What compressor would you get for $500-$600?

[EmptyWallet]

So I was all set to get this:

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

...due to it's VERY quiet operation and it would be great for an average home owner.

BUT...It seems it would strain on some things...i.e...some air tools..inflating car tires, etc.

So I've upped my budget from $300 to $600.

I'd like something that's oiled, and quiet, and could tackle just about whatever the AVERAGE homeowner could throw at its.

I'm not going to be changing wheels and running an impact all the time on it, or anything like that.

What about an IR Garagemate? How quiet is that? Quiet is my first priority. That's what drew me to the Makita.

 

[EmptyWallet]

In searching for thread on the IR GM, this came up:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_221495-1498..._prd_lis_ord_nbr|0||p_product_quantity_sold|1

...any good?

 

[musgofasta]

QUIET = Belt-drive, like the Kobalt you just linked to.

 

[pipsters]

Here's a good thread on the 120v portable oil lubed belt driven compressors

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=138871

Using a Northern Tool coupon you can get the same compressor you linked to from Lowes.com for $250. It is reconditioned though.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2583040

 

[volaredon]

the biggest heaviest duty unit I could find used in the classifieds or via Craigslist
brands to look for (all commercial duty) Champion Emglo Quincy IR Sealy Beall, kellogg American etc stay away from oilless.

I bought a 5HP, 80 gallon, 2 stage, 4 cyl cast iron pump, upright Emglo 10+ years ago for $500 out of the local paper and it just wont die, and I have never had anything air powered it would not run either; it is gettin a bit tired though after all the years probably time for a ring job
for quiet do like I did I put the compressor in my shed outside the garage.... when my neighbor had his (Sanborn Campbell Housfield etc dont remember exactly what his was other than the pump itself was aluminum) and we both had them runnin, I could hear his 2 doors away over mine in my own shed on my lot
most of the better units do run on either gas or if electric are 220 powered.

 

[EmptyWallet]

Here's a good thread on the 120v portable oil lubed belt driven compressors

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=138871

Using a Northern Tool coupon you can get the same compressor you linked to from Lowes.com for $250. It is reconditioned though.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2583040

Hmmm, that doesn't actually seem to bad a deal. Anybody risked it yet?

Regardless...this one from HD:

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

Or the one I linked originally from Lowe's:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_221495-1498..._prd_lis_ord_nbr|0||p_product_quantity_sold|1

 

[Basstracker34]

I did a lot of research on the compressors listed. This is $289 locally here in MN http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hard...splay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051 But the quality of it seemed to be poor in my opinion compared to the Kobalt. I got the new Kobalt listed and really like it. I like the 155 psi vs 135psi too.

I was more tempted by the refurbished one from Northern Tool but the lack of warranty really made me question it. After adding a warranty they offer it was close in price to what I could get the new Kobalt for after 10% off coupon, and my 5% off with Lowes credit card.

The Kobalt will move around on it's wheels fairly easily. I was able to get it around my yard to the back winterize the sprinkler lines no problem at all.

 

[skruft]

Several years ago I bought an 80gal 2-stage IR that was on clearance sale, to replace a very good 220v Sears that I had used since the late 70s. This was "way" overdoing it, purely because of the very good price. The best thing for me, since I use only one tool at a time, would have been to get a little larger 30gal instead of one with a 20gal tank in the first place.

 

[GeneralDisorder]

Frankly all of those home improvement store 30 gallon compressors are about the same - cheap form-x, Chinese reed valve, splash lubed ****. Not a one of then are worth the hundreds of $$ they charge.

For the budget minded the ONLY quality option is a used machine from craigslist, etc. I built and repaired compressors and studied the whole compressed air industry for 5 years from '04 to '09 at a major industrial pump manufacturer and distributor - there are NO quality machines worth paying hard earned money for in price catagory you are looking for.

GD

 

[rockchucker]

http://www.searsoutlet.com/d/product_details.jsp?md=ct_md&pid=64253&mode=seeAll


I have this Pump and have used it for 7-8 years now. It has never let me down and it is waaaaaay better than its twin they have today. This was carried around in my truck to use with a Framing Crew for a few years and is now currently in my shop as a daily use Pump for Automotive. Always covered with a BBQ cover when raining. Kept indoor or in the canopy. Great Pump. Not necessarily all that quiet. Right in your price range.

Just my 2¢

 

[NoFatChicks]

Craftsman 60 gallon

 

[pipsters]

http://www.searsoutlet.com/d/product_details.jsp?md=ct_md&pid=64253&mode=seeAll


I have this Pump and have used it for 7-8 years now. It has never let me down and it is waaaaaay better than its twin they have today. This was carried around in my truck to use with a Framing Crew for a few years and is now currently in my shop as a daily use Pump for Automotive. Always covered with a BBQ cover when raining. Kept indoor or in the canopy. Great Pump. Not necessarily all that quiet. Right in your price range.

Just my 2¢

What's the point of telling someone how great a product is, linking to it, and then saying the current version *****?

FWIW I have that compressor, I bought it 3.5 years ago, it's been good to me.

 

[Zrexxer]

The Makita 2400 you were looking at will do everything you described in your first post. I think you're experiencing mission creep.

 

[volaredon]

Several years ago I bought an 80gal 2-stage IR that was on clearance sale, to replace a very good 220v Sears that I had used since the late 70s. This was "way" overdoing it, purely because of the very good price. The best thing for me, since I use only one tool at a time, would have been to get a little larger 30gal instead of one with a 20gal tank in the first place.

why? is that IR a troublesome machine? I used to run a 70s Sears 20 gallon and burnt up the motor more times than I care to remember You definitely want to err on the "too big" side.... there is no such thing unless you need mobile air not like you can easily load that big 80 gallon unit and take it out in a field somewhere... (I have a 5 HP Briggs powered unit for those times)

 

[volaredon]

Frankly all of those home improvement store 30 gallon compressors are about the same - cheap form-x, Chinese reed valve, splash lubed ****. Not a one of then are worth the hundreds of $$ they charge.

For the budget minded the ONLY quality option is a used machine from craigslist, etc.

GD

man you can say that again

 

[pipsters]

why? is that IR a troublesome machine? I used to run a 70s Sears 20 gallon and burnt up the motor more times than I care to remember You definitely want to err on the "too big" side.... there is no such thing unless you need mobile air not like you can easily load that big 80 gallon unit and take it out in a field somewhere... (I have a 5 HP Briggs powered unit for those times)

Smaller compressors for a lot of folks make good sense. In my case it means I can drain the tank every day without listening to air pour out for several minutes. Then using a ton of electricity to fill it again later. It means I can move it around my garage to give me more space or clean under it.

I spent two days working on my car using an impact and air ratchet and never once had to wait. For the rotating tools like sanders or angle grinders I find electrical powered things work really well. Air is good for explosive power like impacts but continuous run tools are better being powered by electricity.

 

[e30bradley]

get the biggest and best you can find on local craigslist.

 

[RKA]

The Makita 2400 you were looking at will do everything you described in your first post. I think you're experiencing mission creep.

Have to agree with this (sorta). Sounds like you're flexible on budget, but you probably need to define what you're going to use it for now and in the future, and plan for that. A 20-30 gal unit will run air ratchets and impact wrenches good enough for most. Other misc household tasks are a non-issue. If you know impact wrenches are not in the picture, the 2400 should do everything you ask of it. BUT, you're trading off portability for a little extra capacity. I would argue the MAC700 could also do quite a bit in comparison to the 2400 and it's a whole lot easier to get up a flight of stairs.

For me, if I wanted to run one air nailer at a time, fill tires, use a blow gun or run an air ratchet the 700 would be it. I have one and it's fine for these tasks and pretty quiet.

If I wanted to supply a roofing crew (2-3 nailers), the 2400 would be the ticket.

If I wanted to use the impact gun on the car, blow out my sprinklers, etc., a 20-30 gal 110v unit would be the ticket. I have an IR Garagemate and it works well enough for these tasks. I'm sure a bigger compressor would give my impact gun more distance, but I don't need it. I do use a cut off tool from time to time, but I have to live with the fact that that will only give me short bursts.

Finally, if I wanted to run cut off wheels, die grinders, sanders, paint guns and other air hogs, then I'd look to a 220v 60-80, and I'd definitely be shopping a quality used unit, but would up the budget to $800-1100.

 

[EmptyWallet]

Maybe I should take a good long look at the 2400 again.

I couldn't blow out sprinklers with the 2400?

 

[enrare]

Maybe I should take a good long look at the 2400 again.

I couldn't blow out sprinklers with the 2400?

I have the MAC 2400 and have used it the last 3 seasons to blow out my sprinklers. Guess it depends on how many and type of sprinklers you have on each zone. Most of my zones only have 3 sprinklers with the Hunter MP Rotator heads, so setting the compressor to around 30psi seems to work rather well. I have one zone with 2 larger Rainbird rotators and 3 pop-ups and the compressor runs constant on that zone. Until I decided to add air impact tools to my toolbox the MAC 2400 was over-kill for running a brad and trim nailers, stapler, and Bostitch framing gun for all my home remodeling and DIY project needs. When I got my 2135TiMax the compressor pretty much fell on it's face, so I got a larger compressor for my air impacts. The only downfall to the MAC2400 is its weight when having to lug it up and down stairs. I mounted it on a heavy duty hand dolly from Costco, added a basket to hold misc stuff and a few hooks to hang hose on. I quickly found out this is a good set-up for moving it around in the garage but the added weight and bulkiness of the dolly makes it even harder to get up stairs and a 2 person operation to load it in my truck when I needed to do some work at my mother in laws. Since I now have a larger compressor for air impacts I may eventually downsize the MAC 2400 to something that is more portable and easier on my back. I think Makita's next size down compressor from the 2400 could easily handle my brad nailer, trim nailer, and occasional small framing project needs.

 

[EmptyWallet]

I think I'm sold on the 2400.

....where can I source one locally?? HD?

 

[simplec6]

I think I'm sold on the 2400.

....where can I source one locally?? HD?

http://www.homedepot.com/buy/makita-42-gal-twin-stack-air-compressor-mac2400.html

 

[KU_MechE]

So, for a mini shop where I plan to use a grinder or maybe a plasma cutter, what are your thoughts on these?

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-prof...0916474000P?prdNo=14&blockNo=39&blockType=G39

http://www.sears.com/ingersoll-rand...0989225000P?prdNo=19&blockNo=44&blockType=G44



or should I get a 220V only compressor? This unit has plenty of SCFM at 100psi, but the tank is small (8 gal). I don't imagine this is a problem if it can run at such high SCFM...correct? I think this sells for almost a grand new

http://www.eaglecompressor.com/air_compressor_model.php?recordID=184

 

[Lotek]

The Makita 2400 you were looking at will do everything you described in your first post. I think you're experiencing mission creep.

You say that like it's a bad thing...

 

[GeneralDisorder]

It's really hard to keep offering advice when no one seems to listen.

The best price point is used. You can get a $3,000 to $4,000 compressors for often a few hundred dollars in need of a bit of TLC. A compressor is not that complex of a machine.

Why waste money and the limited resources of our planet by buying some new Chinese ************* that will be loud, hot, and is unlikely to last more that a few years and possibly much less than that? For what? So you can be lazy, learn nothing, and have the unfounded gratification of opening a fresh new box?

Seriously - put some effort into giving a decent compressor a home. Your effort will be rewarding and you wont be that guy at the big box store that I laugh at for being uneducated, ignorant and impatient.

GD

 

[KU_MechE]

Yea, I do appreciate your advice. I ask about the Eagle because I've started looking at nicer used models and that's one that popped up for me. Seems like a fairly portable, yet powerful unit that would be plenty for my homeowner/mini shop use. Know where Eagle is made?

 

[GeneralDisorder]

I have not heard of Eagle - likely its a rebrand but of what I do not know. Possibly of several different OEM brands.... There are so many brands and rebrands out there that its impossible to have even heard of them all.

When looking for used stuff in the piston pump catagory the big names are the best to stick with..... The most important thing is air end (pump) parts availability - the rest of the stuff on a compressor is really of no consequence beyond being serviceable or not and how that affects the price because all that stuff can be had on the open industrial market. But if you need piston rings and you can't get em.... See the point?

Big names - Quincy, Champion, larger IR's, etc.

GD

 

[EmptyWallet]

I have not heard of Eagle - likely its a rebrand but of what I do not know. Possibly of several different OEM brands.... There are so many brands and rebrands out there that its impossible to have even heard of them all.

When looking for used stuff in the piston pump catagory the big names are the best to stick with..... The most important thing is air end (pump) parts availability - the rest of the stuff on a compressor is really of no consequence beyond being serviceable or not and how that affects the price because all that stuff can be had on the open industrial market. But if you need piston rings and you can't get em.... See the point?

Big names - Quincy, Champion, larger IR's, etc.

GD

I'm certainly going that route when I have a larger garage.

Anyone have suggestions on hoses, or a good hose kit? Keep in mind, I'm not running an impact off of this, I'll be airing up what a typical homeowner would (anything inflatable, plus vehicles) the occasional nail gun, and blowing my sprinkler system out.

 

[RKA]

I'd get a 1/4" ID polyurethane hose for the general purpose stuff. 25 feet is generally more than enough. They are nice because they are light and don't have much memory, so they are easy to coil/uncoil. You could also get a coiled version of the same, personally I'm not a fan of those unless I'm always within 10 feet of the compressor (don't like the tool getting yanked back when I set it down).

For the sprinkler system I would get a 3/8" ID rubber hose. It will flow a little more air which you will need for the sprinkler lines. Harbor Freight sells goodyear hoses pretty cheap. Get whatever length you need.

 

[pipsters]

It's really hard to keep offering advice when no one seems to listen.

The best price point is used. You can get a $3,000 to $4,000 compressors for often a few hundred dollars in need of a bit of TLC. A compressor is not that complex of a machine.

Why waste money and the limited resources of our planet by buying some new Chinese ************* that will be loud, hot, and is unlikely to last more that a few years and possibly much less than that? For what? So you can be lazy, learn nothing, and have the unfounded gratification of opening a fresh new box?

Seriously - put some effort into giving a decent compressor a home. Your effort will be rewarding and you wont be that guy at the big box store that I laugh at for being uneducated, ignorant and impatient.

GD

I can think of a slew of reasons people don't listen to what you have to say:

1) You come off as extremely arrogant
2) We don't need a 60 or 80 gallon 220v compressor and associated output, power draw, etc.
3) We want a portable compressor that can be moved around
4) What little compressors can be found used on CL, 99% are OLD with sketchy tanks and they are still over priced
5) We need a compressor now, not in 2 years when one finally pops up on CL
6) Our garages are not 500 sq ft+ shops, we park our cars in them

Lighten up a bit and don't take it personally when folks ignore what you have to say, people read the posts they might just not respond.

 

[pipsters]

So, for a mini shop where I plan to use a grinder or maybe a plasma cutter, what are your thoughts on these?

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-prof...0916474000P?prdNo=14&blockNo=39&blockType=G39

http://www.sears.com/ingersoll-rand...0989225000P?prdNo=19&blockNo=44&blockType=G44



or should I get a 220V only compressor? This unit has plenty of SCFM at 100psi, but the tank is small (8 gal). I don't imagine this is a problem if it can run at such high SCFM...correct? I think this sells for almost a grand new

http://www.eaglecompressor.com/air_compressor_model.php?recordID=184

Clink the link I have above, it compares the Craftsman to the Garagemate, and the Craftsman output is quite a bit more. IMO the Craftsman is the better deal. I have the 25 gal horizontal Craftsman and it does everything I need it to do as far as general auto repair goes but I don't know how much air a plasma cutter uses. Plus a plasma cutter has to have dry air IIRC, which would probably mean you need some sort of electrically operated drier hooked up.

As far as that small 8 gallon one goes, it is designed to run continuously with an unloader valve I would think.

 

[pipsters]

Maybe I should take a good long look at the 2400 again.

I couldn't blow out sprinklers with the 2400?

Did you look at the quiet compressors?

Skip to about 2 mins in when they turn it on

Here's a good comparison as well

Several sizes and companies make them, check Amazon

 

[strutaeng]

It's really hard to keep offering advice when no one seems to listen.

The best price point is used. You can get a $3,000 to $4,000 compressors for often a few hundred dollars in need of a bit of TLC. A compressor is not that complex of a machine.

Why waste money and the limited resources of our planet by buying some new Chinese ************* that will be loud, hot, and is unlikely to last more that a few years and possibly much less than that? For what? So you can be lazy, learn nothing, and have the unfounded gratification of opening a fresh new box?

Seriously - put some effort into giving a decent compressor a home. Your effort will be rewarding and you wont be that guy at the big box store that I laugh at for being uneducated, ignorant and impatient.

GD

Wow, that took a lot of "cajones" to say, even in this forum. I agree with you!
Sadly, I can see how many will simply ignore this.

I really see no future in a "disposable," impatient society like we have become.

 

[Journaler]

This compressor's been on my wishlist:
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200483164_200483164

Made in USA too !

 

[EmptyWallet]

I'd get a 1/4" ID polyurethane hose for the general purpose stuff. 25 feet is generally more than enough. They are nice because they are light and don't have much memory, so they are easy to coil/uncoil. You could also get a coiled version of the same, personally I'm not a fan of those unless I'm always within 10 feet of the compressor (don't like the tool getting yanked back when I set it down).

For the sprinkler system I would get a 3/8" ID rubber hose. It will flow a little more air which you will need for the sprinkler lines. Harbor Freight sells goodyear hoses pretty cheap. Get whatever length you need.

Gotcha. Just curious...what about a hose reel?

I'll check HF later today. Any other brands of hose/fittings that are good?

 

[RKA]

Gotcha. Just curious...what about a hose reel?

I'll check HF later today. Any other brands of hose/fittings that are good?

If you intend to park it in one spot, sure. Milton for the fittings. Half of the Chinese made fittings from harbor freight and lowes have leaked on me.

 

[pipsters]

This compressor's been on my wishlist:
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200483164_200483164

Made in USA too !

A member here recently bought that unit from NT. He had some pretty bad things to say about it. Apparently it's not made here either.

 

[EmptyWallet]

If you intend to park it in one spot, sure. Milton for the fittings. Half of the Chinese made fittings from harbor freight and lowes have leaked on me.

Kinda digging this hosereel.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_47578_47578

Where's the best place for Milton fittings?

 

[bcradio]

The Makita 2400 you were looking at will do everything you described in your first post. I think you're experiencing mission creep.

scope creep

 

[bcradio]

Why waste money and the limited resources of our planet by buying some new Chinese ************* that will be loud, hot, and is unlikely to last more that a few years and possibly much less than that? For what? So you can be lazy, learn nothing, and have the unfounded gratification of opening a fresh new box?

Simple... we don't have 5 years to learn everything there is to know about rebuilding compressors like you did. Sure its easy once you know how just like ASIC layout design.