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If you're spending that kind of money I'd certainly look at the Quincy. I've run them in industrial settings, day in and day out, for years without problem. I think we replace the motor on ours at the machine shop I worked at once after something like 20 years. Pump still going strong. That was an 80 gallon single phase 220V model.
I currently have a 60 gallon Quincy with twin pumps and motors, 3 phase, 3 total horsepower (although the pumps are rated for 5 hp each, so I could put bigger motors on if I ever need more air). Bought it when a building was demolished, it had been running the HVAC system. I've had zero issues, other than when some idiot (okay, me) hooked it up on 220V power when the transformer was set for 208V power. All that blew was a control relay, simple fix. What's nice this is that Quincy sells parts for pretty much everything. And made in the USA. You can never have too much air compressor. Especially if you are using die grinders, painting, or sand blasting. |
My 2 cents is that an 80 gallon compressor from Home Depot or Lowe's will work fine unless you're a commercial shop; and it will cost way less than $2K.
My Home Depot compressor cost about $800 at the time (20 years ago), but still works fine and had plenty of air volume for the task. I tried a small Sears roll-about 20 gallon first: not enough volume so it ran all the time when drilling and was very noisy (it drove me nuts). Plus I would have to stop work at times while the compressor "caught up" with enough air volume. You could physically feel the tool slowing down. So definitely get a 60-80 gallon size - you won't regret that. My air tools typically call for 90psi for optimum performance without long-term damage to the tool. And of course, painting will require even less pressure. So an inline regulator is a must as well. Use the cash you save for other quality tools. Chris |
I Prefer the Quincy Compressors
If you intend to paint the aircraft exterior yourself, you will need a compressor with a significant CFM output, but probably still not as large as the IR compressor you are looking at. If you intend to have the exterior painted by a professional shop like I am, than you can build the RV-10 with a much lower cost compressor.
I selected the Quincy 26 gal. "portable" compressor that is rated at 7.4 CFM @ 90psi, and runs on 115 VAC, 20 amp circuit. This is a reasonably quiet compressor (I don't need ear plugs with it), and has been able to keep up with all my air tools, including air drill, rivet gun, pneumatic squeezers, and small air die grinder. I also used it to paint the interior of my RV-10, and only had to stop briefly a couple of times to let it catch up when I sprayed for more than several minutes continuously. I've been very happy with this compressor. https://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...SABEgIYVfD_BwE I compared this to the similar IR compressor when I bought it a couple years ago and felt the Quincy was a bit better quality. As another poster said, IR isn't making the same quality tools that they used to sell many years ago. Best of luck with your new building endeavor. The RV-10 is a nice aircraft, but also a very large project. |
If you intend to paint the aircraft exterior yourself, you will need a compressor with a significant CFM output, but probably still not as large as the IR compressor you are looking at. If you intend to have the exterior painted by a professional shop like I am, than you can build the RV-10 with a much lower cost compressor.
I selected the Quincy 26 gal. "portable" compressor that is rated at 7.4 CFM @ 90psi, and runs on 115 VAC, 20 amp circuit. This is a reasonably quiet compressor (I don't need ear plugs with it), and has been able to keep up with all my air tools, including air drill, rivet gun, pneumatic squeezers, and small air die grinder. I also used it to paint the interior of my RV-10, and only had to stop briefly a couple of times to let it catch up when I sprayed for more than several minutes continuously. I've been very happy with this compressor. https://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...SABEgIYVfD_BwE I compared this to the similar IR compressor when I bought it a couple years ago and felt the Quincy was a bit better quality. As another poster said, IR isn't making the same quality tools that they used to sell many years ago. Best of luck with your new building endeavor. The RV-10 is a nice aircraft, but also a very large project. |
First off, thank you all for your input. I do appreciate it.
I have learned that although my original suggestion was a good one, it was way overkill. Also, I don't need double stage, single is fine and will save money. Good to know! All that being said, a few of you mentioned a few suggestions. bkervaski: 20 gallon IR https://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...5221_200375221 My only concern with this is one that 20 gallon may be too small of a tank. Andrew Anunson: 60 Gallon Dewalt https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pr...1?cm_vc=-10005 This seems like excellent value at under $500 for a 60 gal tank. Maybe a little loud on the loud side? jacoby: 60 Gallon IR SS5L5 https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pr...mpressor?rfk=1 And the notable mention: California Air Tools 60 Gallon @ $1500 https://www.aircompressorsdirect.com...or/p81918.html Quincy also seems to be a good competitor to IG if I end up going overkill. Again, the noise factor is not so important for me, I only heavily consider it for the folks inside the house. I'm building in the garage:). For now, I think one of those three listed above may be good candidates. Any further input is greatly welcomed. Thanks again! -Alex |
Don't worry too much about the tank size. It's the CFM that matters. Once the compressor starts running you will outpace the tank if the tools you are using need more CFM than the pump can supply, at which point you'll be waiting. A bigger tank tends to run a bit dryer, especially with lower CFM use and the pump runs less often assuming it can outpace the tool.
A 3x rivet gun needs 3 CFM. A pneumatic squeezer needs 3 CFM. An air drill needs 12+. A HVLP sprayer 13+. An air sander, 14+. Note that these are continuous numbers. If you only use the drill at 50% you're down to ~6 CFM actual. You can do everything you need to do to build the plane with any of the compressors mentioned, outside of final color. You will need continuous air for that. It's not really an option to wait for the pump to catch up in the middle of painting. |
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Any of the 220V oil type compressors will be awesome. The 220V is just as important as the tank size. You will also need... A compressed air drier, maybe a regulator, some good air hose, and perhaps a coalescing filter. |
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-Alex |
You might want to check out Craigslist, lots of good compressors for cheap and tax free to be found.
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Plenty of people have built and painted RV's with 5CFM compressors with 20 gallon tanks. Would a bigger compressor help? Sure, but at a cost difference that runs in the hundreds (maybe a thousand) dollars, the lower capacity compressor is a good value for most builders. Sez the guy who just finished priming his cowl using compressed air from his 24 year old 5 CFM/20 gallon Craftsman compressor.. |
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