I am planning to purchase a new air compressor that would have enough cfm to run the majority of HVLP conversion guns. I've narrowed it down to two units but would welcome thoughts:
Northstar 5 hp 60 gal single stage oil lubed:
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200641298_200641298
Northstar 3 hp 60 gal single stage oil lubed:
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200641297_200641297
Max budget is 900 (I suppose). As always, lower price is better given gun purchases. I've read prior NCWW forum posts about air compressors and realize this is a frequent topic over the years. My impression after a deep dive into various brands is that "things have changed". I am not sure that an experience with a company's compressor from 10 years ago is relevant today. Like most of the other equipment we talk about, there is more outsourcing and less quality consistency. Warranties are very short and described problems frequent on recently purchased yet historically solid brands. Often times the warranty service entails shipping or driving as opposed to onsite. The Northstar is a Northern Tool brand that looks to be a clone of the Puma brand. They carry a 4 year warranty and the warranty service appears to be on site service. Reviews are generally positive. The other point I noted with historically solid brands is that their smaller compressors appear to be poorly executed with short duty life, short warranty and plenty of complaints whereas their $1200+ compressors appear to be more in line with the brand's reputation for quality compressors.
I've looked at the present day Borg versions and the companies that actually make them are suspect. Usually the warranty document expresses the actual manufacturers and the warranty details essentially make the warranty useless.
Eaton makes a beast of an air compressor but starts at around 1600 shipped for their entry 5 hp two stage.
The goal is a compressor that will run virtually any HVLP gun that I would care to use for woodworking. I know that a smaller compressor is an option with a number of quality guns using less CFM. Since I'm upgrading, I'd like to keep my gun options open. I have the Fuji 4 stage HVLP, so I'm looking to go beyond the turbine for options. Largest spray project would be cabinets. Most smaller furniture projects. No plans for air sanding.
After researching one-stage vs two-stage, I think that for budget I'm going to stick with one-stage. Two stage offers higher pressure and I believe quicker refill. I have no high pressure (i.e. 150psi etc) needs like auto work.
Advice- thoughts on the two compressors mentioned, others or corrections to thought process?
Thanks
Northstar 5 hp 60 gal single stage oil lubed:
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200641298_200641298
Northstar 3 hp 60 gal single stage oil lubed:
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200641297_200641297
Max budget is 900 (I suppose). As always, lower price is better given gun purchases. I've read prior NCWW forum posts about air compressors and realize this is a frequent topic over the years. My impression after a deep dive into various brands is that "things have changed". I am not sure that an experience with a company's compressor from 10 years ago is relevant today. Like most of the other equipment we talk about, there is more outsourcing and less quality consistency. Warranties are very short and described problems frequent on recently purchased yet historically solid brands. Often times the warranty service entails shipping or driving as opposed to onsite. The Northstar is a Northern Tool brand that looks to be a clone of the Puma brand. They carry a 4 year warranty and the warranty service appears to be on site service. Reviews are generally positive. The other point I noted with historically solid brands is that their smaller compressors appear to be poorly executed with short duty life, short warranty and plenty of complaints whereas their $1200+ compressors appear to be more in line with the brand's reputation for quality compressors.
I've looked at the present day Borg versions and the companies that actually make them are suspect. Usually the warranty document expresses the actual manufacturers and the warranty details essentially make the warranty useless.
Eaton makes a beast of an air compressor but starts at around 1600 shipped for their entry 5 hp two stage.
The goal is a compressor that will run virtually any HVLP gun that I would care to use for woodworking. I know that a smaller compressor is an option with a number of quality guns using less CFM. Since I'm upgrading, I'd like to keep my gun options open. I have the Fuji 4 stage HVLP, so I'm looking to go beyond the turbine for options. Largest spray project would be cabinets. Most smaller furniture projects. No plans for air sanding.
After researching one-stage vs two-stage, I think that for budget I'm going to stick with one-stage. Two stage offers higher pressure and I believe quicker refill. I have no high pressure (i.e. 150psi etc) needs like auto work.
Advice- thoughts on the two compressors mentioned, others or corrections to thought process?
Thanks