Who makes the best quality air compressor?

[Mel]

Originally Posted by Kyle Boatright

The 5 HP (ha!)
And why do I laugh at the 5 hp figure? 'Cause this compressor runs on a 15A circuit, which makes it a 1.5-2 hp unit. That's how they used to measure HP - peak electrical draw, which is a pretty shady way to do it.

That's exactly why I encourage people to NOT buy a compressor by hp. Buy it by CFM.

[terrykohler]

Mark:
If you're REALLY looking for the answer to that question, go to a local bump shop and talk to one of the painters. Ask him what he uses at home (they all do work at home, as well). We buy tools from places like Harbor Freight and Lowes for one reason -CHEAP PRICES. I've got tools from these guys in my toolbox as well as Craftsman and Snap-On. Absolutely no comparison between professional and hobby tools. If you want to really find out what the best is, talk to the guys that do it for a living, not a hobby. You'll find you can buy a spray gun at HF for under $50. For a high end painter, it's not unusual for his guns to cost more than $300-400 apiece. And he owns more than one. Can you get by with the cheap stuff? Probably. Especially if you're not going to keep on building airplanes.
Terry, CFI
RV-9A N323TP

[asav8tor]

Originally Posted by terrykohler

<snip>. We buy tools from places like Harbor Freight and Lowes for one reason -CHEAP PRICES. I've got tools from these guys in my toolbox as well as Craftsman and Snap-On. Absolutely no comparison between professional and hobby tools.<snip>

I agree with this opinion for the most part as I have thrown HF tools in the garbage when they have failed in the first 5 minutes of use! However the Puma compressor listed does not fall into that category


http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=34887

If you know what you are buying you can get some good deals there. Perhaps 70% of HF stuff is trash and not worth taking home if it was free (since you will have to pay to dump it). The other 30% (I'm being nice) is ok.

[Rupester]

It's a W.W Grainger one-lung unit with a 15 gal tank that my dad bought in 1969 for painting cars in his garage. He gave it to me when he moved to FL in 1996. It's like the Energizer Bunny - it just keeps running and running and ...
It's not that noisy, uses no oil ... and I've put countless hours on it building my 9A. Grainger musta done something right.

[diamond]

Originally Posted by hgerhardt

Another tip: install a solenoid valve in place of the tank drain. That way, it's a pushbutton press to drain the water from the tank. You should drain it daily anyway.

Heinrich Gerhardt
Rv-6, flying

Can you give some detail on the parts and technique involved in doing this?

http://www.tractorsupply.com/tools/a...ressor-3301332


T

[scard]

Originally Posted by RV_Tom

http://www.tractorsupply.com/tools/a...ressor-3301332


T

That is what I have. The compressor pump head design is flawed (in my opinion) as it blows the head gasket between the two cylinders. I had IR replace the gasket twice, then have just lived with it since.

[diamond]

Originally Posted by scard

That is what I have. The compressor pump head design is flawed (in my opinion) as it blows the head gasket between the two cylinders. I had IR replace the gasket twice, then have just lived with it since.

Wow, that's not good.

[szicree]

I've got that same IR compressor and it's worked beautifully for a couple of years. It served me very well during painting and all the other usual stuff.

Regarding which brand is best, I've come to believe that the name on the machine probably says nothing about who actually made it. I figure the folks in China who make these things just cobble together pump, motor, tank, etc. from many vendors. The retailer who buys it then slaps a sticker on it.

[Zero4Zulu]

I started with a Puma 60 gal. upright compressor because it was affordable at the time. I ran it very hard in my full time machine shop. The first pump got tired after 3 years running everyday. I replaced the pump with another Puma. I think parts are available for Puma's too (Rings read valves gaskets etc.). I would recomend Puma for a low end compressor.

I sold the Puma and installed a 80 Gal. 5 hp. single phase DevAir. http://www.dvsystems.ca/ Awsome compressor!

The pump is huge and turns at a slow RPM so it isn't beating it self to death like the cheap ones do. 1 min 15 secounds to recharge. DevAir is an excellent compressor. I see they have some new models now.