Air Compressor: Size or portability?

[lucky.expert]

My HF pancake compressor took a dump the other day and now I need a new compressor. But I'm having trouble deciding and am curious what others opinions are. I'm just your average garage mechanic with no real need for a big compressor. I'm 24 years old, just bought a house and still building up my tool collection. I want an impact wrench and maybe a cutoff tool, but other than that I don't have much for air tools other than some nail guns. My point is, I don't need that big of a compressor now but I'm not sure what I might need it in the future for. A blast cabinet is the only thing i can think of that I MIGHT get someday which would require a good size compressor.

So, with all that being said, which is better. As big as air compressor as I can afford, or a compressor that is portable that still fits my needs? I am looking at 2 puma models. A 60 gal 12 CFM 3hp for $529 (http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200455341_200455341), or a 20 gal 5.5 CFM 2 hp portable job for $479 (http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200455339_200455339)

So in your experience, Is this an obvious no brainer to go with the compressor that's twice the size for $50 more, or do you think portability is worth it? I love the thought of having a portable compressor, but also like planning for the future too. I have remodel plans in the house coming up, but I guess I can always buy another cheap HF pancake, or buy a real long air hose if the bigger compressor is the only way to go.

 

[ez-duzit]

While a portable is handy for away jobs, a heavy duty unit (5 hp/60 gal+) provides the capacity you'll need in the shop. I have a 7.5 hp/80 gal shop unit plus a small pancake unit for light duty portable jobs.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

Size matters....You never hear a woman say, "Wow, thats a nice portable tool you have there."

 

[Davefr]

There is no standard answer.

If your working environment spans to areas well outside the garage then go portable. (or if you don't have 220VAC)

If your focus is high CFM/high duty cycle tools, then go for the size as long as you have a dedicated/permanent location and 220VAC.

Or simply buy both!!

 

[bcradio]

buy both is my answer as well. A nice quality big one and you can get by with a cheap portable unit. Buy the big one first though.

If you plan on using nail guns, then you'll need to take your compressor to where the job is.

 

[jontar]

I like portable compressors that you can move to and from the house. I have a pancake (120v), and a 10 gallon on wheels (240v). The verticals are nice, if your into car rebuilds, such as painting, or sanding, or rotating tires etc. I just rotated the tires on our F150 yesterday by hand, it took 5 minutes long then if using air tools. So as stated above, it depends on what you want to do with your compressor.

Oh and a women would say what a nice portable tool you have, if she has a low/flat tire along the road and you show up with your portable air compressor that you filled up at the house before you left, to save her. Try doing that with a 60 gallon vertical.

 

[ez-duzit]

There are more convenient ways to air tires, on the road, than to carry your 110-volt air compressor with you.

 

[sberry]

There is no comparison here, the Puma is a far better unit and not all that far from respectable.

So in your experience, Is this an obvious no brainer to go with the compressor that's twice the size for $50 more

 

[spunger1]

I got the biggest one that would work on 120v (as my garage has no 220). It was cheaper to go that route than to rewire things and add 220. My garage is detached and I'm sure I'd need a lot of upgrades to get the 220.

Future wise I will add it at some point if I still live in the same house. I'd like to be able to have a large compressor and be able to run welders etc...

So I have a 26 gallon one & a little 2-3 gallon one for running nail guns or anything I need to move inside. I've used mainly power tools and not so much air tools for things. Again, cheaper sometimes to just buy a 120v regular tool than fiddle with all the air tool stuff.

I only use the larger compressor for impact use & airing up things. I know I could run a ratchet or other air tools but I can't for long periods of time because I'm only limited to the 26 gallon tank.

 

[zkling]

So in your experience, Is this an obvious no brainer to go with the compressor that's twice the size for $50 more?

YES. Let me ask you this. Why do you think you want a portable compressor?

or buy a real long air hose if the bigger compressor is the only way to go.

Good idea.

 

[pman13]

Go for the bigger one. I bought a similar small portable one when I was your age, and then sold it for a loss two years later to get a big compressor. The portable ones are better than nothing, but I wouldn't give up my big 5HP IR for anything. There simply is no replacement for displacement (to steal a phrase from the car crowd). My brother has had a large Puma for 15+ years and that thing still runs without any issues.

 

[lucky.expert]

Thanks for all the feedback. I like hearing what people have to say who have been there and done that.

YES. Let me ask you this. Why do you think you want a portable compressor?

Well, I don't really have a good reason other than I might want air in another place other than the garage at some point. To do a remodel project in the house for example. But I think the long air hose will be sufficient.

One other factor I need to consider is the fact my garage does not currently have a 220 connection, but the breaker box is in the garage so I'm not sure how big of a job it will be to add that. I think am going to go with the big unit though assuming adding 220 won't be a problem. Thanks again for all the input.

 

[ez-duzit]

...the breaker box is in the garage so I'm...assuming adding 220 won't be a problem...

Correct. Just add a 220 breaker.

 

[dmeadow]

I bought a 20 gallon Sanborn/Black Max oilless portable some 25 years ago. It served me fine for all that time, though I had to farm out some work I just couldn't do with it-- like media blasting. Generally, I was doing automotive repairs and restoration as a hobby. I also did house painting with it along with the air tools and painting car parts.

Recently I purchased the 60 gallon Puma you cited and sold the old oilless. I got $75 for the old one and think I paid about $300 all those years ago. So, I got 25 years of use for about $9 per year. I'm glad to have the larger Puma now, but would have continued to do fine with the Sanborn if I hadn't recently purchased a media cabinet. I like that I can run a DA sander now, though I made do with an electrical orbital in the past.

It all depends what you want to do with it...

I think the "$50 more" is a bit misleading, though, if you've got to add the wiring. Plus you'll want to plumb air lines, get a hose reel, etc., etc. for the stationary compressor.

 

[GoodoleBoy]

I owned both the compressors you have as options..Both excellent units.

 

[sberry]

Sounds like the power is there, its pretty lame to get a small comp using sub par wiring as an excuse.

 

[TireTracks]

It depends on what your doing. Some of the " Portables" are fairly decent if you don't plan on running DA sanders, sand blasters and doing alot of painting. If you wan't to split the difference, get the biggest one with wheel's that you can move.

 

[sberry]

Move or not only so much going to come out of a 20A circuit.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I'd get the big one if your panel will support the 220V. You'll have to check what amps the wiring will support. Then buy a cheap [~$200 or less] oil-less dewalt or similar for in house work. The oil-less [the lighter the better] is great for trim around windows and baseboards.

Richard

 

[EOC_Jason]

I have both compressors (not those brands), but a portable 20 gallon and a 60 gallon upright. The bigger one is nice and gets used for most things. I have like 3 or 4 hose sections so I can run line a good distance.

However, if you need air in other places that several hoses can't reach, then a portable becomes invaluable. In my case when doing work in other buildings sometimes I need air for nail / staple guns.

Honestly, if you have the room, get at least a 60 gallon vertical FIRST. Then if you find a need for a portable, depending on your needs you could just get one of those portable air tanks (I use them sometimes), or it's an excuse to search for a small portable that will fit your needs.

 

[lucky.expert]

Well here is my plan based on all the awesome input: First make sure I can put in a 20 amp dedicated breaker. If so, then definitely get the bigger compressor. I actually tore apart my old HF pancake last night and turns out there was just a hex screw that was loose where the piston rod attaches to the motor axle. So once I got that tight, it seems to be working again. I'll just worry about portability when the time comes and hopefully my little pancake will still be working then.

 

[theoldwizard1]

The size of compressor you need depends on the what kind of tools you will be using. Your typical nailer, ½" impact or chisel can get by on ½ - 1 HP and a 3 - 6 gallon tank because they are not run continuously.

Things like sanders, grinders, cut off wheels or sand blaster take a lot more air (CFM is more important than PSI). Even my 2 hp 20 gallon compressor has a hard time keeping up with my HF cut off wheel.


Bigger IS better ! How big is your wallet ?

 

[theoldwizard1]

...I actually tore apart my old HF pancake last night and turns out there was just a hex screw that was loose where the piston rod attaches to the motor axle. So once I got that tight, it seems to be working again.

Did you use thread locker on the screw ?

 

[rednecklimo85]

To me a 20 gallon isn't exactly portable. I have a 26 gallon 2 hp all cast iron, oiled unit and it is not something you want to move around all the time. Not that's impossible but when the thing weighs more then I do, It's not exactly fun to roll it around the yard or into the house. That being said, I would go for the 60 gal for another 50 bucks and pick up a pancake, or wheel barrow compressor if you want something truly portable.

Mine does an ok job of keeping up with my cut off tools, and will run my sand blaster for small stuff but if you plan on using high volume tools on a regular basis, buy the biggest you can.

 

[shooting4life]

Get at least a 60 gal vertical with at least a 5hp motor. I would keep an eye on CL to see what you can find for a good price. I paid $250 for my 5hp IR a year ago that was about 15 years old.

It is way more air compressor than I need, but I never have to worry about not having enough. The biggest air use for me is when I used my compressor to blow out my garage.

 

[GoodEnough]

, ½" impact or chisel can get by on ½ - 1 HP and a 3 - 6 gallon tank because they are not run continuously.

So, if you're working on a car suspension and just have a few bolts, you can get way with 6 gallon? I got the idea you need to step up to 15 gallon for impact wrench. If I can get away with smaller, I'd rather get small and quiet. Again, maybe just doing a few bolts at a time. I'm a weekender who does one project a month, at best.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I got the biggest one that would work on 120v (as my garage has no 220).

Many claim to run on 120V @ 15A, but will not.

 

[theoldwizard1]

...I just rotated the tires on our F150 yesterday by hand, it took 5 minutes longer then if using air tools.

Yeah, but "rattle guns" make you neighbors think you are part of a NASCAR pit crew !

 

[ez-duzit]

...maybe just doing a few bolts at a time. I'm a weekender who does one project a month, at best.

I don't see the need for impact, at all.

 

[GoodEnough]

I don't see the need for impact, at all.

Then what do you do when you're trying to do stuck bolts? Or suspension?

 

[ez-duzit]

Wow!

I would use what other air-impact-less mechanics have always used...a hammer operated manual impact driver.

 

[skruft]

From the 70s until a little while ago I used a traditional 220v single stage two piston oiled type with a 20 gal tank. It was adequate for anything other than very heavy, long air draw such as with air sanders and grinders. I sometimes wished I had gone to a 30 gal,, but the one I had was good enough. It was on wheels but I never moved it. If you do just mechanical work it's plenty. And it was still working 35 years after I bought it.

I don't trust the oilless technology except maybe for cheap, small portables. I see them broken everywhere.

Also I found an old, beat-up "hot dog" oilless compressor that I got for nothing and fixed.
This is great for carrying to jobs that use little air, like trim work. If it fails, I'll get another one at a garage sale.

Then I switched to a much larger compressor, which is overkill, but it runs anything. Nice, but I probably should not have spent the money.