JHZR2
Staff member
The options in air compressors all leave something to be desired, IMO.
My intended use is a once in a long while use of an air impact gun if/when something is very stubborn or tight and an electric impact is too big or can't handle it.
Not very often...
But I do like to do oil spray for our vehicles, and anticipate doing it more now that we have two new cars. Yes, just once or twice a year, but DIY on that saves me about $250/yr alone, and a more precise and careful job... Granted Im laying on my back.
Anyway, Ive been pretty disappointed by the compressor options. There is always seeming to be something not quite right with every one.
Is the HF belt drive 29 gallon unit really the best thing out there?? LOL.
It has a dual piston, cast iron design, belt drive, and has a slightly better form factor than the similar ones from DeWalt, Porter Cable, Kobalt, etc...
The wheels are obviously worse, but it has a nice aftercooler and better drain location than the one I thought might be my best choice:
Or its dewalt twin which is slightly preferable because it has a threaded hole on the side to connect bigger air users...
I saw this one:
which is only 20 gallons but has nice wheels.. But no after cooler (or even a finned outlet tube like the twins above have), and no secondary tap for adding another consumer.
Its like there is something wrong with every one of them, before we talk price, 120/240 wiring, etc.
And to add insult, some are labeled "made in USA", which the tanks I do believe are welded here, but the rest of the parts are Chinese or Mexican.
I did shop Rolair quite a bit, almost bought a 4.6 CFM gas engine pancake, just because it is so small in footprint.
Which is another question - are the short vertical designs better/more preferable or the long horizontal ones, practically speaking?
It would seem that the horizontal ones, especially one like the dewalt shown above, would perform well handling-wise because of low center of gravity.
But the long dimension on the horizontal axis makes them a bigger space hog than, say, a 30 gallon vertical. 23x23" is better than 22x42", even if 42" is due to handles.
So...
If I want a bigger tank than my Makita oil lubed big bore 4.6SCFM@90/4.2gal compressor, what is my best bet? That Makita spins at 1750 RPM and is QUIET. I can stand next to it running and have a low volume conversation with someone. Did just the other day when working on installing a roof on a garden garage.
5.3-5.7 from the units I showed doesn't add much SCFM, but the tanks help to make up for it. I could do 220, but Id rather retain the ability to use a 120V 20A outlet and operate.
Every one has foreign parts, even higher priced brands like Rolair.
Most in this segment are not specified for 100% duty, Rolair is for twice the price.
For spraying cars a few times a year, maybe 5-10 hours of use per year, am I just silly even considering buying one of these? Perhaps just add a big supplemental tank to my Makita, which Im happy with but is small?
Thoughts??
Thanks!
My intended use is a once in a long while use of an air impact gun if/when something is very stubborn or tight and an electric impact is too big or can't handle it.
Not very often...
But I do like to do oil spray for our vehicles, and anticipate doing it more now that we have two new cars. Yes, just once or twice a year, but DIY on that saves me about $250/yr alone, and a more precise and careful job... Granted Im laying on my back.
Anyway, Ive been pretty disappointed by the compressor options. There is always seeming to be something not quite right with every one.
Is the HF belt drive 29 gallon unit really the best thing out there?? LOL.
It has a dual piston, cast iron design, belt drive, and has a slightly better form factor than the similar ones from DeWalt, Porter Cable, Kobalt, etc...
The wheels are obviously worse, but it has a nice aftercooler and better drain location than the one I thought might be my best choice:
Or its dewalt twin which is slightly preferable because it has a threaded hole on the side to connect bigger air users...
I saw this one:
which is only 20 gallons but has nice wheels.. But no after cooler (or even a finned outlet tube like the twins above have), and no secondary tap for adding another consumer.
Its like there is something wrong with every one of them, before we talk price, 120/240 wiring, etc.
And to add insult, some are labeled "made in USA", which the tanks I do believe are welded here, but the rest of the parts are Chinese or Mexican.
I did shop Rolair quite a bit, almost bought a 4.6 CFM gas engine pancake, just because it is so small in footprint.
Which is another question - are the short vertical designs better/more preferable or the long horizontal ones, practically speaking?
It would seem that the horizontal ones, especially one like the dewalt shown above, would perform well handling-wise because of low center of gravity.
But the long dimension on the horizontal axis makes them a bigger space hog than, say, a 30 gallon vertical. 23x23" is better than 22x42", even if 42" is due to handles.
So...
If I want a bigger tank than my Makita oil lubed big bore 4.6SCFM@90/4.2gal compressor, what is my best bet? That Makita spins at 1750 RPM and is QUIET. I can stand next to it running and have a low volume conversation with someone. Did just the other day when working on installing a roof on a garden garage.
5.3-5.7 from the units I showed doesn't add much SCFM, but the tanks help to make up for it. I could do 220, but Id rather retain the ability to use a 120V 20A outlet and operate.
Every one has foreign parts, even higher priced brands like Rolair.
Most in this segment are not specified for 100% duty, Rolair is for twice the price.
For spraying cars a few times a year, maybe 5-10 hours of use per year, am I just silly even considering buying one of these? Perhaps just add a big supplemental tank to my Makita, which Im happy with but is small?
Thoughts??
Thanks!