Nine Ball

iTrader: (38)

I'll be shopping for a home air compressor soon. I don't need one of those $900 huge shop sized ones, not enough space. This will be the first air compressor purchase I've ever made.

Which is better, a higher PSI rating (150psi vs 175psi), or a larger tank capacity? Which is more important to look for?

Any brands to avoid? Recommend?

What is a decent sized home unit, good for working on cars?

Tony

DERTY

Get something that is at least a small two stage that is oiled, not the oil free kind (ask Harlan, they're noisy). I'd go for more volume over PSI rating, it should keep the motor from running all the time. The two stage that's in my garage can maintain a lot of pressure for quite a while before firing up. That's just a function of trying to draw all that volume off to get the pressure to drop. For instance, I was able to run around the car with the impact to take off the drag tires and put the street tires on. The compressor never fired up. I don't remember the size of mine, but it's fairly large at about 80 gallons.

Depending on how much you want to spend there are a number of good ones out there. A trip through Lowes or Home Depot might be worth while. Anything that has the Dewalt or Porter Cable name on it is good, but made out of gold. For the most part they are all going to be very similar.

jimmyblue

iTrader: (11)

Most tools don't need more than 80PSI to work
well, but many tools are volume hogs. Especially
sanders/grinders and sandblasting. Horsepower
(minus waste) equals flow*pressure. I got a
big-*** upright Craftsman oilless and, yeah,
it makes some noise, but I hardly ever run it -
just live off the tank mostly. But a die grinder
will run it down. It turned on twice while I
ported two exhaust manifolds.

Don't overlook the hose and connectors. If you
use quick-connects, look at the way it chokes
the line - and hard-plumb one end of it. Forget
1/4" hose, going to 3/8" hose costs little but
gives you "free horsepower". For distribution I
have 3/4" iron pipe inside and outside the
garage. PVC is on borrowed time when you run
high pressure air/oil through it.

XLR8NSS

iTrader: (4)

VOLUME! VOLUME! VOLUME! Check the CFM/psi rating out on most air tools. Just about any compressor can supply the pressure but, most tools need more volume than little compressors can supply at that pressure.

I like this new forum.

John

Dragaholic

iTrader: (180)

I bought an oiless Craftsman about a year ago, and man...do I wish I would of gotten one that uses oil. The oiless ones are extremely noisy! The only benefit of having one of those, is that you dont ever have to worry about oiling it and having oil in the air. I would go with the oil type if I could do it again. I would go for volume rather than max psi because most tools run anywhere from 60psi to 90psi, but take lots of air to run them for long periods of time, so thats where the volume comes into play. Hope that helps. By the way, I bought Craftsman just because every tool that I have is Craftsman, but to be honest, its not needed. Youre going to pay more for the name and I highly doubt it out performs cheaper brands.

Nine Ball

iTrader: (38)

Seems like you guys are saying to budget for the biggest reserve tank I can afford. Good tip on the "oil less" vs oil models, I didn't realize there were different types. I don't want a noisy setup!

Tony

Z-Rated

Then get a two cylinder one, its much quieter.

trackbird

iTrader: (4)

Buy something with a "belt" on it. Meaning, avoid those direct drive "oilless" types....they sound like a swarm of pissed off chainsaws....A large tank and a high working cfm rating is the key (they list a cfm rating at a pressure for tools, pay attention to those) Good luck!

Camaroholic

iTrader: (1)

I went 'cheap' on my first compressor. It's still with me today, but I think it's noisier than when I got it. It scares my son. :p It's one of those Campbell Hausfeld 5 hp 25 gal under-$300 jobbers from Home Depot. I figured if I ever burned it up, I was using it enough to justify a new/better/more expensive one.

I've used the heck out of it. Porting heads, throttle bodies, grinding calipers, inflating tires, painting, etc.

It keeps up with the tools OK, but the HVLP spray gun really put the tax on it. It really didn't support enough CFM to keep up with it.

Of course, I bought it 7 years ago, so it's been worth $300 to me.

-Andrew

gMAG

iTrader: (1)

I received the 30 gallon Craftsman on wheels (not upright), as a gift.
PSI is perfect, but 30 gallons is not enough VOLUME for blasting, painting. Next time I'd look for an upright which will save some space.

Scalpel

iTrader: (4)

My Craftsman oiless is nice, but damn LOUD!

willis 00

me and my boy just got a second hand compressor 60gal. 8hp craftsmen. all we need is to get a 240 outlet ran. ive heard they are loud as ****. oh well i guess well get use to it.hope the neighbors dont mind to much.

Fbody Man

about a month ago i bought a craftsman 6hp 33gal oiless unit. It works good and SEARS HAS A GOOD SALE GOING. You get the compressor 25ft of hose a 3/8 ratchet and 3/8 air gun for 279.00 or 300.00 (i forget)
Nobody uses a 3/8 gun too much but this is a good deal Don't u think

Toxic Texan

I have a Porter Cable and it does everything I need it to. I just need more air tools.

Here is a link that might help you out Tony.

http://www.porter-cable.com/index.asp?e=547&p=2580

This is mine. http://www.porter-cable.com/index.asp?e=547&p=2589

Reckless

iTrader: (9)

Very timely info for me. Am moving into new home this weekend. Will be buying a compressor very soon

ta12sec

iTrader: (3)

I just bought a compressor this morning.
http://www.sears.com/sr/product/deta...S&bidsite=

Out the door with 50 ft of 1/2 in air hose and some fittings was 470. It is oil less and its not noisey at all....but im comparing it to the IR gas powered compressor at work, its not noisey enouh to bother me . I used it all day today tearing out a clutch and a brake job and it only came on twice. All and all im hapy with it.

brad

Ackattack1

iTrader: (7)

I got my eye on a Husky Air compressor from Home Depot. It's a 60 gal 240 volt unit that is not oil free and is a little under $400. They also have an 80 gal unit, but I think that is a little too much for me, being nearly $800.

I've also heard that Husky's compressors are make by ingersal-rand, but I have no proof, if that's worth anything to you.

-Joseph-

iTrader: (12)

I have a Snap-On compressor in my own personal shop, it was pricey for what it is, but its fairly quiet and builds air pressure fast. I agree with the quick connect fittings, use the least you can. I once had to use a direct connection with no fittings to tighten a 12-bolt crush sleeve.

Sams club seems to have some good compressors lately also, if I had to buy another one I'd get it there and save a few $.

pimpmaro

Exactly what a lot of people have said, you want cfm, not psi. There are also some instances when you'll want a lot of psi to break something loose... particularly lug nuts... but you have to be REALLY careful with that. Also make sure you have a line dryer... a dessicant style should be plenty for what you'll be usin it for. Good luck in the hunt.

eitek1

I have a small craftsman compressor that I have had about 6 years and it works fine for what I need. I actually sandblasted the framd for a 55 chevy with and it was kind of a headache waiting for the pressure to come back up.
On the up side I actually wore out the piston ring and cylinder and it cost about 10 dollars in parts and it is just like new.