Ingersoll Rand also makes air compressors for most applications. This is one I like for home or garage use. It’s quieter than a typical air compressor and it’s pretty tough.
It has two quick-connect couplers so that you can run two tools together if you want.
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| HP: |
2 |
| Volts: |
120 |
| CFM at 90 PSI: |
4.3 |
| CFM at 135 PSI: |
3.2 |
| Max. PSI: |
135 |
| Tank Type: |
Twin stack |
| Air Tank Size (gal.): |
4 |
| Stage: |
Single |
| Motor Phase(s): |
Single |
| Amps: |
15 |
| Air Outlet Size (in.): |
1/4 |
| Portable or Stationary: |
Portable |
| Pump: |
Cast iron |
| oil lube |
|
| Duty Cycle: |
100% |
| Dimensions L x W x H (in.): |
19 x 19 x 19 |
This air compressor is called a two-stack since it has two ‘stacked’ cannisters for the compressed air. It has a 2hp single stage motor.
It also has a fully balanced crankshaft that minimizes vibration as well as a protective back covering and enclosed frame for taking a beating.
It comes with two 1/4″ couplers, a front panel mounted regulator and pressure guage, two 4 gallon tanks, lubricant and a power cord.
Keep in mind it weighs 82.8 lbs.
User Reviews: (from Amazon)
Paul, Arkansas: Sep 2011
I put this little compressor to the test the past few days running some air tools, I wanted one with 2 air couplers that would build air pressure fast, I use 1 coupler to hook up a 10gal portable tank and the other to run airhog tools like a blow gun to clean out my outside A/C unit.
DuesEx, Ohio: Sep 2011
So for under $300 you get a workhorse that ready to go nearly right out of the box!!! When I was looking at compressors all of my friends said, “Ah just get your self a pancake compressor or something…” I am SO glad I didn’t listen. This compressr doesn’t take up much more space than a pancake and is ten times the value!!!
Why to buy this over other compressors…
-First, it’s an oil operated unit which means it’s quiet and will last much longer than typical units. Quiet is a realative term mind you, it’s still pretty loud but if you’ve ever stood next to a non-oiled unit you’ll understand why I appritiate this and call it quiet. As I said, this unit if maintained should last many years.
-Capacity…okay this is a small compressor, but that’s probably what your looking for. Larger units cost considerably more and weight a ton! This unit weights in at 79 lbs which while isn’t fun to lug around is still do-able. I take it to where I keep my travel trailer stored and air up the tires about ever two months. It’s a 4 gal capacity which really isn’t all that important unless you’re running a large volume tool. In any case, this isn’t build for running “continuous flow tools” like grinders and sand blasters. However it’s worked flawlessly with my pnematic nailers even when I’ve been in “burst mode”. One more word about capacity…motor output and in turn CFM determine a compressors capability. Larger tank capasity does not instantly translate to more CFM.
-Motor…this is a 2HP motor which one of these days I will measure the amperage on. Don’t be fooled by off brands that claim rediclous HP numbers. If it’s a 15-20A 120V compressor (or any appliance for that matter) the best you can hope for is around 2 HP. I won’t get into the physics but that’s the limit. If you’re curious as to why, a quick google search should solve the mystery. If you legitimately need more HP and more CFM, you’re going to have to look at 240V models and shell out a lot more $$$. By comparison a 240V 3HP Ingersoll Rand 8 gal “wheel barrel” compressor is in the $750 range and weights close to 200 lbs. So this is for the DIYers and contractors that run nailers, staplers, perhaps low volume paint sprayers (but that’s questionable.)
-Duty cycle & CFM… One thing that sold me on this unit is it has 100% duty cycle. Most compressors in this size range are not. They need time to cool down so they don’t overheat. This being a oiled unit stays cool enough to run continously or so claims IR. The CFM rating at 90 psi is 4.3 so that gives quite a bit of output. I’ve even considered trying an impact gun. I know it wouldn’t run continously but for busting lugs I’m curious to see if it would work. If and when I try it I’ll update. Also as I mensioned above, the market is now flooded with high volume low pressure sprayers. So since CFM increases as psi decreases this unit may have enough power to run a HVLP sprayer. I do intend to try this and will update when I do. Back to duty cycle, according to IR, if your running a tool that runs on 4 CFM at 90 psi, it should be able to run contiuously on this compressor. But this could also be a good tool for a group of contractors running several smaller tools at the same time such as nailers.
-Features… On the face of the unit is your instruments and connections. A typical two gauge readout and regulator. Plus two quick disconnectos. So two guys can work of this one unit without any additional manifolds. Nice touch IR!!! After that it’s pretty basic.
-Durability… Well built! The instruments built into a steel plate as seen in the photo. Around which a 1″ square steel tube makes the face rigid and protects it from the inevitable jobsite reality of something getting dropped on it. The tank and carry handles are welded and feel rock solid. And the motor and compressor block are sandwitched in between for maximum protection. It’s a well thought out design that protects itself. The plate the motor is bolted to has a rubber seal under it to absorb vibration and protect the instruments. The four feet are also rubber so it doesn’t vibrate it’s way across the room.
A couple of downsides…
-In the box you get a bottle of starter oil and an air filter. However once it comes time to replace them, they are hard to find. The compressor will run on synthetic motor oil (check your instructions for what type) however if I recall correctly I think it voids your warrenty. IR does bottle their own oil (I’m running All Season Select) however it doesn’t give an ammount to put in. So you have to fill it and check it with the dip stick. I still haven’t found a replacement air filter…I think at this point the only option left is to contact IR directly.
-20A or 15A… The instructions say to run this compressor on a 20A circuit. Presumably since during startup the compressor motor will spike above 15A momentarily. I’ve read some reviews where people said they’ve run these on 15A circuits without issue, but I wouldn’t bank on that. Before you buy, check and see if you have a 20A outlet somewhere to run this on.
Brian, Sep 2011:
Just home after a 14hr day to find my new compressor. Will give my initial impressions with the idea that I will do a more in depth review after I spend some time working with it. I did not have any of the shipping issues that have bedeviled others. Gauges et-al were intact. Packing was nothing more than a heavy cardboard box, but it seems to have done the trick.
As far as the unit goes, it a bit larger than I had expected and every bit as heavy as I had been led to believe. If you need a compressor like this then you, no doubt, can carry it, but I wouldn’t want to hump this beast up a ladder very frequently. Although it does have a very solid handle and the more delicate bits are tucked away, it doesn’t balance all that well and seems unwieldy at best. If you are used to one of those awful PC pancakes,it’s going to take some getting used to. Mine is going in a cart just as soon as I have the time to make one.
Size and weight aside, it has a few other issues you might keep in mind. It has a very short cord. Almost silly short. Everybody knows that you aren’t supposed to run your compressor on an extension, so why make it any more tempting with an abbreviated power supply? You always need more hose than you think you do, so, do yourself a favor and bring what you got for this one.
That said, there is no provision for cord, hose, or accessory storage. You could wrap around the handle, but that’s about it. Yet another reason to put it in a cart.
The only other ding, if you want to call it that, has to do with the lube system. Noooo, not that it is oil lube. You already know that oil lube is the way to go. Its just that, in a machine that requires oil, translucent amber oil at that, why on earth would you make the dipstick yellow? In good light at home, it is essentially unreadable. I’m going to have to figure out some alternative way other than taste for low light jobsite conditions.
Other than those considerations, this compressor seems to be absolutely top notch as advertised. It filled up in less than 15 seconds and the pressure knob is easy to use. It certainly isn’t silent, but it doesn’t scatter the dogs either. If you’ve been putting up with an oil-less monster, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. I doubt my little CH is going to get much work from now on.
Well…as promised, I am adding to this after some on OJT. Unfortunately, I’m going to have to do a 180. As I write this, the compressor is boxed up in the truck waiting to go back to the shipper. It failed. After a month of light use, it would not run up over 90psi. It had no problem making and holding pressure, quickly, but it wouldn’t make 135 on the tank side. Good recept, good breaker, 75f, but nothing doing. Call to IR and on phone diagnosis was bad limit switch. Sent me to in town service center (2hr round trip) only to have service center say they didn’t work on small IR compressors. Call back to IR and they offered to ship me the parts. At this point…I had to tap out. If I had the time and inclination to fix my compressor, I wouldn’t have spent so much on a new one. It’s possible mine was a one off lemon, but I don’t have the time or the energy to try again. I’m off to the Orange store to buy one that I can exchange if it doesn’t work. Oh, and the dip stick broke. Go figure.
Sam, Sep 2011:
Quick to gain pressure and built to last. You can’t go wrong with an Ingersoll Rand! A lot of value in this purchase.
T Wright, Oct 2011:
I did a lot of searching of reviews before settling on buying the IR compressor. The key things I was looking for were a compressor powerful enough for me to inflate tires. I change my own motorcycle tires and need a compressor that will seat the bead. I also wanted one that was quieter than my previous Grizzly compressor. My final consideration was the size and footprint.
I’m pleased to say this one fits each of my criteria. This compressor is quiet (for a compressor), it is powerful enough for my needs, and it has a relatively small footprint. It is a bit heavy so if you need to move it around check out the weight and see if that will work for you.
J. Mountain, Tennessee Oct 2011:
Added this to my Amazon cart when it was $282.50! Thought about it and several others in its class. I’ve been buying “bargain” compressors. My latest Chinese built broke about a month ago (I get about a year out of these bargains), and I wanted to replace it with something more reliable and repairable.
So I thought this over for a few days, and concluded that the Ingersoll Rand was the best deal Because of its specs; the 100% duty cycle motor was a big selling point. But the decision was mostly made based on the brand.
When I got back on Amazon to place the order, the price had jumped to $329! So it looked like my delay cost me 50 bucks. I did not change my mind! I still thought this was the right compressor. Before I “pulled the trigger” I did a search and price comparison; found it here: [...] for $279 plus 6.50 shipping. Ordered on Sunday it arrived on Friday, in good shape, well packaged.
Nice and quiet, Built pressure fast and held it unplugged for 3 days. Used it yesterday to run a finish nailer (pretty light duty) it worked fine. It feels solid, and it’s an Ingersoll Rand! And my delay cost me less than 3 bucks.
Zug Zug, Oct 2011:
My buddy and I use this compressor, for the most part, as a forced air supply for a forge fire. It has been torture tested for well over 10 hours in humid, arrid, and cold weather. It performs flawlessly. This is the heaviest “portable” compressor that I have found, but well worth the extra effort to lug around. just balance the twin tankes up against the side of your leg as you walk and you will be fine. 5 stars through and through.
Sweetone, Jan 2012
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