Small air compressor for a gal..

[foodie]

Hi Guys, you have all been my heroes in finding the best tools. I searched all of the threads on this topic, but some of the recommendations and links are old and some of the recommendations are not available. I want a small air compressor, not too heavy, oil less for inflating my tires ( I am sick of doing this in the winter at a gas station, half of the time they don't work because it is too cold outside) and one that I can use to clean out filters or the back of my refrigerator. I want an electric one, and I do have a 220 line in my garage. What would you suggest? I would like one that is fairly quite if possible because I live in a condo. I would spend up to $200. Your responses and time are greatly appreciated.
Thank you!

 

[laser3kw]

oiless air compressor link
A 120 volt model should be more than enough for what you are asking and allow it to be more portable.
I have a oil lube version like this up at the house for the same reasons you mentioned. Shop around for a brand that you are happy with.
But "oiless" and "quiet" rarely go together. If you want "oiless" for inflating tires, Are you thinking that a oil lube type allows oil to get into the tire while inflating? Or it won't work if left in a cold garage? If so, I wouldn't worry about that. Most every tire shop uses an oil lube type pump in their operation. And my oil lube model of the above model (in the link) is in a unheated garage and has always fired right up when I plug it in to use it.

 

[ToolPolisher]

Why not just a cordless tire inflator? Not the fastest, but they get the job done. You can't get any smaller than them.

You should be able to find one for your battery platform.

 

[zendriver]

Why not just a cordless tire inflator? Not the fastest, but they get the job done. You can't get any smaller than them.

You should be able to find one for your battery platform.

Blow dust out of furnace filters and behind refrigerators?

 

[ToolPolisher]

D'oh! Reading is NOT fundamental! Thank you for catching that.

 

[LX-Markham]

I have a small 1 gallon Dewalt compressor in addition to my big compressor. It is great for small jobs when I don’t need the big one. It’s quiet and fast

 

[snickers muncher]

$99
Porter-Cable
6 Gal. 150 PSI Portable Electric Pancake Air Compressor
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Porter-...ectric-Pancake-Air-Compressor-C2002/203162815

You can get the kit with a finish nailer, brad nailer, stapler, and hose for $199 if you think you'll get some use out of of the nailers.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Porter-...ERCH=REC-_-pipsem-_-203162815-_-203471431-_-N

I only suggest the kit because if I recall correctly you were asking about other wood working tools before.

 

[foodie]

I was thinking oil less because I do not know how to do the maintenance on the ones with oil. I do not know the first thing about air compressors, it just seemed like on other discussions folks liked the oil less because of less maintenance. I meant blowing out filters like the ones on my vacuum cleaner or my large Rigid shop vac. And cleaning the coils on the back of my refrigerator and the dust that gets sucked underneath of it, blowing it out while using a vacuum cleaner to catch the dust. One of my friends did this once for me and it worked great.
Thanks for the links guys! I will check into them.
LX,...the Dewalt one looks great.
Something portable and small would be great.

 

[The Cobbler]

Senco pc 1010 is a nice small compact, quiet, light compressor too

 

[driftpin]

As laser3kw said, "oil-less and quiet usually don't go-together."

You have an advantage in having a 240 volt line in the garage, however in your case, your needs will best be-met by a 120 volt unit. The bigger the tank, them more 'headroom' you have before the compressor kicks-on. Yes, the oilless ones are usually noisy. I'd but something new, from a well-known company, those already mentioned would be good choices (DeWalt and Porter-Cable).

I have a pancake Porter-Cable package unit I bought years-ago, it's probably 10 years-old, and hasn't given me any issues; I don't have much-need for the brad gun it came-with, I used it a few times, then, years-later, I found-out it was non-functional. Turns-out an o-ring in the mechanism needed to be replaced, something you could do with an exploded diagram, some (one, actually) allen-keys, and patience. You can probably-find a youtube video when the time comes. The Porter-Cable 'pancake'-style has a good volume-of air delivery, but it's loud. If you're First Chair in the local orchestra, you should wear ear-protection, otherwise, just don't stand-over it while it's running, get a short hose for it, I usually-use one of those plastic coiled hoses, the 'self-coiling' ones, and I position the unit away from where I'm working, to lessen the noise. I use quick-disconnect fittings, so I can put a longer hose on it if I was going to be working with it for awhile, like installing trim. That way, you could put the compressor in another room from where you are, to ease the sound level. Also, if you have say a 25 ft hose, you won't need to move the compressor around, filling tires, you can position it one-time, and just snake the hose to each wheel/tire.

A suggestion: Harbor Freight has those 12" X 18" furniture dollies for cheap, you can either just rest the unit on one, to scoot-around, or devise some-way to hold it in-place. Their inexpensive tie-downs, the orange ones, rated at 400 lbs, should allow you to easily snake one or two around the dolly and the compressor. On-sale, and with a 20%-off coupon you probably would be out $15 for them together.

Where in MI are you? I was just up there from FL for a reunion, in the SW side of the state (where Checker cars, Gibson guitars and Kellogg's/Post are/were).

 

[Eric29]

You could run this in your apartment and no one would hear it.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MWADHKG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Citation]

I would suggest looking for something that is light and/or has wheels. I also have a preference for the newer quiet compressors. So here are my general suggestions.

1. An all in one solution. Light, not very powerful and not much tank. Probably not very quiet. Comes with everything and is nicely packaged. This is probably the simplest.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006CVXGR0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Note that basically everything else on this list will require a seperate purchase of hoses, air chucks etc. A basic kit runs about $20.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Primefit-Tools-and-Accessories-Air-Accessory-Kit-20-pc-Pack/36132935
I gave my father in law something like this which he uses for lawn mower tires and the like. He really likes it.


2. The $100 ~2.0-2.5 CFM pancake compressors.
Porter Cable seems to be the most common but Ridgid and others make basically the same thing (sometimes exactly the same)
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Porter-...ectric-Pancake-Air-Compressor-C2002/203162815

These have a decent tank capacity, are light but the pumps are noisy.

2.1 If you are OK wheeling it around then something like this has a faster pump (better if you want to use the air gun a lot) and costs only a bit more.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Briggs-Stratton-8-Gallon-Hotdog-Oil-free-Air-Compressor/800727967

3. "Quiet compressors" You might consider one of the many "quiet" compressors. If you can find a deal on the California Air Tools 5510A (that A means aluminum vs the more common SE for steel) then you will have a compressor that is really quiet. No more powerful than the Porter Cable but moves from (I hate being around it loud) to (that's a noisy window AC unit). Noisy window AC unit may not be baby sleeping quiet but it's not bad for the 1-3 minutes the pump runs. If you search Youtube for California Air Tools videos they will compare the CAT compressor to something like the Porter Cable. The difference in the videos really does reflect my own experience. The reason why I like the aluminum tank is it doesn't rust (with all compressors you need to drain water out of a drain plug in the bottom. It should be done before you put the compressor away. You don't need to drain all the air, just until the water stops coming out. ). I also like that the aluminum tank model is 35lb. The steel tank is more like 50. Still not heavy and they do have wheels but at 35lb this compressor is light enough to carry up the stairs into my house.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Califor...table-Electric-Air-Compressor-5510A/207142915


If you see a compressor claiming 75db or less it's probably reasonably quiet. The CAT claims 60 but my phone says it's more like 72db. CAT isn't the only company to make a quiet compressor but they are best known for it. These are all examples that are cheaper than the CAT 5510A. Some are heavier, some are smaller. I can't vouch for any particular model.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Senco-1...ake-Electric-Air-Compressor-PC1010N/205513089
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Californ...p-4-7-Gal-Steel-Tank-Air-Compressor/258922094
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0771K753L/?tag=atomicindus08-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HHMFRGD/?tag=atomicindus08-20
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Californ...p-4-7-Gal-Steel-Tank-Air-Compressor/258922094

If it were me, and I'm not you, I would probably find the most powerful "quiet" compressor I could around $150... actually no... I would do what I did, look for a deal on ebay and get a "broken" 5510A, fix the problem and have a nice quiet compressor for only $60.

 

[Citation]

oiless air compressor link
A 120 volt model should be more than enough for what you are asking and allow it to be more portable.
I have a oil lube version like this up at the house for the same reasons you mentioned. Shop around for a brand that you are happy with.
But "oiless" and "quiet" rarely go together. If you want "oiless" for inflating tires, Are you thinking that a oil lube type allows oil to get into the tire while inflating? Or it won't work if left in a cold garage? If so, I wouldn't worry about that. Most every tire shop uses an oil lube type pump in their operation. And my oil lube model of the above model (in the link) is in a unheated garage and has always fired right up when I plug it in to use it.

The oiless=loud rule of thumb really isn't true anymore. Direct drive oil lubed compressors can be very loud while oiless models like those from California Air Tools (and many others) are now basically the quietest commonly available compressors on the market. If you go into HD it's likely the loudest and quietest compressors in the store will both be oiless.

 

[foodie]

thanks so much guys for all the information. Thanks Citation for your very detailed post. I will look into all of these suggestions.
Driftpin I remember your post about coming to Michigan. I am located in the southeast area. About 2 to 3 hours from where you were.

 

[Chevota Guy]

After doing a lot of research on small oil less QUIET air compressors, I settled on the Rolair JC10 Plus about a year ago. It has been around for a number of years and gets great reviews. It is great for tire inflating, nail guns, air brushes and general purpose use. You can have a conversation at normal voice levels even standing right next to it. It is very lightweight however I chose to mount mine to a rolling cart that I can stack tool containers on.

It's a little over the desired budget at around $250. Recently, Lowes introduced a similar line with a similar looking compressor head that are also said to be very quiet. It's definitely worth a look. I also believe the Cal Air tools small, quiet compressors use the same type of head.

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[Leaflessshadetree]

Get a small one of your choice, even the portable tire pumps would work.
Then get a portable tank. Fill the tank and carry it to the job. One fill should be plenty for any of the tasks you listed.

 

[930dreamer]

Look at the Kobalt air compressor at Lowe's.

 

[foodie]

930 Dreamer, great little model, I did look at that the other day, I just wasn’t sure if it was good enough. My biggest fear with the slower ones is air leaking out of my tire while I am trying to put air in!

 

[foodie]

Chevota Guy,...nice little set up you have there!

 

[930dreamer]

I picked this one up, perfect for airing up tires and blowing out the shop etc.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-8-Gallon-Portable-Electric-Horizontal-Air-Compressor/1001013924

 

[Lynden]

My biggest fear with the slower ones is air leaking out of my tire while I am trying to put air in!

Buy a lock-on air chuck for your compressor hose.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078WVQTN6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[usa#1]

The Hitachi ec28m is very quiet.

 

[foodie]

Buy a lock-on air chuck for your compressor hose.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078WVQTN6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Thanks Lyndon that is perfect!

 

[Citation]

I'm only fond of locking chucks if attached to an inflator with a built in pressure gauge, something like this (example only, not a recommendation of this exact one):
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074TD89X6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

A locking chuck on an open air line to my compressor tank? No. The old school, hold it against the valve chucks work fine but I don't like the inflate -> remove -> check pressure with gauge -> inflate more game. That's why I bought the inflator with a locking chuck. But that's another $20-40 on top of the rest of the cost. At some point this becomes serious over kill.

 

[Citation]

OK, this is a big YMMV but could be cheap enough to make it worth it. One of the Walmarts near me appears to have this deal
https://slickdeals.net/f/13256647-b...iece-accessory-kit-15-ymmv?v=1&src=SiteSearch
Normally $60 for a very low power, 3 gallon compressor with hoses (but you would need to spend another $5-10 for a blow gun) on clearance for $15.

This is probably the "cheapest" that would do what you ask. Not idea but cheap. If I were in your shoes (with no idea how what your budget is), I wouldn't do this but this is cheap! In your shoes I would have trouble deciding between a pancake compressor+accessories ($120) or the quiet compressors of some sort ($130-240)+same accessories.

 

[crasher98]

I have a Rolair VT25BIG (but it's actually little) wheel-around compressor, but for inflating vehicle tires I usually grab this:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-18-Volt-ONE-Cordless-Power-Inflator-Tool-Only-P737/206159256

Top off your tire in less than a minute. The gauge is worthless tho so you'll still need a tire gauge. Handy because you can toss it in the car if you're taking a long drive w/ a suspect tire. Cons: also need a ryobi battery or two and doubt it will clean your coils.

 

[tomwil]

I have a Rolair VT25BIG (but it's actually little) wheel-around compressor, but for inflating vehicle tires I usually grab this:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-18-Volt-ONE-Cordless-Power-Inflator-Tool-Only-P737/206159256

Top off your tire in less than a minute. The gauge is worthless tho so you'll still need a tire gauge. Handy because you can toss it in the car if you're taking a long drive w/ a suspect tire. Cons: also need a ryobi battery or two and doubt it will clean your coils.

Yesterday, Home Depot had that P737 inflator and the P738 blower as a kit for only $35.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-1...Tool-Combo-Kit-Tools-Only-P738-P737/308692506

 

[crasher98]

That's a good deal - looking at that inflator reminds me of when I used to smoke (reformed but chew nicotine gum 24-7 - go to bed w/a piece in my mouth!) and would leave air mattresses inflated because it was too much work to blow them up again. If all of these cheap cordless tools had been available then I might still be smoking!

 

[foodie]

Thanks so much guys for your help and suggestions! Citation I am going to look into getting that attachment with the inflator and gauge. Tomwil, that inflator looks great, I am going to buy that and see how well it works. Although in one of the reviews it stated to be careful with tires that have sensors....