Air compressor replacement

[cchase]

Our Sears air compressor is going on 30 years old and based on the amount of oil coming out of the tank drain these days, I'm thinking its past its golden years.

It's a 2 hp, 20 gallon unit with 100 PSI max and 6.1 SCFM@90psi wired for 240 volts.

I'm wondering what the best thing to replace it with would be. Ideally it would have similar airflor at 90 psi and be in the 20-30 gallon tank size. It gets used for everything from inflating tires to impact wrenches, nail guns, hacksaws and grinding, minor sandblasting, and painting on a semi-normal basis (it's not in a garage).

Money is no object and do not want an oil-free unit.

What are my options or rather, are there good options and bad options or are they basically all built in the same factory and painted different colors at the end?

 

[229]

Chicago Pneumatic

 

[UNC036]

Get the lowest rpm unit you can afford. It will last a lot longer.

I like the Champion brand.

 

[Rock_Hudstone]

Campbell-Hausfeld are pretty good, better than what Sears sells these day. I've got 15 trouble free years on my 4.5 HP 20 gal unit.
I saw a nice one in Tractor Supply the other day, but different than on the web site, metal belt guard, neumatic tires, the tank seem larger as well, $329 on sale, thats less than I paid in 1996!

http://www.tractorsupply.com/air-compres...pressor-3301586

 

[cchase]

Unfortunately the CH model you listed is way too low on SCFM at 90 psi. Realistically I'd like at least as much as the current unit delivers.

So far the Chicago 2 hp, 20 gallon unit looks pretty good and is available from Northern Tool for $570 or thereabouts but I'm interested in finding out all my "best" options before doing anything.

 

[Trav]

Quincy makes a great unit, smooth as glass and powerful with one of the best pumps on the market and made in the USA.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200481743_200481743

 

[229]

Originally Posted By: cchase
Unfortunately the CH model you listed is way too low on SCFM at 90 psi. Realistically I'd like at least as much as the current unit delivers.

So far the Chicago 2 hp, 20 gallon unit looks pretty good and is available from Northern Tool for $570 or thereabouts but I'm interested in finding out all my "best" options before doing anything.


CP is best if money is no object.

 

[Donald]

Look at Northern and get a 5 HP 2 stage 60 gallon compressor. It will handle all of your needs and as you said, money is no object.

 

[cchase]

Any idea what the pump life is rated at on the CP unit?

 

[cchase]

Originally Posted By: Donald
Look at Northern and get a 5 HP 2 stage 60 gallon compressor. It will handle all of your needs and as you said, money is no object.


Money is no object but space is at a premium. Otherwise I'm with you. Looking at compressors between 20 and 30 gallons.

 

[user52165]

Originally Posted By: cchase
Our Sears air compressor is going on 30 years old and based on the amount of oil coming out of the tank drain these days, I'm thinking its past its golden years.

It's a 2 hp, 20 gallon unit with 100 PSI max and 6.1 SCFM@90psi wired for 240 volts.

I'm wondering what the best thing to replace it with would be. Ideally it would have similar airflor at 90 psi and be in the 20-30 gallon tank size. It gets used for everything from inflating tires to impact wrenches, nail guns, hacksaws and grinding, minor sandblasting, and painting on a semi-normal basis (it's not in a garage).

Money is no object and do not want an oil-free unit.

What are my options or rather, are there good options and bad options or are they basically all built in the same factory and painted different colors at the end?


I have a Sears unit, probably the same as yours, bought 31 years ago. Have it fixed by a good shop. Seriously. If it is a Sears Best model from that era, they were made by Devilbiss which used to be a great company. I have religiously maintained mine, use it everyday, and it has never given me a problem. Still has the original belt.

Have a good shop look at it and see what they think. Many parts are still available from Sears or others including ring kits.

 

[Trav]

Quote:
CP is best if money is no object.

Yep it should be its probably made by Quincy depending on the model this small unit is almost certainly a Quincy.

AFAIK CP was never known as a small compressor manufacturer, they are best known for making air tools and large screw compressors.
Larger units could be quincy or another of Tencarva's companies.
That being said its like Hobart welders are made by Miller, Miller keeps their brand product one step above the Hobart.

Tencarva Machinery owns both Quincy and Atlas Copco(CP) and a few others.

http://www.cp.com/usen/whatsnew/searchnews/ellen_steck.aspx

http://blog.al.com/press-register-business/2011/05/quincy_compressor_owner_buys_a.html

 

[cchase]

Originally Posted By: user52165
I have a Sears unit, probably the same as yours, bought 31 years ago. Have it fixed by a good shop. Seriously. If it is a Sears Best model from that era, they were made by Devilbiss which used to be a great company. I have religiously maintained mine, use it everyday, and it has never given me a problem. Still has the original belt.

Have a good shop look at it and see what they think. Many parts are still available from Sears or others including ring kits.


Thanks for your input. It is a DeVilbiss unit and it has certainly withstood the test of time. It was my concern that the newer models probably weren't as well made as these older models which is why I was looking elsewhere.

It may be worth looking into getting a re-ring kit but it's also possible that it's just worn out. Definiely worth looking into though.

Originally Posted By: Trav

Yep it should be its probably made by Quincy depending on the model this small unit is almost certainly a Quincy.

AFAIK CP was never known as a small compressor manufacturer, they are best known for making air tools and large screw compressors.


When I was researching based on your recommendations earlier, I did notice the CP and Quincy units look very similar. It would be good to know that they are the same as the CP unit is slightly less expensive but doesn't mention the 10,000 hour pump rating that the Quincy unit mentions.

Both flow the same at 90 psi and critically, it is higher than the Sears unit. That was the problem on my initial searches - every 1.9 and 2 hp single phase motor unit I could find was like the CH unit mentioned in this thread - it put out significantly less air than the 30 year old unit in the basement. That seemed unacceptable to me and I was starting to wonder if they were playing games when the Sears unit was made. Now that I see higher end units do indeed put out comparable (and better) flowrates, my confidence is restored a bit.

 

[Trav]

I cant find out if the CP unit is indeed a 10K hr pump either. My first thought is it could be a simple rebranding job but there seems to be no definitive answer.
I would almost bet its exactly the same machine but for the extra $50 i might sleep better knowing i had the 10K hr pump for sure.

 

[doitmyself]

If you really mean that money is no object, then consider a Saylor-Beall. But, they are a commercial unit intended for hard daily use by service garages, etc.. You pay for the quality.

http://www.saylor-beall.com/home.php

 

[SIXSPEED]

I've got my eye on a 2-HP 20 Gallon Ingersoll-Rand upright.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00989225000P?prdNo=6&blockNo=31&blockType=G31

 

[cchase]

Originally Posted By: doitmyself
If you really mean that money is no object, then consider a Saylor-Beall. But, they are a commercial unit intended for hard daily use by service garages, etc.. You pay for the quality.

http://www.saylor-beall.com/home.php


They look nice, but far too large for my application.

 

[cchase]

Originally Posted By: SIXSPEED
I've got my eye on a 2-HP 20 Gallon Ingersoll-Rand upright.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00989225000P?prdNo=6&blockNo=31&blockType=G31


Saw that but for $100 more you can get the CP/Quincy unit that delivers 1.6 more SCFM at 90 and not have to deal with pneumatic tires.