Need a small cheap compressor

[MushCreek]

Let me repeat- small and cheap! I know someone is gonna recommend a 25 hp screw-type compressor. I need a small, cheap one- maybe $150, tops. My nice little Emglo rusted out, and it weighed a ton anyway. I have a big stationary one in the shop. I need something I can wheel or carry up to the house for airing tires and shooting finish nails. I've been looking at used ones, but they're either old and abused, or close to the price of a new one, so I'd rather just get a new one and get a warranty. Very light homeowner usage.

Something like this?

https://www.harborfreight.com/merch...-hand-carry-jobsite-air-compressor-56829.html

Currently $119, and seems to have good reviews.

 

[goblue1998]

California Air Tool’s. Pick any one you like. Light and quiet. You can talk on a cell phone next to one running.

 

[jg4660]

The HF one you have linked will work fine, even there cheap one for $40 if you only want to fill tires and finish nails. I use the HF $40 one to winterize my camper by blowing out the water lines...its slow but gets the job done.

 

[510ebl]

If you are walking around with it and don’t need a lot of tank capacity, I would buy a single hot ********* with the compressor mounted over the single tank.


The wider pancake and “double” tank type have to be held off to the side further (which is tougher on my back) or they smack me in the knee as I walk.

Not saying this is a good choice (at .36 cfm), but an example of the type I mean:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Campbell-Hausfeld-3-Gal-Horizontal-Air-Compressor-FP209499AV/203002168

2c

 

[loudog212]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CKRLKM9/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I bought this California Air Tool compressor a few months ago. Super quiet and will do exactly what you are looking to do.

 

[mdr]

I had this one, lasted for about 8 years of intermittent use.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000AQK78/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Fine for airing up tires, shooting finish nails, ....

From their advert, the California Air Tool seems to be quieter with a quicker recovery time:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LYHYHEA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Brand X]

These Remans are nice. have to add shipping.. Generally a bit nicer then the Rolair, and Senco units. Although those work fine too..

https://bigskytool.com/hitachi-ec89...-twin-stack-air-compressor-reconditioned.html

 

[u2slow]

I have a $100 Princess Auto oil-lube unit for tires, bicycles, and a brad nailer. Basically this with a smaller tank:
https://www.harborfreight.com/8-gallon-2-hp-125-psi-oil-lube-air-compressor-68740.html

I won't do oil-less.

 

[unslow1]

Just get one of the HF little $40 ones. I have several air compressors but I rarely fire them up. That little HF one does just fine most of the time. I know a few guys that use them for trim nailers.

 

[DFB]

Let me repeat- small and cheap! I know someone is gonna recommend a 25 hp screw-type compressor. I need a small, cheap one- maybe $150, tops. My nice little Emglo rusted out, and it weighed a ton anyway. I have a big stationary one in the shop. I need something I can wheel or carry up to the house for airing tires and shooting finish nails. I've been looking at used ones, but they're either old and abused, or close to the price of a new one, so I'd rather just get a new one and get a warranty. Very light homeowner usage.

Something like this?

https://www.harborfreight.com/merch...-hand-carry-jobsite-air-compressor-56829.html

Currently $119, and seems to have good reviews.

Ya very similar to my old Craftsman Industrial Series pancake compressor 3.3 @ 90psi and that I have had for well over 20 years run hard and put away wet. Plus the tank is slightly larger.

Sure it be one I consider if I was to replace what I have anytime soon. I have been eyeing the 1 or two gallon Fortress for a while now though I been hoping for small cordless on my battery platform so I don't have to lug any corded tank unit for the little jobs (or buy an 18ga cordless to supplement my 16ga)

Mush I'm behind ya on that one for the sale price no brainer in my book. My Craftsman was over $200 all those years ago. See how much extended warranty is maybe 2 or 3yr is for piece of mind.

What I find amazing about some of the newer small compressor motors is the amperage draw. and for like remote invertor use might be something to consider. My old black Craftsman Industrial pulls a solid 15A pops breakers all the time I see that 6 gal Fortress is 12A

Those cheapest Frieght ones are wicked low amp. I pitched a few under my summer tool tent and they were popular with people but I couldn't say how reliable they may or how long they would last under any serious use, I also Notice the almost $55 reg price now... were once like $39 and could do 20% off too

 

[Jack Olsen]

The little quiet ones from HF are awesome. I think mine is the next size up, but I learned it's all the compressor I need, and I no longer need to keep it in a different room in order to save my hearing.

https://www.harborfreight.com/1-gal...-hand-carry-jobsite-air-compressor-64592.html

 

[goblue1998]

The little quiet ones from HF are awesome. I think mine is the next size up, but I learned it's all the compressor I need, and I no longer need to keep it in a different room in order to save my hearing.

https://www.harborfreight.com/1-gal...-hand-carry-jobsite-air-compressor-64592.html

Looks like a California Air Tool’s rebrand. I will never own another small compressor that is LOUD when there are light and quiet alternatives.

 

[tarbellb]

Same ^^^

Both Husky and HF sell a very nice looking low volume compact compressors. I just sold my 15yr old leaky Porter Cable pancake for pennies, happy to do it.

 

[Farmall450]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CKRLKM9/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I bought this California Air Tool compressor a few months ago. Super quiet and will do exactly what you are looking to do.

One of these or whatever Porter Cable/Bosch/DeWalt you find on the shelf at HD, Farm & Fleet, etc

 

[rharrison8]

Glad I ran across this thread, I'm in the market for a small quiet compressor and had not looked at Harbor freight. I'm liking this 2 gallon one https://www.harborfreight.com/air-t...-hand-carry-jobsite-air-compressor-64596.html on sale until April 5 for 129.99.

If you dont have the link here is their 20% off and other coupons https://go.harborfreight.com/coupons/2019/08/20-off-any-single-item-at-harbor-freight/

 

[bpjr]

How do those oilless pumps hold up compared to oil ones. Things have probably changed but the oilless one I had yrs back lost compression real fast just for diy home use. I took it apart and found a single ring made of a nylon type material and solid piece without expansion gap.

 

[stonesfan68]

Here’s a Craftsman compressor for $99. I have the Bostitch version and it does fine for intermittent use like air nailers.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-6-Gallon-Single-Stage-Portable-Electric-Pancake-Air-Compressor/1000595167

 

[theoldwizard1]

California Air Tool’s. Pick any one you like. Light and quiet. You can talk on a cell phone next to one running.

They have some with aluminum tanks, but that kills the "cheap" !

 

[bctexas]

Hi Mushcreek,

I bought a 4hp Sears compressor around 1975. When the tank rusted out, I went to the local compressor repair/sales shop, and they sold me a lightly used tank for not a lot of $ - don't remember exactly but it wasn't much. I had to drill a couple of holes to mount my Sears motor and compressor, but I am still using it to this day. Maybe not the solution you asked for, but if your motor and compressor are ok it might be a cost effective solution....

 

[MushCreek]

A follow-up. I bought the little Craftsman pancake unit on sale at Lowe's for a C-note. Works great for my finish nailer. I can drive quite a few nails before it cycles on, and it doesn't take long to refill. The noise isn't too bad, and it's easy to carry, which is the point of the thing. My one complaint is that it walks across the floor when it's running. In the shop, I put it on a rubber floor mat, which keeps it from walking, and quiets it a bit.

I'm not sure what to do with my old Emglo wheelbarrow unit. The tank rusted through. The pump is good, as is the motor. Considering I pain $100 for it, and built my entire house with it, it doesn't owe me anything. I need the motor for my bandsaw, so I guess I'll see if I can get a couple bucks for the pump. Should be worth something to someone.

 

[hsvtoolfool]

California Air Tools "Blemish" page

Personally, I'd get the CAT 2HP 20-gal steel tank upright on wheels. It's the perfect footprint for a home garage. 5 CFM from a small, quiet, portable, oil-less 110V compressor is pretty sweet.