Recommend me air compressor, please help ($300 budget)

[AUDIHenry]

Hey guys,

I'm in the market for an air compressor to help with car work. Will need to use air impact and socket wrenches (1/2" and 3/8", respectively). Now, my budget is only around $300 but I don't want to buy garbage, either. I have no idea what brand is good, what brand is ****, and what to buy for this budget.

I have found these two, but the reviews for both are mixed.

Husky 20 gallon, $180

http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hard...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

Craftsman 25 gallon, $300 w/ some tools

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...01&srccode=cii_17588969&cpncode=26-57338905-2

I want to avoid used as I'm generally clueless about air tools (never had any air tools before) and would love the warranty. Please help, what do you recommend?

 

[Ed_EOD]

Seeing as how Sears can't figure out how to put any info whatsoever in their description, I'd say the Husky if it was between those two.

But really neither, I'd say used, or at least new on clearance/sale. I don't know much about Compressors either but check my thread on the Kobalt I just picked up.

 

[AUDIHenry]

Seeing as how Sears can't figure out how to put any info whatsoever in their description, I'd say the Husky if it was between those two.

But really neither, I'd say used, or at least new on clearance/sale. I don't know much about Compressors either but check my thread on the Kobalt I just picked up.

Thanks for the response, I looked around on Craigslist and found a few deals, but I'm just not sure.

This is the other one I'm looking at, but don't know if it has the CFM for what I want? (I'm not sure, 4.2cfm @ 90 PSI, enough for my purposes or no?)

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001Q2VPK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[illmatyk]

I have the Craftsman but 33 gallon and I like it. For my total set up I paid about $160+$250 gift card.

 

[AUDIHenry]

I have the Craftsman but 33 gallon and I like it. For my total set up I paid about $160+$250 gift card.

Thanks, how is the noise? I believe the Craftsman is the no oil design, does that make it loud?

 

[illmatyk]

Its a little loud. I have mine temporarily in the laundry room and run the air hose out to the garage/carport area.

Once I do my home shop build, I plan on having it in a separate room with noise insulation of some sort.

 

[Fatandre]

I am looking for a compressor that would work with a impact gun to get wheel bolts off. How strong has it have to be?

 

[pipsters]

I am looking for a compressor that would work with a impact gun to get wheel bolts off. How strong has it have to be?

Pump output is largely irrelevant when it comes to 120v compressors. Personally, it would be #4 on my list with

#1 tank size
#2 pump pressure output (top end PSI)
#3 oiled and even better oiled/belt driven
#4 pump output CFM

The thing about air tools, they list 25% run time in their specs for air consumption. So, for example, an impact that quotes 5.0 CFM @ 90 psi is really pulling around 20 cfm @ 90 psi when running.

What does this mean? It means no pump on 120v power (and most on 220v) will ever be able to keep up with it.

But that's OK. You store compressed air in a tank, and it's used as reserve. The pump is simply used to replenish the tank. The bigger the pump, the faster it will do it.

So what does that mean for someone shopping for 120v compressors? The bigger the tank and higher the PSI the happier you'll be. 20-30 gal 135-150 psi IMO is the sweet spot for using a 1/2" impact.Anything over that, and it starts to take a really long time to refill the tank. As a general rule of thumb, the larger the tank the larger the compressor pump but like I mentioned above it's mostly irrelevant in actual use, and at the size level you are looking at, they will all be very similar, +/- 0.5 CFM @ 90 psi or so.

 

[byoungblood]

For what you're doing, the compressor doesn't have to have a very high CFM rating, 5-6 CFM is plenty. However, you'll probably want something with at least a 15-20 gallon tank.

I'd pass on the oil-less units and just dig around on CL until you find something. As much as the tools section on my local CL *****, I still see a smaller compressor or three available every week that would meet your criteria. I had to make do with an oil-less unit for a couple of years and while it got the job done, it was just unbearably loud when it would cycle, even in another room. My 60 gallon vertical will run ratchets and impacts for quite a while before it kicks back on.

 

[WRX/Z28]

If I were looking at craftsman, I'd wait for a sale on the 27 gallon professional unit. Much much quieter than the oilless designs...

 

[timtim2008]

just wait until black friday, they will be on sale.

 

[porcupine73]

I have one of the Craftsman units, I think it is 33 gallon but I forget for sure. It was some black colored 'anniversary' models from probably 10 years ago. Yes, it is loud, at least I think it is, compared to reciprocating units anyway. It's almost more of a super loud buzzing sound that it makes.

For bursts of impact and socket wrench use a compressor like that seems to be more than adequate. Where you run into trouble is when you want to do something like a die grinder continuously for like five minutes or have multiple tools going at the same time.

 

[AUDIHenry]

So if my compressor flows 4.2cfm @ 90 psi (according to mfr specs) and my tool calls for 4-5cfm @ 90 psi, is this too much of a stretch? Does this mean that the pump will need to run to get it up to that point?

I'll be using it for impact and socket wrenches.

 

[Ed_EOD]

You will be able to use it, but the power will drop off quick.

 

[AUDIHenry]

Thanks Ed, I appreciate it

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

I found this on Craigslist L.A. - which means I was FIRST to get to it - asking was $300 and I paid $265. Runs perfectly, 60 gallon tank. Link to a new one posted for price comparison. There out there, you've just gotta be patient AND have the $300 in cash in your pocket when it comes up. Best of luck.

Linky: (The single stages have come down a LOT):

http://www.harborfreight.com/35-hp-60-gallon-130-psi-compressor-3848.html

 

[pipsters]

So if my compressor flows 4.2cfm @ 90 psi (according to mfr specs) and my tool calls for 4-5cfm @ 90 psi, is this too much of a stretch? Does this mean that the pump will need to run to get it up to that point?

I'll be using it for impact and socket wrenches.

No its absolutely fine. Depending on the tank size, I have a 25 gal 150 psi and I can run a 1/2" impact wide open for 60 secs and still have 90 psi at the tool, and it will recover in under 2 mins. That is a long time to hammer. To put it in perspective, it is enough that I can remove all 20 lugs on a single cycle of air.

You can fill a tank up and unplug the compressor and still get all the air you need, for a bit, right? The pump just puts air in the tank.

That 4-5 cfm is a fantasy based on 25% duty cycle of a tool.

 

[SeattleKent]

+1 for Craigslist. The key is to be patient. Don't expect to find it in a day or a week. In a month you'll find something nice. Maybe use something like craigwatcher.com to get email alerts when new compressors are listed.

 

[diesel research]

I am looking for a compressor that would work with a impact gun to get wheel bolts off. How strong has it have to be?

You live in poland? The power that comes out of the wall is what? 220v?

 

[ATTappman]

I tried that Husky compressor about three years ago. The regulator was really poor, the pressure drooped about 30psi when flowing. I took it back and got a Craftsman 33gal, and ended up replacing the regulator on it. If you want to spend $300 for a new compressor a Craftsman is the best bet.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

+1 for Craigslist. The key is to be patient. Don't expect to find it in a day or a week. In a month you'll find something nice. Maybe use something like craigwatcher.com.

So true. It probably took 3 months for me to find mine. I didn't want to spend a lot more money and (fortunately) I didn't have a real bad need to use one. If you're in that situation you'll definitely find one at a good price.

 

[AUDIHenry]

Thank you all

 

[timtim2008]

If I were looking at craftsman, I'd wait for a sale on the 27 gallon professional unit. Much much quieter than the oilless designs...

does it use oil?

how much is a good price?

is this the one ?

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00916475000PMENDATIONS=true