soloz2
Well-known member
My 20gal compressor bit it last night. It does look like I could fix it, but I've never really beEn happy with it. From day one it's leaked and been stupid loud. My wife hates how loud it is and I agree... I don't want to hear my compression from my house when it's in my detached garage. To top it off, it just wasn't quite powerful enough for my needs anyway.
RIP

Anyway, for my needs. I mostly use my compressor to blow off my chainsaws, run an impact and to spray my vehicles each year with woolwax. I would like to get some other pneumatic tools. Just last week I bought a Milwaukee M12 Fuel RA die grinder because I knew my compressor was too weak to run a die grinder... Now turns out I should have waited a week and threw that $200 towards a new compressor, but I digress. I have been looking at some 30 gal units in the neighborhood of 6cfm @90 psi. Both Lowes and HD have ones that would fit the bill and should be quieter, and about 150% the output of my old Husky for under $600. I like that these can run off 110v and are still portable while being bigger than what I have... My only concern is about future proofing. I'd like to have the ability to do some light grinding, or potentially get a small plasma cutter in the future as I've recently picked up welding as a hobby. I know I don't need a big 80gal stationary compressor, but TSC does have some nice 60gal units from Dewalt or IR for $700-800 that would likely fit the bill. My concern with these would be the noise. Neither are supposed to be nearly as quiet as the smaller ones and I'm not sure how loud they are or that I absolutely need a 60gal.
I would also have to run a 240v line from my breaker box. I have just enough room for a double breaker, but that would max out my box and likely lead to needing to upgrade sooner rather than later.
Short version: I need a hobby garage air compressor capable of running tools typically used in automotive, woodworking, or metalworking. It won't be used all the time, but I tend to use my tools heavily when I do use them so I prefer not to just get junk. Should I upgrade to a larger 30gal portable or 60gal stationary? Or should I consider something else?
RIP

Anyway, for my needs. I mostly use my compressor to blow off my chainsaws, run an impact and to spray my vehicles each year with woolwax. I would like to get some other pneumatic tools. Just last week I bought a Milwaukee M12 Fuel RA die grinder because I knew my compressor was too weak to run a die grinder... Now turns out I should have waited a week and threw that $200 towards a new compressor, but I digress. I have been looking at some 30 gal units in the neighborhood of 6cfm @90 psi. Both Lowes and HD have ones that would fit the bill and should be quieter, and about 150% the output of my old Husky for under $600. I like that these can run off 110v and are still portable while being bigger than what I have... My only concern is about future proofing. I'd like to have the ability to do some light grinding, or potentially get a small plasma cutter in the future as I've recently picked up welding as a hobby. I know I don't need a big 80gal stationary compressor, but TSC does have some nice 60gal units from Dewalt or IR for $700-800 that would likely fit the bill. My concern with these would be the noise. Neither are supposed to be nearly as quiet as the smaller ones and I'm not sure how loud they are or that I absolutely need a 60gal.
I would also have to run a 240v line from my breaker box. I have just enough room for a double breaker, but that would max out my box and likely lead to needing to upgrade sooner rather than later.
Short version: I need a hobby garage air compressor capable of running tools typically used in automotive, woodworking, or metalworking. It won't be used all the time, but I tend to use my tools heavily when I do use them so I prefer not to just get junk. Should I upgrade to a larger 30gal portable or 60gal stationary? Or should I consider something else?
