good compressor that runs on 110

yellowbox · Jun 19, 2010

i am going to get a compressor for the garage but i do not have 220 , is there a decent compressor that runs on 110 ?
i have bout 500.00 to spend
everything i have searched online seems to be 220
i know 220 is prefered but it is not cost effective in my case
this will be light duty , tire rotations and light repair work on my own cars
i know a few people who have 110 compressors and seem to be happy with them , but i would like to get the best/most i can for the $$
the only brand i will not consider is craftsman ......
what would it cost to have 220 put in , attached garage , but electrical panel in house is full , i assume i would need to get a larger panel put in to have dedicated circuit for 220
any ideas /suggestions welcome , thanks

wantedabiggergarage · Jun 19, 2010

No, you would not necessarily need to swap your electrical box. There are other options:

1: There are half size breakers (two breakers fit in one spot), for several brands of boxes. You replace full size breakers, and that opens up a spot for another 220 breaker.

2: Daughter/sub box. You replace two breakers, with a breaker that controls a smaller (example 8 breaker) daughter/sub box. The old wires to that breaker get moved to the daughter box, and the new additions go to the daughter/sub box.

Otherwise, I would just look for one that fits your current air tools needs, yet is small enough to move. Because it will eventually become a portable compressor, when you replace it with a larger "shop" compressor.

bmrisko · Jun 19, 2010

I picked up one of the Kobalt 30-gallon compressors from Lowes and love it.

Link

I also used one of the Lowes 10% off coupons to save about $40.

Reasons for not going with something larger yet are that I don't currently have 220 in the garage and the house is a rental, so I can't really change the wiring or permanently mount something larger.

When we eventually buy a place I will either sell this one or keep it around the garage for when I need a portable compressor.

spongerich · Jun 19, 2010

FWIW, I'm pretty happy with my Craftsman 27 Gal. 1.6 HP stand up that I bought several months ago. I can sand blast a vice with only 1 or 2 breaks waiting for a re-fill and run a grinder for a reasonable amount of time.

From what I've seen, if you keep it in good condition, you'll have no problem reselling it in a few years and recouping a good chunk of your investment.

I sold a 10 year old Husky 1 gallon on CL for $50 last year... I think I paid $99 for the thing.

walrus · Jun 19, 2010

yellowbox said:
i am going to get a compressor for the garage but i do not have 220 , is there a decent compressor that runs on 110 ?
i

I have Dayton Speedaire that runs on 110 and its great, Cast iron compressor, runs an impact wrench(probably not the greatest torque but it runs it.) Runs air drill and die grinder. Gets up 120psi quickly, bought it used and have had it for almost 20 years

MrMack · Jun 19, 2010

I bought a 3 HP Black Max from Sams several years ago and you could wire it for either 110 or 220.

Charles (in GA) · Jun 19, 2010

Like Walrus, I too used a small 120V compressor for years. I still have it, as I can transport it elsewhere if needed. It is a 1 hp Craftsman with a 12 gal tank and two cylinder iron pump. I think the max pressure on it is 100 psi. It ran my old Japan made Chicago Pneumatic air wrench and everything else I wanted for years, without a hitch.

I finally wanted a big shop compressor so it would not always be running, I would have more pressure, and I needed something that would run the blast cabinet I later bought.

That said, get a cast iron pump, oil lubed pump.

I seem to recall a vertical tank on wheels, iron pump, 120V model at Home Depot. It was kinda difficult to move as it is top heavy and tipping it to roll it is a little tricky, but not impossible. Campbell-Hausfeld also makes similar compressors, along with Speedair (Grainger house brand), and others.

Almost any one of those will last you a life time with care.

Charles

Packard V8 · Jun 19, 2010

Yep, several good compressors will work on 110v. I just picked up a WWII-vintage compressor with a big Wagner Electric 2hp repulsion-induction motor. Incorrectly assuming, I put a 220V plug on it and promptly kicked a 30-amp breaker. Then, I looked at the motor wiring diagram and compared it, as I should have done first. It was wired for 110V. I wire everything I have, even 1/2hp motors, on 220v, but obviously, not everyone does.

However, when shopping for a compressor, just keep saying to yourself - Oil-less compressors are WORTHLESS compressors.

thnx, jack vines

Jack Olsen · Jun 19, 2010

I would get the garage wired for 220v. Lots of benefits down the line, and you won't have to spend money on a spare compressor.

gary300 · Jun 19, 2010

I got a 30 Gal verticle oil lube iron pump from HD a few months ago and really like it. Paid $379 and that included free delivery to my house. Husky Model VT6315. Runs fine on 110V 20A circuit.

walrus · Jun 19, 2010

Packard V8 said:
However, when shopping for a compressor, just keep saying to yourself - Oil-less compressors are WORTHLESS compressors.

They might be ok for blowing up tires, after that, not so much. I have a customer who has 17 c stores. They wanted to have free air at their stores. They bought a bunch of oil less sears compressors. No one pays attention to them, the hoses leak, the air chucks leak, needless to say they burned those babies up in short time. I bought speedaires similar to mine from Grainger, put them in all their stores, never burned up one. They finally went to 75 cent air machines

sstruckguy · Jun 19, 2010

The most important thing to consider when shopping for a compressor, is what/how many tools will be in use at any given time.

Most tools are designed to perform at their best between 90-100 psi. (paint guns excluded) What you need to look at on specs is what cfm it produces at what pressure.

For instance, a unit that produces 10 cfm @ 40 psi and 3 cfm @ 90 psi wouldn't do you much good. A 1/2 inch impact would wear that pump out.(not to mention it would also spin your electric meter)

Assuming that an impact or air ratchet is the most you will be using, match your cfm that are going to use, to what you need.

There is very little, more aggrevating, than waiting on air.

I consider a compressor one of the most basic and most important tools. Its kind of like buying your first large tool box, you don't want to always be buying another one. Buy the right one the first time, and you won't be throwing good money after bad.

Gary S · Jun 19, 2010

If you have to go 120v, you are limited to around 2hp. A good 2hp compressor will give you about 5-7cfm at 90psi. Do not buy an oilless compressor. The noise will drive you crazy.
You will find lots of compressors with ridiculous hp ratings, but if it runs on 120v, the true hp won't be over 2hp.
A 120v compressor will run an impact wrench very nicely for tire rotations. It won't handle DA sanders, cutoff tools, or sandblasting.

Charles (in GA) · Jun 19, 2010

gary300 said:
I got a 30 Gal verticle oil lube iron pump from HD a few months ago and really like it. Paid $379 and that included free delivery to my house. Husky Model VT6315. Runs fine on 110V 20A circuit.

Yep, thats the one I was thinking of when I suggested it in my post above.

Charles (in GA) said:
I seem to recall a vertical tank on wheels, iron pump, 120V model at Home Depot. It was kinda difficult to move as it is top heavy and tipping it to roll it is a little tricky, but not impossible.

Charles

Charles

yellowbox · Jun 19, 2010

thanks for all the info.....
i was at TSC today looking at compressors and tsc had a 26 gallon campbell hausefield compressor on closeout for 99.99
problem was they were all gone , i was told there was another store an hour from me that still had 1 in stock , i am thinking of calling in the a.m. to see if still in stock
sounds almost too good to be true , hell only 100.00 !!
i think the retail was something like 270.00

machz · Jun 22, 2010

Hard to beat this for a 110 compressor, I love mine and it is really quiet..

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200375221_200375221

bmrisko · Jun 22, 2010

I was debating between that Garage Mate and the Kobalt 30 gallon, but in the end I was able to use coupons and discounted gift cards to get the Kobalt for under $300. The IR looks like a great compressor, but I was able to get a nice impact, hose and air ratchet with the money saved. Plus, I picked it up in-store and didn't have to wait a month for delivery. I don't think you can go wrong with either one or the Husky mentioned above.

mrholeshot · Jun 22, 2010

I have a Kobalt 30 gal 110 two cyl compressor. It's quiet and recovers quickly. I had an 80 gallon Husky pro but was too big and noisy for my home garage. I also have a 33 gal craftsman oil less compressor I picked up for 50 dollars (looked new) and installed a 25 dollar piston, ring and sleve kit and it works like new. It has better cfm than the Kobalt but the Kobalt is my favorite. Nice compressor for 399.00

FNFS2000 · Jun 24, 2010

rollair makes some good units, all made in the USA also!

dclafleur · Jun 24, 2010

machz said:
Hard to beat this for a 110 compressor, I love mine and it is really quiet..

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200375221_200375221

This is what I have, it's quiet and rated at a 100 percent duty cycle. I figure if it was too small at least it was built to run all the time.

91_4x4runner · Jun 24, 2010

I have an oil-less 4-gallon Porter Cable compressor rated for 5.7 SCFM at 90 PSI (notice the SCFM).

http://www.google.com/products/cata...KlKI_1lgewiPzoDw&sa=title&ved=0CE0Q8wIwDDgA#p

The workers around here use them constantly for roofing and small construction jobs all day in the heat. I figured if it was good enough for their abuse, it'd be good enough for mine. It is, I'm able to run an impact for fairly extended periods of time without trouble, punch out rivets for the ball joints on a 3/4-ton Dodge (quite a pain regardless of the compressor), and do other jobs of similar caliber while still being able to lift it with one hand.

I have it in my apartment now and yes, it is pretty loud compared to a slow-spinning oiled compressor, but it gets the job done without a hitch. Throwing a volume tank with it makes it work that much better.

BOONEY7750 · Jun 24, 2010

You can get one of the models that can be wired either way. Build a 220 exstension cord to your dryer and compare it to your 120 and see if you really need to invest into new electrical work

FlashJim · Jun 28, 2010

I love my Home Depot VT6315. 20A line is a must.

Pukeballs · Jun 28, 2010

I got the CP 26 gallon, 2 hp compressor. I got it on sale at powertoolbox.net for $445, and that includes free shipping.

Couldnt be happier with it. I was going to go with the IR that Northern Tool always has on sale, but the CP has better CFM and is cheaper. Cant go wrong with that.

Heres a link, looks like its still on sale for fathers day. http://www.powertool-box.com/product.php?productid=17798&cat=0&page=1

Buxfan · Jun 28, 2010

I love Makita pneumatic products- I have yet to be disappointed.

jvitez · Jun 29, 2010

I've got this one:

http://www.deltaportercable.com/Products/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=11523

Yup, it's the "worthless" oil-less one. Yup, it's noisy. I wear hearing protectors or ear plugs when using air tools anyway, so no big deal. For my DIY use it's just fine. 150 psi max does give it more usable air than 135 psi. I can fire it up when the garage is -20C and it works perfectly. Can't say that about oil filled compressors. And I got it on a Boxing Day sale for $350 CDN, so I can't complain at all.

I plug it into one fo the block heater receptacles and it's never popped a breaker. CEC states Canadian garages must have one 15 amp dedicated circuit for each garage space, so I make sure I plug anything else I might be using into one of the other circuits when I'm using the compressor. I tried using it with a 100 ft 12 gauge extension cord once. Doh! It wouldn't even turn over. So I now have 175 ft of flexible air hose without issues.

I assembled a Rainbow play structure in the back yard using this compressor and a cheapie air ratchet. I did have to wait for it to recharge when screwing down long lag bolts, but again, no big deal for my use. It still beats cranking on a ratchet for 3 minutes each.

Graymills - Craig · Jun 29, 2010

yellowbox said:
i am going to get a compressor for the garage but i do not have 220 , is there a decent compressor that runs on 110 ?
i have bout 500.00 to spend
everything i have searched online seems to be 220
i know 220 is prefered but it is not cost effective in my case
this will be light duty , tire rotations and light repair work on my own cars
i know a few people who have 110 compressors and seem to be happy with them , but i would like to get the best/most i can for the $$
the only brand i will not consider is craftsman ......
what would it cost to have 220 put in , attached garage , but electrical panel in house is full , i assume i would need to get a larger panel put in to have dedicated circuit for 220
any ideas /suggestions welcome , thanks

Stupid question, but have you thought about simply wiring in a transformer? A 230-115 for that amp draw shouldn't be too expensive.

RonM3 · Jun 29, 2010

Packard V8 said:
Yep, several good compressors will work on 110v. I just picked up a WWII-vintage compressor with a big Wagner Electric 2hp repulsion-induction motor. Incorrectly assuming, I put a 220V plug on it and promptly kicked a 30-amp breaker. Then, I looked at the motor wiring diagram and compared it, as I should have done first. It was wired for 110V. I wire everything I have, even 1/2hp motors, on 220v, but obviously, not everyone does.

However, when shopping for a compressor, just keep saying to yourself - Oil-less compressors are WORTHLESS compressors.

thnx, jack vines

I have to disagree here. Ive had my Craftsman Oil-less compressors for over 15 years now and it has served me well. Its a vertical 10 Gal 5HP.

good compressor that runs on 110

Well-known member

Member Emeritus

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Super Moderator

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Active member

Well-known member

MEMBER EMERITUS

Well-known member

Active member

Active member

Well-known member

Active member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member