air compressor

[footprintsinconc]

i need your help and opinions once agian!

ridgid has two type of 5 to 6 gal compressors (the price is the same):

one is oil-lubed: http://ridgid.com/Tools/OIL-LUBRICATED-AIR-COMPRESSOR
and the other is oil-free: http://ridgid.com/Tools/OIL-FREE-AIR-COMPRESSOR

what is the difference between oil and oil free (advantages/disadvantages). what should i be looking for when getting a compressor? i am just going to be using it for wood working. i havent done much yet, but its not going to be major wood working (nothing like mass production wise) and the occasion tire changing at home.

thanks in advance for your help!

cheers.

[p8ntblr]

No expert here but from what I understand oil-lubed compressors are a little quieter (not much IMO) and have longer life. They require a little more maintenance in that you have to change the oil and (optionally) buy a oil and moisture filter. The oil-less (which I have) are a little more noisy and have a shorter life. They only need a moisture filter (again optional, but I think it will prolong ur tool's life and they're under $20) since they're oil less. I like my oil-less and aside from draining it after every use they're pretty easy to maintain.

BTW, HD has those compressors (the oil-less I think) on sale for $299 (I think, you'll need to double check the sale price). At least the one in Carson, CA does.

[p8ntblr]

Oh and if your just going to be using it for say nail guns you can get away with a smaller and CHEAPER Porter Cable pancake. The Bargains section had a good compressor - brad nailer combo. If you want to use an HVLP sprayer pancakes will be too small though.

[sweensdv]

Usually, the oil lubricated compressors cost more than the oil free but in this case you say they're the same so that rules out the cost factor. Life expectancy of the compressor is another common comparison brought up when comparing the two styles. Generally speaking the oil lubricated compressors seem to last longer then the oil free, at least according to some.

Air output, SCFM's, on these two compressors is so close that this aspect is a wash. The extra half gallon tank capacity on the oil lubricated model will mean less recycling but even so for most application for woodworking, this won't be an issue. If you intend to use either one of these compressors for spraying........forget it! Neither one has the tank capacity for anything more than very short bursts.

I think that if you flip a coin, you'll be just as happy with either one of these compressors. But, that's just my .02¢ worth.

[Whaler]

I have the Ridgid OF45150 and have no complaints. It is much quieter than my old PC pancake and runs my framing nailer, and others, with no problem.

[LCHIEN]

the oil-free units usually have a piston with a teflon seal ring to compress the air, the oil-ed units have a sealing ring which is rubber or leather and requires oil to keep it sealed.

oiled ones are generally considered to be quieter, but not always.
Oiled ones are considered to last longer, but for weekend warrior woodshop use, I don't think you will wear either one out.
Oil-less ones will not allow oil into the air going out. You don't need a filter to keep oil splatters from contaminimating finishes or even work you just blow the dust off of. You shouldn't get much oil from a oiled compr. but there may be some.
Oil-less ones require less maintenance (don't have to change oil or air line filters)

Not to say you won't want a filter to trap moisture (but I don't use one), and you will have to empty water from the tank in either case.

I got an oil-less compressor.

[footprintsinconc]

Thanks for the information everyone! keep post though

one thing i did forget to mention: i will be using a sprayer to spray on paint or finishes (one day in the future - if my wife lets me buy more tools).

Loring: what is your opinion on using a sprayer with either unit? is the capacity, size .... sufficient?

Whaler: have you usded it to spray on finishes? if so how was your experience?

thanks again everyone.

[bmyers]

You might want to consider a smaller compressor and a HVLP unit instead if you're just looking to use air nailers. You have to buy alot of CFM's for a conventional sprayer. I ended up with a smaller compressor from HF thats has lasted quite well. For finishes I use a HVLP sprayer unit that works great for poly type finishes. Might even be cheaper that way.


Bill

[LCHIEN]

Thanks for the information everyone! keep post though

one thing i did forget to mention: i will be using a sprayer to spray on paint or finishes (one day in the future - if my wife lets me buy more tools).

Loring: what is your opinion on using a sprayer with either unit? is the capacity, size .... sufficient?

Whaler: have you usded it to spray on finishes? if so how was your experience?

thanks again everyone.

I don't think the capacity of those will be good enough for most sprayers.
The exception might be what they call "detail" sprayers or perhaps you could look at "the Critter" (sold at amazon.com and I think Rockler.com). The Critter uses relatively small amounts of air and I have heard it being used successfully with may pancake type compressors. It also uses 1 pint jelly jars or Mason jars for holding the paint. This gives it the advnatage that you can have multiple jars with solvents and paints and finishes sealed up and ready to go, Cleaning is vastly simplifed because you just attach a jar of the correct solvent and spray it thru until clear. Then cap the solvent jar and put away.

[p8ntblr]

For a compressor in that size the only ones I know that work is the "critter" and Wagner's Conversion gun. Both of which have gotten really good reviews. The critter runs for $40 and the wagner around $100.