1st Time Compressor Buyer

[dougcoug]

Hello all, I have been reading this forum for a long time and have finally decided to purchase a compressor for the garage. I am looking for a portable yet powerful model and think that I have found one that I like:

http://www.dewalt.com/us/products/tool_detail.asp?productID=15538

200 PSI max
5.2 SCFM @ 90 PSI
4.5 gallon tank

Most of the work I do should not require a whole lot of air but I wanted to get some opinions. I will mostly be using a nail gun for trim, impact wrench for rotating tires, and general shop duties and clean up.

Do you think that this compressor will be powerful enough to run the impact wrench properly? Is this tank size too small for my projects?

Thank you all for the advice.

 

[Rigmaster]

I'm far from a compressor/air tool expert- but I'm pretty sure that one is gonna be too small to do anything but light nail gun work.


You'll probably want to look for something with a bigger tank, maybe 10 gallons at least- otherwise the compressor will run all the time when you try to use an impact wrench.

 

[Gary S]

That compressor should handle small jobs like airing tires and intermittent usage of an impact wrench. I have a similar sized 110v portable compressor in my garage. I use it to air up tires, and blow dust out of things.
Don't expect it to handle a DA sander, die grinder, or paint gun. For these jobs, you should look into a big 220v unit.
In addition to my little 5cfm 110v unit, I also have an 18cfm 220v compressor for the big jobs.

 

[T00lJunk1e]

that lil compressor is almost $400......

you can go on craigslist or ebay and find yourself a helluva compressor if you were willing to spend $400 on that baby one.....

`right now sears might still have that deal for the compressor/tool set. its a 26gal i think, with hose and the tools for around $300 plus its 120v so you dont have to do the electrical

IMO: skip it & find something else bigger and cheaper. you might regret it if you dont. EX.(say you want to rotate your tires) or (have to do a job the requires the use of any air tools)

SIDE BY SIDE

the big one is cheaper, you get some bonus stuff and it can handle most of the jobs you will probably throw at it.

 

[plinker]

For a contractor size compressor this eaton looks nicehttp://www.eatoncompressor.com/catalog/item/733537/1710502.htm

 

[JayL]

If I wanted something small I'd take a look at this too ...

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001Q2VPK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[krusty the clown]

bigger is better........if you buy the small one you will want a bigger one so you might as well buy once and be done.

 

[T00lJunk1e]

bigger is better........if you buy the small one you will want a bigger one so you might as well buy once and be done.

exactly!!!

 

[Rigmaster]

bigger is better........if you buy the small one you will want a bigger one so you might as well buy once and be done.

Funny, that's what my first wife said!!!!

 

[hossmwp]

If I wanted something small I'd take a look at this too ...

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001Q2VPK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I have this portable compressor. Its the nicest portable I have had. I have had the Emglo/DeWalt series and they are also great I just have had good luck with this Makita unit.

I wouldnt use it as my only compressor though unless you are just doing some hobby stuff that doesnt require a great deal of air or you want to run a nail gun or blow up tires. Its not going to satisfy most of the people on this site as a "garage" compressor.

 

[davestonner]

was in lowe's yesterday and they have a Kobalt 60 gallon 3HP oiled cast iron compressor for $400. i asked the manager nearby if that was a sale item or the last one on a closeout or something, and he said they stock them and sell them like crazy and that is regular price. same price range as the dewalt and way way more capacity, but not movable. the dewalts are meant for roofing nailers and such.

 

[kvom]

Oiless compressors are loud. Get an oiled one if you want to work in a calm environment. The Kobalt 60 gal mentioned above is a good choice, although it's probably 230V.

 

[dougcoug]

Wow! Thank you all for the quick replies on this post. I didn't think that I would get this much information. I appreciate all of your thoughts. As for the size of the compressor, I would love to get a 30+ gallon compressor but I simply don't have the room in the garage for it. I also like the fact that there are two inputs on the Dewalt so my father-in-law can work on one side of the room while I tackle the other. Thank you again for all of your help.

 

[vette-kid]

Im considering that kobalt unit right now. Its overkill for me right now...gives me room to grow

 

[krusty the clown]

I also like the fact that there are two inputs on the Dewalt so my father-in-law can work on one side of the room while I tackle the other.

that will be marginal for one user let alone two.

 

[T00lJunk1e]

that will be marginal for one user let alone two.

$0.02

The duty cycle of that small of a compressor would make you insane

seriously, if you can justify spending that much on a baby one, why not just get a stand-up 20-30 gal compressor....

figure that, when placed on the floor , the stand up will undoubtly be much taller, but would probably take up the same amout of area on the floor as the little one.... 2x2ft square. stand up is maybe 4ft tall....

im just saying,

In My Opinion, go big OR hate that you didnt and regret that you probably could have.

 

[rpmwwe]

Get a bigger compressor for a starter unit. Once you have one you will start wanting more air tools, and you will start seeing the limitations of a smaller unit. I bought a mid-sized Craftsman as a first compressor with similar CFM specs as the Dewalt unit you are interested in. My concerns at the time were air flow and portability. I compromised both to get both. Although it has wheels, its way too heavy to transport by myself. Because it is "portable", I don't have the higher CFM flow rate I would like to have for a HVLP paint gun or a blast cabinet. I should have bought a bigger compressor to have the now desired air flow in the shop and then a smaller, cheaper unit for small jobs and portabilty. The DeWalt you are looking at has a pump that will give you the air you need to run most of your air tools but the small tank will cause it run constantly.

 

[a390st]

Have you ever been in a garage with an air compressor that runs constantly? It will drive you nuts. You can get a 30 gallon oil lubed compressor at Lowes for less than $400 that runs on 110v. Sears also has a horizontal tank CMan Pro that is really decent for the size. I think eschoendorff has one of those. They aren't great for getting more than 6 SCFM out of, but they are 110V if that is important to you. I would prefer a 60 gal that runs on 220V, but if it is too big and you don't want 220V, that would be your best bet.

I have one little compressor that is for the jobsite and will run a whole passel of nail guns. It is small, has only a 3 gallon tank, and runs constantly if you are running several guns. It is enough to drive you crazy, but it does what I need it to. I even use it to fill tires and the like. Let me tell you one other thing...a compressor that runs all the time will put out hot humid air. You wouldn't believe the amount of water you will get out of a small compressor. Use LOTS of oil in your tools if you're using a small compressor. Better yet, get a bigger one.

 

[dougcoug]

Thank you all for your kind words. I am going to evaluate my needs and space restrictions again to look at a bigger compressor. My concern over the tank size has been confirmed. I knew I could count on the guys and girls at Garage Journal.

 

[eschoendorff]

Have you ever been in a garage with an air compressor that runs constantly? It will drive you nuts. You can get a 30 gallon oil lubed compressor at Lowes for less than $400 that runs on 110v. Sears also has a horizontal tank CMan Pro that is really decent for the size. I think eschoendorf has one of those. They aren't great for getting more than 6 SCFM out of, but they are 110V if that is important to you. I would prefer a 60 gal that runs on 220V, but if it is too big and you don't want 220V, that would be your best bet.

I have one little compressor that is for the jobsite and will run a whole passel of nail guns. It is small, has only a 3 gallon tank, and runs constantly if you are running several guns. It is enough to drive you crazy, but it does what I need it to. I even use it to fill tires and the like. Let me tell you one other thing...a compressor that runs all the time will put out hot humid air. You wouldn't believe the amount of water you will get out of a small compressor. Use LOTS of oil in your tools if you're using a small compressor. Better yet, get a bigger one.

It's true... and I really have grown to love that little compressor! I got this one after I had already owned 2 oiless models. I ain't fallin' fo that **** again!

 

[Speed-Racer]

A larger compressor does not take up that much more space than a vertical 60-80 gallon or even 30 gallon. I would really recommend taking a look at the oil lubed compressor. The smaller ones do not deliver the volume/power you will need one day, think of a stuck bolt situation. You could purchase a small portable air tank for $30 and refill from your larger compressor for inside nail gun work.

 

[benny27]

I have a that Porter-Cable 6 gallon Pancake Compressor. It is real nice for work around the house it is a bit on the loud side so i run a 50' hose on it and put it in the next room. when outside it is not to bad. you can run 2 air lines off of it. you can get for under $150

I would realy love to try out the 1 gallon Senco Compressor.
http://www.amazon.com/Senco-PC1010-Compressor-Horsepower-Gallon/dp/B0000AQK78/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1230674254&sr=1-2
it looks like it would be realy good for running around with a finish nailer and maybe small framing jobs.

 

[Coach James]

I have a 2 gallon CH oilless compressor and wish I had bought something else. Even airing up a car tire it runs constantly. I keep wanting it ti burn up so I can buy a bigger one but it won't die. And I'll never buy another oil less machine. I have to wear ear plugs when I use the thing because it's so loud.

Coach