Compressor for shop

Ayespye

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MX-5800, FEL, LP grappler, brush hog, box blade, ETA6900HD post hole digger
Aug 10, 2017
10
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Waverly, GA
Last year I purchased a home that has a nice shop and had an 80 gallon compressor plumbed into the shop. The compressor is 20+ years old and recently died. I am now trying to determine what compressor to replace it with but the options/manufacturers vary greatly. I don't use the compressor a lot but when I do I'm running everything from paint guns to impact wrenches. I'm not certain if I need a 1 or 2 stage compressor. I have a budget up to $2000 but would prefer to stay much closer to $1000. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Thanks, Rick
 

85Hokie

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Last year I purchased a home that has a nice shop and had an 80 gallon compressor plumbed into the shop. The compressor is 20+ years old and recently died. I am now trying to determine what compressor to replace it with but the options/manufacturers vary greatly. I don't use the compressor a lot but when I do I'm running everything from paint guns to impact wrenches. I'm not certain if I need a 1 or 2 stage compressor. I have a budget up to $2000 but would prefer to stay much closer to $1000. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Thanks, Rick
Rick,

looking at 220 or 110 volt?

I bought one from harbor freight ( not the first place I would look either!) but it has been a good one - runs 24-7 - 365 (commercial setting)

https://www.harborfreight.com/5-hp-60-gallon-165-psi-two-stage-air-compressor-93274.html

Here is one from home depot that is cheaper

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-60-Gal-Stationary-Electric-Air-Compressor-C602H/205389936

and another from Northern Tool

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200641297_200641297

not sure if cheaper is better, most all of them you can replace the electric motor when it goes bad.
 

100 td

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B21TLB (B21, TL421 & BT751) Toyota SDK4 T116 Bobcat
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You need to determine your maximum required air consumption rate of your tools and base it on that. Having a large receiver to plumb into also gives you a large buffer/backup, so you may not need as big a compressor if you are only using short bursts of air instead of continuous air use where the compressor will need to continually supply to keep up with demand. So determine what pressure and flow you require, look at specs, same compressor, different delivery at different psi
Air Delivery (CFM): 16.5 CFM @ 90 PSI
Air Delivery (Max. CFM): 13.7 CFM @ 175 PSI
 

Stmar

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B2650HSDC
May 23, 2017
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Is it's death catastrophic, do you know what killed it? Neighbor had a compressor die and was trying to source a replacement controller. I took a look at it and determined the contacts were worn out. Luckily it had a two pole contactor and had another set of contacts that had never had a load on them. Switched wires to that set of contacts and it has been running great ever since. May be worth having someone look at it, especially if you don't use it that much and since it is already plumbed into your shop. Changing it out may bring on another set of problems.
 

Ramos

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1870-1, LA203A, RCK54
Feb 25, 2016
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Sherman County, Oregon
If it still runs but fails to pump, pull the head off. Often it is just the reed valve set that needs replaced. I picked up a 100 gallon compressor once that would run and never build pressure. Got it home and wired in, only problem it had was a plugged up intake filter.....
 

North Idaho Wolfman

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Keep the old tank for ballast, so you'll have 160 gallons of air.
single stages are quick low pressure
Dual stage is slower but higher compression.
I have a single stage 3 cylinder unit, very fast and great pressure. ;)
 

RCW

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I got a 20 gallon IR while back. Really wanted larger, but just no room.
Happy with the IR I got, a bigger one would have likely been an IR single stage two cylinder if my memory serves.....

If you search air compressors, my thread may show up. Several guys had great advice. I just couldn’t wedge a bigger one in. Even had 220 ready to go for it.

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Last edited:

Tunaslayer

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L2501 TLB, Wheelhorse 417-8/414-8
I agree with Stmar and Ramos. Give it a second chance if at all possible. I have a 1948 Quincy 310 that is purring like a kitten. It is about 140psi at 14cfm. Not a bruiser, but gets it done. You can probably get a replacement pump (older) that is excellent quality for much cheaper than a new one and plumb it into your tank. Check out the old Quincy compressors (the 325 is the bigger brother to mine).


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Ayespye

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MX-5800, FEL, LP grappler, brush hog, box blade, ETA6900HD post hole digger
Aug 10, 2017
10
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Waverly, GA
Currently compressor is set up for 220 and would like to keep it that way. Don't know a thing about how to repair them but some of the other threads gve me some hope. I see it as "I don't have anything to lose so I might as well try to fix it" at this point. I'm not completely mechanically inept so I think I'm going to try to repair it. We'll see. Thanks Hokie!
 

Ayespye

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MX-5800, FEL, LP grappler, brush hog, box blade, ETA6900HD post hole digger
Aug 10, 2017
10
0
0
Waverly, GA
Ramos - You hit the nail on the head, it runs but doesn't build up pressure. I've never worked on a compressor but it might be time for the first time.
 

North Idaho Wolfman

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Check the intake filter and then with the filter off, run it, if you feel air pulsing back and forth its a valve. ;)

If you need any help along the way, many of us have rebuild a compressor or two, and can offer advice or another eye on the issue.
 

Ayespye

New member

Equipment
MX-5800, FEL, LP grappler, brush hog, box blade, ETA6900HD post hole digger
Aug 10, 2017
10
0
0
Waverly, GA
Thanks Wolfman! Nice to hear from someone near "back home"...I grew up in Spokane. I'll take your advise and give it a try this weekend.
 

Ramos

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1870-1, LA203A, RCK54
Feb 25, 2016
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Sherman County, Oregon
Jump on in, the water's fine! Really, they are pretty simple. The biggest challenge may be getting what you need. Most every one I have seen has a tag on the side of the compressor itself with brand/model/serial number. Take that info back to google.

As NIW mentioned, holler if you have questions.
 

North Idaho Wolfman

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L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
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Sandpoint, ID
Thanks Wolfman! Nice to hear from someone near "back home"...I grew up in Spokane. I'll take your advise and give it a try this weekend.
I'm betting you're a heck of a lot warmer than we are! :(
We have about a foot and a half of snow and more is falling right now.
Granted Spokane is a little warmer then here, but it's still cold.

You're in a very interesting location now! ;)
 

Tooljunkie

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Some valves warp after years of use, carbon buildup or whatever. Sometimes they can be flipped over And you are good to go.
Some are about the size of feeler gauges,so its a matter of measuring.