Considering a pancake tank style compressor for home

330Scott · Jun 16, 2006

I have a nice 230V compressor in my off-site rental shop, but am considering a small 115V compressor for use around the house. Target currently has a Black & Decker 4 gallon, 125 PSI unit for sale through Saturday for $99. I know other manufacturers also make these smaller household units, so I was wondering if any of you fine folk are using these smaller compressors and what your likes & dislikes are. And if you could purchase the unit again, what would you do differently.

Thanks,

AdamMopar · Jun 16, 2006

I can't really help you there. I have been around pancake compressors, but they were contractor grade. They worked well for the nail guns we were using. I can't help you much beyond that.

Adam

330Scott · Jun 17, 2006

Adam, I did a little research last night and was able to compare the specs of a few units. I found one for around $70 that has a sustained horsepower rating of .25 - BFD. Then for $200 one has a sustained hp rating of 2.0, which possibly sounds like a contractors grade (?) unit for pneumatic nailing and such.

No need to be in a big hurry since I have lived w/o one all these years, but I am going to start doing some more thorough research. Well, off to my favorite starting places - Sears & Northern Tool.

Der Bugmeister · Jun 17, 2006

Yeah, there are differences in how much CFM/psi is delivered with the low end compressors. I bought a Canadian Tire pancake compressor - 2hp/4gal to run my framing nailer while I was doing my garage. Worked fine for that and I didn't have to worry about tripping breakers.

My other compressor, 4.5 hp/20 gal on 110 volts kept tripping the circuit because of the load.

The pancake seems to be good for small jobs around the house, but I wouldn't want to try running body tools or painting with it.

maa139 · Jun 20, 2006

I used to have a 2 gallon pancake compressor. It was great for a nail gun, but it SUCKED for anything else. It would top off the tires, but would have to kick on once or twice to get enough air. Forget about running any auto type air tools from something that small...

Matt

URY914 · Jun 20, 2006

I've got a Porter Cable compressor to power my brad nailer for trim work. It'll fill tires but takes a few cycles. It is a pretty lightweight model, but it works for me.

330Scott · Jun 20, 2006

Yeah, as I looked at a bunch of them on Sunday, I realized that I might as well buy something a little larger. Have my eyeballs on something in the 15 gallon vertical tank, 1.5 hp to 2.0 hp range now. Might as well be able to run a few hand tools with it.

Thanks for your input.

Scott

Mandres · Jun 22, 2006

Harbor Freight has this one on sale for $99 right now:

Very decent specs for the price - 5.6 cfm @ 90psi. I don't own it though so I can't speak for the quality.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/90300-90399/90385.gif

330Scott · Jun 22, 2006

Thanks, Mandres. Maybe I'll drive down to HF and check it out this weekend.

E30Alex · Jun 27, 2006

Check out Amazon, they are having a 10% off sale on Air tools until July 4th. Couple this with free shipping and no tax and you have a pretty good deal. I just bought a Makita MAC2400 for $224.10 shipped, while it would have cost upwards of $300 from a local hardware store.

330Scott · Jun 29, 2006

Thanks, Alex. I would like to hear what you think of your compressor once you have had it for a while.

E30Alex · Jul 6, 2006

330Scott said:
Thanks, Alex. I would like to hear what you think of your compressor once you have had it for a while.

Just received the compressor last night. It is quiet! You could have a conversation right next to it.

Haven't used it yet for anything useful. I'll update again when I know more about it. :thumbup:

Ign · Jul 7, 2006

I've got the Harbor Freight pancake unit. Don't recall the CFM specs but it'd be on their website. For $99, it is, IMO, superior to a lot of the oil-less units you'll see sold at Home Depot or Target, Costco, etc. This one is oiled and strikes me as very high quality *for Harbor Freight*. It's heavy, sturdy, nice rubber feet, and kinda quiet I guess. I only got it to run the staple gun and nail gun. It'll work fine for my IR2131 impact to rotate tires, but FORGET about anything more like air body saws or die grinders (duh).

EDIT: I think I only paid $89.99 for it on sale

Considering a pancake tank style compressor for home

330Scott

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AdamMopar

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330Scott

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Der Bugmeister

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maa139

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URY914

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330Scott

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Mandres

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330Scott

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E30Alex

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330Scott

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E30Alex

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Ign

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