best compressor for around 2 grand

[FRUSTRATED T/A]

I know its probbley been asked to death, but i usually dont go looking to buy one for this amount very often. And this will probbley be the one and only time i do.
Iv been looking at compressors for a while now but have a hard time deciding as which one to get because im not a guro when it comes to them.

For around 2 grand i want the best my money can buy for that much and i want a good machine not just a brand name on the tank. Im looking at getting into some serious metal fabracation and a good compressor seems to be the first order of business. Ill be doing car painting and the whole nine yards. I know all the basics about them but i dont know which ones to stay clear of and what ones or worth having for a very long time.

Pleas lend a hand as im looking to buy one soon.

[Camaroholic]

Bang for the buck wise, http://www.eatoncompressor.com has a lot of fans. A lot of loyal Eaton users out there. I considered them, but shipping isn't cheap (was over $200 a couple of years ago when I was looking). Might be lower for you since you're closer.

You can't go wrong with Ingersoll-Rand in that price range. You can get a really nice one for that much. Just watch your available power vs. power requirements. You don't want to buy a 3 phase compressor if you don't have 3 phase power available. You don't want a 10 horse compressor if you only have 30 amps available. That kind of thing. I got the lowest end of the I-R T30 compressor line (the 2340L5), and am VERY happy with it.

[FRUSTRATED T/A]

yea ingersoll-rand i found one for about 2400 free shipping. Only has a 1year warranty though. You would think if they talk about how good they are they would have bigger warranties to help sells. Just a littel more then im willing to spend, mybe ill be looking long enough ill get another paycheck and wont noticing.

does anybody know if maxus compressors are made in the U.S also

yes your 2340L5 is one of the best sellers in that compressor size range. may i ask what you paid for it, as i see it right now for 1300 free shipping.

[bgblockelcamino]

i have a rebuilt IR 7.5 hp. been a good machine. found it on ebay a few years ago. but def very happy with IR. lot quieter than a lot of compressors that i have been around.

[FRUSTRATED T/A]

im thinking an Ir or eaton at the momment. It seams eaton isnt as big of a company as most but have pretty decent compressors. I wish i coud find more feed back from the consumers on them though. On their site they say their building new locations, so i would think their growing in size still. I do notice their compressors are about 600lbs more each in weight. I can see myself trying to budge a 1600lbs compressor right now. They have a 5 year warranty on pretty much all their stuff.

[Jokeman]

Originally Posted by FRUSTRATED T/A

im thinking an Ir or eaton at the momment. It seams eaton isnt as big of a company as most but have pretty decent compressors. I wish i coud find more feed back from the consumers on them though. On their site they say their building new locations, so i would think their growing in size still. I do notice their compressors are about 600lbs more each in weight. I can see myself trying to budge a 1600lbs compressor right now. They have a 5 year warranty on pretty much all their stuff.

Check out the garage journal forums if you want reviews on eaton's. Everyone that has ordered one over there has no complaints.

[Camaroholic]

Yeah, Eatons are all over garagejournal.com

I paid $931 plus tax ($80) on my 2340L5. I bought it from Grainger when it was on sale. I just happened to look at the Grainger web site, saw it was $200 off, and bought it right then. They had to truck one in from Dallas, but didn't charge me any freight for it.

Getting it off my trailer by myself was interesting though. Yes, I lost control of it and it went down (slowly, in the grass). Eventually I figured out how to use my engine hoist to sling it, and moved it easily across my shop that way. No harm done.

I-R gives a 2 year warranty if you use their Select oil. I did.

I have heard of some failures with Eatons, but they post back that customer service always took care of the issue.

[FRUSTRATED T/A]

ive decided to go with an eaton. Yes iv worked for a moving company for the last 1 1/2 years and anything over 1000lbs will need a couple guys i would think as compossors have most their weight up top so when it comes over its going too for sure. Mybe ill try and use my cherry picker to move it.

Thinking of getting the 15/10 hp 3 phase model 120 gallon. 1899 and of course 5 year warranty. Any one think i should get a different model instead, if i can manage to get off work early enough i will call them soon.
http://www.eatoncompressor.com/catal...46/1625885.htm

[Camaroholic]

You sure you can get three phase? Is it residential? Most electric companies charge $$$$ to put 3 phase in residential (if they'll even do it).

And that compressor's a monster. Good choice - as long as you can get 3 phase.

[FRUSTRATED T/A]

yes im already thinking about the power thing. Im calling a buddy to see what he knows. any insight on the matter would help though. If i cant get the power hookup im going to be very mad as im ready to poll the trigger buying something. Ive did nothing but save my money all year, PBJ's for launch every day ect lol.

[Camaroholic]

I know several home shop guys that have called the power company asking for 3 phase. I think a couple of them got flat told no, another was told it'd be a few thousand dollars to do it. Power companies just aren't set up (most of the time) to handle residential 3 phase. (disclaimer: I work for a power company ). I've known several people to get screaming deals on welders and the like, only to find out they were 3 phase and were unusable at home.

That said, if your regular service is big enough, you can get a variable frequency drive (VFD), feed it 2 phases, and it will output 3 phase. The warning here is that a 10 hp VFD will be $$$$. Probably around a grand. Lots of them are in use with lathes and mills in home shops - 1hp to 3 hp VFD's are cheap, but if you get above 5, it starts getting pretty expensive. VFDs work great on motors (but not welders).

The first call I'd make, in your shoes, would be to the power company, to find out how much a 3 phase circuit would cost. If you're in a good location, it might not be that much. If you're in the country (like me), it'd probably be cost prohibitive.

You could also call Eaton and see if they have a 10hp, 230V / single phase motor available. You'll need a big circuit for it though... 80 amp?

[FRUSTRATED T/A]

yes i called a friend and he said the same thing about the box converting and giving out 3 phase but id rather not do it that way yet. Im not out in the country or anything. Im pretty close to an industrail area like a couple blocks so i figured it would be in the area. Though i wont know for sure until i call. I was probbley going to get a 3 phase tig welder also so it might be a bummer if i cant get it. I was actually thinking of getting an acre of land for a garage but then i would be in the same boat with the price of land close to the city.

[red83]

weve got a husky (home depot) 2-stage compressor twin cyl, oil filled, and we run a 1" impact and a 1/2" impact at the same time and it works great. never drops below 90psi.

save yourself 1400.00 and dont overkill it. weve had it for over 3yrs and use it everyday for big truck maintance and work on my toys at night w/ it.

i think i paid close to 1100.00 when i bought it


jusy my opinion..

[mebuildit]

I have a Champion Centurion II, 80 gal upright with a 7 1/2hp motor single phase. I have owned this for several years and have had no problems.
I also bought recently a used 80 gal upright 5hp Coleman Black Max for $120 bucks off of Craigslist. I'm going to use that as extra storage for the volume needed to run many tools at once.

Make sure you check around locally because if you need parts it's easier to get them locally than wait for a shipment as well.

Make sure it's a 2 stage cast iron with oil, not a dry engine. Also, make sure you drain your tank daily to keep everything inside nice and dry.

If you use it a lot, then I would suggest a air dryer. I also bought one one on Craigslist for cheap and now my air is really dry and air tool friendly. Just my .02¢

[Gordon0652]

Do you want single or 3-phase? ingersoll-rand!!!