Comparing oilless to oil-filled air compressors.

[John Schmidt]

What's your experience with them? I have an old oilless Ingersoll-Rand ten gal., 150 max psi, I'd guess about 30 yrs. old. I bought it for $100 at a pawn shop, had it for at least the last 15 yrs. without any major troubles. Had to finally replace the pressure controls and the drain valve in the bottom. Now, aside from being noisy, about the third time it has to start up due to low pressure from my using a tool, it will hang up and pop a circuit breaker if I don't yank the plug in time. After all these years of faithful service, I'm thinking it's time to move on. My wife is wracking her brain trying to think of something to get me for Christmas so I jokingly told her I need a new compressor. Okay stud, what kind and where, keep it under $200 if possible. I looked at Home Depot and Harbor Freight, and HF has some comparable with slightly less max. pressure but you have to keep an eye on the oil level. Never had one like that so I'm curious as to what your experience might be.

I'm open to suggestions for any other brands of comparable service, but need input on the "oilless vs oiled" comparison.

[Patrick]

OK John, how are you? How are you feeling ? Good, we hope.

I think you have done better than most with that style compressor. Most fellas I know that have them do have less trouble than most of the 'experts' I've heard would say. But, I know I'm getting old and am old-fashioned. I prefer the ones that require oil and have never had one that used any oil. I just change the oil and clean the filter when I'm in the mood which is probably every few years or so.. The big shop unit gets this treatment a couple times a year and has been running for at least 40 years.

[BonS]

For me it ended up being more about finding one that runs at 1700 versus 3400 rpm. It's cheaper to just make the motor go 2X faster to get more cfm out of the same hardware. For me, the 3400 models are just too loud to be around in my shop. Most manufacturers know you might be looking for this so they don't put the rpm on the box specs if it's a 3400 model. Sorry, I don't have an opinion on oiled vrs. oilless. This is a good place to brouse: http://www.mytoolstore.com/rolair/rolindex.html

The belt driven models have a "Schmidt belt tightening device" so you gotta' like that!!

[TJ]

John,
I have a oil-less for the last 15 yr. Sears 30gal. 5hp not had any problems with it...

[tonyfan70]

Oil filled ones will be quieter than the oil-less.  That being said my old oil filled CH was quieter than my new HF 29 gallon upright.  But either are much quieter than little "spare" oil-less CH which sounds like a jackhammer.

[olddog1946]

Had an oil-less for about 15 yrs, hated the noise, couldn't run it in the am or late night. When it went belly up I made an oil type out of a junk HF tank and a two cylinder oil type compressor.
I can't even tell it's running, builds up pressure quicker and leaks less than the oil-less.

[R J]

At the shop we have a 50 gallon oil.  Change the oil every winter, going into the season, and it runs 24/7.     During the week when the guys are using air wrenches it gets a hell of a workout.     Plus very noisy. This big guy is a 3 phase

In my shop in my back garage I have a HF little guy, who only gets turned on when I need air out there.   It is an oil less jobber do.   Pretty quiet in comparison.  It is a 220 volt.

In my front garage I have a 50 year old Monkey Ward, that I bought on clearance and it works just like a champ any time I plug it in.    It is an oil, I might add I change the oil in it every spring and as of today, it has never been low on oil.  It is a 220 volt.    I had to change the motor just after I got it, Monkey Ward footed the bill on it under Warranty.

[hairyteeth]

When your talking home compressor an oiless (is) oil filled and sealed, kind of like a maintenace free battery. They are usually made lighter and less durable, but more portable. They can have a smaller tank and usually produce fewer cfm too keep the heat down. Great for small jobs and intermittent use not requirng alot of volume. I use an Ingersol Rand 185 cfm powered by a small 3cyl Detriot diesel to sand blast with, but my helmut air comes from a small airless and a pre-filter.
The shop uses a cast-iron compressor with a 250 gal tank that can be set continuess or on demand, depending on use.
My recomendation since you've had your oilless fail is get a nice one or two horse 20 gal. oil-filled that you can fit in your shop.
Happy Holidays! HT

[John Schmidt]

Patrick, I'm doing/feeling great, thanks for asking. Been back in the gym about two months now, first couple weeks were absolutely the most painful thing I've experienced in many years. The loss of muscle mass was high but it's coming back. My former 320 lb. leg  presses are back up to 220 now. The rest of the routine is about 80% of what I was lifting previously. Keeping my weight between 210 & 215, during the holidays I've actually only seen a high of 216. Regularly riding both bikes...pedal and Valk, playing golf at least once a week. Driver is dong pretty good but don't have the distance back, the irons really suck so I know my game is pretty much back to normal. 

As for compressors, it looks like I'll be more inclined to go for the oiled version. I didn't realize they don't take a weekly servicing. If I can find a good one, preferably running off 120v, and it gives me the max pressure and tank size I want, I'll probably go for it. Don't think it needs to last me another 30 yrs. or so. Be nice if I was still around to see that though. 

[BF]

John.....

Don't know what size you're looking for (probably bigger than mine), but I have a Craftsman Professional (their black line of air compressors) 2 horse, 4 gallon pancake oil less compressor that I've had for at least 15+ years (probably way more than that actually) and I've never had a problem with it.  It's not all that quite, but it's never not worked.  

It's all I need for the around the house and garage.  

[sugerbear]

this is the one i bought. oil filled.
so far i like it.
pretty quiet hold air for a longtime. good price.

http://www.harborfreight.com/air-compressor-cast-iron-vertical-25-horsepower-21-gallon-125-psi-67847.html

[MarkT]

Do you need the whole compressor or just the pump?  I had to replace my pump about a year ago after I failed to monitor the oil and it seized after heavy use for 12 years.  Got the exact same pump from Amazon for about $120 or so - only it's improved a little with an oil sight window.  Cast iron, 2 piston, single stage, 125lbs, appropriate for 3-4 hp motor.  It's a Campbell Hausfeld compressor, sold by a number of retailers - Home Depot, Lowes, Harbor freight and more.

[t-man403]

I have both ........... a big three cylinder 220v up-right and a little 1hp 120v Campbell Hausfeld.

They both do they're jobs well and I'd say I use the little guy more often than not. It will hang up on start up only if I use an extension cord that is too long and light of gauge to carry the amps required. Yes it's louder than the big guy but for the amount I use it, it doesn't matter to me. It's a good 25 years old.   

[Robert]

John the either one will give good service and will do the same job but you will kill yourself over the noise with the oil less. Also like some have said the slower the better the problem is the slower the more expensive. John just a suggestion if your compressor motor has a capacitor on it try replacing that first before you toss it. The old compressors were usually built better than the new and one other thing a motor from Graingers is not expensive either. 

[Hook#3287]

I’ve had several “Portable” compressors, both oil filled and oil less.  The pump on the oil filled will last longer and require less (if none) maintenance outside of changing the oil and will run quieter.    My first, a Campbell/Housfeld (Oil Less) lasted around 5 years with one re-build on the piston and rings.  My second, a Rigid (Oil Less)  lasted about 4 years and the third, a Hitachi (Oil Filled) lasted 3.  The Rigid and Hitachi both crapped out because of electrical issues (Operator Malfunction, lazy employees, don’t ask) and are sitting in my cellar waiting for attention.  The C/H?  It was just time to replace instead of doing a second re-build.

I liked the Hitachi the best because it was easier to work around, but really, they were all good.

I’ve decided to just run with my two gas powered compressors for work and bought a little Grip-Rite for the house garage for tires and such.  I don’t plan on running any Pneumatics with it, that’s for sure.

Just don't ever use an extention cord with any of them.

[John Schmidt]

John the either one will give good service and will do the same job but you will kill yourself over the noise with the oil less. Also like some have said the slower the better the problem is the slower the more expensive. John just a suggestion if your compressor motor has a capacitor on it try replacing that first before you toss it. The old compressors were usually built better than the new and one other thing a motor from Graingers is not expensive either. 

Thanks for the advice from all directions. Robert, I never thought of the possible capacitor problem. I'll pull the cover off and see what's under there. Rita has suggested I do some comparisons of what is available and she'll help pay for a new one...sort of an after Christmas "Christmas" present.