Need 80 gallon air compressor opinions

Hulk72

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 9, 2011
Location
Oxford
I am on the verge of buying a 80 gallon single phase compressor for my workshop. I am currently using an old 30 gallon craftsman, but I am now using the plasma cutter more and more so more air is needed.

I am thinking I would like to buy something in the $1000-$1500 range, but I know nothing about what to look for. I see some are single cylinders and some are double. All look to be two stage and build around 175-200psi. I would love some input from you guys on what to look for.
 
Look at pump RPM, which is one of the biggest factors for compressor noise level. Lower RPM heads are significantly quieter, if that's a consideration. Not sure if that's something that you will be able to choose at your price point though.

There's also the "Made-(ish) in the USA" decision too, but same thing about price point.
 
Fabrik8 said:
Look at pump RPM, which is one of the biggest factors for compressor noise level. Lower RPM heads are significantly quieter, if that's a consideration. Not sure if that's something that you will be able to choose at your price point though.

There's also the "Made-(ish) in the USA" decision too, but same thing about price point.
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I will have to see what I can find on rpms. Right now I have been looking at the options at TSC which seem to be all made in USA. I guess I will look at the Kobalt line as well. I was not planning on going the harbor freight direction.
 
Im not sure on now, but when i purchased 3 yrs ago, the HF compressors were all iron. I dont use it everyday, but have been pleased with my HF compressor, esp at almost half the price of the others (at the time). Also it was rated for higher continuous pressure than the others, at the time.
 
paradisePWoffrd said:
Im not sure on now, but when i purchased 3 yrs ago, the HF compressors were all iron. I dont use it everyday, but have been pleased with my HF compressor, esp at almost half the price of the others (at the time). Also it was rated for higher continuous pressure than the others, at the time.
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Same here. I use my HF compressor daily and have zero complaints. Keeps us just fine with plasma, lots of air tools, etc. Much cheaper than other models until you step up in grade.
 
Jody Treadway said:
Same here. I use my HF compressor daily and have zero complaints. Keeps us just fine with plasma, lots of air tools, etc. Much cheaper than other models until you step up in grade.
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I just got on the HF website and I didn’t see any larger compressors. Am I missing something?
 
I have a 60 gallon SS-3 Ingersoll Rand from TSC that I bought in 2006 when I got my first house. I used it quite a bit for normal home owner type things and working on junk. I fried the Emerson motor in 2013 blowing off my lawn mower. I am not exactly sure what happened to it, but it swelled the start cap and the centrifugal switch that controls the start winding. I put a new motor on it and ran it till I found a Saylor Beall compressor. The IR now lives in my barn, still mostly used for blowing off the mower or tractor.

All in all its been a good unit for the cost involved. I couldnt afford a Saylor Beall when I got it, but it did everything I asked it to do. It is no where in the same league as a big made in America unit, but it was 1/6 of the price too.
 
Hulk72 said:
I just got on the HF website and I didn’t see any larger compressors. Am I missing something?
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I recall them taking the large ones off the web a few years back. They had them in stock in the store here. If you can wait, the best time to buy is when they have the 20% off everything coupon. But it only happens like once a year.
 
Hulk72 said:
I just got on the HF website and I didn’t see any larger compressors. Am I missing something?
Click to expand...

paradisePWoffrd said:
I recall them taking the large ones off the web a few years back. They had them in stock in the store here. If you can wait, the best time to buy is when they have the 20% off everything coupon. But it only happens like once a year.
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I'm still looking for one (60-80gal 220 single phase compressor) and did the same search when Ben mentioned it in my thread... appears the Chiwanesse have gone "oil-less" (aside from gas powered compressors).
More researched showed that IR is hit & miss, especially those price pointed for TSC, etc.

If I can find the tank (that isn't 100 years old, rusted to the point of screen), I plan to assemble my own... quality compressor and any motor that'll drag it (not hung up on spending Baldor $$$$$)
 
If you're looking for reliability and volume, buy a used American made unit and use the leftover money to buy a phase converter if you don't have 3 phase:
raleigh.craigslist.org

Kargard Industries 10HP 120 gallon air compressor -...

Kargard Industries air compressor with Lima 10HP motor (S/N P22806), 120 gallon tank. 230 volts. Although manufactured and installed in 1976, this compressor has very low total time in operation.
raleigh.craigslist.org
greensboro.craigslist.org

80 Gal. 2 Stage Air Compressor - tools - by owner - sale

Downsizing my shop so this one has to go. 80 gal. compressor with 5 hp motor 3ph power. Controler was replaced about a year ago. Easily runs air sanders and tools.
greensboro.craigslist.org
 
jeepinmatt said:
If you're looking for reliability and volume, buy a used American made unit and use the leftover money to buy a phase converter if you don't have 3 phase:
raleigh.craigslist.org

Kargard Industries 10HP 120 gallon air compressor -...

Kargard Industries air compressor with Lima 10HP motor (S/N P22806), 120 gallon tank. 230 volts. Although manufactured and installed in 1976, this compressor has very low total time in operation.
raleigh.craigslist.org
greensboro.craigslist.org

80 Gal. 2 Stage Air Compressor - tools - by owner - sale

Downsizing my shop so this one has to go. 80 gal. compressor with 5 hp motor 3ph power. Controler was replaced about a year ago. Easily runs air sanders and tools.
greensboro.craigslist.org
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The only thing about buying used is not knowing how often they drained and maintained the tank. Wouldn’t want an 80 gallon bomb....
 
skyhighZJ said:
The only thing about buying used is not knowing how often they drained and maintained the tank. Wouldn’t want an 80 gallon bomb....
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I heard that before. I personally do not know of a single instance of a tank exploding. I've heard of pinhole leaks causing the compressor to run too much. I guess its possible that the tank could zipper open, but it seems pretty unlikely.
 
jeepinmatt said:
I heard that before. I personally do not know of a single instance of a tank exploding. I've heard of pinhole leaks causing the compressor to run too much. I guess its possible that the tank could zipper open, but it seems pretty unlikely.
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YouTube has a bunch of videos but probably false reporting to a degree cause there are x per xyz that have had issues. It is scary to think of it happening. I will say, if I have a shop sometime my compressor will be out side in a closet.
 
Caver Dave said:
I'm still looking for one (60-80gal 220 single phase compressor) and did the same search when Ben mentioned it in my thread... appears the Chiwanesse have gone "oil-less" (aside from gas powered compressors).
More researched showed that IR is hit & miss, especially those price pointed for TSC, etc.

If I can find the tank (that isn't 100 years old, rusted to the point of screen), I plan to assemble my own... quality compressor and any motor that'll drag it (not hung up on spending Baldor $$$$$)
Click to expand...
I had thought about building one, but you never know what the condition of the tank is. I guess it is all a crap shoot these days.
 
anyone added a condenser to the compressor to help with moisture? i have seen several ways of doing this in the past but, this look pretty clean and economical.

 
fourtrax said:
anyone added a condenser to the compressor to help with moisture? i have seen several ways of doing this in the past but, this look pretty clean and economical.

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I have. Auto trans cooler, trap from amazon, and a 12V fan I had laying around. I think I measured the piping at 350° in and 125° out. The fan is on a switched outlet so I have to turn it on manually, but it'll catch 1" of water in the trap when filling my 60gal compressor from empty on a summer day. I'm still sorting out the plumbing because it will blow apart a solder joint between the compressor and the cooler above 125psi. Compressor is in a closet I built to cut down on noise.
 

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Are you using silver solder? The soft pipe solder won't hold the heat/pressure.
looks like a nice setup.
 
Good old iron is still out there, I sold my 80 gal 3.5hp saylor beall for $800. Ran great, was nice and quiet, I had money to spend for the business, so I had it replaced with a quincy unit (USA made). I would not be concerned about an older unit if price is a concern. Quincy and Ingersol are both still branded as USA made, and the warranty on the quincy units is pretty impressive, and extended if you buy the maintenance pack.

The biggest thing to be concerned about is loading and moving something that size, people often underestimate how top heavy those things are, you can't man handle them yourself, it is a challenge with two people at best.
 
shelby27604 said:
Quincy and Ingersol are both still branded as USA made
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IR has American flags, but fine print (on new) is "Assembled in USA (of parts made everywhere but the USA)"

I'm still searching... have my sons craptastic 115VAC oil-less 3gal (will likely get relegated to airing tires down at the house), Craftsman 2.5gal oil-less (bought to run nailers at step-sons house) and my dads ancient Devilbiss (220VAC 20gal still works, but has bad sounds
So, not really a "need" (at this point) as much as a "want"... since I have a covered outdoor pad, a prewired 220V disconnect at the ready and cringe at the noises the current 20 gal make
 
I REALLY want a 7.5/80 Quincy with the pressure lubed compressor because I love stuff that's way better than it really needs to be. How cool is it having a legit oil pump and oil filter on your air compressor?

The answer is super cool. That's how cool.

Downside, they IS expensive!
 
Croatan_Kid said:
How cool is it having a legit oil pump and oil filter on your air compressor?
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Agreed!

When researching a manual/specs/maintenance/etc. for the new I-R pump, I was dumbfounded by the shear numbers of folks rebuilding (when parts are available)/replacing (when not) these older "workhorse" pumps (cast-iron/ball bearings) simply due to LACK of maintenance = NO oil situations! 🙄

While it'll go on the oil change/grease list with everything else, it may also be getting a "low oil" cutout switch installed in the drain plug...
 
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