Air Compressor - Any Good?

[OctaneMotorsports]

Hey Everyone,

I am looking at this air compressor to go under the work bench in my new kart racing trailer. I will mostly be using it with an air chuck and air blower but I'm sure it will get used every now and then for a quick blast on the air ratchet or impact gun.

Campbell Hausfeld, 3 gallon, 1/3 hp peak, 120v, 100 psi

This seems perfect as I don't want anything too big or too loud. Plus, it is going for $79.99 CDN down from $159.99 CDN so it seems like a pretty good deal. I have a Campbell Hausfeld in my garage and it has been awesome, so I have no problem buying another one. Just wondering if anyone has any experience with these, thanks.

 

[iiibdsiil]

I don't think you'll get much out of an impact gun or air ratchet with that.

 

[OctaneMotorsports]

I'm talking like a 5 second blast at the most.

 

[KeukaDan]

For what you are doing it should be fine. A short blast on an impact doesnt need that much, the small tank should give a few seconds at least. The other thing to think about is it isnt always the speed of the impact that you are looking for, rather the power, so in that case does it hurt for it to build up pressure a couple of times.

In any case I have had good luck with CH compressors and tools, I have nothing bad to say about them.

 

[l_bilyk]

I have one of those in the basement for airbrushing and driving staple guns now and then. It takes a LONG time to fill up with air. I had a problem with the control valve leaking - had to take it apart and grease it up. Otherwise it works OK.

 

[OctaneMotorsports]

I have one of those in the basement for airbrushing and driving staple guns now and then. It takes a LONG time to fill up with air. I had a problem with the control valve leaking - had to take it apart and grease it up. Otherwise it works OK.

That exact model? Is it decently quiet? I am considering making an enclosure.

 

[l_bilyk]

That exact model? Is it decently quiet? I am considering making an enclosure.

Not the same model, mine is red because it's husky (the EXACT compressor just painted red and sold under a different number). It's pretty loud for something so small.

 

[TNToy]

Not the same model, mine is red because it's husky (the EXACT compressor just painted red and sold under a different number). It's pretty loud for something so small.

That's because it's small/cheap.

Ironically, as compressors get bigger, they get quieter. The cheaper they are, the louder they are.

The smaller oil-less compressors are loud. One with an oil-sump in the compressor assembly with always be much quieter. It's just they way they are.

That one's going to be roughly the equivalent of three or four of the $10 plug-in-the-cig-lighter jobs. Not much. The motor makes a third of a horsepower PEAK, not all the time. It's probably more like 1/8 horsepower. But that's irrelevant anyway. The only spec that matters is the cubic-feet-per-minute (CFM) at 90 PSI. You can't get more than 2-2.5HP out of a 15amp 110V outlet - simple physics. But you'll see stickers on 110V compressors rating them up to 5H and even beyond that sometimes.

 

[OctaneMotorsports]

Well, I picked it up today.

Did the 5-minute break in, and then put all the stuff on and let it fill up with air. It did take a long time to fill up, much longer than my 8-gallon Campbell Hausfeld. It was decently quiet and should work nicelly in my trailer.

Thanks a lot,

Brendan

 

[l_bilyk]

break in? you're supposed to do a break in on these little buggers? d'oh

 

[OctaneMotorsports]

Hahaha, 5 minutes with the valve fully open. I'm sure it does next to nothing, though. My 8-gallon was like 30 minutes with the valve fully open. I ran it for 10 seconds and it was so loud that I said screw it, hahaha.

 

[cc_rider]

When it comes to air compressors, get the biggest and best you can afford. It'll save you a lot of time and money; once you start using it you'll wish you had a bigger one. Those five-second blasts add up in a hurry, and your little compressor will run for ages to recover. I have a contractor-size Porter Cable that's great for impacts and nail guns, but it can't keep up with a die grinder or blowing debris from the workbenches and garage. Fortunately I managed to liberate the 5Hp 60 gal CH from our office; it was overheating in the little closet, so now it has a nice cool home in MY garage. CH gear is probably fine for most homeowners. My only gripe was the cheap check valve in the top of the tank; I couldn't figure out why the pump stayed pressurized. Once I replaced the check valve with a better one, all is good. This after replacing one valve plate, a set of rings, and multiple gaskets. Oh well, live and learn.

c.

 

[Inetmonkey]

I am considering making an enclosure.

I'd caution you on enclosing the compressor fully. Since it's oilless it runs a LOT hotter than a splash pump. I have a similar model and use it mainly for airbrushing and stapling, but have used it for filling the occasional tire and once with an impact wrench. The pump will get VERY hot if you aren't careful.

 

[ranger_dood]

I think all compressors have a break-in. My little husky 1.5gal was to run it for 15 mins with the drain valve open. I'm not sure how necessary it is to break-in an oil-less compressor, but there it was. Guess you still are better off getting the rings seated in.