 3450RPM motor that will turn the pump fast and probably be pretty noisy, and have all the accelerated heat and wear issues that come with higher RPM. Now if that level of compressor is all that you can consider, Quincy is probably the best of the cheapies, but the QT is nothing like the compressors on which they built their name.

It's really best to try and find one with a real 5HP motor that runs at ~1750, if possible.
 
I think it's sad that more manufacturers are not up front about motor RPM. That really tells you everything you need to know, and to be honest, I don't think there are new units out there for less than around $2500 that are worth a darn. That is why I have resorted to recommending used industrial units, they are usually a better value.
 
Crash beat me to it. My thoughts exactly. I'm finding older industrial units for $350-$900 that are American made all cast iron pumps, run at slow RPM, and may even have pressure oiling. The new stuff under $1500 spins faster to make the CFM. On my local CL there is a Kellogg 3 ph for $350, and I have a single phase motor to put on it. It looks like it is a 335 pump which would make 13 CFM at 500 rpm with my 3HP motor that I have on hand, or spin it up to 800 RPM with a 5HP to make 20 CFM.

I would have to spend at least $2000-2200 on a new American made unit to make those numbers and they're not even pressure lubed.

My fear is to buy a clapped-out money pit. But if I could have good ol' American iron restored for about the $500-$600 range, I'd be happy. The $1400 Quincy certainly meets my needs as a home hobbiest, but I think I can do better used for half the price.
 
I learned that the $1400 Quincy turns the pump at 1300 RPM. That will be a noisy compressor! Also, now Quincy is owned by Atlas Copco company. I found out that most of Atlas pumps are made in Europe, and are put on Kobalt (lowes) and Harbor Freight compressors. The more I research compressors, the MORE POWER I want! Kind of like car shopping, you keep upping your budget and options. But for Kellogg, they're so old that I can't find much about them.
 
I just bought a new C-Aire compressor, it's a 3 cylinder, from the specs their site shows it seems like they have decent compressors..
The 3cylinder is a 10hp pump but with a 7.5 motor. so it spins slower than what it is capable of, I went with that for the reliability factor.
It's in my house garage though so i've only ran it 3-4 times so I can't help out with much info.. maybe someone else on here can chime in..

I'm a distributor for them if you picked out a model number I could probably look at a drop ship option from them.. if it's even available for me to do so.
 
crashtech;30390 said:
What I found out about the QT series from Quincy is that it is their bottom of the line, with the 3450RPM motor that will turn the pump fast and probably be pretty noisy, and have all the accelerated heat and wear issues that come with higher RPM. Now if that level of compressor is all that you can consider, Quincy is probably the best of the cheapies, but the QT is nothing like the compressors on which they built their name.

It's really best to try and find one with a real 5HP motor that runs at ~1750, if possible.
Click to expand...

Crash, I am curious where you got that RPM number? This .pdf shows otherwise unless I am not reading it correctly.
http://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/manuals/quincyqtbrochure.pdf
 
Raymond_B;30538 said:
Crash, I am curious where you got that RPM number? This .pdf shows otherwise unless I am not reading it correctly.
http://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/manuals/quincyqtbrochure.pdf
Click to expand...

It's on this page:

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

As mentioned earlier, few makers seem up front about this spec, because it reveals that the motor is small and low in torque. They make up for this deficiency by winding them for higher speed operation. Theoretically, you could use one to run a nice pump, but since the motor pulley can only get so small, the ratio can't be made right without some custom extra large pump flywheel (ain't gonna happen).
 
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