Why El Cheapo compressors are no bargain

[Humdinger]

Lots of users don't realize the amount of energy in high pressure air and how it stresses a compressor. When I was first starting out in PCPs I learned my lesson by not following proper procedure when filling a rifle. I pulled out the fill probe after filling to 200 bar without first opening the bleed valve on the tank. The tiny amount of pressurized air in the microbore hose sounded like a gun shot. It was a lesson never forgotten and gave me an instant appreciation of the energy in high pressure air.

Box compressors selling at similar prices as name brand hand pumps are not durable or reliable. These oilless box compressors can only be built economically in China where labor is cheap, liability is not a cost of doing business, and repairs are impractical due to shipping expense. The metallurgy of these box compressors is substandard for the amount of stress they endure. Leaks are common and failures are inevitable. It's like expecting a VW beetle to tow a boat trailer. It might for a time or two but it will break down quickly as it's not built for the task.

There should be a separate forum for these repetitive posts. It seems that 75% of questions asked on this forum are from people asking 1) What's the best budget compressor? 2) My budget compressor is broken. How do I fix it?

These questions are asked ad nauseum on this forum. My reply is as follows.

Please use the search function as this has been asked a million times already. If you read this forum you will see many posts with the same question.

Moral of the story. You get what you pay for. An oilless box compressor is "plug and pray" and a waste of money. Owners spend more time repairing them than filling with them.

 

[RabbitofCaerbannog]

Lots of users fail to comprehend the amount of energy in compressed air at the pressures required for a PCP. When I was first starting out in PCPs I learned my lesson by not following proper procedure when filling a rifle. I pulled out the fill probe after filling to 200 bar without first opening the bleed valve on the tank. The tiny amount of air in the microbore fill hose at this pressure sounded like a gun shot. It was a lesson never forgotten and gave me an instant appreciation of the energy in high pressure air.

Air compressors designed to sell at prices hand pumps used to sell for are not reliable or durable. These oilless box compressors can only be built economically in China where labor is dirt cheap, liability is not a cost of doing business, and warranties/repairs are non existent. The metallurgy of these economy compressors is substandard for the amount of stress generated at high pressure air. Leaks and failures are inevitable. It's like expecting a VW beetle to tow a trailer. It might a time or two but it will die quickly as it's up to the task.

There should be a separate forum for these incessant posts. It seems that 75% of questions asked on this forum are from people who ask 1) What's the best "budget" compressor? 2) My "budget" compressor is broken. How do I fix it?

These questions are asked ad nauseum on this forum. My thought is always to respond by asking:

Can you use the search function as this has been asked a million times already? If you had read this forum you will see lots of failures just like yours.

Moral of the story. You got what you paid for. An oilless box compressor is "plug and pray" and a waste of time and money. Owners spend more time fixing them than using them.

Not everyone has the budget to drop money on a $1000+ compressor to fill a gun or tank. For many it's easier to spend $200-$300, get 6-8 months of good use out of it, rinse and repeat. Than to spend 3-10x the price. Some people make the decision with full knowledge. Shooting costs money, period. Ammo or air, powder, primers, presses, lead. Solvents, lubes, cleaning accoutrements and cases. . going through 4 cheapo compressors in 2 years for $800-1200 is less of an impact on ones wallet than spending $800-3500 at once.

 

[Camaro454]

Lots of users fail to comprehend the amount of energy in compressed air at the pressures required for a PCP. When I was first starting out in PCPs I learned my lesson by not following proper procedure when filling a rifle. I pulled out the fill probe after filling to 200 bar without first opening the bleed valve on the tank. The tiny amount of air in the microbore fill hose at this pressure sounded like a gun shot. It was a lesson never forgotten and gave me an instant appreciation of the energy in high pressure air.

Air compressors designed to sell at prices hand pumps used to sell for are not reliable or durable. These oilless box compressors can only be built economically in China where labor is dirt cheap, liability is not a cost of doing business, and warranties/repairs are non existent. The metallurgy of these economy compressors is substandard for the amount of stress generated at high pressure air. Leaks and failures are inevitable. It's like expecting a VW beetle to tow a trailer. It might a time or two but it will die quickly as it's up to the task.

There should be a separate forum for these incessant posts. It seems that 75% of questions asked on this forum are from people who ask 1) What's the best "budget" compressor? 2) My "budget" compressor is broken. How do I fix it?

These questions are asked ad nauseum on this forum. My thought is always to respond by asking:

Can you use the search function as this has been asked a million times already? If you had read this forum you will see lots of failures just like yours.

Moral of the story. You got what you paid for. An oilless box compressor is "plug and pray" and a waste of time and money. Owners spend more time fixing them than using them.

I could not have said it better. I did large industrial startups in China before I retired and can assure you their QC is non existent. Many items are passed thru without ever reaching test specs. Attorneys in China except for governmental purposes are almost non existent while here they consume airwaves 24/7. You only recourse if injured is to sue the distributor...good luck these laws differ in every state. Eyes wide open they will fail and value is very subjective. I own a Tuxing and baby it knowing full well it will fail.

 

[RabbitofCaerbannog]

I could not have said it better. I did large industrial startups in China before I retired and can assure you their QC is non existent. Many items are passed thru without ever reaching test specs. Attorneys in China except for governmental purposes are almost non existent while here they consume airwaves 24/7. You only recourse if injured is to sue the distributor...good luck these laws differ in every state. Eyes wide open they will fail and value is very subjective. I own a Tuxing and baby it knowing full well it will fail.

I use them as well. I have replacement parts ready to go and constantly disassemble. Lube the seals, clean the piston and cylinder, lube the con rod and shaft. Observing the duty cycle ALWAYS is another big one in order to stretch the life cycle as long as possible. Spent money on a Hill compressor, they fail too, which is considerably more of a gut check than losing a 200 spritech or tuxing you expect to replace within half a year.

 

[bowwild]

I tried a $2,000 compressor (new) and have a GX s3-I now ($400). I've already used the GX more times than I ever used that $2,000 one before it broke.

 

[Shooter22]

Lots of users fail to comprehend the amount of energy in compressed air at the pressures required for a PCP. When I was first starting out in PCPs I learned my lesson by not following proper procedure when filling a rifle. I pulled out the fill probe after filling to 200 bar without first opening the bleed valve on the tank. The tiny amount of air in the microbore fill hose at this pressure sounded like a gun shot. It was a lesson never forgotten and gave me an instant appreciation of the energy in high pressure air.

Air compressors designed to sell at prices hand pumps used to sell for are not reliable or durable. These oilless box compressors can only be built economically in China where labor is dirt cheap, liability is not a cost of doing business, and warranties/repairs are non existent. The metallurgy of these economy compressors is substandard for the amount of stress generated at high pressure air. Leaks and failures are inevitable. It's like expecting a VW beetle to tow a trailer. It might a time or two but it will die quickly as it's up to the task.

There should be a separate forum for these incessant posts. It seems that 75% of questions asked on this forum are from people who ask 1) What's the best "budget" compressor? 2) My "budget" compressor is broken. How do I fix it?

These questions are asked ad nauseum on this forum. My thought is always to respond by asking:

Can you use the search function as this has been asked a million times already? If you had read this forum you will see lots of failures just like yours.

Moral of the story. You got what you paid for. An oilless box compressor is "plug and pray" and a waste of time and money. Owners spend more time fixing them than using them.

Well Sir, I bought a cheap basic Chinese made compressor for under £200 11 years ago, and it still works, But I only use it to fill guns not dive bottles.

 

[Gerry52]

My 1st Yong Heng, $289, lasted 3.5 years of topping off tanks, not guns. With a $40 extended warranty I got a FULL refund when it died. About 8 months into my new YH & oil is still crystal clear, build quality more robust & tops off my tanks in about 10 minutes. For someone on fixed income this is Nirvana! You guys who flippantly suggest spending big (based on your own financial situation) are missing the bottom line! We "poor people" get to shoot & be happy like you "rich people"!!! THANK YOU CHINA!

 

[RabbitofCaerbannog]

My 1st Yong Heng, $289, lasted 3.5 years of topping off tanks, not guns. With a $40 extended warranty I got a FULL refund when it died. About 8 months into my new YH & oil is still crystal clear, build quality more robust & tops off my tanks in about 10 minutes. For someone on fixed income this is Nirvana! You guys who flippantly suggest spending big (based on your own financial situation) are missing the bottom line! We "poor people" get to shoot & be happy like you "rich people"!!! THANK YOU CHINA!

The fact that some Chinese companies, especially optics companies, but some of these Airgun companies and compressed air product manufacturers putting out products that actually perform and are starting to improve customer service should cast an ominous shadow on domestic American and European manufacturers of the same. I prefer not shopping with China after spending some time there, however, when the difference in spending is so vast I cannot ignore my own self interests. So yes, hopefully some of our guys get the point and make reasonably affordable products that perform like the American quality products of old.

Some of the products my grandparents had when they passed were as old as my parents and still functioned perfectly. The age of intentional timed obsolescence and material degradation needs to die a horrible death.

 

[ChickenDumpling]

Been a bargain for me. May not shoot as much as many here nor filling scuba tanks. GX has been fine thus far. At this rate could do a rebuild or just consider it disposable and buy another. Not saying I wouldn't get a high end but depends on how active I stick with it. I really need a snow blower, but two kids still at home to push that off for several more years.

 

[WorriedMan]

Humdinger, I'm with you, unfortunately, some find this a hard pill to swallow. Best we can do is warn folks and hope for the best. Also, been told by some they join AGN for the discourse, not to wander around some dusty archive. WM

 

[Dr. Kralenstein]

Yong heng going strong for 3 years filling tanks and guns. I never let it get too hot, even if it means taking longer to fill up my 45 minute tank and 3L tank.

If it dies, I'll get another and rebuild the old one. I'll still be miles ahead on savings at that point. I paid $200 for mine.

 

[blackdog899]

The $200 spent was mine to spend if I regret anything it was wasting $60 on a hand pump. Having been a hunter and shooter for 54 years I sure didn’t know if Airguning would be something I’d get into more . So far after only 6 weeks it still works but I have already upgraded. The guns I have were $500, 420, 500, and 900. Will I spend into the thousands for one,
maybe .
I got my money’s worth

 

[RabbitofCaerbannog]

Buys brocock atomic, "why you need an alkin w31 gasoline diving compressor to fill it"

Literally the gun can explode if it tastes poverty in the air....

 

[Gerry52]

Lots of users fail to comprehend the amount of energy in compressed air at the pressures required for a PCP. When I was first starting out in PCPs I learned my lesson by not following proper procedure when filling a rifle. I pulled out the fill probe after filling to 200 bar without first opening the bleed valve on the tank. The tiny amount of air in the microbore fill hose at this pressure sounded like a gun shot. It was a lesson never forgotten and gave me an instant appreciation of the energy in high pressure air.

Air compressors designed to sell at prices hand pumps used to sell for are not reliable or durable. These oilless box compressors can only be built economically in China where labor is dirt cheap, liability is not a cost of doing business, and warranties/repairs are non existent. The metallurgy of these economy compressors is substandard for the amount of stress generated at high pressure air. Leaks and failures are inevitable. It's like expecting a VW beetle to tow a trailer. It might a time or two but it will die quickly as it's up to the task.

There should be a separate forum for these incessant posts. It seems that 75% of questions asked on this forum are from people who ask 1) What's the best "budget" compressor? 2) My "budget" compressor is broken. How do I fix it?

These questions are asked ad nauseum on this forum. My thought is always to respond by asking:

Can you use the search function as this has been asked a million times already? If you had read this forum you will see lots of failures just like yours.

Moral of the story. You got what you paid for. An oilless box compressor is "plug and pray" and a waste of time and money. Owners spend more time fixing them than using them.

I got what I could afford & NOT start divorce proceedings. You state your opinions as if they're the truth. They are not, they're only opinions. Yes, lots of posts regarding compressor failures. Also many relatively small & easy fixes & successes. My compressor (YH) already paid for itself in less than a year, has yours? Don't think that because people have to go a more inexpensive route than you that they're not as SMART as you. Financially, it's my OPINION that my spending has been SMARTER than yours & I'm very happy & grateful to have the things I do. I spend WAAAAAY more time enjoying what I've got & not fixing or fretting so your math & opinions differ greatly from my personal experience. Try to learn some humility & empathy for others not as Financially well off as you & Happy Holidays.

 

[WorriedMan]

Gerry,
I read Humdinger's comments as a warning to avoid the oil-less, waterless, multi-power, high-speed fan only cooled rectangular box compressors, not anything against YH or GX-CS series. Also didn't see any pitch for the big dollar units, but I might be missing something. WM

 

[Gerry52]

Gerry,
I read Humdinger's comments as a warning to avoid the oil-less, waterless, multi-power, high-speed fan only cooled rectangular box compressors, not anything against YH or GX-CS series. Also didn't see any pitch for the big dollar units, but I might be missing something. WM

Maybe missed something or misunderstood it. I get the oiless thing as heat is the main thing that will kill ANY compressor. I'll read OP's post again with a more "chill" set of eyes.
EDIT: OK, reread it. Yeah he mentions oiless compressors twice near beginning & end. All I saw the 1st time through was "cheap China compressor" quality, build & functionality. Maybe Humdinger wasn't besmirching my "quality" Yong Heng!

 

[blackdog899]

I think most of us newer guys did their due diligence and bought the $200 Chinese junk knowing exactly what we were doing . Unsolicited advice that ends with it’s a waste of time and money .. sorry buddy info already out there.
I’ll tell you I read and reread several times and I find it insulting.

 

[bchannell]

I can assure you the OP has no real knowledge of ,at least, some of the "cheap“ compressors.
I'll only talk about GX, as I have three at three places I live and shoot. I also assure you I can afford any air compressor I want and I come from many decades of industrial experience. So I know compressors.
Gx units are robust and fairly slow running (comparitively) thus they can, properly cared for, last for years, all things being equal. With parts readily available and easy maintenance and repair, they offer great value.
I have three, going on 2-3 years and i have yet to replace a single part on any of them.

 

[Frank in Fairfield]

I have a CS2 for my PRod.
I also belong to a club that gives us free fills from the club owned Bauer.
The club fills the Guppy which has a lot of air for the PRod.

 

[WorriedMan]

Maybe missed something or misunderstood it. I get the oiless thing as heat is the main thing that will kill ANY compressor. I'll read OP's post again with a more "chill" set of eyes.
EDIT: OK, reread it. Yeah he mentions oiless compressors twice near beginning & end. All I saw the 1st time through was "cheap China compressor" quality, build & functionality. Maybe Humdinger wasn't besmirching my "quality" Yong Heng!

Nobody's more patient and helpful than you in helping those unfortunate rectangular box compressor guys out of a jam, Humdingers just trying to head them off at the pass, as I see it. WM