Looking for small compressor help.

[BHH]

I want to add a small compressor to my garage. Mainly I am thinking for setting up a small spray both (like painting things no bigger than a microwave size). Some air tools would be nice but I know that is probably not possible with a small compressor. I am going to put it on the bottom shelf of a work bench (7' L x 32" W) and I don't want it to take up a large percentage of that area.

I am looking for quality and durability over price concerns.

Thanks!

 

[bsaint]

It doesn't matter what you pick. Under a true 1.5 hp, they are all roughly the same.

 

[BHH]

What are some good brands? This would be my first exploration into compressors.

 

[71goldss]

I want to add a small compressor to my garage. Mainly I am thinking for setting up a small spray both (like painting things no bigger than a microwave size). Some air tools would be nice but I know that is probably not possible with a small compressor. I am going to put it on the bottom shelf of a work bench (7' L x 32" W) and I don't want it to take up a large percentage of that area.

I am looking for quality and durability over price concerns.

Thanks!

I've owned two Campbell Hausfeld compressors over the past 30 some years. First one was a 2 HP, 240 volt, 20 gal tank. Then upgraded to a slightly larger 5 hp, dual voltage, 26 gal tank. Both fit great under my workbench nicely. I ran a orbital sander (had to stop often to let pressure build back up), impact wrench, spray gun, etc. I literally ran the **** out of them because they were pretty undersized for my uses, but they still got the job done! I can't remember if I ever even changed the oil in either of them. When I recently upgraded to a more realistic 5hp, 240 volt, 2-stage, 60 gal compressor, I gave the 26 gal CH to my son who still uses it today with still no issues.

 

[theoldwizard1]

CFM is more important than PSI. Check the requirements of your painting equipment before shopping.

"Oiled" compressor (i.e. a metal piston and crank that run with oil in the crankcase) tend to be quieter and last longer than than oil-less compressors.

Dewalt and Makita are good brand names. Ridgid is not bad either.

When painting you definitely need a good air filter.

Most small compressors will run a stapler/nailer and even an air ratchet or 1/2 impact in short bursts (changing tires). Air chisel, maybe not. Sander. no way. Better quality tools require less volume (CFM) of air.

If you can find and old large (> 20 gallon) tank from an old compressor, you can always plumb it into the supply line in a corner of the shop. That additional volume will help a lot.

 

[Davefr]

I'd get the Hitachi Twin Stack EC12. It's cast iron/oil bath and very well built for a small portable unit. It's also not obnoxiously noisy like many of the low end oiless units.

It'll run most air tools but not the higher CFM tools at high duty cycles.

 

[pipsters]

If I were buying a small compressor I would seriously consider this quiet one:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0038MWDXY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

The 3rd pic is actually a video that shows how quiet it is compared to typical oil-less and oil-direct-driven compressors.

 

[boosteddsm92]

I'd look for a little used SpeedAire, nice little compressors. I see them often on CL for around $100 or so.

 

[EOC_Jason]

What do you define as "small"?

They make 20-30 gallon horizontal & vertical units that will fit under a work bench. If you can find one with a true 3-5 HP motor / OILED pump, I would think you would be set for quite a while.

My grandfather's old Sandborn (You can still find them under Craftsman name) is pretty nice for a portable. It's sooo much more quiet compared to our CH oil-less and also fills up faster too. Quincy makes small units to that are most excellent.

 

[RECox286]

Most brand names like Cman, HD, Lowe's, Rigid, Husky, HF and the like

do not make compressors. They are made to specs by real compressor

builders. It's really a **** shoot as to whose machine you are really

getting. But don't let that scare you away from getting one. Small

machines (I like to call them entry level) are pretty much all the same.

You will usually not be disappointed with any of them. Be warned though,

just like any machine, there are lemons in the barrel, meaning you could

have a problem with any new machine as well as get a good one out of the

same shipment. That said, I would look for a used entry level machine

that you see working when you go to pick it up. Just look at the FS ads

on CL, and E-Bay. You will find a plethora of items there.

Good Hunting

Uncle Bob

 

[theoldwizard1]

What do you define as "small"?

They make 20-30 gallon horizontal & vertical units that will fit under a work bench. If you can find one with a true 3-5 HP motor / OILED pump, I would think you would be set for quite a while.

Good point ! I consider those "medium" sized.

"Small" to me is up to 1 hp (120v, less than 15A), and a 10 gallon or less tank.

Some one else mentioned a cast iron pump and that is good !

 

[pipsters]

What do you define as "small"?

They make 20-30 gallon horizontal & vertical units that will fit under a work bench. If you can find one with a true 3-5 HP motor / OILED pump, I would think you would be set for quite a while.

My grandfather's old Sandborn (You can still find them under Craftsman name) is pretty nice for a portable. It's sooo much more quiet compared to our CH oil-less and also fills up faster too. Quincy makes small units to that are most excellent.

Just keep in mind "true" 3-5 hp motors use 220v.

The one guy that posted about buying the smaller Quincy had a really bad experience.

OP I have the 25 gallon horizontal Craftsman pro model, it is one of the best performing 120v compressors out there.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=138871

I'm not sure if it would fit under the bench but I can get dimensions if you want.

Typically w/ 120v compressors you want the biggest tank you can fit if you're going to use air tools outside of nail guns. If so even a small 1-2 gal works.

 

[dandan111]

I have a pancake porter cable and it's served me well. Bosch makes a pancake that is on sale all the time. The twin stacks are better performing,makita makes a real nice one but you will pay for it. The small compressors are oil less and most are loud.
Craigs list you will find some good deals on used. Just make sure your not buying somebody's junk.

 

[Gary S]

They make 20-30 gallon horizontal & vertical units that will fit under a work bench. If you can find one with a true 3-5 HP motor / OILED pump, I would think you would be set for quite a while..

I've never seen a true 3-5hp compressor with a tank that small, and never on a portable compressor simply because no 3-5hp motor will run on 120v.
To go that large in hp, you need a 240v model.

 

[BHH]

Thanks for all the help everyone, lots of good input here.

I do have a 240V that I can use. I just have to run an extension to it. Or I guess I could put the compressor into the room where the 240V hook up is and run an extension air line.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I do have a 240V that I can use.

The "top of the line" 120V models (like IR GarageMate) cost just as much if not more than a good 240V with a "true" 2-3 hp.

I'm looking for a "gently" used old Sears/Craftsman, green or tan tank, 3hp 30 gallon, built around 1980.

I just have to run an extension to it. Or I guess I could put the compressor into the room where the 240V hook up is and run an extension air line.

Better solution.