Recommend a Air Compressor (Did a search)

[metalhead212121]

In a perfect world I'd have a 60 Gallon air compressor because Ive got a ton of air tools (used to work at different shops). In reality I dont have room for something like that NOR could I run something like that due to the fact that it would pop a fuse in my house. Yes I said fuse... I dont have circuit breakers. I really need a compressor at the very least for airing up tires and blowing dust off something. A couple years ago I got a portable air tank thinking that I could go to a gas station or go visit someone that had a compressor and fill up my air tank. Ghetto solution at best. Well the biggest problem with that is you need someone with a "real" (good size) compressor to fill an air tank past 40 PSI and if you're going to get air at a gas station (where you feed a machine quarters) it takes FOREVER to get 100 PSI in a air tank. Like I said it was a ghetto solution and pretty much a "Epic Fail."

Ive searched here and didnt really find what I was looking for. Ive gone to sears and lowes websites to see the reviews on their $100 price range compressors and I dont even want to try them out. Too many ****** reviews for me to take a gamble on them. If I can get something like a pancake compressor that is built to last I think I could be OK with something like that. Im sure its gonna be on the loud side and take forever to pump up... but I think I could **** it up and deal.

Are there any small compressors out there that are not pieces of ****?

Dan

 

[WR250F]

I would be all over this one and use the 20% off coupon

http://www.harborfreight.com/air-to...p-10-gallon-125-psi-air-compressor-67708.html

A neighbor bought one about 18 months ago and uses it regularly. He bought it as a spare/temp while his main compressor was being rebuilt. Now, he uses it where he can for lighter stuff to keep from cycling his big compressor so much.

His 120 gallon 7½ hp compressor shows up in fine form on the electric bill every month, so the smaller unit kind of paid for itself

 

[930dreamer]

I'd look for an older American made Quincy, Champion, IR etc and rebuild it if needed. Good for twenty years.

 

[kams1973]

One of the older single stage oil lubed sears/ch/speedaire units would suit your needs perfectly.

 

[metalhead212121]

WR250F- I thought the 20% coupon no longer worked on big stuff like air compressors. Ive bought less the handful of things from HF. Lets just say Im not their biggest fan.

930dreamer/kams1973- After seeing a couple pics on here of air compressors blowing up because of guys not draining them I'm nervous about buying one used. In my opinion guys will swear up and down that they drained the tanks regularly just to make a sale.

I DO HAVE a old air compressor in my garage now that I used for a long long time. A couple years ago I was using it and just as I finished putting a clutch in my car it was powering up and it started to make this horrible sound. I quick shut it down and never started it again. If I ran that air compressor constantly it would pop the fuse. Even if that air compressor did work perfectly Im very leary of using it. My friend (at the time) owned it (for a long time) and never drained the tank then he gave it to me and I used it for a couple years and never drained the tank. That was very dumb on his and my part. Who knows if the inside of the tank is rotted or not. Ive told a couple people if they want they can have it for free. I tell them flat out the condition of the air compressor because Id feel bad if the tank exploded. On a side note are there guys that take the drain valve out and stick a borescope in the tank to do a visual inspection? Granted you'd need a "higher end" borescope to get a good visual and I dont know if Id even trust that....

Dan

 

[localgirl]

Check out DurableAirCompressors.com--lots of models, plus free shipping.

 

[94yj]

unless you like a lot of noise i would stay away from the oil less compressor and get the oil type a lot quieter and will last a long time compared to the oil less design

 

[Mmfh]

It sounds like the main reason you don't want to get a used unit or use the one that you have is the fear of the tank blowing up.

I've been working with air tools for at least 40 years and in all those years I've never had the pleasure of using a new compressor. Always bought used to get a better bang for my buck.

I also in all those years have never heard of a tank blowing up! I've seen a couple of times on compressors that were not taken care of start to leak because of rust inside of the tank, they don't blow up, they just start to have a leak. You hear the leak, look at it and see its the tank, scrap it and get another one. One thing too is, the ones that I saw that were leaking because of the tank, it was the newer cheap units, and not the older well built ones.

Seems like you are more worried than you should be about the tank. Some of the best and longest lasting compressors are the old ones.

One thing about you blowing fuses with the compressor you have. Make sure if you are working a ways from the compressor, use air hose to get to what you are working on and not a electrical extension cord. Using an extension cord will cause more current needed to run it, and more apt to blow the fuse.

Anyway, stay away from oil less compressors, and also if you want it to last, stay away from Harbor Freight.

Mm

 

[Mmfh]

One of the older single stage oil lubed sears/ch/speedaire units would suit your needs perfectly.

These older 110 volt speedair's are great for home owner use.

Mm

 

[chewy7]

an older 20 gallon black campbell hausfeld similar in specs to their blue VT6290 would work good too

 

[metalhead212121]

Im not saying compressors blow up all the time but after seeing this thread I DON'T ever wanna take a chance.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=86685&highlight=air+compressor+explosion

Ive suffered/suffering from major medical problems at the age of 31. All I need is to sustain injuries like what that one guy posted and I'd kick myself every day.

I still don't know what to do.

94yj- I could take the loud noise. I wouldn't be thrilled about it but sometimes you gotta **** it up and deal.

Dan

 

[ibedayank]

http://www.harborfreight.com/air-too...sor-67708.html
i also have this one... works ok for a 1/2 400ft pound impact normaly keeps up but diegrinder kills it 10 seconds flat or so

 

[Mmfh]

Im not saying compressors blow up all the time but after seeing this thread I DON'T ever wanna take a chance.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=86685&highlight=air+compressor+explosion

Ive suffered/suffering from major medical problems at the age of 31. All I need is to sustain injuries like what that one guy posted and I'd kick myself every day.

I still don't know what to do.

94yj- I could take the loud noise. I wouldn't be thrilled about it but sometimes you gotta **** it up and deal.

Dan

I took a look at that thread and a good look at the pictures and to me it doesn't look like that tank blew because of rust. Most likely something happened while they were moving it to where it blew.

He said they just got it and were running it for the first time. I just don't think it was that rusty.

I hope you find the compressor you want but that mans unfortunate accident isn't going to stop me from buying used compressors.

Mm

 

[Trey T]

Harbor Freight 3gal pancake compressor and call it a day.

 

[chewy7]

couldnt run much with that lol

 

[metalhead212121]

couldnt run much with that lol

like I said I just need SOMETHING to air up tires and use a blow gun. It just really stinks that all the $100-200 compressors out there have really ****** reviews. Yeah I understand you pay for what you get. It would be great to buy a real compressor. I'd guesstimate that a nice compressor would be about $400 or $500 bucks.. then Id have to upgrade to a circuit breaker box (got a quote of $900 installed) plus factor in the "oh ****" factor meaning more money for something. I just dont have that kinda cash. Every time I do a job like this theres USUALLY a "oh ****" factor that pops up. I poured a new floor in my garage. Got a quote of 3K.. 2K I pounded up the floor myself. So yeah.. I pounded it up myself.. after paying my friends.. buying sledge hammers etc etc. I probably spent 3K. Same thing happened when I insulated my attic. Priced out insulation and food for my friends. Thought I was done. Insulation took 3 times as long as I thought it would plus 3 sets of knee pads, saftey glasses (x3), maskes, plus multiple trips to pick up insulation (didnt have anyone with a truck). Too make a long story short Ive given up on budgets. I know if I buy a "legit" air compressor I should take any budget I have in mind and throw it out the window!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wont skip out on quality.. Normally I'll **** it up and deal and be broke for a while.

Stupid question for you guys.. are there guys out there that repair air compressors? Granted if there are Im not gonna ask you guys "my air compressor makes this noise how much do you think it will cost to fix etc etc" Im tempted to have someone take a look at my old one and open the tank and see what it looks like inside.

Dan

 

[chewy7]

that 10 gallon one from hft would work i suppose for your purposes if i were you, id get that one . this one has some good reviews, on you tube and on this thread.
http://www.harborfreight.com/2-1-2-half-hp-10-gallon-125-psi-air-compressor-67708.html

 

[Mmfh]

There are plenty of guys that repair compressors, what area are you located in?

 

[pipsters]

Get the $140 HF compressor linked and take off the regulator and run the hose direct from there. Use a ball valve (also at HF for $2 maybe) to shut it on and off. You could even increase the pressure on the pump goes up to before it shuts off but probably not a good for long term use.

It'll be fine, after running it an hour or so replace the oil with some synthetic oil from Lowes, about $7.

You can run a decent impact for about 10 secs I'd bet with that set up which is MORE than plenty to get whatever you want apart.

 

[chewy7]

on my 20 gallon campbell hausfeld i took off the regulator and it flows really well.

 

[pdxgearhead]

To the OP: If you need a little compressor to blow air and fill up tires, and that's it, get this:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Campbell-Hausfeld-3-Gallon-Compressor/12534870

It even comes with the fittings, air chuck, and blow gun.

 

[rodm1]

what about a nitrogen bottle