Compressors

[Bacchus]

I'm looking for a hobby compressor. Something simple to blow up tires, run a small nailer, blow off the work bench, maybe run a few air tools once in a while. But, I don't want to take up a ton of space, it must be 110, and I don't want to spend a ton of money. I know, doesn't everyone want this.

My wife brought home this as a surprise over the weekend:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...ompressors+&+Air+Tools&keyword=air+compressor

It seems to get good reviews and mostly fits the bill, although I'm not sure how much air tools it will run.

Is there a better alternative out there?

 

[kvom]

My current compressor is a 12 gallon similar to yours, but with a 4HP motor. For what you do (similar to me) it works fine. I'm not sure if the lesser HP will take it longer to repressurize the tank.

 

[Major Ramifications]

Sears has had that same motor/pump combo on a 3 gallon compressor for years. When they put the same little pump on a 12 gallon tank, I thought, "that is going to take a long time to recover." The recovery is slow, but the unit is fairly quiet, and has a pleasant sound.
The problems I have seen with these pumps were almost always caused by oil starvation. The connecting rod siezes on the crank if it doesn't get enough oil. There is a little oil dipper on the bottom of the rod that splashes oil onto the moving parts on every revolution. Do not let the oil level get below the middle of the indicator window, and do not operate the unit in anything except the upright position (duh). This was a problem with the 3 gallon units as guys would pull on the hose and knock the unit over while it was running. Also, the oil does tend to seep past the crankcase gasket on these, but not enough to cause a problem in most cases.
This is a chinese compressor, but parts are available from Sears. The motor does not use brushes (HOORAY!), and is capacitor start capacitor run. That makes it quiet and maintenance free. The downside to this is that if the pump gives any resistance to turning, the motor won't start (direct drive with not much torque).
The cute little piston uses two compression and one oil control ring just like a real engine.

In summation, if it works for you, then keep it. If you ever want to upgrade later on, then you will have a better feel for what you need and you can deal with it then. Also, if you take care of this one, you can always sell it and put that money toward the new one.

 

[Bacchus]

I used to have a Craftsman PRO horizontal 220volt. I think it was 33 gal, 5-6hp. It was "okay" but really loud. Overkill for a lot of what I was doing, but I did paint with it okay. I sold it for what I paid for it.

I think I'll keep this one unless there are better alternatives. Someday I'll get a big IR unit.

 

[eschoendorff]

For a few dollars more (man that compressor you link is expensive for what it is!) you can get this:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...&+Air+Tools&sName=Air+Compressors+&+Inflators

And have something that will do everything that you want - on 110VAC. I know, I have this compressor, it's the best I could fin on 110. And it really works surprisingly well.

 

[Bacchus]

For a few dollars more (man that compressor you link is expensive for what it is!) you can get this:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...&+Air+Tools&sName=Air+Compressors+&+Inflators

And have something that will do everything that you want - on 110VAC. I know, I have this compressor, it's the best I could fin on 110. And it really works surprisingly well.

Certainly not bad, but ove 2X as expensive. If I could get that on sale for $299, I'd have to get it!

 

[eschoendorff]

Certainly not bad, but ove 2X as expensive. If I could get that on sale for $299, I'd have to get it!

Seriously... save your pennies. Or, buy up every other cheap compressor in the meantime wishing you had something better... I learned the hard way.

 

['69 Super Sport]

I have this compressor and am very happy with it . The only air tool it wont keep up with is my DA Sander . For the money its a great compressor .. I got it on sale for $249.00

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...&+Air+Tools&sName=Air+Compressors+&+Inflators

 

[eschoendorff]

I have this compressor and am very happy with it . The only air tool it wont keep up with is my DA Sander . For the money its a great compressor .. I got it on sale for $249.00

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...&+Air+Tools&sName=Air+Compressors+&+Inflators

It's a decent compressor if you want an oil-free unit. I have one similar by Husky (32 gal?) and it works well... but you have to leave the room if you wnt to have a conversation.

 

['69 Super Sport]

It's a decent compressor if you want an oil-free unit. I have one similar by Husky (32 gal?) and it works well... but you have to leave the room if you wnt to have a conversation.

I have a Coleman Black Max 60 gal (oiler) in my shop and its no louder than that one . Dont know about the Husky but this Craftsman isnt that loud .

 

[Bacchus]

I have this compressor and am very happy with it . The only air tool it wont keep up with is my DA Sander . For the money its a great compressor .. I got it on sale for $249.00

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...&+Air+Tools&sName=Air+Compressors+&+Inflators

I just noticed that this is on sale through Craftsman Club for $289, and includes a $100 air tool kit. Probably not the greatest tools, but still, free is free.

I might have to look at that one.

 

['69 Super Sport]

I just noticed that this is on sale through Craftsman Club for $289, and includes a $100 air tool kit. Probably not the greatest tools, but still, free is free.

I might have to look at that one.

Yep you will like it . The tools work great as well .

 

[dxdexter]

Its nice to see that Craftsman is being more honest with their horsepower ratings. A few years back you would never see 1.6hp or 1.8hp. You would see 5hp or 6hp, the horsepower developed just prior to self destruction.

 

[alkemyst]

Yep you will like it . The tools work great as well .

I picked that one up too...came with a free 3/8" hose reel too. It's rated in the high 5.x's for scfm. Should be more than enough for my usages.

Pretty damn quiet too. Bleeding out the air is louder then the pump.

 

[Bacchus]

Yep you will like it . The tools work great as well .

Picked it up today. Great size. Easy to store and maneuver. I haven't played with it much yet other than to fire it up.

Wow, for an oil-free, it is quiet. Really quiet. My old craftsman pro oil-free was like a canon going off compared to this.

 

['69 Super Sport]

Picked it up today. Great size. Easy to store and maneuver. I haven't played with it much yet other than to fire it up.

Wow, for an oil-free, it is quiet. Really quiet. My old craftsman pro oil-free was like a canon going off compared to this.

Good , Glad to hear you bought one . You are right for oil free this compressor runs quiet . I use mine for evrything possible in my garage and have been pleased with it everytime I use it .

GOOD JOB CRAFTSMAN .

 

[DavidtheDuke]

I wonder if there is any superiority in the Snap-On models, besides the paint job

 

[Bacchus]

Good , Glad to hear you bought one . You are right for oil free this compressor runs quiet . I use mine for evrything possible in my garage and have been pleased with it everytime I use it .

GOOD JOB CRAFTSMAN .

Well, after running it a bit yesterday, I'm not as pleased as I was before. Mainly, it doesn't appear to shut off when it hits 150 psi in the tank. It just runs, and runs, and runs. Any idea what the problem is? I may have got a lemon.

 

['69 Super Sport]

Well, after running it a bit yesterday, I'm not as pleased as I was before. Mainly, it doesn't appear to shut off when it hits 150 psi in the tank. It just runs, and runs, and runs. Any idea what the problem is? I may have got a lemon.

Bad Pressure switch . Take it back and exchange it . Did you keep your receipt ?

My father inlaw bought one and the switch was Bad on it .. (it wouldnt turn on ) we called them and they said bring it in for a exchange .. No hassles , no questions , just the way it should be .

 

[BMelka]

Yes, I kept the receipt. I guess I'll take it back for an exchange.