Compressor Shopping

I might have found a good deal.

Ingersol-Rand 60 gal compressor

 

Be wary of older tanks- they rust from the inside out & if they donn't have an automatic drain lifespan can be as short as a few years on the smaller units (thinner steel). Once one is bad enough to show one pinhole they're junk.

 

And it's ready to go.

He said it's 8 years old and the head was rebuilt a year ago and it comes with another rebuilt head

 

Could very well be just what you need. If you do get it take all of that piping off and mount it on the wall and run a hose from that ball valve to it. That mounted like that is just waiting to bust from vibration. I can't believe he's gotten away with it like that and not busting so far (or maybe it already has?).

 

Harbor Freight's coupon fine print... Excludes compressors.

 

I assumed it was a home garage myself but am wondering if it is different than that. One of the pictures shows what looks like a vacuum pump to me. Maybe that is some sort of small business?

 

Figures.

 

If getting the proper electrical circuit installed won't be a problem I'd give this one some more consideration.

 

X2

 

I've seen mixed reviews about IR as well. They used to be up there with the best!

 

Things keep circling back to this, but I despise the 8hr round trip to "save" $300.

 

If you don't really need the extra volume and want to spend no more than X $$ then getting the maximum amount of quality you can is the best option in my book.

 

I went to Harbor Freight and looked at the 60 gal compressor. The motor is China. The pump is 2 stage. They're out stock and they pretty much never go on sale below $800. The one displayed (2 stage) would be the one that I would like, but they don't sell the displays. Just like the reviews say, most people end up with with the single stage if you aren't paying attention. I would really have to make sure that I left with the 2 stage model.

Home Depot was my 2nd stop. They only had a 60gal on display. Assembled in the USA with foreign parts. The motor was assembled in Mexico...$489

Lowes was my final stop. Same story as the 60gal HD Husky...$499

The 80gal Kobalt had a Century motor assembled in Mexico. The pump has 4 cylinders... $899.

I would use my Costco Citi Visa if I went new. Citi Visa adds 2 years to the manufacturer's warranty. You don't have to carry a balance to achieve this.

I'm really leaning towards the used 80gal Kobalt for $500. It saves $400 + tax. I believe it has a 3 year warranty (2 left if transferable?). I'll just have to get over the road trip drawback.

 

OK, question time-

What is the benefit to a two stage compressor? What is the extra pressure actually useful for? Everything I run for air tools are rated at 90 PSI or lower & I can hit 120.. I'd occasionally like to have extra CFM (I'm good for 11-12) but not pressure, what am I missing?

Enquiring Minds Want to Know...