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Well my cobble together compressor that I have had for years now gave up the ghost this weekend. While it was not a name brand and had anorthern Tools 3.5 Hp motor and 60 gal tank it served mw well over the years. I'm currently looking for a replacement, something 5-7.5 Hp, 80 gal tank, 2 stage. I have all of the paint and body work to complete on the '59 as well as many other projects. I use a blast cabinet quite often and have recently purchased a blasting tank so good CFM is a must.

I'm looking for sugestions and advice on type and brand for the replacement.

If you have stores nearby that have 2-stage 120/240 volt air compressors, check them out first (to save on shipping charges).

Compare warranties and compare costs of extended warranties.

Home Depot, Lowes, Harbor Freight, Walmart, Tractor Supply, Northern Tool, Granger, etc.

I used a Harbor Freight compressor for many (over 30) years in upstate New York.

I have had a Lowes compressor in my NC home's garage for over eight years.

In both locations, I plumbed air lines (black iron pipe) with condensation "drops" and drains.
As I dimly recall, TP Tools has good infornmation on "plumbing" air compressor lines [tptools.com].

I replaced my compressor a few years ago and I wanted one built in the USA, I found that Quincy made a 5HP 60 gallon that did what I needed. I use my blast cabinet all the time and it does fine...it has a continuous run duty cycle so I never need to stop. I got it from Northern Tool...signed up as a member and got an immediate discount...I think it was free shipping as well. The biggest difference in what I had and the new is that the motor on the old unit ran at 1750 rpm and the new runs at 3450 rpm, so it's a lot nosier.

Mike B

Got a single stage, 60 gallon Ingersol upright from Tractor Supply. I don't believe I paid a whole lot to have it shipped to me. I've had it for 2 years, bought it for the high CFM rating compared to other 60 gallon compressors. No complaints yet. Keeps up with all the painting I can throw at it.

Quincy is top of the line, if you can afford it it's the last one you'll need to buy.

Ask Alvin Achipmunk what he has. He likes his.

Can't go wrong with Quincy or Ingersoll compressors. Look at the motor speed (lower is quieter), as well as the CFM specs. I came across an older Devilbiss 5 HP 60 gal that does the job for me. They aren't available any more. A friend bought a 5 HP compressor from Lowes that is a decent rig.

We have five compressors; all horizontal 80g tank except the John Deere Diesel for sand blasting. Quincy is my favorite but we have a Speed Air from Grainger that is going on 38 years old and trouble free. Just make sure they have cast iron pumps and nothing aluminum.

For high volume work such as bead or sand blasting, consider converting a 4 or 6 cylinder engine into a compressor. It's fairly simple to disable half the cylinders and run on the others. For a lot of years, jackhammers used for pavement demolition were made by converting Model A Ford engines to run on two cylinders and compress on two. The same thing could be done with a big 4 cylinder, a 12 port head six such as a Ford 300 or a Jeep, or even a small block V8. I've used a compressor made from a 302 Ford- - - -that thing could really move some air!

Block off the intake valve, put a weak spring on the exhaust valve, and make the exhaust port a fresh air inlet. Put a one way check valve into the spark plug hole. Every down stroke of the piston draws air into the cylinder, and every upstroke compresses. That turns the "compressor" cylinders into a 2-stroke configuration, pushing pressurized air into the storage tank with every turn of the crankshaft. It's also possible to incorporate a governor to control engine speed and an unloader similar to what an air brake compressor uses to control maximum tank pressure.
Jerry

I purchased a Champion 7.5 hp 80 gallon compressor. It is very nice, runs quiet, has all of the CFM’s I need. Runs on my drier breaker , I believe 60 amp - 220 volt.

For the money it’s a nice machine.

Well made.

I kept it on its shipping pallet and slightly cut down the width and length, , installed locking casters, and it sits on a rubber mat from Tractor Supply. I can roll it around if needed and it’s very stable with the wide pallet base.