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Wed Mar 12, 2014 4:07 pm

Im building a garage and have been researching air compressors. I will be spraying paint and sand blasting so I'll need a 2 stage compressor. I think I've decided on a Bel Aire 318vl. I've never owned a Bel Aire, we have always had IRs. The 318vl is specd really well, but that doesn't say anything about quality.

http://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/BelAire-418VL-Air-Compressor/p11476.html

Anyone have any experience or opinions on this brand?

Wed Mar 12, 2014 4:11 pm

Why not choose the Ingersol Rand unit that's at the bottom of the page?, same price and USA made with at least some remnants of a good reputation.

Wed Mar 12, 2014 4:34 pm

Yeah that's a good point. The only difference between that compressor and the bel aire is that the bel aire has an after cooler. I plan to get a devilbiss desiccant air dryer so the after cooler should make or break it.

Wed Mar 12, 2014 6:37 pm

If it's only a finned piece of hollow cast iron driving your decision a coil of copper tubing will do the same thing and likely cost less than the down time due to lack of spare parts support. The Chinese do get it right occasionally, some of thier stuff is tough and reliable, but most is built for the minimum unit cost without any thoughts towards repeat customers, sometimes you get lucky, somtimes you lose, like gambling?

Wed Mar 12, 2014 7:31 pm

Haha, no I never gamble. Thanks for talking some sense in to me, the IR is the smarter choice. I know I will be able to get parts for it 5 years from now if need be, the Bel Aire is a different story.

Wed Mar 12, 2014 8:13 pm

DO NOT buy a IR from anyone but a authorized dealer. i have been having issues with my IR (now, hopefully fixed) the 'deal' is that unless it is from a real IR dealer, it is a cheaper model of the same compressor

the only thing shared is the tanks, the compressor and motor are different. i watched the parts guy pull up the 'real' IR parts diagram vs the 'big box' unit, the difference in parts/quality was amazing....

just be careful where you buy from, and i would plunk down the loot for a extended warranty

Wed Mar 12, 2014 9:57 pm

Ahhhh..so maybe assembled in the US, but possibly from components made offshore?, regardless the all out Chinese and the supposedly somewhat US made for the same price isn't really hard to choose IMO.

Wed Mar 12, 2014 10:59 pm

I was also considering a champion compressor, and Quincy. I just need to keep researching I guess. I didn't know that it could lead to problems not buying from a IR dealer.

Thu Mar 13, 2014 5:53 pm

my issue was i kept blowing head gaskets. mind you, i ran my grandfathers craftsman hard with no issues...

i did the break in, oil change, the works...i dust it, drain it and treat it real good. my first h/g blew at only a few hours. i figured i was the lucky 1 in a 100000. no biggie, they offer to send someone 3 weeks from sunday to fix it, i said just send me the parts

rince and repeat. blew again. this time no warranty, but a magic 'new improved' torque spec, then i was told basically my tractor supply i/r was lower quality...even though they are a dealer. needless to say i was pissed.

so from now on, i go to ACE (air compressor engineering) they are a pretty big company. see if there is one in your area. super friendly people

Thu Mar 13, 2014 7:16 pm

I am planning on this one myself....

http://www.bendpak.com/compressors/air-compressors/ls580v-601.aspx#

Fri Mar 14, 2014 5:04 am

I'm surprised at all the problems skills has had. I've known a lot of guys to have IRs, and not have any trouble with them at all. If I bought one, it would be from tractor supply, so I will eliminate that choice.

That bend pak looks like a solid compressor. I thought puma made them, and they were the same as an atlas compressor but I guess not seeing that it has an iron pump.

I think I'm set on this compressor now,
http://www.tptools.com/Champion-Heavy-Duty-75HP-2-Stage-80-Gal-Air-Compressor,6251.html?b=d*8065
There only an hour and a half away from me, and they have free shipping. Champion makes a good compressor.

Fri Mar 14, 2014 7:52 am

just be careful. If it has a serial number like 12345 you're probably ok. If it has a s/n 12345TS (tractor supply) HD(home depot) etc is is a lesser compressor. This is according to the IR parts guy. The letter designation in the model or s/n denotes what company it was made for