Thoughts and advice on getting an air compressor

[Citation]

OP, if you really don't plan on using the thing much, this was $90 when I stopped by my local Walmart
https://www.walmart.com/ip/HART-8-Gallon-Oil-Free-Quiet-Air-Compressor-135-PSI/5135218418
I haven't used this model but the similar "Goodyear" branded model they had a few years back was every bit as quiet as my CAT compressor and a bit more capacity.

If you never really get around to needing lots of air, this looks like a really good option (again no first hand knowledge). Relatively small and light. Plenty of power to inflate tires/use an air gun. Quiet enough that you won't care that it takes longer to refill. Priced right.

 

[finn]

Must not use it very much. We have Manchester tanks that rot out in ten years.

It was used in a service station for twenty five or thirty years, and that’s back when service stations did service. I got it from the third or fourth owner with a rebuilt pump, and I think they’re rated for 40000 hours before rebuild, so it depends on how one defines “much”.

 

[johnre]

One larger compressor with enough output for the heaviest use, can still have the output regulated down to the smallest of tasks - my fine assembly benches, for example, have light blowguns on 1/4" lines from a dedicated regulator that can be set down to 30 PSI when needed - I don't want to blast small parts all over the benchtop.

Battery electric tools don't scale as readily to different sized jobs.

 

[guywholikestools]

I can't see not having one but how much are they asking for the Snap On? This isn't an area where I would expect SO to be better than the others. Also, I own a compressor similar to that one. It's always a bit of a questionable compressor size. Mine was purchased from my old job for a very good price. Otherwise I do not suggest getting a similar compressor.

For basically the same price (new vs new) you can get a 240V 3hp 60 gallon compressor. The larger compressor will have no trouble with most air hand tools including DA sanders and maybe a small blast cabinet. The 120V model may have mixed results keeping up with a die grinder/zip wheel. Mine is 26gal at 130 psi. It's great for the impact wrench since that isn't a continuous load. It's great for filling tires (much faster than an "inflator") and using the blow gun. It's often sufficient for the zip wheel but can't run continuously. The same it true of the air drill (doesn't get used enough).
I've never tried painting or sanding with it and presume it would be marginal at best. If it was gone what would I get? I would probably just use my CAT 5510A. It's just 5.5 gallons but it can run the impact for short bursts. It will also do the blue gun and tire inflation well enough. The zip wheel would have to be replaced with electric. The CAT is going to run frequently but it's quiet enough that I just don't care. I'm not advocating CAT specifically, just that if your needs are limited, a smaller, quiet compressor might be a sweet spot answer. The is doubly true if you have limited garage space. If I had a good friend or kid who could use it I would be tempted to pass my compressor on to two l reclaim the garage space.

They want $350 for it because someone snapped off the knob on the pressure regulator. The stem is still there, so I can fix that with relative ease, but it still turns and adjusts. It's a new, new unit that's only like 4 months old.

Problem is my old cheap one went out from age, and I replaced it with another cheap one from Walmart. The one I just bought is obnoxiously loud, and the Snap-on is extremely quiet. I'm sure there's other compressors for similar value, but if I decide I don't want it having that name on it will make it easier to sell (I think).

It just seems silly to have a medium sized monster air compressor for filling tires in vehicles, and using a blow gun on occasion and I was trying to get creative ideas to justify owning it.

 

[cvairwerks]

I'd swap in a heartbeat between a little noisemaker and a larger and quieter compressor without even thinking for more than a couple of seconds. Noise fatigue in a shop is real and makes things tougher the longer it goes on in a shop session. Fans and compressors are the biggest contributors in an average garage or shop.

 

[Citation]

They want $350 for it because someone snapped off the knob on the pressure regulator. The stem is still there, so I can fix that with relative ease, but it still turns and adjusts. It's a new, new unit that's only like 4 months old.

Problem is my old cheap one went out from age, and I replaced it with another cheap one from Walmart. The one I just bought is obnoxiously loud, and the Snap-on is extremely quiet. I'm sure there's other compressors for similar value, but if I decide I don't want it having that name on it will make it easier to sell (I think).

It just seems silly to have a medium sized monster air compressor for filling tires in vehicles, and using a blow gun on occasion and I was trying to get creative ideas to justify owning it.

Having looked at the specs, how are you going to power it, 120V or 240? It looks like it's too current hungry for the typical 120V outlet (though maybe it gets away with it). The price and needed repair aren't bad but the power requirements might be.

 

[Shoreline_]

It was used in a service station for twenty five or thirty years, and that’s back when service stations did service. I got it from the third or fourth owner with a rebuilt pump, and I think they’re rated for 40000 hours before rebuild, so it depends on how one defines “much”.

Service stationed don't use them much either. Much is defined as hours. 4000 hours a year is normal. 2000 is considered not used much. 8000 hours is usually a 3 shift factory. We service service stations and they will have original tanks from 1985. We find the best tanks have been made by Samuel Pressure Vessel. Kinda crazy how a modern asme tank will have .1875" ends but if you look at old tanks they will have .250" or thicker ends. My tank at home is from 1944 and made way better than the asme tanks we sell at work.

Which champion do you have? R15 pump?

 

[Airmedic1]

When I quit wrenching for a living in 1991 air and corded tools were the only thing available other than battery screwdrivers and low power drills. I now have some battery operated tools and wish they would have been available back then but I still have all my air powered tools and wouldn't give them up. I have 3/8", 1/2" and 3/4" impacts; high and low power air ratchets, air drills, die grinders, air gasket scrapers, air niblers, cut off tools and air staplers that I'm not going to replace with battery operated ones.
My compressor is an old Craftsman 33 gallon tank that's not made for heavy duty service but works for what I use it for. I can't imagine not having an air compressor and while I don't use it every day or even every week it's indispensable in my opinion.

 

[finn]

Service stationed don't use them much either. Much is defined as hours. 4000 hours a year is normal. 2000 is considered not used much. We service those places too and they will have original tanks from 1985. We find the best tanks have been made by Samuel Pressure Vessel. Kinda crazy how a modern asme tank will have .1875" ends but if you look at old tanks they will have .250" or thicker ends. My tank at home is from 1944 and made way better than the asme tanks we sell at work.

Which champion do you have? R15 pump?

R15. I’m torn between replacing what looks like the original 3 hp Marathon electric motor with a 5 or 7.5 hp motor (and the appropriate pulley, or buying a now $3500+ champion.

R15 pumps are, best I can tell, rated to 1000 rpm, and I accidentally discovered that the other used compressor (in the other garage) was repowered at some point with a 10 hp Leeson. I suppose I could re-pulley that motor to 1000 rpm (14.5 “ compressor pulley/fan) and get 23 cfm air output from the Champion. The existing motor is a 184 T mount, and the Leeson is a 215TZ, although I see they do sell adaptors.

Not sure it’s worth the effort, though, considering the age of the tank and pump, although it works fine now, with no oil carryover. I only need more air for the media blast cabinet.

Having said Service station compressors are likely poorly maintained, too from my experience. Even those old time mom and pop stations like the one mine came from.

 

[Aaron_W]

They want $350 for it because someone snapped off the knob on the pressure regulator. The stem is still there, so I can fix that with relative ease, but it still turns and adjusts. It's a new, new unit that's only like 4 months old.

Problem is my old cheap one went out from age, and I replaced it with another cheap one from Walmart. The one I just bought is obnoxiously loud, and the Snap-on is extremely quiet. I'm sure there's other compressors for similar value, but if I decide I don't want it having that name on it will make it easier to sell (I think).

It just seems silly to have a medium sized monster air compressor for filling tires in vehicles, and using a blow gun on occasion and I was trying to get creative ideas to justify owning it.

The Harbor Freight Fortress quiet compressors are a pretty good option, quiet and affordable. They've got them in 1, 2, 6, 10 and 26 gallon models. They get louder as they get bigger, but all are under 70dB.

I've got the 2 gallon to use around the house. It isn't silent but I can easily have a normal conversation with it running a few feet away. I also use it with an airbrush and can safely run it with my wife sleeping in the next room. I was going to buy a California Air Tools compressor, but the Fortress actually seems like a nicer compressor and on sale it was a fair bit cheaper too.

I'm waiting for the 6 gallon to have a good sale, and then replace my tooth rattler 6 gallon. The Fortress is 66dB vs the Porter Cable at 84dB.

 

[guywholikestools]

Having looked at the specs, how are you going to power it, 120V or 240? It looks like it's too current hungry for the typical 120V outlet (though maybe it gets away with it). The price and needed repair aren't bad but the power requirements might be.

110. I have a 20amp outlet in my garage. Someone actually has an 80 gallon near me for almost the same price, but I don't have a 220 in my garage and don't want to wire one in.

 

[Citation]

110. I have a 20amp outlet in my garage. Someone actually has an 80 gallon near me for almost the same price, but I don't have a 220 in my garage and don't want to wire one in.

You may have overload trip issues with that setup. The compressor specs say 30A at 120V.

https://public.snapon.com/A_PRODANNOUNCEMENTS_CA/ca_BRA5DV30VP.pdf

It's possible it will be fine on a 20A circuit but I would be concerned about that loading. Perhaps some with more electrical experience would have a better idea.

As a point of comparison, my compressor is rated at 15A for 5.5 CFM. So the 30A rating is probably conservative. If we assume the same CFM/current ratio then 7/5.5*15A=19.1A. Still, if I'm going to draw 20A out of a 20A circuit I would still be worried about overloading thing over time or that long runs may cause significant voltage sag. But if this is on a dedicated circuit, close to the panel it might be fine. However, I'm not an electrician.

 

[liliysdad]

Run the 220v….its worth it.

 

[Citation]

Run the 220v….its worth it.

That may depend on how much it cost to run 240V and what you ultimately are going to do with the air. If a cheaper, 120V compressor will do the job, then it's just overkill, like getting a huge Snap On box but only using the top 2 drawers.
Also, if they run 240V I would again avoid the proposed compressor and instead get something that was more powerful (60-80 gallon, at least 10cfm etc). Once again I feel like this is that uncanny valley range for air compressors. They cost as much as the 240V models but are still limited by the 120V outlet. For lighter duty work a cheaper, quiet compressor will likely do just fine. For heavier work a 240V is what you really need.

 

[tarbellb]

Having access to a 240v plug is never a bad thing, lots of other tools are power hungry and require 240v

 

[liliysdad]

Having access to a 240v plug is never a bad thing, lots of other tools are power hunger and require 240v

#absolutetruth

 

[mike_s]

I bought my compressor 30 years ago and still going good.
To be honest with Lithium Ion battery hand tools, unless you are painting or airing up tires, I don't use a compressor as much anymore.

Most of my air tools stay in the bottom drawer of my tool cabinet.
I will say my 1/2" air impact is lighter than my Lithium Ion is... but bettery is just easier.

I have even gotten where I use my 20v battery tool to air up my lawn mower tires now

 

[MovingAlong]

They want $350 for it because someone snapped off the knob on the pressure regulator.

Ummm, that's a $2,410 (list price) compressor... would be curious to know who "they" are..

You said you had to make a bit of a drive just to "see" one, which tells me this is not a local sale. Quite surprised it lasted more than a few hours on any platform: Craigslist, FB Marketplace, etc... Lot's of folks would have already pulled the trigger on the name alone at that price, working or not.

Be careful out there.

 

[MacMcMacmac]

Snap On doesn't rebadge anything special, compressor wise. Definitely not worth paying extra.

 

[DSEng]

Related subject:

While watching the races this past weekend, I noticed that the racing teams still use air impact drivers.

With the new battery powered stuff out there I was wondering why they haven’t converted to (very high-quality) battery powered devices.

Seems like that would reduce or eliminate one possible problem: running over air hoses and having to keep them out of the way.

Which races? F1 uses high pressure nitrogen for compact and high power. It would be like a 480v electric impact.

Yeah the guns they run are insane. Custom Italian ones that cost $15k each. When a pit change is measured in fractions of a second they will do everything they can to get those wheel nuts on/ off faster. Electric is good but not that good yet.

Watch this for an overview, fast-forward to about 35min (or don't and prepare to get tool envy)