compressor opinons

[dsimatt]

So I've decided to get a air compressor for my place and it will mostly be used to air up low tires and run my impacts if I need to work on my vehicles so have kinda come down to these 2 models and want to know if they are decent.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Powermate-30-gal-Portable-Electric-Air-Compressor-PLA1683066/202636577

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-30-gal-Ultra-Quiet-Portable-Electric-Air-Compressor-C301H/203187352

 

[volaredon]

other than color they look like the same unit.
For "airing up tires" should be fine as long as that isn't along with running a tire machine.
Should be OK occasionally running an impact wrench but you wont be happy with only 5.3 CFM of air available if you get an air ratchet or any kind of sanding/grinding tools like a DA or die grinder.... you'll be waiting for the compressor to catch up a lot...
A compressor is something that 98% of the time you are better with something bigger than you "think" you will need.
It is a better unit than any "oil-less" unit that you may run across. those are not worth the price of the ink on the box they come in.

 

[Rlfd213]

Keep an eye on Craigslist. For that money you can buy a bigger and better compressor. For the same price you can go to menards and get a 60 gallon sanbourn. Don't rush to buy one. Do your homework. I bought a husky from Home Depot and the motor didn't last a year and of course the warranty was only a 30 day.

 

[dsimatt]

Hey I know these won't be able to keep up well with my air tools, most just small jobs in my garage and maybe if I have to take them somewhere, I did like they can run on 120 as that's what my garage is set up with.

I've been hitting up craigslist pretty good but like everything else if its in decent shape they want almost brand new prices or its a rusted out pos. I might just say screw it and get a small pancake one for doing tires and make due till I can get a lot better deal on something bigger.

 

[RECox286]

Not bad for a "starter" setup for a small garage. Yes, the CFM

isn't industrial by any stretch of the imagination, but will be more

than serviceable for you. Everything is a compromise with an air

compressor, and if you feel it's not big enough after using it for a

while, that is why there are For Sale signs, and ad rags such as

Craigs' List ! I wouldn't hesitate to get either one, or to check out

http://www.harborfrieght.com

as well, b/c some of their stuff is quite as up to par, and the prices

are as good or better as, especially with their discount coupons.

Good hunting

Uncle Bob

 

[Marc Benjamin]

It is a better unit than any "oil-less" unit that you may run across. those are not worth the price of the ink on the box they come in.

I beg to differ with the exception of the California Air Tool compressors!

 

[dsimatt]

I'm used to working in a shop that unless you kill the compressor you never run out of air, but for home its not a option due to space and money and i'm fine with that.

My main goal is something that is decent priced and dependable for when it get used and can be powered off normal house power so I don't have to run wiring into my garage just to be able to use it. The biggest thing is with the alloy rims on my truck and GFs car winter time they leak down and would be nice being able to air them up when needed, I have a portable jump pack I've been using but is super slow.

 

[larry_g]

Pick the color you like best... Those are both 1.6 hp units and 15a service. I know mine is similarly spec'ed and it pulls 19a just before shutoff so it will trip a 20a circuit if something else is on it. So you said you don't want to pull more power into the garage, do you have a 20a circuit to dedicate to this and another circuit for all else?

lg
no neat sig line

 

[CNGsaves]

That Powermate compressor is not bad as it could "grow" with your improvements to garage as it is 240v capable. However, $440 is steep price for just 5 CFM.

Air compressor that is belt driven and oil-splash lube really have long lives so I can't see spending that much on new one . . . maybe I'm just too cheap !

For $225 I found used Powermate 60 gal 6.5 HP (yeah fluffed up . . more like 5 HP but 240v) and then I got portable small compressor that I can haul around for nailing jobs, air up tires, etc. That was DeWalt twin tank oil-splash for $129 from Northern Tool.

OP . . check out the GJ thread on California Air 10 gal compressor that is on sale. It is super quiet (even though it's oil-less) and quality item that defies the logic of never owning an oil-less compressor. If I were to do it over, I would have bought that compressor as my portable.

For your situation OP, the CalAir 10 gal is very nice portable compressor, and you could wait to get 60 gal when you get 240v electrical to shop.

It IS inevitable that you WILL have 2 or more air compressors !! The trick is "buying right" so that you can get the right 2 compressors.

 

[PT Doc]

Lowes sells Quincy. Might be worth checking that out.

 

[ovrrdrive]

If I was looking at a smaller compressor just to air tires up I'd probably buy one from HF. For what the powermate costs its $30 away from what the 60 gallon Husky sells for and that's more than twice the compressor.

I'd be looking more at something liek this for a small unit: http://www.harborfreight.com/26-gal-18-hp-150-psi-oilless-air-compressor-68067.html

 

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http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-...p-00916578000P?prdNo=8&blockNo=8&blockType=G8

 

[MrGiggles]

I'm used to working in a shop that unless you kill the compressor you never run out of air, but for home its not a option due to space and money and i'm fine with that.

My main goal is something that is decent priced and dependable for when it get used and can be powered off normal house power so I don't have to run wiring into my garage just to be able to use it. The biggest thing is with the alloy rims on my truck and GFs car winter time they leak down and would be nice being able to air them up when needed, I have a portable jump pack I've been using but is super slow.

Get one of these.. Run it with the drain open for 15 minutes and change the oil, use it, and change it once more at a short interval. It's hard to beat for the price.

I've had one for 10 months now, no problems. It has ran almost constantly 3 or 4 hours at a time on hot summer days running a DA sander.

I can loosen two wheels at a time with a 2135Timax, then I have to give it a minute to recover before I can loosen the other two.

http://www.harborfreight.com/21-gal-25-hp-125-psi-cast-iron-vertical-air-compressor-61454.html

 

[firebox40dash5]

I got a 20 gallon Speedaire/CH from Zoro on one of their 25 or 30% coupons, ran me $360ish with sales tax. It does surprisingly well with the air chisel, 2135, and die grinder, although I added an unregulated 3/8NPT coupler to it to free up the airflow.

I didn't see any CoO markings, but I've heard the pump is (or had been) at least assembled in the US, and the motor is a GE Marathon hecho en Mayheco. Can't complain about it, especially not for the price. I have a small shed at home and a proper compressor would take too much room being permanent, and adding a 220v circuit would be prohibitive. I have a dedicated 20A run in the shed but haven't finished wiring it to the panel, but it runs just fine off any of my outdoor 20A outlets anyway.

 

[mikebramel]

I have had that Harbor Freight compressor for about 4-5 years on the original oil. Use it 3-4 times a month. 5 minutes to an hour at a time (continuous pumping). I don't even know if it has oil in it anymore. Paid for itself a long time ago. Best $99 I've spent there. The 1/2" Earthquake impact would still be going too.... if someone didn't leave it out over winter!

 

[dsimatt]

Thanks for the replies guys i'll have to check out the compressors you guys linked me to.

Yeah I would like to get a big one and be able to run all the tools I want but space is a premium in my garage and this isn't a forever house so it will be moved in the future. I also like the portable ones because I can take it places if needed, my main goal is something that will be adequate for when I need to use it every once in awhile.

 

[ibedayank]

If I was looking at a smaller compressor just to air tires up I'd probably buy one from HF. For what the powermate costs its $30 away from what the 60 gallon Husky sells for and that's more than twice the compressor.

I'd be looking more at something liek this for a small unit: http://www.harborfreight.com/26-gal-18-hp-150-psi-oilless-air-compressor-68067.html

better wear earplugs when it is running to