AutoBody101.com

Hello to everyone, I've been lurking and reading A LOT. Figured I'd introduce myself by asking a question. I'm in Texas and have recently began a frame off restoration of a 1975 Dodge Ramcharger. I have limited auto paint & body knowledge and skills from a 2 yr class I took in high school in the early 90's.

Anyway, I gather the first and likely most critical step for my project is the compressor. I have narrowed to 2 compressors but need help deciding which to purchase. I was hoping ya'll would weigh in on the two compressors I am considering for my project and tell me if they will be adequate for powering the tools necessary for this project and anything else you think I need to know.

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools ... _200641298

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools ... 720_211720

Thanks,

TXPower

Northstar compressor has a 70% duty cycle
IR compressor has a 100% duty cycle.

The 5hp/60 gallon compressor are the bare minimum for shop use IMHO.
Try one step up from where you are and see if the money changes a whole lot. You want the biggest/best you can afford.

At first glance I liked that IR machine, then I looked at its operating RPM The air pump on that machine will wear out quickly if you plan to do any sand blasting with it.

Spinning a Pump that fast will make a small air pump perform for a while BUT Its gonna get really hot and wear faster. spun at a normal 1750 I bet that pump only makes 10-11 cfm.

They are listing "motor RPM"; really wish they would show pump RPM. It should be around 900 to 1000, which is typical (due to the size ratio of the motor pulley versus pump pulley).

This is totally unscientific but one thing I look at is the weight of the unit. The IR is over 100 pounds heavier. Maybe that means something, maybe it doesn't.

I was in the same boat a few years ago and ended up with a commercial Campbell Hausfeld 7.5HP 80Gal (model CE7005) - but it was $2,000. Most likely last compressor I will ever have to buy.

I have the "forerunner" of that same 7.5 hp unit that Chris just mentioned. It is the main compressor in my wood restoration shop. It is now 26 years old and has had the main pump rebuilt one time after running 2 to 3 sanders, guns, air tools on a daily basis. Two of those years we were on a large church restoration project running that compressor two 8 hour shifts a day. We paid about $1200 for it back in the day and I could probably still sell it tomorrow for $600 to $700......the point I'm driving at here is if you could move up at least another $300 to $400 in price range that would get you looking at something like Eaton's line of compressors. Here is their web site and a featured unit that isn't a lot more bucks than what you are looking at but a pretty tremendous value......
https://www.eatoncompressor.com/industr ... compressor
Make sure and hit the specifications tab. Note the comparison about warrantee work compared to the other major brands and also look at a new caption they'e added to most of their units.... NO CHINESE PARTS
They had gotten some bad press about using some Chinese parts in the past and have been making an effort to change that.

chris wrote:They are listing "motor RPM"; really wish they would show pump RPM. It should be around 900 to 1000, which is typical (due to the size ratio of the motor pulley versus pump pulley).

Ya need to ask what Pump RPM is Depending on sizes of pulleys used they could be stepping motor RPM down slower if so might not be a bad starter unit.
Still I haven't ever seen very many single dual piston pumps put out the CFM there claiming not that there isnt any they are just not that common.

In the description of the IR air compressor it states that the pump rpm is 950 (right above "key specs"). I've got the 80 gallon 2 stage version and it powers my sanders, paint guns & blast cabinet just fine. At least this single stage is a true 5 hp (21.5 amp). I bought the 2 stage 80 gallon IR from Tractor Supply for about the same price 2 years ago. The 80 gallon 2 stage at Tractor Supply right now is $999 with free shipping until 12/25.

INXS2 wrote:In the description of the IR air compressor it states that the pump rpm is 950 (right above "key specs"). I

nice catch i missed that on my first glance!
Thats a cool little compressor if it really does meet those specs. trouble is so many manufactures lie about compressor specs its hard to believe anything they say.

the only air compressor pump manufacturer in USA that I know of that actually produces a pump and will stand behind there specs is Eaton or Polar air same company.
I have personally dealt with there higher management they are very proud of there reputation and will fight vigorously to defend it. and will bendover backwards to please a customer these guys are really great! and worth your buisness.

My daughter, wife and myself have talked about probably buying one last large compressor as we near retirement and I just keep coming back to Eaton as I've done research and talked to people that own them. I especially like the fact that they are user friendly as far as us doing our own service on them. A lot of the cheaper compressors now are more like "throwaways." That 's not me talking, either, that's the industrial service guys that service these units that I have used over the years.

When one of my pumps took a dump and I needed a new pump I went to Eaton on your suggestion and I was happy with there 3 cylinder 18 cfm pumps been turning them with two so called 5 hp motors for years now. I recently ordered the rebuild kit for the valves. They say I wont need the valves as they just gum up over time when they get abused lol

i am at the point now where I am looking at there 10 hp Twin 35 cfm pump now.
I am going to buy a 7.5 hp motor to drive it then get the right pully from them.
I can get the Pump for $525 right now + $300 for shipping! I hate shipping!
Then I have found 7.5 hp Motors for $600-$700 a true 10hp single phase is way up there. $1000 neighborhood. even if I belly up for the 10 hp motor I am still cheaper than buying a whole new compressor with shipping.