Air Compressor

[enigma1406]

Any suggestions on an air compressor? I'm just looking to fill up my tires every week or so. I've grown lazy and don't feel like going to get them filled somewhere.

I was looking at something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...pr_product_top

I'm not sure how that will handle the high PSI of our wheels and there seem to be some reliability issues based on reviews.

[JMG]

I want to get one of these guys:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00915312000P


Only $119 and you can get some versatility out of it. Every garage needs some type of air compressor.

[RAudi Driver]

Yea, I'd probably opt for one from Sears. That way you can do other things in addition to filling up your tires.

[enigma1406]

That's not so bad. You'd hope Sears would support it a little better than the other brands.

Also saw this one on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...pr_product_top

[acidrome]

I have this one and all the attachments u will ever need. I got mine at Home Depot. It works great! I would get atleast a 6 gallon tank, plus with this compressor it works great for detailing your vehicle/s too after a wash.

[caitovS4]

enigma1406 - I strongly recommend you don't buy either one of the units you referenced. Those actually are not even compressors, they are inflators.
Yes, they're less expensive but the performance and all around versatility compared to an actual compressor is night and day.

The unit JMG referenced from Sears is a good choice if cost and size are main considerations. This type of unit will be great at filling tires, inflatables, using air nailers and blow guns.

Quality on the Sears' units are decent and suitable for home use.

If you want to spend a bit more, Porter Cable has a 6 gallon pancake that is avaialble at most home centers and can be had for about $149-$169 with accessories.
This will give you a slight increase in quality, performance and tank capacity.

[guglielmo]

I have a Makita MAC700. Small, Oil lubricated, quiet and quick recovery.

http://www.makita.com/menu.php?pg=pr...det&tag=MAC700

[enigma1406]

enigma1406 - I strongly recommend you don't buy either one of the units you referenced. Those actually are not even compressors, they are inflators.
Yes, they're less expensive but the performance and all around versatility compared to an actual compressor is night and day.

I'm starting to realize that. I'm just going to put in a little more money and get a nicer one. It can't hurt having something to use while cleaning the car as well. I guess that'll help with the laziness. Thanks for the advice and suggestions everyone.

[tileg]

+1 thanks for the advice

[WinterRunner]

I have a great little one on wheels. I bought it with some air gun accesories from Harbor Frieght Tool Comp. for about 220$. I think its a 4 gallon capacity with a peak of 175 PSI. All quick release hoses and accesories. I use it to take tires on and off, dust off the interior and exterior/enginebay, fill tires and detail the paint. They are pretty great to have, theres an almost infinite amout of possibilities with one. Just make sure you get one with a PSI of at least 125 and a decent sized air tank, or air powered tools may not run right.... Good luck on your choice.

[ieatfishburitos]

I have this one:




It was a bit overkill, but looks bitchn in my garage. I'll also be able to do some painting and such with it if I need :)

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...+%26+Inflators

[Fleet Admiral]

I have a great little one on wheels. I bought it with some air gun accesories from Harbor Frieght Tool Comp. for about 220$. I think its a 4 gallon capacity with a peak of 175 PSI.

I had a great big one of their 21 gal @ $144 for 1 day before finding out just how damn loud it was, an oil lube direct drive model(horrible buggers). Took it back and got a Campbell Hausfeld 20 gal belt drive for $300, nice & quiet.

Ouch, judging by the low rantings. And for the price again, Campbell Hausfeld would be better and cheaper at tractor supply. Next best or 1st would be an Ingersoll Rand compressor, which is about the same price for 60gal. again at tractor. Usually IR is double the price, and heavier

I looked through a crapload of models. Most 2nd hand ones were under the CH moniker, only different brand names = HUSKEE, KOBALT, MAXUS...

[ProfileX]

I bought the Porter-Cable Job Boss C3151 for $289 back in 2006, it's been reliable so far. It was really loud until I tightened the bolts and put some foam between the compressor and the handle.



http://www.deltaportercable.com/Prod...roductID=11501

http://www.amazon.com/Porter-Cable-C...HT5/ref=sr_1_1

[SteveR]

As others have said, a spending a little more will give you many more potential use options. If you think you may want to run air tools, 4cfm @ 90 psi and a 4 gallon tank are the bare minimum specs. Also, cheaper compressors are noisy and fragile. You also have to consider if you want an oil lubed unit or not. They are sturdier but you have to change the oil from time to time.

I have the Makita MAC2400 and am happy with it. It runs my impact wrench fine, which is the most air hungry tool I have. Nailers will run on anything. It has a low rpm motor that is pretty quiet also. The similarly priced DeWalts are nice too. Last I looked those were the two brands to look at for a medium sized hot dog. I do sometimes have to wait for the compressor and will be looking for something a little larger next time. If you have room for a 60 or 80 gallon unit, go for it. I don't have room and need a portable unit, so these types will have to do.

http://www.amazon.com/Makita-MAC2400...3993950&sr=1-3

[ieatfishburitos]

Ouch, judging by the low rantings. And for the price again, Campbell Hausfeld would be better and cheaper at tractor supply. Next best or 1st would be an Ingersoll Rand compressor, which is about the same price for 60gal. again at tractor. Usually IR is double the price, and heavier

I have nothing but good things to say about my compressor. Statistically are a few bad ratings on their webpage representative of the thousands of units they sell? Their target demographic probably doesn't even use the computer.

Again, my compressor works great, I still feel good about the purchase 3 years later. I guess I should also point out that I purchased it for $450 or so, where as the link today shows $600+.

[mattdogg02]

The most vocal are those who are unhappiest

[Fleet Admiral]

You also have to consider if you want an oil lubed unit or not. They are sturdier but you have to change the oil from time to time.

I'd say always go with oil lube*belt drive, for anything with power tools. The oil lube*direct drive motors are horrible and should be banned. The oil-less are even worse and are pretty much throw away items. But when one buys that $200 Husky 20 gal oil-less model, one wouldn't be expecting it would only last 1,000 hours or so before crapping out and throwing that $200 away.

I have the Makita MAC2400 and am happy with it.

I saw that those run at around 1700 rpm, compared to the other oil lube direct drives that reach 3500 rpm, which makes the big difference and makes it as quiet as the belt drives that run between 800+ rpm. Right around 65-80 dbA. That oil lube I originally went with could drown out a KISS concert. Had to be over 120dBA

[Fleet Admiral]

Again, my compressor works great, I still feel good about the purchase 3 years later. I guess I should also point out that I purchased it for $450 or so, where as the link today shows $600+.

Were you able to use it for spray painting? I noticed it only goes to 10cfm@90. Most recommend 13 or 15+ for that.

[eweu]

Don't mess around. Get a good one and it will last for a long time. I have a Thomas. That's basically all they do is pumps and compressors. Their compressors are oil-free yet quieter than the oil compressors you'll find from other manufacturers. They also draw less power so you can easily run them off a 15 amp circuit, which many compressors can't deal with. Check it out.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000ANEIL/

[ProfileX]

Don't mess around.

Wow! You're not kidding. $600 is a lot of money for a 4 gallon tank. I like how the product descriptions says "Often called The Cadillac of Portables".

I had to convince myself to spend $300, I thought that was a lot. The OP said "I'm just looking to fill up my tires every week or so" which seems too often but assuming he did it every 2 weeks that would mean each fillup would cost $24 for the first year, or $12 over 2 years.

Let's see if anyone can top $600 for 4 gallons/115psi!

[eweu]

Wow! You're not kidding. $600 is a steal for a top-of-the-line manufacturer. I like how the product descriptions says "Often called The Cadillac of Portables".

FTFY

The thing about air compressors is that most people just want something small for a specific task, and then once they have it they start seeing more uses for it. I've seen countless guys pick up a small compressor on the cheap. Then they later complain that it won't work with certain tools or that it's terribly loud. So they end up buying another compressor. By that time they have spent more than $600. Do it once. Do it right.

[ginkof]

ideally you want something with a metal tank on it. The ones that you showed covered in plastic are slow and will most likely break much much sooner. you should opt for a minimum of 2-3 gallons if you dont plan on working on your own car. If you do, id go 6-10 gallon minimum

[Fleet Admiral]

Wow! You're not kidding. $600 is a lot of money for a 4 gallon tank. I like how the product descriptions says "Often called The Cadillac of Portables".

I just saw an Ingersoll Rand 4.5gal at tractor supply for $100, now that's more worth it, and about a 78dbA rating. THEY are truely the Audi of air compressors. It may be just short of the 5CFM at 4.4 to the other one, but it'll still hold its own for HIGH quality air tools like IR that use 4.3/4.0 CFM.

The thing about air compressors is that most people just want something small for a specific task, and then once they have it they start seeing more uses for it.

Exactly, that's why you shouldn't go the small route. For the same price, minus some lost garage space, you can get a belt drive that can be upgraded and rebuilt in the future with higher CFM pump and higher HP motor.

[Fleet Admiral]

Well I just found Eaton makes portable ones too, and have a stripped 8gal version for $180 on ebay, $100 more for the motor or find your own. Makes 10CFM. That's DOUBLE of most anything you'll get until you reach the 60gal tank pumps. Those are wicked stats.
Heck you could run the impact gun on the pump alone without the air tank.

Plus it's belt drive, oil lube, which is super quiet. Not even the makita can compete for longevity/power/quietness.

http://www.eatoncompressor.com/catal...37/6523745.htm

[Litespeed]

I have a decent compressor from Home Depot that I've had for many years. It's never had issues but hasn't been used in a year and a half because I ended up with something much better and way more convenient....a Nitrogen tank. The tank with regulator was a little over 200 and if you are only using it for tires you will likely never need to refill it. I've used it for assorted power tools and an air brush and it works far better than any compressor would. I bought it originally to use for my shifter kart tires but now use it for everything. I haven't had to refill it yet and I've had it for almost a year now.