Air Compressors
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
I presently have a 2 stage Ingersol Rand IR15 7.5HP compressor. I bought it 15 years ago, if I were in the market for a replacement, I would chose a rotary compressor, much quieter and way more power efficient. My first compressor was a Craftsman 220V 3HP made by Deville Bliss in the 1970's, that thing was a workhorse! I think I sold it for about what I had paid fopr it when I bought my first verticle 5HP compressor a Campbell Hausfield which a good friend still owns and uses. All these compressors were USA made and of excellent quality, now the market is flooded with cheap foreign junk sad state of affairs today.
Definitely one to find used, new around 3k.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 490
Likes: 99
From: The South
Check Craigslist for some good deals. I picked up this great old American made Craftsman compressor for $200, included hoses and a small air gun. It has the DeVillBiss compressor mentioned earlier in the thread. The compressor was used for woodworking in this old fellow's shop and had been well taken care of.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,503
Likes: 33
From: McGrady NC
St. Jude Donor '15-'16
I'm on my third Kobalt compressor. Two upright ones with cheap aluminum compressors that break (literally). I used two to make one and now it is broken. I have a grand total of $50 in both and that included a full set of air tools and both were store returns when I bought them off the sale/returns table). The little one with a rotary compressor (10 gal) works OK for regular household duties (checking tires, light air tool use, etc.) but will run through a tank of air with heavy use quickly and is slow to refill during use. I want to get a good compressor some day...
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,495
Likes: 134
From: Blanco County, TX
This is embarrassing, but I bought a 30 gallon "Coleman Power Mate" at Costco about 12 years ago when I didn't have much money. I bought it to do some painting, which is a real air hog. Yes, Coleman, as in the cooler and camp stove!!
I think I gave $150 for it and it came with a bunch of tools, impact wrench, cutoff wheel, air chisel, and a paint sprayer. I've painted everything I can with it and use it around the garage at least twice a month, loan it out whenever I can and the damn thing won't break. I now have three nail guns, pneumatic ratchet and tin snips, and a few other things I can't think of. The compressor is an air-cooled aluminum.
I stopped being **** about draining it a few years ago hoping I'd have an excuse to get something decent, but no luck yet. Even all the tools still work.
I think I gave $150 for it and it came with a bunch of tools, impact wrench, cutoff wheel, air chisel, and a paint sprayer. I've painted everything I can with it and use it around the garage at least twice a month, loan it out whenever I can and the damn thing won't break. I now have three nail guns, pneumatic ratchet and tin snips, and a few other things I can't think of. The compressor is an air-cooled aluminum.
I stopped being **** about draining it a few years ago hoping I'd have an excuse to get something decent, but no luck yet. Even all the tools still work.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,216
Likes: 66
From: Killeen Texas
I bought a Powermate 60 gal 220 V max PSI 155, 11.5 cfm @90
PSI
It replace a 10 gal Crafsman I purchased in the early 90's It never failed me but could not keep up using air tools.
The new powermate does great! Put a auto dump on the drain and keeps me from having to bend over and dump the water.
PSI
It replace a 10 gal Crafsman I purchased in the early 90's It never failed me but could not keep up using air tools.
The new powermate does great! Put a auto dump on the drain and keeps me from having to bend over and dump the water.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 664
Likes: 89
From: Marysville Ohio
I was fortunate; where I work, there are some good mechanics with toys they occasionally don't need. One of them had an '80s vintage 220V Dayton SpeedAire compressor I was able to cop for $50 bones. One of the best purchases I've made for my garage. It's tough, features serious industrial grade Merkin iron and a beefy powerful motor.
If you can find one of these things in good shape, snap it up.
Dan G>
If you can find one of these things in good shape, snap it up.
Dan G>
Pro
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 557
Likes: 3
From: El Sobrante CA
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