Capable 110v air compressor for home use?

[ptgarcia]

I'm hoping to get a recommendation for an air compressor for home use. I've been getting by with a Senco 1-gallon that is really great, but just can't keep up with my modest needs. My typical uses are:

* filling tires up to 37" dia on a 17" wheel
* running a vacuum brake bleeder
* blowing out carburetor bodies and jets after cleaning them

Basically I'm looking for something capable of supporting basic vehicle maintenance needs, a garage business repairing motorcycles, and typical homeowner use.

The constraints are I only have household 110v 15 amp available, and looking to spend about $500, although I don't mind spending more if the value is there. It'll live in my garage, under my kids bedrooms, so the quieter the better. What I've been considering is the Harbor Freight 26-gallon Fortress "Ultra Quiet" but if there is something with equal capability from a brand that puts out a better product I'd like to hear about that.

What do you guys think?

 

[5ubtle]

* running a vacuum brake bleeder

Are you running a vacuum pump like this from compressed air?

 

[GeoBruin]

I have probably written more on the topic of 110v air compressors than nearly anyone else on this forum. You can find any number of discussions about it in my post history with lots of links and discussion. But if you want quiet, and 110 volts for $500 or less, it's going to be hard to beat that HF Fortress 26 gallon.

The other option is something from California Air Tools which is kind of the original oilless quiet compressor. Their 2 HP 20 gallon is the closest thing to that HF Model. A little higher output, a little smaller tank, etc. It does have a lower max pressure though if that's important to your use case.

https://a.co/d/1yyMjj4

Otherwise, like I said, I think the Fortress is a good buy, especially on sale or with a coupon.

Good luck!

 

[kaymccampbell]

I've got one of the Fortress 2 gallon air compressors, and it runs pretty steady to feed the laser burner with cutting air. I can't complain about reliability, it's been good. I've heard nothing but good about the larger Fortress compressor.

 

[mikedodge]

Have a browse through the recent topics. The same question is asked every few weeks.

Pretty any of those compressors on wheels will do all that. Even most of the little 5 gallon ones.

 

[ptgarcia]

Are you running a vacuum pump like this from compressed air?

I have a Mityvac. With my current compressor it pulls fluid about 2 seconds before running out of air.

 

[ptgarcia]

Have a browse through the recent topics. The same question is asked every few weeks.

Pretty any of those compressors on wheels will do all that. Even most of the little 5 gallon ones.

I did, went back many pages and didn’t see anything. I’ll keep poking around.

 

[ptgarcia]

I have probably written more on the topic of 110v air compressors than nearly anyone else on this forum. You can find any number of discussions about it in my post history with lots of links and discussion. But if you want quiet, and 110 volts for $500 or less, it's going to be hard to beat that HF Fortress 26 gallon.

The other option is something from California Air Tools which is kind of the original oilless quiet compressor. Their 2 HP 20 gallon is the closest thing to that HF Model. A little higher output, a little smaller tank, etc. It does have a lower max pressure though if that's important to your use case.

https://a.co/d/1yyMjj4

Otherwise, like I said, I think the Fortress is a good buy, especially on sale or with a coupon.

Good luck!

Thank you. I’ll take a look at that California Air Tools compressor.

 

[zendriver]

I'm hoping to get a recommendation for an air compressor for home use. I've been getting by with a Senco 1-gallon that is really great, but just can't keep up with my modest needs. My typical uses are:

* filling tires up to 37" dia on a 17" wheel
* running a vacuum brake bleeder
* blowing out carburetor bodies and jets after cleaning them

Basically I'm looking for something capable of supporting basic vehicle maintenance needs, a garage business repairing motorcycles, and typical homeowner use.

The constraints are I only have household 110v 15 amp available, and looking to spend about $500, although I don't mind spending more if the value is there. It'll live in my garage, under my kids bedrooms, so the quieter the better. What I've been considering is the Harbor Freight 26-gallon Fortress "Ultra Quiet" but if there is something with equal capability from a brand that puts out a better product I'd like to hear about that.

What do you guys think?

I have the two gallon fortress. It is a great compressor, but small.

Keep eyeballing the 26 gallon every time I go to the store. I have a good old 26 gal Speedway compressor, use on occasion. Only problems is the loud Blaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

That alone, should justify the purchase.

 

[5ubtle]

I have a Mityvac. With my current compressor it pulls fluid about 2 seconds before running out of air.

My experience with these pneumatic powered vacuum devices is that they are "air hogs" (I don't have the Mityvac however). The spec on the MV6830 is 4.3cfm @ 90psi, but I saw an amazon review stating that "9.3 cfm @ 100 PSI was marginal".

 

[PCustoms]

My experience with these pneumatic powered vacuum devices is that they are "air hogs" (I don't have the Mityvac however). The spec on the MV6830 is 4.3cfm @ 90psi, but I saw an amazon review stating that "9.3 cfm @ 100 PSI was marginal".

A venturi is a fantastic little fluid dynamics trick, but really aren't very efficient when looking at input vs. output

 

[gtcs]

I bought the Fortress 26 g ultra quite six months ago, I have a 60g DeVilbiss, a 2g Campbell Hausfield, and an old Sears (not Craftsman), I had stopped using air tools all together because I couldn’t stand the noise. This Fortress is being used regularly and has had no issues and you wouldn’t believe me if I told you how quite it is. I haven’t used one of the other compressors since

 

[Shoreline_]

15-20a at 115v is only going to give you so much air.

 

[allinon72]

The one I have below is a little more than you want to spend (it wasn't when I bought it) and I do similar tasks. It's a quality machine. I don't do a lot of heavy air stuff.

https://www.northerntool.com/products/ingersoll-rand-single-stage-portable-electric-air-compressor-2-hp-20-gallon-5-5-cfm-garage-mate-model-p1-5iu-a9-1592073

 

[Citation]

As a low buck alternative, the Walmart Goodyear 8 gallon quite compressors were just as good as my California Air Tools in terms of low noise. It was something like $160. The flow rate is only 2.6 (or so) CFM @90. The new Hart compressor they sell seems similar. That might be sufficient for what you are doing and would certainly hit the noise targets. As for the vacuum pump, for about $100 you could get a vacuum pump from HF. That puts you at under $300 for a larger quiet compressor + separate vacuum pump. Just a thought.

I don't mind the idea of a bigger quite CAT compressor but over spending might not help you in this case.

 

[PCustoms]

Rather then spend all this money to (barely) run the bleeder, are there other bleeder options?

 

[GeoBruin]

Rather then spend all this money to (barely) run the bleeder, are there other bleeder options?

OP wants a compressor for other things than just the bleeder.

 

[PCustoms]

OP wants a compressor for other things than just the bleeder.

Airing up a tire and blowing a carb jet dry have very different crm requirements then a venturi vacuum

 

[drokihazan]

I have probably written more on the topic of 110v air compressors than nearly anyone else on this forum. You can find any number of discussions about it in my post history with lots of links and discussion. But if you want quiet, and 110 volts for $500 or less, it's going to be hard to beat that HF Fortress 26 gallon.

The other option is something from California Air Tools which is kind of the original oilless quiet compressor. Their 2 HP 20 gallon is the closest thing to that HF Model. A little higher output, a little smaller tank, etc. It does have a lower max pressure though if that's important to your use case.

https://a.co/d/1yyMjj4

Otherwise, like I said, I think the Fortress is a good buy, especially on sale or with a coupon.

Good luck!

The CAT 2hp compressors have to be the highest cfm on the market for 110v. I'm considering one strongly

 

[GeoBruin]

The CAT 2hp compressors have to be the highest cfm on the market for 110v. I'm considering one strongly

Perhaps the highest for an oilless. They also have some "continuous run" models now with much higher duty cycles which is pretty cool.

The highest flow of any 120 volt compressor is the Quincy Q12124VPQ and it's equivalents, but you'll definitely need a 20 amp breaker.

 

[four.cycle]

FWIW:

FT1675 Fortress air compressor

I bought this for my buddy about three weeks ago.
He was ravin' about it the other day. Noted that it was fairly quiet (he's deaf as a post) and that the "recovery time" was excellent.
(He has a tendency to lose track of time when running his little die-grinder thingie.)
$150 + tax.

 

[Schurkey]

I had a "20 gallon" compressor. It'd run an air hammer for about three seconds. A 220-volt, single-stage, 60-gallon compressor never shut off when using a die-grinder. Now I have a 220-volt, two-stage, 80-gallon compressor that does what I need.

There is nothing you can do with only 110--120 volts to get adequate air supply for anything but filling tires. "Blowing out jets" kinda depends on how many carb passages you intend to "blow". Air tools will likely be under-pressured, especially constant-use air tools like die-grinders. Intermittent-use tools like impact wrenches or air-ratchets may do OK.

Spend your money getting adequate electricity into your work-space. THEN spend your money getting a 220--240-volt air compressor (and welder, if welding is in your plans.)

 

[nadogail]

i once asked the Cabinet Maker who was doing a remodel in my Master Bath "Who Makes the best small compressor?"
His answer, "They are all ****, just buy the cheapest one".
Harbor Freight compressors have been "Good Enough for Me"

 

[mikedodge]

I did, went back many pages and didn’t see anything. I’ll keep poking around.

You just know once you don't need the info anymore you'll keep running into the posts!

At a quick look this is a lot like the little one I have right now. It has no problem filling tires and blow gun type stuff. It won't run air tools that well.

https://www.harborfreight.com/8-gallon-150-psi-oil-free-horizontal-shopauto-air-compressor-64294.html

I know lots of people who have similar ones to the one you mentioned and they will easily do what you're after and also run air tools but with lots of running continuously and waiting at times to catch up. Of course more cfm is better but not everyone has the space or budget for a better or bigger compressor and they easily make it work. I only use my big compressor when it's really needed.

 

[ptgarcia]

I had a "20 gallon" compressor. It'd run an air hammer for about three seconds. A 220-volt, single-stage, 60-gallon compressor never shut off when using a die-grinder. Now I have a 220-volt, two-stage, 80-gallon compressor that does what I need.

There is nothing you can do with only 110--120 volts to get adequate air supply for anything but filling tires. "Blowing out jets" kinda depends on how many carb passages you intend to "blow". Air tools will likely be under-pressured, especially constant-use air tools like die-grinders. Intermittent-use tools like impact wrenches or air-ratchets may do OK.

Spend your money getting adequate electricity into your work-space. THEN spend your money getting a 220--240-volt air compressor (and welder, if welding is in your plans.)

In typical Garage Journal fashion comes the recommendation to throw $5,000 at a $500 problem.

Seriously though, I appreciate all the replies, even the ludicrous ones. I think the 26 ga Fortress will suit me fine. I'm sure the other suggestions would be fine as well but Harbor Freight is the most convenient source. When I have an extra $8,000 (that's my actual cost) to spend on an upgraded panel and running 240v to the garage I'll make the move to a "real" compressor.

 

[LopezBart]

I just got a HF Fortress 2.1 cfm@90 psi for less than $200 that's really quiet. Perfect for a small nailer, blowing out drilled holes, inflating tires, etc. Aluminum tank, too... so no rust issues.

 

[drmarkr]

In typical Garage Journal fashion comes the recommendation to throw $5,000 at a $500 problem.

Seriously though, I appreciate all the replies, even the ludicrous ones. I think the 26 ga Fortress will suit me fine. I'm sure the other suggestions would be fine as well but Harbor Freight is the most convenient source. When I have an extra $8,000 (that's my actual cost) to spend on an upgraded panel and running 240v to the garage I'll make the move to a "real" compressor.

You won't believe how quiet these things are...

 

[zendriver]

In typical Garage Journal fashion comes the recommendation to throw $5,000 at a $500 problem.

Seriously though, I appreciate all the replies, even the ludicrous ones. I think the 26 ga Fortress will suit me fine. I'm sure the other suggestions would be fine as well but Harbor Freight is the most convenient source. When I have an extra $8,000 (that's my actual cost) to spend on an upgraded panel and running 240v to the garage I'll make the move to a "real" compressor.

Then you will discover that you need a new, larger garage.

 

[FTG-05]

In typical Garage Journal fashion comes the recommendation to throw $5,000 at a $500 problem.

Seriously though, I appreciate all the replies, even the ludicrous ones. I think the 26 ga Fortress will suit me fine. I'm sure the other suggestions would be fine as well but Harbor Freight is the most convenient source. When I have an extra $8,000 (that's my actual cost) to spend on an upgraded panel and running 240v to the garage I'll make the move to a "real" compressor.

Go big - or go home!

 

[theoldwizard1]

The limit on a 120VAC 15A circuit is about 1HP. I used to sell those old Sears (green) and Craftsman (gold/brown) compressors in the "old days". If you did not have an HONEST 15A in your garage they would blow the fuse (yes, they were fuses back then).

The California Air Tools compressors are nice because they are QUIET. Harbor Freight equivalent are a good buy.