Air Compressors

[FranMike Harley]

Hi SSV.. In the market for an air compressor. Don't know much about them except for what I found on the internet. Was hoping to get your suggestions and comments..

 

1) Oil vs Oil-less -  I understand oil is quieter and longer lasting but requires more maintenance

 

2) What PSI ? - I'm not looking to do heavy duty auto work. Yes on craft type stuff, brad nailer, stapler, occasional tire inflation, but something powerful enough so that if I want to do a little heavier work around the house later on (like painting, shooting nails, etc.), I'll have the capability to do it. ( I don't want to get something now and later on say, I should have went for the xxx instead)

 

3) Cost - Up to $300. Don't care if it's horizontal or vertical

 

4) Noise - I don't want something that sounds like I'm in tire city where it's going to wake up the neighborhood (again, oil one then ?)

 

Appreciate any suggestions, comments.. I was looking at some of them in Harbor Freight and Sears (Craftsman)..

 

Thanks in advance !!

 

 

[Scrappile]

I'm looking to get one that will be in my little shop.  I want small, reasonably quiet but powerful enough to work with.  I'd like it to operate a brad nailer, and blow dust off things.  I have pondered this a long time and this is the one I have decided to get when I have the extra mad money:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Senco-PC1010-1-Horsepower-1-Gallon-Compressor/dp/B0000AQK78/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1456675440&sr=8-1&keywords=senco+air+compressor

 

 The reason is, the guy that has done remodeling for us over the years has one.  His wife bought it for him around 12 years ago and he swears by it.  Small, light weight, quiet (as far as compressors go), a little work horse.  He run a construction company, home builders, does the work for us on the side.  It runs his nail gun, just fine.  Not for all day ever day work, but for the smaller jobs like for me, he loves it. That is good enough recommendation for me.  Ideal for my little basement shop.

Edited February 28, 2016 by Scrappile

[Falcon]

I got this from lowe's for under $100 pretty pleased with it.

http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Hawk-2-Gallon-120-Volt-Compressor/dp/B00YUAMLUI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1456677625&sr=8-1&keywords=blue+hawk+air+compressor

[Phantom Scroller]

I want one for a nail gun but are the oil ones dangerous inside with fumes? Roly

[rjR]

To explain a few things:

 

PSI== pounds  of pressure per square inch

 

CFM== cubic feet per minute

 

Oil-less would leave no oil reside in the air that is compressed.  Oil separators are also available. For painting you want the water & oil separator . Nailers would not need it. Nailers do use quite a bit of air too.

 

Get a water separator somewhere in line-- especially if it is even close to a moist climate  Here in western OR it is extremely necessary.

 

Big tanks give a more steady air pressure than the "constant-run " little ones.  

 

You will not need over 100-125 PSI-- Heavy truck tires run that kind of air pressure, not needed for smaller units! My 3/4 ton pickup takes 85psi in the tires, my RV trailer runs 70-- to help give you a guide.

 

I would but the best one that fits the uses and other situation.  Also remember that they take a lot of power-- NO EXTENSION cords for anything except RARE occasions!

 

Hope this helps and good luck.   There is a very flexible thin airline available too. That and primary reel of airline should serve you well.
 

Almost forgot-- get a better air hose not the cheap H-F one!  It works fine EXCEPT hard to roll and unroll ithout becoming a tangled up mess!

 

We have a 60 gallon one and a little 6-8 gallon one also. The big one is wired 220 and the small one is a 110. If we are doing serious work with air tools or blowing out the shop, or even airing up a few higher pressure tires we will turn on the larger one!   The sandblaster without any doubt needs the larger compressor!

 

Compressors are like work truck engines-- a lot better to have more than BIG enough instead of too little!

Edited February 28, 2016 by rjR

[Dan]

Go with the oil. The little bit of maintenance is worth the noise reduction. Get a tank no smaller than 12 gallons. The smaller ranks cause the compressor to kick on more frequently. You probably won't need more than 120 psi. Check your tools first. If you think some day day you will get a larger tool, plan on a higher psi.

[amazingkevin]

Hi SSV.. In the market for an air compressor. Don't know much about them except for what I found on the internet. Was hoping to get your suggestions and comments..

 

1) Oil vs Oil-less -  I understand oil is quieter and longer lasting but requires more maintenance

 

2) What PSI ? - I'm not looking to do heavy duty auto work. Yes on craft type stuff, brad nailer, stapler, occasional tire inflation, but something powerful enough so that if I want to do a little heavier work around the house later on (like painting, shooting nails, etc.), I'll have the capability to do it. ( I don't want to get something now and later on say, I should have went for the xxx instead)

 

3) Cost - Up to $300. Don't care if it's horizontal or vertical

 

4) Noise - I don't want something that sounds like I'm in tire city where it's going to wake up the neighborhood (again, oil one then ?)

 

Appreciate any suggestions, comments.. I was looking at some of them in Harbor Freight and Sears (Craftsman)..

 

Thanks in advance !!

I have a portable ,harbor freight on wheels for high pressure of 120,makes a lot of noise i don't like And then i have a 30mgallon stand up on wheels change out to use a freezer 110 volt ice machine compressor that makes no noise but take awhile to fill the tank with !00 psi.Your $300. price range will get you just what you want no problem.

[oldhudson]

Several years ago I purchased an Porter Cable 'pancake' compressor. I think it's a 5 or 6 gallon unit. Oil - less. It came with 3 nail guns. It was something like $175 at one of the big box stores. I certainly wouldn't try to paint with it or remove lug nuts. It works great in the shop and for keeping air up to spec in the cars all winter. I've done a couple  of larger jobs and it was fine - a deck and a crown molding job.

 

For painting I use an HVLP turbine.

[CMHN]

I have an air compressor that I use to use to blow off parts, but its too loud in my new basement shop, so now I use my shop vac on the blow setting with a reduced attachment.  That thing puts out some air.   No need for the air compressor now,  except to put air in the car tires.  

[grosa]

I have a Campbell Hausfeld 60 gallon air compressor 6.5 hp..  I paid $465 brand new, 21 years ago. It sits out side the garage and it has a little 24" x 24" pitched roof over the motor, It also sits on 3, 1/4" thick rubber pads, that's it that's all the protection it has. It has worked many long days and nights. The only thing I have ever done to it is change the oil once a year. The rain washes it and the sun dries it. It is still working strong today. What I am trying to say is Don't Overlook Campbell Hausfeld compressors.