Air compressor recommendations?

[RnR]

Any recommendations for an affordable small capacity compressor that can pump out at least 100psi? I don't need a large stationary, and am a tad envious of a relative's Makita, but wonder what is of decent quality out there...

Portability would be a bonus and my most important uses would be for pumping rustproofing compounds, pumping tires, general workshop/basement maintenance needs as well as possibly being the wind behind a pressure bleeder; so nothing too demanding.

Any favorites out there?

 

[wings&wheels]

I've had good luck w/ a 2 hp Rolair pancake compressor. I wanted an oil type compressor and something a step above the typical box store stuff. I use it for general auto use (air ratchet, impact wrench, short bursts w/ a cutoff tool, bleeder). Going strong for 10 years..little bit heavy though.

 

[huffmuds9320]

I have a Craftsman 3 gallon 1hp oil lubed compressor. The working pressure is 95-125psi, it takes about 1 minute or so to fill the tank from 0psi and recovers in less than 20 seconds. As for the noise, its not that noisy you can still talk over it. It has a oil sight glass so its easy to check the oil level. You can run most general stuff like nailgun, inflate tires, blow dust but I don't think it would be able to run an impact wrench. The weight is around 38 pounds so its not very heavy to carry around.

I used to have a Central Pnematic (Harbor Freight) 3 gallon oil less compressor which I gave away. Nothing wrong with it except that it takes too long to fill the tank, ~3 minutes from 0-100psi and 1 minute to recover. It was very lightweight about 20 pounds and relatively quiet since the 1/4hp pump is rated at like 0.7cfm or something like that.

Home Depot and Lowes has the Porter Cable 6 gallon pancake oil less which seems like a nice compressor. There are different combo packages with either the nailgun or accessories, I remember it was around $160-170. The compressor is not very heavy, it weighs less than 40 pounds so very portable.

 

[SLCraig]

How small?
Sounds like you just need a pancake.. Porter cable?

 

[RnR]

The 1.5hp variety looks reasonable, perhaps in conjunction with about 2.5 gal. capacity. I'm clueless however about how long a recover would take with this sort of combination - and what the practical difference might be between a 1700 & 3400 RPM motor (referencing a couple of the Rolair models). I like the idea of a low-amp draw config however...

 

[UncleS2]

After a Harbor Freight 8-gal, 2 hp oiled compressor wouldn't run for more than a few minutes without shutting itself off & blowing sparks from under the cowling, I took it back. Due to a helpful cashier, I even got a refund for the 2 pints of compressor oil I'd bought for it.

So I used a HF coupon that priced this model at $40 & brought it home. The little compressor & a ~$14 HF attachment/accessory kit(25" coiled plastic hose, air chuck, blow gun, quick-connects, teflon tape, air gauge, football needles & such- didn't need to get *anything* else to use it) are working out great for me. Air tools- probably not good for an impact- maybe a small nail gun? But for using a blow gun, airing up tires & portable tank it works fine. Should be plenty for a pressure brake bleeder, I'd think. It's also easy to pick up & tote around, and no sparks shoot out from under the cowling!

You might find coupons online- I got mine from one of those newspaper weekly magazine inserts(Parade, etc often have a page of HF coupons). Link: http://www.harborfreight.com/3-gallon-100-psi-oilless-pancake-air-compressor-95275.html

 

[lipadj46]

Run to harbor freight while this is still on sale:

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-hp-21-gallon-115-psi-cast-iron-vertical-air-compressor-94667.html

Be sure to take this along:

http://www.harborfreightusa.com/html/SingleMagLanders/americanprofile/images/20_c.jpg

Also be sure to buy the 2 year extended warranty for $25 or so.

 

[RnR]

That one I would not be able to transport up and down stairs or place in a vehicle... nice thought however,

 

[lipadj46]

This one is the same with a smaller tank, still heavy though:

http://www.harborfreight.com/air-tools/o...ssor-90234.html

My father has this one, lightweight:

http://www.harborfreight.com/air-tools/o...ssor-90221.html

 

[huffmuds9320]

Harbor Freight has a 5 gallon twin tank style compressor that runs at 1720rpm so it would be a bit quieter.

 

[RnR]

Ended up with a Maxus X-Lite 1HP/2.5gal aluminum tank, oil-less. It was available in the hometown and is easily carried. $100. And only draws 7 amps.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[scurvy]

Originally Posted By: RnR
Ended up with a Maxus X-Lite 1HP/2.5gal aluminum tank, oil-less. It was available in the hometown and is easily carried. $100. And only draws 7 amps.

Thanks for all the suggestions.


I have one further suggestion for you or anyone purchasing an oil-less compressor: earplugs.

 

[scurvy]

Originally Posted By: lpcmidst128
I have a Craftsman 3 gallon 1hp oil lubed compressor. The working pressure is 95-125psi, it takes about 1 minute or so to fill the tank from 0psi and recovers in less than 20 seconds. As for the noise, its not that noisy you can still talk over it. It has a oil sight glass so its easy to check the oil level. You can run most general stuff like nailgun, inflate tires, blow dust but I don't think it would be able to run an impact wrench. The weight is around 38 pounds so its not very heavy to carry around.

I have this same compressor. Works great for general purpose use and has been exceptionally good for using a brad nailer to hang trim. I even installed bamboo flooring with a rented floor stapler with it.

 

[huffmuds9320]

Originally Posted By: scurvy
Originally Posted By: RnR
Ended up with a Maxus X-Lite 1HP/2.5gal aluminum tank, oil-less. It was available in the hometown and is easily carried. $100. And only draws 7 amps.

Thanks for all the suggestions.


I have one further suggestion for you or anyone purchasing an oil-less compressor: earplugs.


Not all oil-less compressors are noisy, I find they just have a different sound tone. Oiled compressors have a low growling sound and oil-less are more higher pitched sound. The oil-less ones with a universal motor are noisier than ones with induction/direct drive type motors. The Quietzone air compressor which is a oil-less is rated at 55db and does 4.2cfm at 90psi.

 

[lipadj46]

Originally Posted By: scurvy
Originally Posted By: RnR
Ended up with a Maxus X-Lite 1HP/2.5gal aluminum tank, oil-less. It was available in the hometown and is easily carried. $100. And only draws 7 amps.

Thanks for all the suggestions.


I have one further suggestion for you or anyone purchasing an oil-less compressor: earplugs.


Earplugs and also save your money for the next compressor you will buy when that one [censored] the bed.