Small air compressor suggestions.

[jeepman71]

Good Morning Everyone,

I need suggestions on a decent air compressor that won't break the bank.

I bought a new truck a couple of weeks ago. As a result I had to take out an old bench I used for axles and transmission work. The problem with that is I had my big air compressor under this bench with a retractacble hose. I need the room for my truck so they both had to leave. Now I need to find a good small portable compressor to replace the big one.

I don't need anywhere near the capacity of my old one. Something that I can run nailers and blow off tools when I am done.

Thanks
Jim

[cabinetman]

What's your preference...horizontal or vertical?

.

[Cochese]

I've had good luck with my 8-gallon Central Pneumatic unit (hot dog style). It's not given me an ounce of problems outside being slow to start the first time after winter. In fact, I'll probably go with them again when it's time to upgrade.

[JSUPreston]

I have a little Campbell Hausfeld that I got from Lowe's fairly cheap a few years ago. It's their bundled kit with a nailer. Seems to go on sale quite often for $60-70, if they still carry it. I can't find it on the Lowe's site, but the jungle has it here: http://www.amazon.com/Campbell-Hausf...air+compressor. It's a decent little machine. It acted screwy with me once, but it's been fine for a while.

I also have a larger HF model (http://www.harborfreight.com/air-too...sor-67501.html) that isn't too bad.

With either unit, I've learned that your money is well spent on a good hose. I tried the HF branded hose, and a small kink caused it to blow out. I recently bought a hose from Sears (can't find it on their site) that I like a lot better. Doesn't kink very much, lays pretty flat when unrolled. Only got a 25', since both compressors are portable.

[sweensdv]

To run brad and finish nailers or blow guns just about any compressor out there will do the job. Find the cheapest one that will fit your space needs and go for it.

[dbhost]

What tools are you planning on running with it? I have a Central Pnuematic 2HP 8 gallon as my small compressor that has been pretty decent aside from stupid owner problems (I broke the regulator by gorilla tightening a fitting...). I upgraded to the 29 gallon vertical unit which has about the same footprint as a 60 gallon vertical model... Just not as tall... The 8 gallon was great until I started spraying, and then it became way too small way too fast...

The 8 gallon can run impact wrenches, blow off guns, nailers, air ratchets etc... just fine. Don't bother with spraying or sanding though. Too much CFM to even think about it...

[jeepman71]

Thanks for the replys. I used to do alot of auto painting and mechanic which I no longer do much of. I will use it primarily in my garage shop for wood working and some home repair. I would like to have enough power to run an impact wrench for a couple minutes if needed. I was able to do this with a built in compressor on my Jeep so I should be able to find a compact unit that can handle the job. I also would like it small enough to carry with me in the RV. I had looked at the Emglo from Lowes but would like to spend a bit less. I bought the one I just got rid of for a little over 300.00 29 years ago and it still works very well but I could definitley afford to save a couple bucks here.

Maybe I am expecting too much out of a small package.

[cabinetman]

Thanks for the replys. I used to do alot of auto painting and mechanic which I no longer do much of. I will use it primarily in my garage shop for wood working and some home repair. I would like to have enough power to run an impact wrench for a couple minutes if needed. I was able to do this with a built in compressor on my Jeep so I should be able to find a compact unit that can handle the job. I also would like it small enough to carry with me in the RV. I had looked at the Emglo from Lowes but would like to spend a bit less. I bought the one I just got rid of for a little over 300.00 29 years ago and it still works very well but I could definitley afford to save a couple bucks here.

Maybe I am expecting too much out of a small package.

What's your preference...horizontal or vertical?

.

[cwsmith]

I've got two compressors, both are Craftsman.

One was made in the U.S.A. by DiVilbiss. 150 psi, 33-gal, oil-less, with avertical tank which is mounted on wheels. $300. Will do almost everything, but the NOISE is acute.

Then I have a little 2-gal, made in China and imported by a company called Midwest Air. They no longer carry the 2-gal model, but a 3-gal instead.

This is 125 psi, lubricated portable that is easily carried. Mine pumps up in about 40 seconds, easily handles my nailers, pumps up the tires and blows stuff off with no problem. It's only a 50% duty though, but that is enough. I imagine it would also run a small spotting gun or HVLP for very short spray jobs, though I haven't tried that yet.

Oh, and this little thing is rather quiet when compared to the oil-less.

Price is still around $119 and it goes on sale occasionally.

I've had the latter for about four or five years now and the former, close to ten years.

CWS

[jeepman71]

Cabinetman, my old one was a horizontal. I don't think it would matter if it is small enough to put into a cabinet or on a shelf.

Cwsmith, what brand is your small compressor?

[dbhost]

Jeepman,

I am not a huge fan of the really small pancake / suitcase style compressors but a LOT of guys love them. The use you are talking about would be ideal, but depending on the impact wrench, you might find that small of a compressor just too small to do the job...

Having said that, I have heard VERY good things about the Makita MAC2400. A contractor friend of mine has one is anything but nice to it, drives his nail gun all day long with it... Been doing so for years...

Another well regarded small compressor is the Ingersoll Rand P1U-A9... Never had a bad thing to say about anything IR I have ever been prviledged enough to use...

[jeepman71]

Thanks dbhost. Back in my younger days I was a purchasing agent for a Ford motor rebuilding plant and all the impacts we used were IR. All three of my impacts are IR, the biggest is just a 1/2 inch. I would prefer to have a large compressor for my shop but I just can't leave my truck set outside. I will check these out.

[jeepman71]

Having said that, I have heard VERY good things about the Makita MAC2400. A contractor friend of mine has one is anything but nice to it, drives his nail gun all day long with it... Been doing so for years...

Another well regarded small compressor is the Ingersoll Rand P1U-A9... Never had a bad thing to say about anything IR I have ever been prviledged enough to use...

Both of these are beasts. Either should have no problem running and impact as long as I am not in a big hurry. They both boast 4.2 and 4.3@ 90 psi. not bad for a small compressor. They are heavy though.

[cwsmith]

Jeepman,

My little compressor is a Craftsman, made by Mid West Air according to the model cross-referance. I paid $98 for it when it was on a sale. It's a lubricated, cast-iron cylinder with an aluminum-alloy frame. No break-in, as that was done at the factory. Darn little thing is very well designed, pumps up in less than a minute, has all the instruments, controls right up front, and the drain-valve is convenient. Best part is it's quite easy to carry up and down stairs, through doorways, and in and out of the van.

Very best thing is it relatively quiet! I can work within 25 feet (length of my "carry" rubber hose). My 33-gal oil-less is so noisey, I wear both ear plugs and ear muffs, and it's still uncomfortable to be in the basement shop with.

Sears only carried the 2-gal unit for the first year or two. Though it easily handles my nailer, I think it was too small for some customers and today, Sears carries the same compressor in a 3-gallon version. $119.

I worked for I-R's "air compressor" division from 1973 to 1986, then for thier joint-venture "Dresser-Rand" from 86, until my retirement in 2003. The latter period with their Recip, Process Compressor Division.

While I-R used to make most of thier compressors in Painted Post, NY, Davidson, NC, and Campbellville, KY... I believe almost everything is made in China or India in the past decade or so. Engineering, Service, and Marketing are still located at the local "domestic" plants mentioned.

CWS

[Bill in Buena Park]

JM,
I have a large compressor and two small ones - of the two, I have the same little CH unit JSUPreston has, and its fine for brads and such. But my other is this HF pancake, and I've used it to drive my framing nailer without a problem. Its compact and won't break the bank at $129, but it goes on sale every now and then (I got it for $109) - or use a HF 20% coupon from a wood mag.