Decent air compressor that isn't too expensive?

[Bennylava]

Hi all. My cheapo Pep boys $120 40 gallon air compressor has died. I got my money's worth out of it, but it bit the dust. So now I'm in the market for a new one. My needs for the air compressor are:

1. 40 gallon

2. On wheels so I can roll it around.

3. Won't break the bank. I'm seeing a lot of $800+ models. That is just too much for now.

I need one that is somewhere in the $300 area. Maybe some more, maybe a little less. But somewhere around there. Is it possible to get a decent air compressor that meets these criteria for $300? And if so, which one would you recommend?

 

[marinusdees]

A good used oil lubricated, 1750 rpm motor. Craig's list and patience.

 

[Bennylava]

I'd really like to get something new so I know that the maintenance is not a factor. And that it doesn't have a billion hours on it already. Don't want to buy one only to have it die next year or the year after. So in this instance I'm just not looking for used.

 

[wesst]

Just a suggestion, but check out Sanborn compressors at your local Menards, as they are oil lubricated and deliver a great CFM to $$$ ratio. I am looking at those closely and you can find them on sale from time to time.

 

[Diesel Mercedes]

I'd go with a craigslist oiled belt drive compressor. Last longer, runs quieter, and runs cooler.
Even if you are unlucky and your used air compressor claps out on you, rebuilding the compressor pump on a reasonably priced used unit will still have you way ahead in savings.

With a craigslist budget of $300 you can potentially find a like new equivalent easily reaching $1000

 

[bob15]

If you want it portable, new and $300, look at 30 gallon compressors. I would not recommend an oil-free unit.

You had a cheapo and it failed, and you want another cheapo? Not sure on that logic

What do you actually plan on doing with it? Just to blow up a tire? Or do you plan on running a die grinder? If it is for tires only, a pancake compressor might work well for you.

C-list and pawn shops are your friend.......don't be scared of used

 

[firebox40dash5]

I picked up a 30 gallon C-H/Speedaire from Zoro about 3 years ago. Wasn't expecting it to be great for ~$300, but it's an oiled pump, and as little as I use it will probably last a loooong time.

I did replace pretty much all the plumbing on it. Dumped the unloader valve for one of those combo check valves, since the factory stuff would bleed down. Then replaced the outlet plumbing with 3/8NPT and added a drop before the pressure switch & reg. It holds air for months now, and flows enough to run a 2135 or an air chisel, or even a cutoff wheel.

 

[Danglerb]

How did it bite the dust? Why not just fix it?

If I was doing it again, I would buy something like the quiet California compressors, and mostly use cordless tools.

 

[Citation]

40 gallons is a really big portable compressor, especially for $120. Did you mean 4 gallon?

I agree with the others, what do you want to use it for? Do you want a 240V or 120V model? In my opinion the 'best' 120V models are the 20-30 gallon ones with belt driven oil lubed pumps. They are relatively quiet compared to most direct drive oil or oil free compressors. They typically cost $350-450 new. Note that the California Air Tools (and other brands that use the same Chinese pumps) are direct drive, oil free and very quiet. Depending on how you use it a HF 8 gallon $100 compressor might be perfect for your needs. I also bet if your current compressor served you well that you can fix it. Parts are reasonably common for these things.

 

[Hugemoose]

I have a brand new Eastwood 30 gallon I picked up from their local store for $300. 2hp, oiled, and enough of CFM for my small shop. However on their website it lists for $560, so maybe give them a call and see if they could do better on the price for you.

If that hadn't been on my radar, I would have gone with the 29 gallon Harbor Freight oiled compressor. It has great reviews, and I believe is $329.

Both run on 120V (which I required), are oiled 2hp motors, belt drive pumps, and on wheels.

 

[lakeroadster]

I've got an oil free Craftsman compressor that has worked great for 13 years.

For the home hobbyist the oil free units are fine.

 

[Hugemoose]

I've got an oil free Craftsman compressor that has worked great for 13 years.

For the home hobbyist the oil free units are fine.

They typically are, but they are also quite loud. Something I dealt with just fine for years in my fathers large shop, but an oiled one is significantly nicer to have in a relatively small enclosed shop.

OP didn't give the size of his garage, but in my 2 car I grew tired pretty quickly of my oil-less one. I would leave the garage until it was done filling. I think I only used it twice before stepping up to an oiled unit.

 

[pcmeiners]

"A good used oil lubricated, 1750 rpm motor. Craig's list and patience."
The way to go. I picked up a Quincy QR 325, under 3 months old for 25% of the price. New, if you want a good unit your going to pay heavily, otherwise your dreaming.

 

[Citation]

They typically are, but they are also quite loud. Something I dealt with just fine for years in my fathers large shop, but an oiled one is significantly nicer to have in a relatively small enclosed shop.

OP didn't give the size of his garage, but in my 2 car I grew tired pretty quickly of my oil-less one. I would leave the garage until it was done filling. I think I only used it twice before stepping up to an oiled unit.

I think some of the newer oil free designs, beyond the CAT ones, are quieter than the older oil free models. There isn't anything inherent in an oil free compressor that makes it louder. Much of it comes down to the design of the intake and air filter assembly.

 

[Hugemoose]

I think some of the newer oil free designs, beyond the CAT ones, are quieter than the older oil free models. There isn't anything inherent in an oil free compressor that makes it louder. Much of it comes down to the design of the intake and air filter assembly.

You may be absolutely correct. The 20 gallon oil-less unit I had was pretty old. It always did the job, but had been around the block for well over a decade at least.

I suppose most of my experience with larger (15-20 gallon) oil-less compressors is with older, very loud units. Small pancake compressors have never bothered me with regard to decibel level.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Around here, finding a used compressor that is not beat to death and in decent shape is very difficult !

HF currently has their 2.5hp, oil-lubed, 21 gallon, vertical compressor on sale for $150. You will have a hard time finding something comparable for that price.

 

[tarbellb]

Absolutely AVOID the 30g Quincy, total garbage.

If you go smaller, check out the Makita MAC series.

If you go 21-30, most all are the same until you spend $$$, so HF is likely your best bet.

 

[Smokeem]

I’m in the same boat right now. I’m starting to get some more air tools and have outgrown my small pancake compressor. I really would like to have a 60-80 gal unit but not wanting to run a 220 line to it and would like to be able to move the compressor between my garage and shed as needed. You guys think the HF 2.5HP unit would be better than a 20 gal kobalt or husky?

 

[PT Doc]

This seems like a decent option on paper.

https://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/Puma-TE-5040V-Air-Compressor/p13941.html

Don't know much about the PUMA brand. 40 gallon is kind of an odd capacity. 30 and 60 gal seem much more common.

 

[Bennylava]

You had a cheapo and it failed, and you want another cheapo? Not sure on that logic

What do you actually plan on doing with it? Just to blow up a tire? Or do you plan on running a die grinder? If it is for tires only, a pancake compressor might work well for you.

Well I did mention that I paid $120 for the first one. Looking for a new one at over double the price of the first one, I figured I'd be getting some form or fashion of a bump up in quality.

But yeah mainly airing up tires, and just general household work. Occasionally I'll use an air tool. I have a die grinder that I'll cut things with once in a while, and a set of different staple guns and nail guns that I'll do stuff with. Air nozzle usage sometimes. Its all smaller stuff, I won't be taking it to a real workplace or anything. Otherwise I'd be looking for something a lot better.

 

[Citation]

What's wrong with the first one?

 

[bob15]

Well I did mention that I paid $120 for the first one. Looking for a new one at over double the price of the first one, I figured I'd be getting some form or fashion of a bump up in quality.

But yeah mainly airing up tires, and just general household work. Occasionally I'll use an air tool. I have a die grinder that I'll cut things with once in a while, and a set of different staple guns and nail guns that I'll do stuff with. Air nozzle usage sometimes. Its all smaller stuff, I won't be taking it to a real workplace or anything. Otherwise I'd be looking for something a lot better.

Here is a different take on you dilemma:

Air tools (nail guns & staples, etc) work well with pancake type compressor, even the minor air nozzle work. Maybe look at those style compressors because if you have an angle grinder, you can buy cut-off wheels for that and maybe lessen the needs for a larger air compressor and save a few bucks.

Just a different idea for your issue....

 

[Kenskip1]

This model is a tab over your budget however,should fill your requirements.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-3...table-Electric-Air-Compressor-C302H/206695048

 

[Voi]

I’m in the same boat right now. I’m starting to get some more air tools and have outgrown my small pancake compressor. I really would like to have a 60-80 gal unit but not wanting to run a 220 line to it and would like to be able to move the compressor between my garage and shed as needed.

How far away is the shed?

Belaire makes a 60 gallon compressor that can be run on 115V. If you need the 60 gallon tank would it be possible to mount it in either the shed or garage and run a line to the other?

https://www.compressorpros.com/air-...230-volt-single-phase-single-stage-60-gallon/

I believe the pump on the 60 gallon above is the same as the pump on their 26 gallon rolling portable linked below. That compressor and the identical units re-branded by Quincy, Napa & Chicago Pneumatic have good reviews and are said to be fairly quiet.

https://www.compressorpros.com/air-...2HP-115-volt-single-stage-26-gallon-portable/

You wrote you were in the same boat as the OP. Not sure if that means budget as well but I thought I'd post anyways. If that is in your budget and you think you need the portability more than tank size then typically the Napa version of that compressor usually runs the cheapest. Part number is NAC 824253PAT.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/AAC824253PAT

 

[PT Doc]

If you want it portable, new and $300, look at 30 gallon compressors. I would not recommend an oil-free unit.

You had a cheapo and it failed, and you want another cheapo? Not sure on that logic

What do you actually plan on doing with it? Just to blow up a tire? Or do you plan on running a die grinder? If it is for tires only, a pancake compressor might work well for you.

C-list and pawn shops are your friend.......don't be scared of used

Cheap stuff is expensive. You don't have to buy once and cry once but having quality tools goes a long way. Quality does not mean super expensive always. Look on compressor direct.com and spread some reviews. I can say that for my limited use my Quincy has been great.
R
Think about the dba levels of comroessors. I would say that you should use hearing protection of you are within 20 feet of s running compressor but getting a quiet one should be considered. You might not understand it now but will someday.

 

[PhantomEB]

I went thru 2-3 of those wheelable ones most stick under the bench back when I was 17-20. Age 21 I brought a 1200$ two stage 80 gallon unit that's still with me to this day and running like a champ.

 

[Orionrising]

helll even alot of what you would think would be good ones lik the larger ones at tractor supply seem to have horrible reviews

 

[Citation]

I wonder how many of the bad reviews are because people ignore the duty cycle ratings and essentially burn the compressor out. These systems, even ones around $1k often are not rated for 100% duty cycle. In some of the cases I wonder if the issue is operator error.

 

[Bennylava]

Think about the dba levels of comroessors. I would say that you should use hearing protection of you are within 20 feet of s running compressor but getting a quiet one should be considered. You might not understand it now but will someday.

I'd love to have a quiet one. Although with an air compressor, I'd still question how quiet "quiet" actually is. The one I had was oil lubed, but it was still pretty loud. I'd leave the garage while it charged up if I was going to be doing stuff out there.

I don't know why it died, the motor just stopped. It never was very good, and at what I paid for it ($120) I really didn't expect it to be all that great. Over time the amount of PSI it would fill up to would got lower and lower. At least according to the gauge. It never would get up to 125 psi like it was supposed to. It started at 120, then went down to about 100, and finally about 80. The gauge showed it would just stop running when it got to 80 psi. Don't know if the gauge was bad or what.

 

[Bennylava]

What do you guys think of this one?

Whoops too small