Best small wall mounted air compressor?

[samduhspam]

Hello-

I am looking for a wall mounted air compressor, ideally something that is small. I realize I'm mostly using it to fill tires and an occasional air tool or nozzle use. I plan on having a hose reel with it. I figure I don't need a big tall tank and noisy setup for mostly filling tires.

Any recs?

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Here's the one I'm using. I don't know about mounting it on a wall - I guess you could put it on a small shelf. I took off the leveling feet and installed small casters to roll it around. It lives n the front corner of my garage attached to a wall mounted hose reel but is easily removable with quick disconnects. It's a little heavy but not that big a deal. In my opinion it's a little noisy but no noisier than most other compressors.

Works excellent for my uses. I recently built my 8x12 Costco-sourced shed with it driving 3-1/2" nails and it kept up just fine. Now mostly using it for filling tires and small brad nailing jobs but it'll also power my Harbor Freight Earthquake impact guns.

https://www.tylertool.com/senco-pc1...X5xgjMfxw9KaIdOQpFtBXRGe1tr-iF5BoCLkEQAvD_BwE

 

[PugetDude]

I have the single-tank version of that, Dan. It works great for what the OP intends to use it for. Mounted it on a little shelf above the mill and lathe. My big compressor rarely gets used.

 

[woody6904]

https://www.californiaairtools.com/...sumer-grade/1-0-hp-air-compressor/cat-4710sq/

Have this wall mounted in the firehall, hooked to a plumbing system to keep trucks aired up. Works great and much quieter than the oiless compressor it replaced.

 

[CTyankee]

I've got this one that could easily be mounted on a shelf. Oil -less, but still pretty quiet and comes in at 38 lbs instead of the 60 lb. oil one for easier transport.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VSAU92/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

I have the single-tank version of that, Dan. It works great for what the OP intends to use it for. Mounted it on a little shelf above the mill and lathe. My big compressor rarely gets used.

I didn't even know there was another version. I picked mine up at an Outlet place that used to be by our old place. Can't remember what I paid exactly but I want to say about $150+. It was brand new though the box was tore up. I had a 60 gallon Harbor Freight unit at the old house but never really used it. I gave it away when I moved here. This one seems just fine for my low usage and 4cfm is still good for the few times I'll use it for my impact guns.

I've got this one that could easily be mounted on a shelf. Oil -less, but still pretty quiet and comes in at 38 lbs instead of the 60 lb. oil one for easier transport.

38 lbs is positively svelte compared to the 60 lbs mine weighs. That's why I put casters on it. I CAN lift it but it's a pain and I'm not getting any younger

Mine is a little noisy but mostly it just startles me when it comes on!

 

[The Cobbler]

senco pc1010 would be a good choice

 

[PugetDude]

I didn't even know there was another version. I picked mine up at an Outlet place that used to be by our old place. Can't remember what I paid exactly but I want to say about $150+. It was brand new though the box was tore up. I had a 60 gallon Harbor Freight unit at the old house but never really used it. I gave it away when I moved here. This one seems just fine for my low usage and 4cfm is still good for the few times I'll use it for my impact guns.



38 lbs is positively svelte compared to the 60 lbs mine weighs. That's why I put casters on it. I CAN lift it but it's a pain and I'm not getting any younger

Mine is a little noisy but mostly it just startles me when it comes on!

senco pc1010 would be a good choice

That’s the one I bought. Currently $119 on Amazon

 

[Citation]

I would second a California Air Tools compressor, in particular one with an aluminum tank. I have a 5510A. It weighs about 35lb. The down side is you would have to come up with a bracket to attach it to the wall since it doesn't have a handle for easy hanging. Here is a 2 gallon CAT with an aluminum tank
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TDNKBMC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Do keep in mind that you need to be able to drain the tank and some of these ultra light compressors are meant to be tilted to drain. As an example, here is the CAT 4710
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CKRLKM9/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Compared to my 5510A this is a 4.7 vs 5.5 gallon tank but the pump numbers are the same. It has no wheels but weighs, per the specs 15-20lb more than my 5510 likely due to the steel tank. Also the drain is not at the bottom of the tank to tilting is required. Still, the extra weight isn't too much and if tilting is fine the current price difference is around $100.

 

[samduhspam]

Best small air compressor?

Mostly used for filling tires and blowing things. Ideally small and compact to be wall mounted up high and plumbed to a reel. Any recs?

 

[vanapplebomb]

Hello...

I realize I'm mostly using it to fill tires and an occasional air tool...

Any recs?

What air tools?

I only ask because the biggest problem with small compressors and air tools is the built in regulator. If you are using a nail gun or filling tires, they are fine, but anything more than that is far less than optimal.

The built in regulators You get with small compressors are embarrassingly cheap. They will seriously choke air flow. Even with the regulator pressure maxed out, you would be lucky to get 50psi working pressure on things like impact wrenches. The orifices in those crapy regulators are so small, you just will never get full working pressure on larger tools. It will still “work,” but don’t expect anywhere near the power of a proper setup. In order to use larger tools with smaller compressors, you should tap directly into the tank and bypass the built in regulator. They really are that bad...take my word for it.

 

[CTyankee]

38 lbs is positively svelte compared to the 60 lbs mine weighs. That's why I put casters on it. I CAN lift it but it's a pain and I'm not getting any younger

Mine is a little noisy but mostly it just startles me when it comes on!

I hear ya, as I've gotten older I find myself going to the weight first when reviewing the specs on a piece of equipment. Got a small older John Deere generator(2200W) my ex boss gave me. I remember 20 years ago thinking nothing of grabbing it and throwing it into the back of the pickup. I put wheels on it a few years ago.

As you say, it's not that I can't still lift it, by at this point...why should I lift it. I'm still in pretty good shape, but I don't care to do any unnecessary damage to my body.

 

[lilredex]

Here's mine, been wall mounted for thirty years in my garage and ten years at my other place before. It is the way to go.

 

[Canyon56]

Re: Best small air compressor?

I would recommend the Milwaukee M12 Inflator for the tasks you just listed. However, if you want a reel and line I love my Senco 1 gallon.

 

[General Geoff]

Re: Best small air compressor?

https://www.harborfreight.com/1-gal...-hand-carry-jobsite-air-compressor-64592.html

This little 1 gal Viking unit from HF is the quietest air compressor I've ever used. 57 db, it's about as loud as a running refrigerator, no exaggeration. Also only about 30 lbs so easy to support with a shelf up high on the wall.

 

[Rinspeed]

Re: Best small air compressor?

I almost bought one of those HF Fortress compressors, reviews looked pretty good, not exactly inexpensive though.

 

[samduhspam]

Re: Best small air compressor?

Thanks guys. Would you say 1 gal minimum to run a reel?

 

[samduhspam]

Re: Best small air compressor?

I like the idea of this wall mounted FIAC Wallair Wall Mounted Garage Air Compressor with a built-in reel but it's really pricey at $385

https://www.obsessedgarage.com/prod...cdQKEARcVUC2Rgmu4avk1ixOO_5SDODBoC5SkQAvD_BwE

 

[finn]

Re: Best small air compressor?

There are probably a dozen different vendors selling what looks like exactly the same “silent “ compressor as the HF Fortress. Some have slightly different tanks and control panels, but the compressor/motor looks exactly the same.

There are also what looks like dual compressor heat models for increased airflow, and I saw one with four heads in a YouTube video from either England or Australia.

They generally advertise 3000 hour lift, compared to 500 hours or so for the older noisemaker oilless, or 50000 hours Quincy advertises for their belt drivel oil lubed compressor.

I have been contemplating getting one of the larger ones for our seasonal home in a HOA. Footprint and noise are an issue to me. There is one with an Eagle label that interests me, at around 7 -10 scfm, and 58 dBa, or so (don’t remember exactly). That would marginally run an help spray gun.

 

[tarbellb]

Wall mounting capable is going to be a major obstacle.

There are some, but for similar money you should look at silent pancake models like the California Air Tools, Kobalt Quiet series, or Harbor Freights version.

Then simply make a shelf to mount. You could even mount the base to the wall, as none of these rely on oil.

 

[zendriver]

Re: Best small air compressor?

I have the fortress air compressor. I started out with a 1 gallon but it was just too small so I return it and get the 2 gallons.

Well built compressor I’ve had no problem


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[anndel]

Re: Best small air compressor?

California Air Tools

 

[motoretro]

Re: Best small air compressor?

I have a wheeled Rol-Air, it's quiet, has a very quick recovery time. Has a decent sized tool box attached for odds and ends. Has been very handy and stone reliable so far.

 

[RTM]

Re: Best small air compressor?

California Air Tools

A friend just bought one, after I suggested it based in info here. Much nicer than my PC pancake on the noise scale. Don’t know about top end pressure ability. He got it cheaper than a new pancake, so he was quite pleased. Mostly used for nailers, same as I use mine.

 

[The Cobbler]

2 threads by same user merged

 

[M635_Guy]

I got the California Air Tools 4620 - 4.6 gal, 2HP, 70dB, 6.40 CFM at 40 psi, 5.30 CFM at 90 psi

I didn't buy it from Home Depot, but here's a link for specs/etc.

It's great - very quiet, pretty powerful for the size, though it's not going to keep up with any high-volume tool (I'm all battery for that kind of thing anyway)

 

[samduhspam]

2 threads by same user merged

Thanks I thought the first post didn’t go through.

 

[samduhspam]

Thanks for the info. How often do these need to be drained? I don’t need to walk mount but trying to go for a “clean” uncluttered garage look so trying to disguise or hide the compressor.

 

[finn]

Thanks for the info. How often do these need to be drained? I don’t need to walk mount but trying to go for a “clean” uncluttered garage look so trying to disguise or hide the compressor.

Don’t try too hard: compressing air generates a lot of heat that needs to be dissipated, so an enclosure may not be best for longevity or performance.

 

[vanapplebomb]

Thanks for the info. How often do these need to be drained? I don’t need to walk mount but trying to go for a “clean” uncluttered garage look so trying to disguise or hide the compressor.

I always drain the water from the tank after every time I use it. Let the tank cool for a few minutes first, then crack the valve on the bottom open, blow the water out, and close.

As far as completely depressurizing the tank, I normally don’t because I use my compressor almost daily, but if for some reason I know I won’t be using it for a few weeks, I will completely empty the tank.

 

[samduhspam]

What is minimum tank size to have it plumbed to a reel?

 

[The Cobbler]

tank size is irrelevant to using a hose reel. ( unless you had say an airbrush compressor on 200' of 1/2" hose )