help in choosing an air compressor

[steveo2155]

I am looking for the first air compressor of my own, since I own a home now it won't be nice to have for the garage. I am looking for something to inflate tires, blow out engine parts, and possibly rotate tires on pick up and car, running standard impact wrenches, etc - nothing too major, just for use around household and general auto maintenance. I would like something portable that I could move around if I needed to. I looked at Sears at a couple craftsman and here is what I was considering...

*10 gallon, oil lube, 1 hp 135 max psi

SCFM Delivery:
SCFM Delivery At 40 psi:
3.7
SCFM Delivery At 90 psi:
2.4


*20 gallon oil less 1.5 hp 150 psi


SCFM delivery at 90 psi: 3.8, SCFM delivery at 40 psi: 5.1


*33 gallon oil less 1.5 hp 165 psi

SCFM at 90 psi: 5.1, SCFM at 40 psi: 6.8


These are just a few of the options I am considering. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[dmftoy1]

Given the portability aspect - here's one I bought for putting in hardwood floors in the house. Also kept up with roofing my house and is now the garage compressor for my wife's garage.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HZJLV2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Only real complaint I have with it is that you need it at a 45 degree angle to properly drain tank.

 

[mrborohachi]

look on local craigslist adds or garage sales for a 20gal vertical oil less. and go to your local Sears parts center, they carry the piston/cylinder/connecting rod rebuild kits to make the compressor good as new. I have a Devilbiss that got sears and husky rebadged. it's been going strong since 1999

 

[JoeFin]

I have had a Craftsman 2 Hp Reciprocating Piston Compressor for the last 24+ years. It has painted, sanded, and wrenched many many many cars, boats, and motorcycles, nailed off roofs, and as of late has been providing pneumatic support for a CNC mill and Automatic Surface Grinder which is basically running for 4 to 8 hrs 2 or 3 days a week.

There is no way in Hell this thing should still be running.

Point is I didn't know I was going to do all this stuff with it when I bought it. Just real glad I bought one strong enough to do all the stuff I did with it

I see now they call it "Professional" - no wonder

 

[djjsr]

*33 gallon oil less 1.5 hp 165 psi

SCFM at 90 psi: 5.1, SCFM at 40 psi: 6.8

I have one of these Craftsman oilless compressors and I do not recommend buying one. It was ok when I just used it for filling tires but when I started working it a little harder to run air tools, I started having problems with it.

The regulator developed an internal leak and it would not hold pressure when sitting overnight. I replaced the regulator once but the problem came back.

I've been finding tiny particles of aluminum stuck in the regulator. I'm pretty sure it's from the piston wearing out and I don't expect it to last much longer. I'm still using it but have to clean out the regulator about once a week.

Save your money and put it towards something better with a cast iron oil type pump.

 

[steveo2155]

The reason I am mainly looking at Craftsman and at Sears is I have some gift cards for that store so I would like to use them. Also, the 33 gallon Craftsman has gotten really good reviews so that is why I was kind of leaning towards that one. I don't know what I will do yet. The smaller ones would be nice for portability reason but I also don't want the thing to always have to be running to catch up...

 

[CNGsaves]

Do NOT buy the 33 gallon Craftsman oil-less . . . might as well go to doctor and have your ear drums punctured instead !! Those beasts are LOUD . . . like jet engine in your garage LOUD !!!

However, the Craftsman professional that is oil splash (ie 20 gal horizontal pictured above) would be keeper. The old school versions of those were even 120v/240volt capable.

Make sure your electrical outlet can handle the load, even for 120 volt, so make sure it's 20 Amp circuit with 12 gauge wire.

 

[IndyGarage]

Makita

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001Q2VK0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

or this.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001Q2VPK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

relatively quiet and will run an impact with a little waiting.

 

[steveo2155]

Thanks I appreciate all the input. I think for the time being I am going to wait, but as of now I am still leaning towards this one:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00916572000P?mv=rr

It is the Craftsman 33 Gallon Quiet Vertical Air Compressor 165PSI

The reason being I have about $150 in gift cards to use at Sears and I like Craftsman. And I figure I'd rather have one too big than too small. As far as the noice goes, this particular model is supposed to be quieter than a lot of other oil less compressor. Another reason I am leaning towards oil less besides the low maintenance factor is that I would like to store it in a garage that is not heated. We will see what happens, but as of the deals that are going on right now this one seems like the best value.

 

[akhappy]

When you get a chance, go on youtube and check out CAT Compressors. I haven't seen one in person, but they appear to be high quality, quiet, garage size compressors.

 

[CNGsaves]

Thanks I appreciate all the input. I think for the time being I am going to wait, but as of now I am still leaning towards this one:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00916572000P?mv=rr

It is the Craftsman 33 Gallon Quiet Vertical Air Compressor 165PSI

The reason being I have about $150 in gift cards to use at Sears and I like Craftsman. And I figure I'd rather have one too big than too small. As far as the noice goes, this particular model is supposed to be quieter than a lot of other oil less compressor. Another reason I am leaning towards oil less besides the low maintenance factor is that I would like to store it in a garage that is not heated. We will see what happens, but as of the deals that are going on right now this one seems like the best value.

Hate to break bad news but you'll HATE that compressor as it is screaming loud and it's name "Quiet" is misleading since it's oil-free and even Sears site shows it at 78 Decibels (likely much more).

A vertical oil-splash compressor at Harbor Freight would actually be better than that Sears Craftsman oil-free. I think the HF brand is Central Pneumatic.

Those oil-free Craftsman screamers are always on CL in $100 to $150 range if you are desperate for "that" compressor, but sure can't recommend spending $300 for new one.

A truly quiet oil-free compressor would be California Air. Do a Search on GJ and you'll find several threads about them.

 

[steveo2155]

Thanks for all the input I really appreciate it, keep it coming. I will take into consideration everything you guys have been saying. Besides the noise factor with the 33 gallon oil less craftsman compressor, is there anything else bad about this compressor? I know noise is a big issue, but I was just wondering if that is the only thing that is causing some people to say to stay away from this compressor.

Also, if the oil less compressors are loud, what about an oil lubed Craftsman compressor? Something like the 10 gallon I mentioned or possibly a 20 gallon. The reason I was kind of leaning towards an oil less compressor besides the maintenance which is no big deal, is the fact that I could store it in my garage which is not heated. I really didn't want to keep it in the house and have to move it to my detached garage everytime I want to use it, especially if it is a larger compressor like a 20 or 30 gallon, and at the same time I don't want to get an oil lubed compressor that is going to be too small.