What air compressor to get?

[pioneer1]

Looking to purchase my 1st air compressor. Will be used for general home use, but want to be able to run some air tools occasionally.
Garage is attached to home so I was wanting something quiet.
Been looking at California Air but am open for suggestions.
Just need to know what size tank, HP other specs to consider.
Budget is $500 max.

Thanks

 

[BTL-A4]

I have a Craftsman 33 gallon, 2 HP (running, not peak), 8.6/6.4 CFM @ 40/90 psi compressor I got on Craiglist for $250 two years ago. I've run air die grinders, sanders and paint sprayers. It will run almost continuously when using the die grinders and sander but it works. I think oil-less compressors are noisier, though.

 

[bob15]

Are you open to buying used?

120 or 220 VAC?

Horizontal or vertical tank?

An older used slow turning IR T-30 wouldn't be bad.

 

[pioneer1]

Are you open to buying used?

120 or 220 VAC?

Horizontal or vertical tank?

An older used slow turning IR T-30 wouldn't be bad.

No, I want new.
120VAC
Horizontal or Vertical does it matter for functionality?
Or if its just for space, then either

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

For "general home use" I typically use a Rolair JC-10. Portable and quiet. Fine for a finish nailer, light blower use, airing up balls, bicycle tires and topping off car tires.
I also have an older 20ish gallon belt driving compressor. Not as quiet or portable.
It a little more capable for running tools and car tires.

For my garage I use a 33 gallon 6 BSHP airless compressor. It will outwork either of the others. Not quiet at all and it is on wheels but I wouldn't consider it portable. I'll probably replace it with a 60 or 80 gallon 5HP unit.

 

[Lassen Forge]

IMO on that budget used is the way to go. I'm looking for an old used IR out of a gas station or shop, they're slower, and the pokka pokka pokka is far more agreeable to the "BRRRRR" of a direct drive.

Just know all compressors generate noise... the really quiet ones are about 10x your budget on up, use a screw type compressor, and give you the rated volume 100% of the time. I'm seriously thinking along this line, if I can justify the $$$. You may want to build a small insulated outbuilding if noise is really a concern.

I have a temp system of siamesed job site DeWalts (the little dual tank ones), and they've worked (so far) pretty well, but they are noisy and don't have really enough volume (even paired up). Definitely don't go oilless, those things are noisy as heck, but any direct drive compressors like that will be loud.

There's my 2¢...

 

[DGersic]

Pick the tools you intend to run first. Find the one that needs the most air CFM, and decide on the compressor to support it.

They’re all loud. Plan accordingly.



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[Kaizen]

Pick the tools you intend to run first. Find the one that needs the most air CFM, and decide on the compressor to support it.

They’re all loud. Plan accordingly.



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Op this is the way to go. Even small air tools take a lot of cfm. Look at the required in the tools you think you want to use.


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[fourjeepin]

Oilless is terrible. At my last house, I switched to an oiled and put it in the HVAC closet. If I was using a tool, I couldn’t hear it running. Huge improvement from the deafening compressor.

 

[Ben Buck]

I'm just going to throw this out- maybe a smart *** answer. YMMV

But get the BIGGEST one you can afford and place it in where ever it's going to go.

You won't regret it !

Have seen this many a time- wish I had bought a larger unit ?

But- we are all restricted to what- or -is available, and affordable.

 

[EOC_Jason]

For 120V look for something around 20 gallons with an OILED pump... If space is a concern they make some with the tanks in a vertical position.

Oilless are loud and annoying... (There are a few exceptions).

Keep an eye out with various holidays coming up... Something decent might go on sale.

 

[428PI]

For new the Harbor Freight 29 gallon, 2 hp, 150 psi on 110 is probably your best bet for quietness and cfm on 110 at 355 bucks. Personally I use an old 220 volt 21 gallon Champion that works ok for me but my air impacts don't work that great as they're going through smallish hoses and lower pressures (below 125). Used to have an old 1 hp 110 powering a single piston cast iron pump into a WW2 oxygen tank that was quiet but half the output of the champion.

 

[Slednut]

I've been watching CL for an upgrade but have seen a lot of compressors in your budget range. Some are 6.5 HP 60 gallon but they are 220 volt.

I have an attached garage so I put my compressor outside in a vented box.

 

[mdog892001]

I got this with the original tank off the FB buy/sells for $10 tank was bad motor and pump still good. It’s a general use compressor dose everything I need. Currently hooked into a 30gallon tank via a hydraulic hose.



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[Citation]

I have no personal experience with it but take a look at this Lowes compressor
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-QUI...tric-Vertical-Quiet-Air-Compressor/1000405189

This is the same type of pump California Air Tools uses on their quiet compressors (they have several different yet very similar pumps).
The advertised sound levels are very good and similar to the "2hp" CAT compressors.

A few other comments. Many say oiled compressors are quieter. Well that was generally true 20 years back but it's not inherently true. There is nothing that inherently makes an oiled pump quieter. I've had/worked with a number of oiled and oil free 120V compressors. The quietest by far is my CAT 1055A. Watch the videos on Youtube. It's no kidding that quiet. However, the "1hp" models have very low flow rate. I can use it with my impact wrench but it's too slow to use with my air cutoff wheel. But it's quiet, about the same as a typical washer dryer. Standing over the typical idling car is just as noisy.

My oiled, belt drive 120V Campbell Hausfeld compressor is reasonably quiet. It's not "quiet" but not unpleasant. The belt drive compressor has a slower turning pump with a larger piston and an air intake that helps reduce noise. The air filter housing is a type of muffler and it can really impact the level and quality of the noise.

Next louder would be my Emglo 4 gallon direct drive oiled compressor. It's a bit quieter than many oil free pancake compressors but not much. Finally, I've played with the Porter Cable $100 pancakes as well as the Husky 8 gal oil free hotdog compressors that are around $90 near Christmas. They are all about the same in terms of noise. Not identical but all loud.

The other concern with oil free compressors is they wear out. Yes, that I have seen. The piston, by design, rocks in the cylinder and a PTFE ring is used to seal things up. It wears over time and with use. If you use the thing a lot I bet it will be done in a summer. If, like me (currently), you only use the compressor a few times a month and rarely for extended periods, then it will last many years. Many of the complaints about oil free compressors are from people who use them heavily. They aren't up to that sort of use but that's OK if you aren't going to really use them heavily. Even a lot of the oiled compressors aren't designed for near constant running.


Anyway, I haven't personally used the Kobalt but it seems like a good balance between cost, noise, flow rate and tank size. If the reviews are strong I would suggest taking a serious look.

 

[sberry]

I bought a gem used, worked for about 5 minutes. Every piece on it but the motor broke. Could have got a new one for 200 wouldn't have cost us downtime.

I get it, fix the cord and test run it about 5 minutes, all is well. Take it to the job, after a bit hole in rust where they tacked wheel supports on, take it home, fix that, go back, regulator fuggs up, go home and mess with that and maybe take the reel off and re plumb with new hydrant, all set runs again and busts something in the bottom, didn't even tear it apart, spend couple more hours retrofitting another pump from salvage on.

 

[PT Doc]

Look at California air tools. If you need quiet, kobalt has a new on that is less the 70db.

 

[pioneer1]

Thanks for all the great advice. Will start looking at the tools I will be using..

 

[ez-duzit]

Avoid oil-less. Avoid HF.

You'll want one with a cast iron pump and at least 3 hp @230-volts, more than 12 CFM @90 PSI, and 40-50 gallon tank.

 

[Davefr]

Pick the tools you intend to run first. Find the one that needs the most air CFM, and decide on the compressor to support it.

They’re all loud. Plan accordingly.



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^^ Add the words "at high duty cycle".

You should size a compressor to support the highest CFM tool that runs continuously/high duty cycle and then add a fudge factor. (20%???)

High CFM tools can run with smaller compressors if duty cycle is low. That's what the tank is for.

You may also get by with a smaller air compressor if you use Lithium or electric for tools that would otherwise be large CFM/Large duty cycle tools. (like DA sanding)

I also disagree that you'll never regret buying a big compressor.

- You'll loose portability
- It'll take up lots of space
- You'll need a dedicated 220VAC circuit

Unless you're a large shop with lots of air tools needs, I think there's a lot to be said for 33 gallon, 2HP, Portable, Cast Iron, Oil lubricated, dual voltage compressors for the typical home shop.

 

[fasteddie]

^^ Add the words "at high duty cycle".

You should size a compressor to support the highest CFM tool that runs continuously/high duty cycle and then add a fudge factor. (20%???)

High CFM tools can run with smaller compressors if duty cycle is low. That's what the tank is for.

You may also get by with a smaller air compressor if you use Lithium or electric for tools that would otherwise be large CFM/Large duty cycle tools. (like DA sanding)

I also disagree that you'll never regret buying a big compressor.

- You'll loose portability
- It'll take up lots of space
- You'll need a dedicated 220VAC circuit

Unless you're a large shop with lots of air tools needs, I think there's a lot to be said for 33 gallon, 2HP, Portable, Cast Iron, Oil lubricated, dual voltage compressors for the typical home shop.

I could never see the sense in running a 5 HP motor to power a little grinder or air drill.

 

[barnee]

I have the California Air Tools 2HP 15 Gallon and love it. Very quiet and its portable to wheel around to use my nail gun with it. Haven't tried any of my other air tools yet.

Air volume isn't that great if you have heavy air volume needs. 110V, 14 amps.

 

[Davefr]

I could never see the sense in running a 5 HP motor to power a little grinder or air drill.

... or a sander. I agree 100%.

I'm one that regrets buying a 5HP/60 gallon IR compressor.

 

[aka Larry]

For my garage I use a 33 gallon 6 BSHP airless compressor.

New invention? Please tell us more.

 

[77Birdman]

Get the biggest tank, best one you can afford. I got a 60 gal from tractor supply when they had a sale. You will need a large capacity if you plan on using air tools.

 

[finn]

An 80 gallon tank isn’t appropriate for a typical 2 car attached garage. The footprint is excessive.

I used a Sears (Devilbis) 2 (real) hp 20 gallon compressor for almost 40 years. Perfect size for a suburban garage. I have a Champion 80 gallon unit in my shop now, but still use the old Craftsman for small jobs. It will run my air tools, although sometimes it breaths hard, and has painted a few cars over the years.

Carefully consider the advantages of cordless tools over old fashioned air tools, and if you do decide to go with air, it may be wise to shop based on air requirements rather than getting cheap HF air hogs.

If you plan on getting framing and finish nailers, portability trumps everything, except noise level.

The big honking 80 gallon compressors are great in a heavily used auto shop, but that’s it.

 

[FTG-05]

an 80 gallon tank isn’t appropriate for a typical 2 car attached garage. The footprint is excessive.

i used a sears (devilbis) 2 (real) hp 20 gallon compressor for almost 40 years. Perfect size for a suburban garage. I have a champion 80 gallon unit in my shop now, but still use the old craftsman for small jobs. It will run my air tools, although sometimes it breaths hard, and has painted a few cars over the years.

Carefully consider the advantages of cordless tools over old fashioned air tools, and if you do decide to go with air, it may be wise to shop based on air requirements rather than getting cheap hf air hogs.

If you plan on getting framing and finish nailers, portability trumps everything, except noise level.

the big honking 80 gallon compressors are great in a heavily used auto shop, but that’s it.

lol!

 

[ez-duzit]

An 80 gallon tank isn’t appropriate for a typical 2 car attached garage...

Air compressor tanks are not sized to match a garage size. They are sized to be able to handle the specific types of air tools one will be using.

 

[bob15]

Did some you you guys read the OP's first post? Occasional use of air tools and you're recommending a 60-80 gallon tank? Why stop there, maybe a 7.5hp, 120 gallon tank

 

[log man]

120v really limits you to about 1 or 1-1/2 real hp. I’d agree used cast iron belt drive slower compressor is the best solution for you, but if you are only using occasionally and willing to put up with noise, $500 will buy you a lot of different brands. Vertical are nice if you have a dedicated spot but horizontal offers some portability especially if you stay at 1hp which will run on a 15a outlet. If you get a decent size tank you can run air tools for a little bit and build back up. Not ideal but.....

 

[cadunkle]

I have a $400 Home Depot special. 60 gal, 3 HP, single stage 2 cyl cast iron pump. Over a decade of pretty hard use for a weekend warrior. Lots of sand blasting the past few years. Added a 12"x24" aftercooler when I started blasting more as it just barely keeps up with that and in the humid summers here would make more water than air. I wish I went with a two stage pump, and an 80 gal tank would have been nice... But it's adequate. Replaced the motor once, when the compressor goes I'll probably put a bigger 2 stage pump on the tank and either spin the pump slower or change to a larger motor as well. I have plans to put it in a separate building so when I get that plumbed up I may add a smaller surge tank in the garage.

In any event, for waht you describe this would probably be the biggest you'd need. Could get away smaller but not sure how much you'll save and still have a decent oil lubricated cast iron pump. This seems to be the newer equivalent of what I have:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-60-Gal-Electric-Air-Compressor-VT6314/100083906

Might be able to get it closer to $400 if you catch it on a sale or with a coupon. They used to have these units on sale all the time for $400, might still be a thing. The 80 gal 2 stage was always $800.
This looks like a decent smaller compressor, quieter too and portable if you care about that. Half the output though and nearly as much as the common 60 gal 3HP units every brand seems to have a version of. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-3...table-Electric-Air-Compressor-C302H/206695048

 

[Mark v]

I have had the 29 gallon oiled belt drive from HF for a couple months and really like. For new, I couldn't find anything that could beat it in its league.

 

[finn]

Air compressor tanks are not sized to match a garage size. They are sized to be able to handle the specific types of air tools one will be using.

When you’re out of room, you make compromises, so I respectfully disagree.

 

[Rich M.]

... or a sander. I agree 100%.

I'm one that regrets buying a 5HP/60 gallon IR compressor.

Okay, I am going to bite, the regret is..........

 

[Davefr]

Okay, I am going to bite, the regret is..........

The regret is:
- It takes up valuable floor space in a semi permanent spot that's hardwired to an electric panel.
- Therefore it's not portable
- It's not dual voltage
- It's very noisy
- It's poor IR quality. Already had to replace the valve body for approx. $300. If it happens again, it's going straight to the dump.
- It does nothing that a smaller unit won't do except for powering my 15 CFM Sioux DA sander. However I'd rather use an electric sander which is quieter than a 5 HP compressor running continuously, more agile due to an electric cord vs stiff pneumatic hose and it uses far less power. (ie 22 amps at 220 VAC and >>100 decibels to spin a 5" disc. of sandpaper???)

If I had a body shop, tire shop, mechanics shop business it would be different but for a home DIY shop it's overkill.

I can't think of any DIY project that I couldn't do with a 2HP 30 gallon portable unit.

 

[Jazz1]

I had a oil less Craftsman compressor for 5 years. It was very good, no issues and I think 7cfm @90. It could not keep up with inline air sander and with sandblasting required as well I got a RK 18cfm @90.

 

[xman_charl]

my compressor

hf model 40400 2 hp 8 gallon direct drive
40 psi 6.0 cfm
115 psi 4.2 cfm

charl

 

[3rdgendslmech]

I'd been searching CL and other online marketplaces for a decent used 2 stage compressor. Biggest air hog in my arsenal are cut off wheels, and a couple of sanders. Don't really do a lot of body work, but I know how to.
The other day at Lowes, Kobalt is now making a 2 stage 60 gallon 3 HP compressor for the same price as the old single stage compressor. Compressor is a CH (made in China on the casting) and also a Chinese motor.
Not sure of the quality, no reviews yet because they just hit the floor, they dont even show as being in stock when you look them up online.

 

[Citation]

my compressor

hf model 40400 2 hp 8 gallon direct drive
40 psi 6.0 cfm
115 psi 4.2 cfm

charl

These 8 gal hot dogs used to be my default recommendation until the low noise compressors became common. My reason was they are a decent balance for occasional users.

8 gallons gives you a bit of tank butfet for cut off wheels and air guns **** it's not so large that filling from empty takes too long. If the tank is at zero and you need to fill s bike tire it's nice not having to wait near 10 min to refill an 80 gallon monster. The hotdog will fill in 2. Price wise these things are around $100. If you find it doesn't deliver enough air for your needs you can sell it for $60 then buy a 240V model. If it's enough then you saved hundreds vs a 240V compressor.

Noise is the only monkey wrench. For not much more you can get a CAT 1055 which is very quiet and rather weak. To get similar to hot dog performance you are over $200. Not quite throw away.

Anyway other than noise that's an s easy type of compressor to suggest for home use.

 

[ez-duzit]

my compressor

hf model 40400 2 hp 8 gallon direct drive
40 psi 6.0 cfm
115 psi 4.2 cfm

charl

OK for filling tires, blowing dust off, brad nailer.