Air compressor questions

[Jon_E]

I know there's been several threads in the past couple years on air compressors but I am looking for something specific. I currently have two compressors, a little Porter Cable pancake compressor that's 20+ years old and a 1940-vintage Kellogg-American with a 50-gallon horizontal tank. The Porter Cable is scary loud and I'm concerned it's about to die or explode, and the K-A is just too big for the shop. I like the concept of having a big vintage compressor but not the execution. I would like recommendations on a 25- to 35-gallon vertical unit that is reasonably quiet. I have 120v and 240v available at any amperage necessary so that's not an issue. I want a vertical machine so that I can put it between the garage doors or in a corner or closet, and I don't have a lot of air volume requirements. Mostly air nailers and staplers, airbrush painting, blow nozzles and the occasional very limited sandblasting with a cheap HF handheld spot blaster. Primarily supporting woodworking activities. I've briefly looked at offerings from DeWalt, the Fortress units from Harbor Freight and California Air Tools lineup. At this size, budget is not really an issue - so what's the most reliable machine? Best or most convenient features, such as easy tank drainage, good gauges and solid construction?

 

[908Jim]

Most reliable? None of what you listed.

Go belt driven and oil lubed. Because of the size you're looking for, you're going to be getting portable units running 110v, so limited air capacity. Nothing in this size range is really going to be "industrial" so I'd go with a Campbell Hausfeld. They are the Toyota of consumer air compressors in my opinion. Not high performance, no amazing features, not exactly heavy duty, but mass produced and consistently reliable.

If It were me, I'd probably go for this guy:

Husky 30 Gal. 155 PSI Ultra-Quiet Portable Electric Air Compressor C302H - The Home Depot

Finish your sanding and painting work easily with the selection of this Husky 2-UltraQuiet Portable Electric Air Compressor.

www.homedepot.com

If you've got more cash to burn, step up to this insanely overpriced Jenny model. Great quality, but not a lot of compressor for the money.

Heavy-Duty Single Stage Cast Iron Air Compressor with Auto Start/Stop Control and UL Listed Electric Motor

Explore the heavy-duty Jenny air compressor featuring a cast iron pump, 115V single-phase power, and splash lubrication. This reliable industrial-grade compressor includes thermal overload protection, a large flywheel for easy start-up, and an auto start/stop control for efficient operation.

www.obsessedgarage.com

 

[Rinspeed]

I looked for a decent used unit for months and couldn't find anything close enough. Finally bought a new Dewalt 60 gal that was made by Sanborn. So far I've been quite happy with it and it is very quiet compared to the oil-less Craftsman I had before. I vaguely remember the 30 gal Dewalt is also made by Sanborn.

 

[GeoBruin]

The Quincy Q12124VPQ is the highest output 2 HP, 115 volt compressor on the market. It's a 26 gallon, vertical, oil lubed compressor. It's actually made by Atlas Copco and a version of it is sold by Bellaire and probably others but they're all basically the same. The Q12126VPQ is the older model and may actually be better/chraper if you can find it.

It's more expensive than the similarly sized big box store brands and the similarly sized harbor freight model but again, it's the highest output (7.1 cfm at 100 psi).

I've owned two of them (long story) and it would be my choice if I had to choose a similar footprint machine again.

If I wanted to save some dough, I would opt for the Harbor Freight Central Pnuematic 30 gallon 2 HP model followed by the Husky mentioned above.

 

[Jon_E]

If you've got more cash to burn, step up to this insanely overpriced Jenny model. Great quality, but not a lot of compressor for the money.

Thanks for the leads. I am very familiar with Jenny compressors; I use them at work to provide continuous air pressure to dry pipe fire sprinkler systems. They are pretty bulletproof. But - way out of my budget. I will look at the Husky, I've never really bothered to pay attention before.

 

[u2slow]

I run a 240V Speedaire portable (horizontal, 20gal, ~10cfm) and its been perfect for my shop the last 20 years. Basic, iron, 2cyl, 'made in usa' pump.

Here's some vertical ones...

You are being redirected...

Husky 60 Gal. 3.7 HP 1-Phase 175 PSI Oil Lubed Belt Drive Stationary Electric Air Compressor C603H - The Home Depot

The Husky 60 Gal. oil lubed belt drive air compressor is industry leading with 2-stage performance in a single stage pump. This air compressor provides 92% longer air tool runtime compared to 60 Gal. 2 Stage compressors with 175 maximum psi and 7.9 SCFM at 90 psi. The heavy-duty, cast-iron...

www.homedepot.com

Another idea is to replace the horizontal tank on your KA with a vertical one. Or have the tank in a different place from the compressor itself.

 

[Crabman]

Jon,

Not sure if you are in a hurry, and don't know how loud they are but both a 30 and 60 gallon Dewalt unit at Tractor Supply went on sale really cheap last Black Friday time frame. There is a thread or two on GJ about it.

Good luck finding the right fit.

Bruce

 

[Sneezer]

I upgraded 2 years ago to a Kobalt QuietTech 26 gal vertical. I don’t have a bunch of space in my garage, so the vertical footprint was my only option. I replaced a 20+ year old Coleman Black Max compressor. Still worked but damn had it gotten loud. It was to the point that I couldn’t use it late at night as it could be heard a street or two away. At the time I got a really good deal on the Kobalt and sold the old one for $50. It is night and day on the sound scale, and gets a seal of approval from my family as well.

I only use mine for occasional air tools - impacts, ratchets, hammers, grinders and cutoff tools. I don’t own a sandblaster or paint stuff, but it has done a great job for my needs.

I also had picked up a Porter Cable 4 gal one to use in the house for running the nailer. For that it worked, but it was louder than I expected. Found a clearance deal at Walmart for a similar 8 gal one that used the same quiet stye of motor as my Kobalt. I think I paid $50 or so for it, and it has been great for my needs. Quiet in the house when I need to use it, and decently portable to run it out to air up the camper tires without dealing with 30’ of air hose.

 

[JJ99SS]

I am looking to replace my Cman compressor some day soon too. Friggin loud, but she just won't die either. So there's that... Its 15 years old and needs a new regulator because it leaks but I don't want to fix it.

I've been looking hard at that Jenny above. I cannot justify the price at ALL for what I do. But the cool factor is sure there...

I'll likely go with a Quincy. I like the blue...

 

[zcher82]

Question for you all as I am a complete noob here when it comes to air compressors. I was looking at the Qunicy Geo mentioned above. I'm learning though, that it's really just an atlas copco/chinese made for many other brands, painted differently. I can definitely see the similarities. My question is...how come there is such a difference in range of CFM output? Is it just the motor? What parts on this machine are different between manufacturers - the tank, motor, ?? Thanks.