Best air compressor under $1K

[AirborneSilva]

Hi guys, I know a lot of you do body work and paint your cars, I will be using the air compressor for body work - using DA as well as mechanical air tools, will also use it to spray primers too.  I have been looking around for a compressor under $1K and find a lot but am confused as to which would do the job the best, quieter is better too 

[Patronus]

Im looking too. You'll need an 80 gal. What ever you do, do not, ever ever buy a red one.

[AirborneSilva]

What ever you do, do not, ever ever buy a red one.

Check, no red ones, not sure why but ok 

[Silver R/T]

Here's a decent one
http://www.harborfreight.com/air-tools/air-compressors/5-hp-60-gallon-165-psi-two-stage-air-compressor-93274.html

[AirborneSilva]

Here's a decent one
http://www.harborfreight.com/air-tools/air-compressors/5-hp-60-gallon-165-psi-two-stage-air-compressor-93274.html

Thanks Silver R/T that was on my list 

[bobs66440]

I have this one and it works awesome! I use air tools often, though I never sprayed with it.

http://www.homedepot.com/buy/tools-hardware/air-compressors-tools-accessories/husky/3-2-running-hp-60-gallon-compressor-63326.html

[Silver R/T]

I have this one and it works awesome! I use air tools often, though I never sprayed with it.

http://www.homedepot.com/buy/tools-hardware/air-compressors-tools-accessories/husky/3-2-running-hp-60-gallon-compressor-63326.html

Delivers 11.5 SCFM at 40 psi and 10.2 SCFM at 90 psi
Unfortunately this one won't be enough to run D/A, die grinder and some other air tools. You will have to stop and wait for it to build up pressure

[Patronus]

needs to be 80 gallon

[AirborneSilva]

I'm also thinking about this one, it's not 80 gallons but it puts out some good CFM....

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_211720_211720

[gtx6970]

I found out the hard way , a single stage 60 gal will NOT keep up with an glass bead cabinet, it'll barely keep up with an air ratchet.
I bought mine used and fortunately only gave $250 for it so i'll make do for now. but will have to upgrade sometime in the near furure

so my advise , buy the biggest one you can afford.

I looked at this it it's on my short list when the time comes
http://www.tractorsupply.com/tools/air-compressors-air-tools-accessories/air-compressors/80-gallon-2-stage-air-compressor-5-hp-3496129

[AirborneSilva]

Thanks, there's a tractor supply not too far from me 

[tan top]

you will need one at least 13 cfm  ,

[Chatt69chgr]

I have one like Bill Alphin provided a link to.  It's a Ingersoll Rand.  The only problem with it is that it runs at 3450rpm.  So it's noisy.  If you can afford it, the one to have is the 7.5HP Ingersoll Rand V-type compressor with 80 gal tank that runs at 1750 rpm.  Unfortunately, it does cost something like $1500 or more.  I liked the Ingersoll Rand since there are IR places everywhere and you should be able to get any required parts down the road.   

[AirborneSilva]

Thanks Chatt, $1500 is a little out of my price range though

[elitecustombody]

Spend a little more and buy a better compressor, if you notice, IR does not list their motor RPM's, because it's a cheater compressor running at 3450 RPM's,making it not only very noisy,but also causing wear. I had nothing but problems with a new Black Max 6.5hp ,gaskets,valves,motor,e.t.c. .


Buy Eaton, all their compressors run at half the speed at 1750 RPM's which makes it trouble-free for decades. You can actually find videos of their compressors running, that's what sold me, I could actually stand right next to my compressor and talk on the phone, though mine is 10hp 120gal monster.

here is a link to their site http://www.eatoncompressor.com/page/page/504747.htm

If you are on a budget,search hard enough, you can find used Quincy,Champion or Saylor Beall ,those are real ,true workhorses

[Domino]

To me, CFM rating really is more important than how many gallons the tank is.  I'd rather have a high CFM 60 gal than lower CFM 80 gallon.

Look at the CFM usage of the tools you plan to use continuously and make sure to cover it with your compressor.

For tools above the CFM rating, a larger tank will increase the duration of the first use, but time to replenish the used air so you can use the tool again still comes down to the CFM rating.  

Also, more expensive tools will usually use less air because the air motors are built better.  So it may be a cheaper option (on your compressor life and electric bill) in the long run to buy a really good tool if you plan to use it continuously.

[tan top]

To me, CFM rating really is more important than how many gallons the tank is.  I'd rather have a high CFM 60 gal than lower CFM 80 gallon.

Look at the CFM usage of the tools you plan to use continuously and make sure to cover it with your compressor.

For tools above the CFM rating, a larger tank will increase the duration of the first use, but time to replenish the used air so you can use the tool again still comes down to the CFM rating.  

Also, more expensive tools will usually use less air because the air motors are built better.  So it may be a cheaper option (on your compressor life and electric bill) in the long run to buy a really good tool if you plan to use it continuously.

thats true
  if you plan on using a paint gun  most good ones  use 13 cfm minimum , some hvlps are more still , i for get now , figure in if you need a airfed mask , your looking at 20 minimum cfm

[matrout76]

Quincy and Champion are pretty good compressors for the price.

some of the IR had major problems with the motors dieing after a short period of time.

a couple of months ago, i bought a 60 gallon Kobalt from Lowes.  They had decent reviews and stored the air at 155psi, which was the highest i could find.  I'm planning on doing some sandblasting on the Charger soon and wanted to give the compressor a good amount of time to get broken-in before i start running it hard, i'm going to change to oil to Amsoil compressor oil and replace the cheesy filter deal with an actual Solberg air compressor intake filter and silencer.  this is the compressor i got:  http://www.lowes.com/pd_221565-14989-LLA3706056_4294795218+4294965883+5003702_4294937087_?productId=3115863&Ns=p_product_rating

[Silver R/T]

needs to be 80 gallon

Its not about gallons, its about pump/scfm rating.

[elitecustombody]

needs to be 80 gallon

Its not about gallons, its about pump/scfm rating.

True,but having a large tank is not a bad thing. I will say,back in 91 when I started my own shop, I had little Black Max 5hp cheater compressor,it had 60 gallon tank, I did alot of allover paint jobs,colorchanges,fabrication and amazingly it lasted  9 years,I never changed oil in it,electric motor gave up, so I figured if I rewire it or put on a new motor, the pump will fail, so I just bought a bigger 6.5hp 80 gallon Black Max, I've had nothing but problems since day one,ended up buying Eaton 10hp 44CFM'S 120 gallon.

Buy the best quality equipment your wallet can afford,it will pay off in the long run. I've learned my lesson

[AirborneSilva]

needs to be 80 gallon

Its not about gallons, its about pump/scfm rating.

True,but having a large tank is not a bad thing. I will say,back in 91 when I started my own shop, I had little Black Max 5hp cheater compressor,it had 60 gallon tank, I did alot of allover paint jobs,colorchanges,fabrication and amazingly it lasted  9 years,I never changed oil in it,electric motor gave up, so I figured if I rewire it or put on a new motor, the pump will fail, so I just bought a bigger 6.5hp 80 gallon Black Max, I've had nothing but problems since day one,ended up buying Eaton 10hp 44CFM'S 120 gallon.

Buy the best quality equipment your wallet can afford,it will pay off in the long run. I've learned my lesson

Those Eaton compressors look nice (mechanical wise and otherwise), my question is how important it single and dual stage?  The ones I can afford are only single stage.

[BigBlockSam]

cool thread 

[Patronus]

Two-stage air compressors provide a reliable air source in commercial, industrial and automotive applications. Multistage units tend to be more efficient, compressing air to a higher pressure than single-stage compressors. This allows more air to be stored for future use while generating less heat, reducing wear and extending compressor life.

[AirborneSilva]

Two-stage air compressors provide a reliable air source in commercial, industrial and automotive applications. Multistage units tend to be more efficient, compressing air to a higher pressure than single-stage compressors. This allows more air to be stored for future use while generating less heat, reducing wear and extending compressor life.

Thank you for that explanation, makes sense.  Would a single stage work for someone like me, who isn't going to be using it everyday?

[Patronus]

Probably. I would look on craigslist too, you'll get more for your $$