Need a new air compressor

[ARFLY]

So I am in need of a new compressor. I know this is garage journal, but I don't need an 80 gallon compressor or anything like that. I need something small to run finish nailers and framing nailers, air up tires, clear out dust and occasionally spray some finish on wood projects. If it is quiet and I could mount it on the wall that would be a bonus. I would also like to stay around $200. I currently have a Husky 10 gallon and is going out. I am looking at the California Air Tools 4610 or 4620. Any thoughts on these, or is there something better to check out? Thanks for any help.

 

[bsaint]

For that little everything will be the same level of "quality" so it doesn't really matter. Save some dough and goto HF.

 

[ARFLY]

This one looks comparable to the California Air Tool units https://www.harborfreight.com/4-gal-2-hp-125-psi-twin-tank-air-compressor-62763.html. Is this what you are thinking of?

 

[Citation]

OK first, what is really going wrong with your 10 gallon Husky? Which model is it? Odds are it's totally fixable. The piston seals in oil free compressors are known to wear out but there are lots of videos about fixing the things as well. Other failures like the one below are reasonably easy to fix as well.

Anyway, the point is if you were happy with it when it was working you probably can fix it for less than a new compressor.

Most of the stuff you are talking about could be done with the CAT "1hp" pumps. At ~2.3 CFM they aren't at all powerful, even by 120V standards. They are very quiet. I think the combination of a sub 5 gallon tank + slow pump could get very frustrating. The CAT 4.6 gallon compressor is really no cheaper or lighter than the 5.5 gallon model so unless the specific shape is better for you, I would go with the single tank 5.5 (5510SE or 5510A with the aluminum tank). CAT does have a 2hp pump that has good flow for a 120V compressor but it would be out of your price range (the 4620 uses that motor). If you can find a 4620 in your price range I would consider it because you aren't sacrificing flow for noise levels.

For my sub $200 new I would want something oil lubed (this can be an issue for painting) that could flow 4+ CFM @90 with the largest tank I could get. Or I might just go with the standard HF 8 gallon for about $120. The CAT compressors are tempting but the few times I have tried my cut off wheel with the 5510 it just doesn't have the tank to give me any run time before the pump kicks on and after the pump is on it takes too long to refill.

 

[ARFLY]

Here is what I have. I don't know why the pictures are turned sideways. When there is any pressure in the tank it won't run. If there is more than about 50 PSI in the tank, it tries to kick on and turns a few revolutions and then just hums. If I empty the tank then it will kick on and run normally until it starts building pressure and then it quits and just hums again. Sometimes it draws to much and trips breakers. It worked fine until I used it to run the spray gun to spray sealer on my fence. I have been spraying a lot of fence with it. It was not meant to be used for that and I think I overloaded it and damaged it.

View media item 75750

 

[Citation]

I would check the capacitors. You might have overheated them. Search the web for info on the subject. Here is something I found (no promise it's right)
http://www.about-air-compressors.com/testing-capacitors.html

And from these guys the parts for a similar (maybe the same) compressor would be $50 for both caps. I bet you can get them cheaper if you look a bit. They are probably generic motor caps that just need to be picked by shape and capacity.
https://mastertoolrepair.com/portable-air-compressor-parts-l210vwd-p-1109757.html

Here's a few videos that are related

 

[Citation]

One more thing... Just to verify, you aren't running on an extension cord are you... Or in a garage with bad wiring. As the pressures builds the load on the motor increases. If your wiring has to much resistance (ie, low gage extension cord) then you may be dealing with a motor that's stalling under load. My garage currently has questionable wiring. My DeWalt/Emglo compressor has trouble starting in the winter because of it. The drop in line voltage when starting causes the motor to stall when starting. If I plug that same compressor into an outlet that I know had good wiring to the panel it starts even when cold. Given how new your compressor is, I wouldn't discount a wiring problem (absent other knowledge).

 

[ARFLY]

Thank you for all the info. I am running off an extension cord. I will play with it today and see if that is that problem.

 

[Citation]

Did you get a chance to try it out?

 

[JohnDeere1]

Just bought a craftsman professional 919195410 25 gallon 2 cylinder single stage oiled compressor and love it sucker is so quite and is 150 psi max cut in is 130 psi. It has pneumatic tires and is made by devilbiss the tank says made in USA but also has a sticker that says made in USA of global components.
It's older but like new I paid $200 at a pawn shop it has dual gauges it's 6.8 cfm at 90 psi and like 8.? at 40 psi it's the rates the best 120v compressor out there it a also made under porter cable and devilbiss and parts are readily available as the pump and motor are used on many other compressors. GL on your choice by the way it's a horizontal and weighs 165 was $652 new.

 

[Citation]

Arfly,
Did you ever get this figured out?

 

[ARFLY]

I haven't gotten to mess with it. The stomach bug went through our house and I am a few days behind on everything now. I plan on messing with it tomorrow.