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Small compressor recommendations

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allinon72

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Jul 5, 2010
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Indianapolis
I'm looking for a small 5-10 gallon compressor for light duty stuff like filling tires and using it as a blowgun. What are your guys' recommendations? I'm looking to spend less than $150.

Sears has a nice 7 gallon for $140 but I'm leery of Sears these days. Obviously HF has a few but I'm worried about cheap oil less motors. I also would like to avoid the pancake style.
 
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pipsters

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Without looking it up I would suspect any compressor in the 5-10 gallon range is going to be oilless.

Sears is pretty close to HF quality
 
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Craftsman_88

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Apr 27, 2011
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Pueblo, Co
I think dewalt makes an oiled compressor that small. Buts its pricey. Looks at lowes. I think Cambell Hausfield makes a few smaller ones. I have 2 gallon oilless that has served me well for interior trim work and small jobs where I cant take my larger one.
 
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ibedayank

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Feb 2, 2011
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Columbia TN
image_8072.jpg

http://www.harborfreight.com/air-to...on-125-psi-portable-air-compressor-67501.html



I have this one and has lasted for over 3 years being used to airup a B67 Mack with a airstarter 100gal airtank
along with many other uses and never gave us a problem
 
OP
A

allinon72

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ibedayank said:
image_8072.jpg

http://www.harborfreight.com/air-to...on-125-psi-portable-air-compressor-67501.html



I have this one and has lasted for over 3 years being used to airup a B67 Mack with a airstarter 100gal airtank
along with many other uses and never gave us a problem
Click to expand...

Decent rating overall, but it seems like every 5th review is from someone with a locked up pump.

Also several users report it will trip breakers in the cold...deal breaker for me as I will be using this in an apartment garage and don't have access to the panel.
 
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ibedayank

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Columbia TN
allinon72 said:
Decent rating overall, but it seems like every 5th review is from someone with a locked up pump.

Also several users report it will trip breakers in the cold...deal breaker for me as I will be using this in an apartment garage and don't have access to the panel.
Click to expand...

yeah if you try and use a 14g cord... use a 12 or 10 gauge cord and all is well...

and the locked up pump...did they put OIL in it?
 
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Sancho

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The backwoods
I have a seneco 2gal that has a lot of hours on it and it keeps on kicking. Have used it a lot for running a tire inflator, air nailer, etc.
 
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j.c.whitney

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Mar 26, 2011
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Location
Omaha, Ne
Found a few years ago at a garage sale... Champion 1-cylinder Porta-Champ, $40. Bought new filters and changed the oil with Quincy Compressor Oil, very useful and bargain priced. Looked a long time before it came along.
 
M

Mad40er

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Sep 29, 2009
Messages
91
I bought an 8 gallon Husky (Oiled) at HD yesterday. On special for $99

Not sure if that is a local deal or not. It is still listed for 149 online
 
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pipsters

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ibedayank said:
whats the country of origin?
Click to expand...

The Sears compressors I was looking at a couple years ago were assembled in the US of foreign and domestic parts. Really what that meant after looking over the parts is the tank came from the US (Devilbiss) and almost everything else was from Taiwan, Mexico, or China. My tank was US, pump was Taiwanese, and motor was Mexican. The gauges were Chinese and the regulator was from Taiwan.

That said, I did previously buy a HF 21 gallon unit and the Sears unit, besides my quip above, felt nicer. I kept the Sears 25 gallon oiled unit and returned the HF unit, and have been more than happy with it. In fact, I just re-torqued the head bolts (per the manual) and it pumps up 20 seconds faster than it did when I first got it. I'm definitely happy, and I didn't even break it in right - they don't tell you that the drain plug is rightly-loosey and not righty-tighty.
 
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Beaumont67

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Apr 10, 2011
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Location
St. Thomas, Ontario
allinon72 said:
Decent rating overall, but it seems like every 5th review is from someone with a locked up pump.

Also several users report it will trip breakers in the cold...deal breaker for me as I will be using this in an apartment garage and don't have access to the panel.
Click to expand...

I have a similar one, as pictured / made by Eagle with 6.5 gal tank and cast iron cylinder sleeves (5.4cfm @ 90psi).
Works excellent, but would also trip breakers when cold unless I placed it in the house to warm up.
- bought at TSC on sale for $129 or $139 four years ago ($100 off sale price)

Problem was the cheap oil supplied with the unit got as stick as molasses and went so dark, couldn't see the sight glass (compressor only used to install 1 hardwood floor).
Dumped the oil and sprayed in break cleaner, to see the sight glass again - then filled it up with AMSOIL Synthetic Compressor Oil ISO-100, SAE 30/40.
- trip breaker problem solved / I would never use the cheap oil again, that comes with these small compressors

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1965 Malibu S/S, 1966 Beaumont Custom original paint, 1967 Beaumont Custom, 1967 Beaumont Custom original paint, 1967 Beaumont 396-350HP Sport Deluxe M21-411's - SOLD 1970 Judge
 
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