Looking for a small air compressor, limited use

[thool]

We have a lake property that gets winterized every year. My plumber disconnects the water meter and feeds compressed air through the pipe that supplies the house. I think he keeps it somewhere around 20 psi. The pipes are PEX if that matters.

I'd like to do this myself next fall, and would prefer not to drag my big and loud compressor 45 miles and then back for this. So I'm in the market for a small and quiet air compressor I can keep there year round that can do this job, and also occasionally operate a trim nailer and possibly inflate a few tires.

Are the HF Fortress 2 gallon units decent for these applications? Regular price is $190 and they go down to $160 which is in my price range. Thanks.

 

[mikedodge]

I do that for the poly plumbing in my barn but I only blow it out and don't leave it aired out.
I'd want more cfm then those little 2 gallon ones because you know once it's there you'll find more to use it for and some of those little ones can't fill a bike tire without running non stop.

 

[GeoBruin]

We have a lake property that gets winterized every year. My plumber disconnects the water meter and feeds compressed air through the pipe that supplies the house. I think he keeps it somewhere around 20 psi. The pipes are PEX if that matters.

I'd like to do this myself next fall, and would prefer not to drag my big and loud compressor 45 miles and then back for this. So I'm in the market for a small and quiet air compressor I can keep there year round that can do this job, and also occasionally operate a trim nailer and possibly inflate a few tires.

Are the HF Fortress 2 gallon units decent for these applications? Regular price is $190 and they go down to $160 which is in my price range. Thanks.

I can't speak to the application specifically, but the HF fortress quiet models are a good deal in general, especially on sale.

I don't live in a cold climate nd have never had to winterize anything, but I have heard about blowing all the water out of pipes to prevent bursting when freezing. But are you saying the plumbing system remains pressurized? I have a hard time believing my plumbing system could maintain 20 psi without leaking down.

 

[thool]

The concept is replacing pressurized water with pressurized air only to drive the water out. With the pressurized air feeding the house, he opens the hot water tank and empties it and closes its drain. Then he opens each hot water valve (sinks, showers, etc) one at a time until each blows air. Then repeat with the cold water valves one at a time. After all that, he depressurizes and leaves the lowest outdoor spigot open for air. All traps get antifreeze as does the washing machine with a spin/rinse.

The need for air here is just blowing the volume of the pipes, so I don't really need tons of capacity.

 

[The Cobbler]

BAck in the mid 90's I used to winterize houses for bank forclosures ( even in the summer)
That was how I did it, using compressed air. I also had to pump Rv antifreeze thru the pipes . I rigged up a syrup canister for pop . had that full of antifreeze and used air pressure to pump it thru the lines .

 

[thool]

BAck in the mid 90's I used to winterize houses for bank forclosures ( even in the summer)
That was how I did it, using compressed air. I also had to pump Rv antifreeze thru the pipes . I rigged up a syrup canister for pop . had that full of antifreeze and used air pressure to pump it thru the lines .

I was thinking the same, but not sure it's necessary. For hot, I'd have to push antifreeze through the hot water lines via a pipe coming out of the hot water tank (I do not want antifreeze in my hot water tank). For cold I could just use the house supply. But my plumber said it's unnecessary because most water is driven out, the bottom most spigot is open, and it is PEX. I think he leaves all spigots open.

 

[The Cobbler]

we didn't put much antifreeze into the water tank, just enough to put some int he bottom & flush the lines . I did everything from an outside hose bib or laundry faucet .

 

[The Cobbler]

I used a cap that I screwed on to the laundry faucet , opened both hot & cold so the antifreeze would backflow . opened each faucet until antifreeze came out .
I had to follow the specs given to me. it was actually quite profitable back then , for the time/material I had invested

 

[mikedodge]

I never bother with the antifreeze except down drains. Whatever is left in the pipes isn't enough to do anything when it freezes once it's been blown out.

 

[djjsr]

Are the HF Fortress 2 gallon units decent for these applications?

I got one of those some years ago. I think it was $125 at that time. I use it a lot. Quiet and light.

 

[thool]

I never bother with the antifreeze except down drains. Whatever is left in the pipes isn't enough to do anything when it freezes once it's been blown out.

Our old place had bellies, and one froze and shattered the pipe. Granted, it was that old tan PVC, so it was fragile out of the factory.

I don't see a need to use antifreeze beyond traps and washing machine pump. Provided enough water is blown out, PEX will be ok.

The compressor sounds like it will do the job, plus the other uses I mentioned. Thanks!

 

[thool]

Update: Got the Fortress 2 gallon compressor on sale this past weekend and kicked the tires. Very quiet, ran it in the basement and DW asked if I tested it! Gets up to pressure quickly and kicked back on around 110 psi. Bushings keep vibration low. It is a bit heavier that I expected, but the handle is in a good position so it's not awkward when carrying.

 

[nadogail]

For my home hobby shop use the Harbor Freight compressors work fine, I have two; one larger than the other, the small one runs a nail gun just fine and easily loads into my van, the larger one has a home in the corner of my workshop.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I was going to say HF has one of these on sale right now.



$100 with a $30 off coupon but you already bought something. If you're leaving it there, I probably wouldn't have spent much money on it unless the place is really secure.

 

[RegeSullivan]

That HF compressor should be fine for blowing out the lines. I used a 1 gallon for years at our camp and our rv. I would blow everything out at 30 psi. Open all the faucets (leave them open), empty toilet tanks, put rv antifreeze in the toilet tanks and trap ways and any other traps you should be good. One other thing, be sure to drain hand held shower hoses or sink sprayers.

 

[thool]

If you're leaving it there, I probably wouldn't have spent much money on it unless the place is really secure.

It's one of those things I'd leave up there during the on-seasons, and then bring back home for the off-season. I have my big compressor at primary home for year round use. The smaller one might come home on a weekend if I want to do an interior project and not have to run air hoses from the garage, or run a big noisy compressor in the house.

 

[AEAdam]

I appreciate this thread. I too have a big heavy air compressor and I'd like a smaller one to just use in the machine shop (I know I know) or to run my framing nailer for a couple nails. Want something cheap and light. I was thinking California Air with an Aluminum Tank, but I'm open to just picking up something at HF.

 

[bwringer]

The McGraw compressors make the normal gawdawful oil-free compressor racket -- note the 83dBA rating, which is approximately "WWII tank factory".

The Fortress compressors are engineered to be quiet, surprisingly so. I believe the one the OP got is rated at 60 dBA, which is phenomenally quiet (remember, it's a logarithmic scale); 60dBA is about the level of an average business office or a conversation between two people about a meter apart. I have a cat that purrs louder than that.

Either will squeeze air just fine for low-volume usages; the Fortress won't damage your hearing or drive you nuts.

The California Air units are great, but there's a lot to be said for walking into a local store and walking out with the compressor you need. Plus, there's a 15% off of any one item coupon this weekend.

 

[whitesco]

1st rule of air compressors: always buy the biggest most powerful one you can afford or are able to run in your garage. The timeline is shockingly short to go from “I just want to fill sports balls and bike tires” to “hey I have a compressor, why shouldn’t I pick up an impact/grinder/paint gun/“!!

Not that I’ve ever experienced that or anything…

 

[jayemm]

I appreciate this thread. I too have a big heavy air compressor and I'd like a smaller one to just use in the machine shop (I know I know) or to run my framing nailer for a couple nails. Want something cheap and light. I was thinking California Air with an Aluminum Tank, but I'm open to just picking up something at HF.

I have the Fortess 1 gallon size. When shopping, the equivalent (and ~equally priced ) CAT looked shoddy compared to the Fortress. Fortress nicer finish also. Real happy with mine. Also read online about CAT quality problems. Just my experience about 3-4 years ago.

 

[AEAdam]

1st rule of air compressors: always buy the biggest most powerful one you can afford or are able to run in your garage. The timeline is shockingly short to go from “I just want to fill sports balls and bike tires” to “hey I have a compressor, why shouldn’t I pick up an impact/grinder/paint gun/“!!

Not that I’ve ever experienced that or anything…

Unfortunately, I’m a victim of that rule, saddled with very impractical, very loud 25gallon air compressor, very much more than I’ve ever needed to run an air impact gun or now a framing nailer. It’s heavy, difficult to move, so I have a 50’ hose that LOVES to get tangled. Flexilla has a mind of its own.

Now, finally, I’ve come to my senses and about to not take the advice I’ve always read. I think I’ll buy an air compressor right sized to my needs.

Back to the particulars, there are quiet Fortress compressors and cheap Fortress compressors.

 

[M.Brane]

I have a little Kobalt that I keep in the toyhauler. Yeah it's loud, but it holds air for months.

 

[tarbellb]

Dont forget about the Kobalt Quiet Tech line- similar to Fortress and CAT-competitive pricing and offer a longer cheaper warranty

$159 currently and 3yr warranty for $33

 

[username2]

1st rule of air compressors: always buy the biggest most powerful one you can afford or are able to run in your garage. The timeline is shockingly short to go from “I just want to fill sports balls and bike tires” to “hey I have a compressor, why shouldn’t I pick up an impact/grinder/paint gun/“!!

Not that I’ve ever experienced that or anything…

My take is that there are two sizes. Small, and great big. It's the in-between sizes I can't see the point of.

Also, in the traditional answer to the OP to buy one of the ones I already own, I've got a Rol-Air JC20. Quiet enough. Works fine for tires, nails, staples, blowing up stuff. Has some do-hickey so that it delays filling for a second or two after it starts. Pretty nice. I've got no idea what the low-hanging fruit for small compressors is.

Years ago I had one of those Porter Cable small pancake compressors for the same use. It made me hate life.

 

[tworley]

Also, in the traditional answer to the OP to buy one of the ones I already own, I've got a Rol-Air JC20. Quiet enough. Works fine for tires, nails, staples, blowing up stuff. Has some do-hickey so that it delays filling for a second or two after it starts. Pretty nice. I've got no idea what the low-hanging fruit for small compressors is.

I've got the rol-air FC2002. Similar notes. Quiet enough. I use it regularly on the weekends; general cleaning of the garage, tires, had no issue running a crown stapler yesterday. It will blow out a sprinkler system just fine too. It struggles on a 15 amp circuit though, its much happier on a 20amp.

 

[zendriver]

1st rule of air compressors: always buy the biggest most powerful one you can afford or are able to run in your garage. The timeline is shockingly short to go from “I just want to fill sports balls and bike tires” to “hey I have a compressor, why shouldn’t I pick up an impact/grinder/paint gun/“!!

Not that I’ve ever experienced that or anything…

The first rule should be by a compressor that meets your needs.?

OP wants a portable one to use at his lake house. A portable compressor will pump up tires. Use a blow gun to some extent.

No law can’t have more than one compressor so most people probably upgrade to something bigger when they need it

 

[cherrybomb]

I have a small Makita,use it with my pin nailer,blow up tires,and I carry it down in my basement to blow out the drain hose for the furnace. The smaller ones work well.Just research your needs carefully