Portable Compressor

[NeoGeo]

Hi All,

I'm pretty new around here, so this is going to be my first post. I've just cleaned up, and revamped my garage. I put down Rust-Oleum epoxy floor (non-pro because that all I could find in the local hardware stores... I think the clear stuff will be coming out soon... I'll do that after winter). I've also added some upper cabinets, a nice Husky pro tool cabinet, and home made garden tool storage.

So I now need to find a nice PORTABLE, air compressor. All I need it for is LIGHT duty. I want to change my own snow tires, do my own brakes, and other simple things. I just changed my timing belt, and man a nice air ratchet would have come in handy.

What kind of compressor would you recommend for this sort of light duty? I.E. one that will allow me to run a decent impact wrench (400ft/lbs) and air rachet.

Thank you for your help.

 

[goodfellow]

Welcome;

I think we've all been in your shoes at one time and all I can say is -- get the biggest compressor you can afford. If you are absolutely looking at a standard 120v machine, the biggest unit would be a 30gal tank, around 6.2 CFM at 40 psi and 5.7CFM at 90 psi. This class of machine is portable, will allow you to use most impact tools, run a sander (not well) and do some limited painting.

The Lowes Kobalt line has a 120v 30 gal unit that sells for about $388.00
The Home Depot Husky line (same as Campbell Hausfeld) has a 120v 26 gal unit that about the same price.

Whatever you, don't get a direct drive (oiless) compressor. The are loud and very inefficient. Rather look for a unit with a splash lubricated cast iron or cast iron sleeve compressor pump. You won't be sorry.

Problem is, most of us found after a few years that we had accumulated many air tools and we started doing serious body and fabrication work. To keep up with those requirements, most of us graduated to 220v single or dual stage units with 60, 80 or 120 gal tanks -- and in many cases, even these units weren't adequate.

 

[NeoGeo]

Welcome;

I think we've all been in your shoes at one time and all I can say is -- get the biggest compressor you can afford. If you are absolutely looking at a standard 120v machine, the biggest unit would be a 30gal tank, around 6.2 CFM at 40 psi and 5.7CFM at 90 psi. This class of machine is portable, will allow you to use most impact tools, run a sander (not well) and do some limited painting.

The Lowes Kobalt line has a 120v 30 gal unit that sells for about $388.00
The Home Depot Husky line (same as Campbell Hausfeld) has a 120v 26 gal unit that about the same price.

Whatever you, don't get a direct drive (oiless) compressor. The are loud and very inefficient. Rather look for a unit with a splash lubricated cast iron or cast iron sleeve compressor pump. You won't be sorry.

Problem is, most of us found after a few years that we had accumulated many air tools and we started doing serious body and fabrication work. To keep up with those requirements, most of us graduated to 220v single or dual stage units with 60, 80 or 120 gal tanks -- and in many cases, even these units weren't adequate.

Thank you. I'll seek out the Husky, since we don't have Lowe's in Canada. I'll definitely go for an oiled version. So then I guess the smaller Campbell, 3.7SCFM @90 psi, isn't good for even light work. I live down town, so space is at a premium. The garage is very small. I was going to get the 380ft/lbs impact wrench. Is this combination just a bad idea?

 

[914forme]

You might be better looking for an electric impact wrench. BTW, I never use my impact wrench, esecially on my wheels. Mine lugs have a torque spec of 80 ft. lbs. they are handy for other things, I also never really grab my air ratchet either, I prefer the feel of the tools in my hand and the feel of the nuts and bolt threads, etc... I am sick, I know.

BTW, welcome to this place, it is adictive.

 

[goodfellow]

3.7 SCFM at 90PSI isn't going to do much for you when using a an impact tool. It may be adequate to run a brad or even a framing nailer, but for air ratchets and impact guns, that is not a good combination.

 

[mike944]

I also never use my air tools (except for a cutoff wheel). I have an impact, and air rachet, but the air ratchet hasn't been out of the toolbox in at least 4 or 5 years. the impact, only gets used to remove exceptionally stubborn fasteners. I NEVER install anything with an impact. Too easy to cross-thread, and/or over-torque.

I think you'll find that once the "novelty" of owning air tools wears off, i don't think you'll use them much at all.

I have a mid-sized compressor, and i pretty much use it to blow up tires, use a cutoff wheel / die grinder, and as an air-blowgun to clean stuff off sometimes. That's about it.

 

[NeoGeo]

I also never use my air tools (except for a cutoff wheel). I have an impact, and air rachet, but the air ratchet hasn't been out of the toolbox in at least 4 or 5 years. the impact, only gets used to remove exceptionally stubborn fasteners. I NEVER install anything with an impact. Too easy to cross-thread, and/or over-torque.

I think you'll find that once the "novelty" of owning air tools wears off, i don't think you'll use them much at all.

I have a mid-sized compressor, and i pretty much use it to blow up tires, use a cutoff wheel / die grinder, and as an air-blowgun to clean stuff off sometimes. That's about it.

Thanks Guys,

I only intend to use it to remove nuts, never to install. Maybe I'm better off with an electric version.

 

[cc_rider]

Everybody says bad things about oilless compressors, but my Porter Cable works just fine. Yes it's loud. The only difference between splash-lubed and oilless compressors is... wait for it... oil. Oilless units have Teflon-lined or similar 'permanently lubricated' bearings. They are lighter (no oil sump) but have a lower duty cycle since there's no oil to carry away heat. They will eventually wear out and cannot be rebuilt (unlike oiled units), but their lifespan is still pretty good; average users won't wear one out in their lifetime.

All that said, like most of the other nutjobs around here (no offense y'all), I have TWO compressors. The Porter Cable unit is now out at the ranch, where it airs up tires and whatnot; under those conditions it'll last forever. The garage has a 60 gallon, 5 Hp unit.

FYI, when you get your air compressor, either buy one with wheels (I think Ridgid has one with built-in wheels) or buy a dolly/handtruck and bolt it on. Once you lug a compressor around a couple times you'll know what I'm talking about; they are ALL pretty heavy and worse, unwieldy. Home Depot sells a great handtruck with a plastic frame and pneumatic tires, about $30. It's a really nice unit; the plastic frame has built in 'stair sliders', and feels sturdier than similarly-priced all-metal units. Bolt your compressor onto the handtruck, add a little toolbox for air chucks and gauges and whatnot, then, if you're really nutty, add a heavy-duty power strip; now your compressor is a whole portable 'power unit'. Roll it out to your work, and you've got air and power outlets close at hand; no need for multiple extension cords.

Happy Garaging!

c.

 

[NeoGeo]

What do you guys think about this one:

http://www.sears.ca/gp/product/B000...617?ie=UTF8&searsBrand=core&mqnodeid=16361931

 

[cc_rider]

This is the one I have:

http://portercable.cpoworkshop.com/compressors/c3101.html

Here's a reconditioned, oil-lubed version:

http://portercable.cpoworkshop.com/compressors/cpldc2540sr.html

Here's a Quincy. Quincy is among the best compressors available.

http://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=2_207_70&products_id=532

Ingersoll-Rand is another well-respected brand:

http://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=2_207_70&products_id=682

You can do better than Sears, in price and selection. Reconditioned units are a good way to go too. Check your Yellow Pages for a local compressor repair place too; they sometimes sell rebuilt or used units, usually professional-grade like Quincy, I-R, SpeedAire, etc.

c.

 

[BoostAddiction]

I have a 5HP compressor with an 80 gallon tank in the compressor room next to the garage, but that doesn't help me much when I'm traveling.

My teammate gave me this compressor for a present last year and it does a perfect job of filling the portable air tank we use for adjusting tire pressure at the track.

Here is a pic:

Of course it's pretty noisy, but it doesn't need to run very often. It is mounted in the trailer inside an insulated compartment shared by the generator. The power plug for the compressor runs out to the generator (we run the gen outside the trailer for better ventilation and less noise) and the copmpressor fills the portable tank in just a few minutes of run time.

Just as there are "horses for courses", there are compressors available for most every need. This does a great job for us at the track!

-Will

PS: I know the trailer needs to be cleaned...and it will be before the season starts again!

 

[steuspeed]

Eaton compressors are nice.

http://www.eatoncompressor.com/catalog/item/733537/344943.htm

Awesome pump.

http://www.eatoncompressor.com/catalog/item/518643/184117.htm

Customer reviews.

http://www.eatoncompressor.com/page/page/1099030.htm

 

[tsbrewers]

but their lifespan is still pretty good; average users won't wear one out in their lifetime.

Disagree. Even if you only use it a few times a week, I would be surprised if an oiless unit lasts past 5 -10 years. Mine lasted 2.

Here's a Quincy. Quincy is among the best compressors available.

http://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/...roducts_id=532

Agree that quincy is among the best, (see mine below but I don't believe the one shown is a true Quincy, probably made by CH, IR, or Emglo. I have a buddy that sells them and he said they don't make them that small themselves, they just have them made and re badged.

I have a small Makita mac700 I haul around for work, a little bigger Ridgid one I use when I need a couple framers or roofing guns, and the quincy. I would buy one at Harbor Freight before I would buy an oiless one. JMHO though.

I am really surprised by all the people that say they don't use air tools much. Being a garage board, I figured most guys here would run a ton of air impacts, drills, sanders, etc. I love my IR Titanium, quiet version guns. If you pick up a good set of torque limiting extensions, you don't need to worry about over-tightening lug nuts either.

Brew

 

[38Chevy454]

I basically agree with the others, get a smaller 110V oil-lube compressor with 20-300 gal tank. It will do all that you want and with wheels it is portable.

I recently bought a 220V 2-stage and now only use the 110V small one for times I need to bring air out beyond the garage.

 

[bobthecop]

I am new here also, just wanted to add my 2 cents worth. I have a sears oil less, had to replace the sleve and piston after 10 years, pumps up like new, however I wish I would have bought a 220v 5-10-hp, I do a lot of wrenching and the 30 gal does not keep up with a cut-off wheel or a grinder, makes for a lot of rest periods. Get the best you can afford is my opinion.