Recommended garage air compressor?

[alec]

Wondering if you guys can recommend a decent garage air compressor? I see there are various units from Harbor Freight, Menards, Home Depot, etc. Just wondering if there are some I should avoid or look for. Ideally a vertical unit, something with enough capacity to run air tools. Single phase power. Thanks!

 

[NUTTSGT]

Probably about any 60 gallon compressor will work but do you have a budget ?

 

[Glemon]

In addition to CFM, check out noise ratings and reviews. I didn't know this was that big a deal until I bought my first compressor and it was noisy enough to wake the neighbors up even though inside my garage. It was so noisy I really didn't like to use it unless I had to.

I think the ones advertised as oilless are generally noisier.

 

[Keep]

First question.

Do you have 220 power in the garage? If not, it will limit your choices considerably.

If you do, pretty much any of the 60 gallon 3-5hp compressors will handle most of what you are after, might be a bit light if you do any HVLP painting, but it just means you have to wait a bit longer for the compressor to catch up.

Keep an eye on your local classifieds, I got lucky and traded a small 25 gallon for a 60 gallon as the guy just wanted to downsize!

 

[bri_man57]

My experience is small compressors are the loudest. I concur, get a 60 or 80 gallon from Lowes or home Depot. I have a husky 60 gal, completely happy with it.

Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

 

[SCWOOD]

Dewalt 60gal. Tractor supply.

 

[finn]

Depends on the size of your garage, too. An 80 gallon monster in a suburban two car garage doesn’t cut it.

I did fine with a 20 gallon belt driven horizontal, tucked under a workbench for thirty years. Now that I have the room, a five hp 80 gallon is more practical.

A lot of the new oilless compressors are very quiet now. They run at lower speeds than the old noisemakers, and are worth considering for home use.

I picked up a two stage, 26 gallon Kobalt fro Lowe’s. It won’t paint a car, but will run air tools.

Also, consider that air tools have largely been replaced be battery operated tools. They are quieter, and perform well. That could impact your decision as to what is best for you

 

[Jazz1]

The Dewalt and Kobalt are great suggestions for general purpose. If you plan to paint or sandblast you have to go larger ie: 18 CFM @ 90 PSI

 

[Citation]

More information needed. Single phase power means just about anything under 7hp. Are we talking 120V only or are 240V compressors an option? What is the budget and space? Are you looking to plumb air lines or just run a hose from the tank?

I'm going to disagree with the comment about oil free being louder. That used to be generally true but it's no longer true as most "quiet" compressors are oil free.

 

[karoc]

Air compressors are one of those tool that get the best that you can, which will put things in your favor that it will last you a life time. There are so many brands out there now but most are all the same, just different name. If I had the money I would go for the Champion which is made in US, but it cost. Just about all woodshops and mech shops in school district that I work at has Champion. Another top brand is Quincy which I will say is top of the line, which parts can be purchase should the pump ever needs to be rebuilt. Both of these are on my dream list, but for now I will stick with my IR

 

[theoldwizard1]

Wondering if you guys can recommend a decent garage air compressor? I see there are various units from Harbor Freight, Menards, Home Depot, etc. Just wondering if there are some I should avoid or look for. Ideally a vertical unit, something with enough capacity to run air tools. Single phase power. Thanks!

Not enough information !

120V or 240V ?

What types of tools are you going to run ? Nailer and staplers and even impacts tend to use air in "bursts" so a much smaller compressor is adequate. Air hammers/chisels have much longer "on time" so you need a bigger compressor. Sanders, grinders and sand blaster even more (at least 5 HP)

 

[evh]

Look at California Air. Quiet, oiless 120V.

 

[Chapter21]

Outside of sand blasting and spray painting, pretty much any 5 gallon or larger big box store china special will be just fine for anything you can do yourself in a residential garage. Most air tools are 18v now, except the first two I mentioned.

Are you planning on ever sand blasting or painting? A lot of people never do that...if you are not doing body work there is not a lot of need for horsepower and big tanks.

 

[rburke65]

I saved my ‘cigarette money’ when I qui, and bought me a Champion, 5hp, 2 stage, 60 gal. tank...LOVE IT! Very quite and plenty of air for your air powered tools.

 

[Lefty's Garage]

Are you limited to 120v or do you have 240v available. Seems Quincy and Champion have solid reputations. My 5hp 240v 1ø mag starter compressor was built in '90 by a compressor/motor shop so it's not a name brand unit but no problems. A motor speed of 1725-ish rpm, compressor speed of 950 rpm or less will yield a much quieter running unit. Also, if possible, by not placing the compressor in a corner helps to reduce reflected sound which amplifies noise. Output of 17scfm@90psi will handle any job in a home garage. Just my 2¢—happy hunting.

 

[alec]

More information needed. Single phase power means just about anything under 7hp. Are we talking 120V only or are 240V compressors an option? What is the budget and space? Are you looking to plumb air lines or just run a hose from the tank?

120V power. Would like to run air hammers, not looking to run a spray gun. A hose from the tank is fine. And something $500 or less.

 

[CraigStu]

My 35 yr old Craftsman 20 gal tank and 7.7cfm at 90 has worked out for me. It runs out of air when using a die grinder but has done everything else I have needed including painting a car although that was marginal. I am looking also and have almost decided on a Dewalt

DeWALT 60 Gallon Cast Iron Vertical Air Compressor - DXCMLA3706056

DEWALT's 60 Gal. Air Compressor features a cast iron, twin-cylinder, oil-lubricated pump. This includes a 1-piece cast iron crankcase, thermally stable cast iron cylinder body, aluminum head and valve plate, automotive style ball bearings, durable Swedish

www.ruralking.com

It is more than I need at 11.5 @90 but as I looked the other day thinking drop $100 and drop to 7.7, all I found dropped to 4-6 @90 and some of them were >$549 not less.

 

[Troy32323]

Air compressors are one of those tool that get the best that you can, which will put things in your favor that it will last you a life time. There are so many brands out there now but most are all the same, just different name. If I had the money I would go for the Champion which is made in US, but it cost. Just about all woodshops and mech shops in school district that I work at has Champion. Another top brand is Quincy which I will say is top of the line, which parts can be purchase should the pump ever needs to be rebuilt. Both of these are on my dream list, but for now I will stick with my IR

I believe champion is not made in US but assembled in US I researched this a lot and could only find one compressor manufactured in the US and that is Saylor Beall. I purchased one and the quality is incredible.

 

[karoc]

Did not know that, these are but they are also been around several yrs. Guess now days who knows where anything is made, like your saying parts purchase from other country's but assemble here. Quality is not the same as it was back then, thanks for providing newer up to date info.
We have a Quincy compressor that's about 30yrs old, never been rebuilt but motor been replace twice. Runs nice and quite

 

[nadogail]

I bought a DeVilbiss with my overtime and side job money back in the day, I don't renumber when. An Oil Less diaphragm compressor, I did not consider how very noisy it is. It still runs and refuses to die.

 

[rbgearz]

I use alot of air in the garage and the 5hp, 80 gal. Ingersoll Rand was getting old and just didn't cut it anymore. Bit the bullet and bought an Emax Silent Air from Home Depot. 7.5 hp, 80 gal. tank. Home Depot jerked me around and kept giving me the runaround so I called the factory directly and got a better deal and delivered when they said they would. Very quiet and I'm really impressed with it. I think it's 31 cfm. It was $3200 but I'll never need another. Also, made in the US.

 

[Firebrick43]

quincy pressure lube models are made in the US and the emax/polar air tanks/chassis is made in the US and assembled here as well. The pumps are import and motors depending on which model.

both of these in addition to champion and saylor beall is would be my recommendation. I would stay away from the noisy big box models. I personally have an polar air 5hp 80 gallon and i can talk to some one on the cell phone right next to it without them hearing it.

 

[NUTTSGT]

120V power. Would like to run air hammers, not looking to run a spray gun. A hose from the tank is fine. And something $500 or less.

Being your location is Chicago, I think I would search CL or FB marketplace (if you have it) A good used compressor can be found and save you some cash but you need to check it out carefully before handing over the cash.

 

[John T]

I had a Home depot/Husky for years... ran fine I think I replaced a motor capacitor once... sold it and upgraded to a Quincy 2 stage.

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200350475_200350475

Edit,
just saw you only have 110v ....

home depot has the smaller 30 gal ? compres. on wheels I think is 110v