Which portable air compressor to buy?

[rockford33]

First off, Happy Holidays to everyone!

Now to my question. I was restoring (hot rodding ) a tricycle for my 2 year old son and my little 2 gallon CH air compresso rgave out on me. I bought a new one just so I could finish the project before Christmas, but it is going back to the store (very loud direct drive).

So now I am in the market for a new portable air compressor. In the past 6-7 years, I have only used an air compressor to 1) pressure test the intake system on my turbo car (which I no longer own ) for leaks, and 2) to air brush my son's tricycle. So I am not as heavy user like most of you guys here on the board. I do have an impact wrench that I inherited from my dad (an IR I think) that could see some use, and maybe an air ratchet for general car maintenance. Other than that, I really don't see me using an air compressor for anything else (famous last words!). So I have settled on two compressors below:

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...d=100063473&N=10000003+90043&D=air+compressor

and

http://www.eatoncompressor.com/catalog/item/733537/1710502.htm

All of the specs seem identical, although the Husky has a larger tank. So far, with my uses, this does not appear to be a huge determining factor though. Th Husky is over twice the price, and even with the HD gift cards I got for Christmas, it would still cost about $100 more than the Eaton. I have heard and read very good things about Eaton. I would like to keep costs low since I actually went about 3-4 years without using a compressor at all, so it is not something that I use/need on a daily or even weekly basis. No sanding or grinding needed (oh to have another toy car someday....)

Thoughts/experiences appreciated. 240V not an option as I do not have it wired in my garage, and don't plan on wiring it since I hope to move out of my townhouse in the next year or two once the economy improves.

Thanks,
Neil

 

[ImportTuner]

Between the two choices that you have picked, the Husky would be the only one that can run your IR impact gun ..

 

[Major Ramifications]

You need to figure out if you want something small and portable or something with much more storage capacity.
From what you say, I think the little Eaton would be adequate for you, although you would have to limit that impact wrench usage to short bursts.

 

[kbs2244]

I would go with the Eton for 90% of your uses.
Keep an eye open for an old, trashed compressor, with a biger tank.
Throw away the compressor but keep the tank.
When you have a project that needs the extra storage, you can easily hook up a hose to the larger tank and ues it as needed.

 

[rockford33]

Thanks for the replies guys. I am leaning towards the Eaton even though it has the small tank. I really only plan on using it for some light airbrushing, rotating tires, maybe general auto maintenance (breaking bolts loose, etc.), and probably some nailers. Most of those tasks (with the exception of the impact wrench or air ratchet use) use fairly low cfm and do not run continuously, so I think I will be ok 90-95% of the time with the smaller tank. I can always use my HD gift cards to buy some air tools So for the money, the Eaton can't be beat. The Husky is basically $200 more for a larger tank. Not worth it in my opinion for as little as I use an air compressor. One day, when i have a nice 2 car garage and money enough to have a second car again, I will probably invest in a "proper" 60 or 80 gallon compressor, but that is probaby at least 5-10 years away.

But, my birthday is tomorrow, so if I get a lot more in HD gift cards, I may just go ahead and get the Husky!

-Neil

 

[SteveU]

Think of it this way, when you get a 5 hp 240v compressor for the shop you will still have this one for portable use running brad nailers for trim in the house, etc. Where I am I need 300' of air hose to get into the house for those type jobs so usually use hammer & nails. One day I'll either get something like the small Eaton or bury some 1-1/4" PEX to the house & put a manifold in the basement.

 

[jjkrjh]

If you are looking for a portable air compressor why wouldn't you go with gasoline vs electric? No need to find an outlet.

 

[rockford33]

Cost being a big reason for not going gas. Looking at Eaton's website, the cheapest portable gas compressor is $895. For that price I could get a 60 or 80 gallon Husky 220V belt drive and probably have 220V wired in my garage. I don't need anything exotic, I rarely used the compressor I had before and it was a little 2 gallon CH unit. Just something nice to have for some projects around the house and in the garage.

-Neil

 

[SteveU]

Reasons I think an electric is better than a gas for his application are 1. can be run indoors without fumigating everyone. 2. cheaper to run vs gas. 3. no carbs to gum up from old gas if it sits around a while between uses. 4. no gas engine to maintain. 5. doesn't sound like he is running it anywhere he doesn't have electrical power

 

[jjkrjh]

I understand, thought you were needing it to be portable, not just a small compressor.

 

[Danglerb]

I don't see any need to spend $400, or to match the scfm rating of an impact which is used a few seconds at a time to the continuous rating of a compressor. A less than $100 portable twin tank or pancake should work, and take up a 1/4 the space and actually be portable. Cheap does mean noisy, but if you use it 3 times a year how much is that really worth, plus the impact isn't quiet either.

 

[jmat1980]

First off, Happy Holidays to everyone!

Now to my question. I was restoring (hot rodding ) a tricycle for my 2 year old son and my little 2 gallon CH air compresso rgave out on me. I bought a new one just so I could finish the project before Christmas, but it is going back to the store (very loud direct drive).

So now I am in the market for a new portable air compressor. In the past 6-7 years, I have only used an air compressor to 1) pressure test the intake system on my turbo car (which I no longer own ) for leaks, and 2) to air brush my son's tricycle. So I am not as heavy user like most of you guys here on the board. I do have an impact wrench that I inherited from my dad (an IR I think) that could see some use, and maybe an air ratchet for general car maintenance. Other than that, I really don't see me using an air compressor for anything else (famous last words!). So I have settled on two compressors below:

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...d=100063473&N=10000003+90043&D=air+compressor

and

http://www.eatoncompressor.com/catalog/item/733537/1710502.htm

All of the specs seem identical, although the Husky has a larger tank. So far, with my uses, this does not appear to be a huge determining factor though. Th Husky is over twice the price, and even with the HD gift cards I got for Christmas, it would still cost about $100 more than the Eaton. I have heard and read very good things about Eaton. I would like to keep costs low since I actually went about 3-4 years without using a compressor at all, so it is not something that I use/need on a daily or even weekly basis. No sanding or grinding needed (oh to have another toy car someday....)

Thoughts/experiences appreciated. 240V not an option as I do not have it wired in my garage, and don't plan on wiring it since I hope to move out of my townhouse in the next year or two once the economy improves.

Thanks,
Neil

I saw a 26 gal (??) at Lowes (Kobalt) with a 40pc air tool kit for like $299 it looked like maybe it was a package for but looked worth it...