air compressors

[robin]

Which one do you have and why looking for one to run an impact wrench for wheels and a polishing wheel,ratchet, what do you think?

[Patrick]

A 20 gallon [ like a Craftsman] should work fine. They are 120v and fairly small capable of doing most anything. I'd recommend staying away from oilless.

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

I've been looking to upgrade my 20 gal and can't decide on what to get. I would get a 30 gal minimum as you will find other things to use it for and wish you had more volume.

[MarkT]

For small shop or personal use a single stage is good.  Two stages get expensive - though I wish mine was, I can't justify dropping $1000+ to upgrade it.  I started with a small oil-less one and burned it out by exceeding it's duty cycle.  I've had good luck with my vertical tank 60gal 15amp 240v Campbell-Hausfeld since '99. Believe it or not, Harbor Freight sold me this one and it's NOT made in China. You can get the replacement pump from Amazon. Be sure the pump has an oil level window. You can find one this size for $600 or so. Use it daily, with a LOT of air tools; have had to replace the pump once. Be sure the pump is cast iron. Single stage dual piston pumps typically deliver 120lbs while two stages have larger motors, higher delivery rate and deliver typically up to 165 lbs.  Air tools are generally placarded around 90# though I use mine at higher pressure. You might want to set up an automatic drain on it.  This size is adequate for a single user; two stage ones are overkill and cost twice as much.  You will want to have it in a separate room from your work area.  I wish mine was - the noise is annoying.

I've set it up with a hose reel on the side, two delivery hoses to support 4 workstations, and use a portable tank to move air out to vehicles or the bike barn.  Easier than plumbing more lines or dragging the long hose out frequently.

[Bighead]

I'd recommend staying away from oilless.

Had one for 15 years now and no problems.
However I don't use it daily.

[Cracker Jack]

15, 30, 60 cubic foot tanks are good for production work but not so good when you want to just air up a tire. No need to pump a large tank up to pressure then use .5 cubic foot to top off a tire.

Make the storage tank match the intended need. A small compressor with no storage tank is good when just pumping up tires.

[hubcapsc]

When I got mine, my buddy Dan told me to get one with a cast iron
top and belt driven... and big enough to not have to run constantly...

I got the Kobalt Lowe's brand that matched that and it works for
me...

-Mike

[MarkT]

15, 30, 60 cubic foot tanks are good for production work but not so good when you want to just air up a tire. No need to pump a large tank up to pressure then use .5 cubic foot to top off a tire.

Make the storage tank match the intended need. A small compressor with no storage tank is good when just pumping up tires.

Air tanks are designated by gallons. My 60gal is kept at pressure ALWAYS. It runs only when the switch detects "low-water" condition - provided the power switch is on.  It does not lose pressure with the valve closed.  I also have tiny compressors for putting in the vehicles for use on the road.  And a compressor on board Deerslayer with a tank. I use a portable tank for topping off tires around the ranch.

[da prez]

  Use an old non-working compressor in line with a working  (if room permits)   and have a shut off valve with it. When doing air tools , it gives you extra air storage and saves some drop off. The shut off on the dead tank will keep air for tires (except when you need it as it has leaked out) .
  I stripped a compressor for the tank and plugged all opening other than what I needed.

                             da prez

[Cracker Jack]

15, 30, 60 cubic foot tanks are good for production work but not so good when you want to just air up a tire. No need to pump a large tank up to pressure then use .5 cubic foot to top off a tire.

Make the storage tank match the intended need. A small compressor with no storage tank is good when just pumping up tires.

Air tanks are designated by gallons. My 60gal is kept at pressure ALWAYS. It runs only when the switch detects "low-water" condition - provided the power switch is on.  It does not lose pressure with the valve closed.  I also have tiny compressors for putting in the vehicles for use on the road.  And a compressor on board Deerslayer with a tank. I use a portable tank for topping off tires around the ranch.

Certainly I meant gallons, not cubic feet.

I have no excuse for the dumb statement about matching the tank size with the intended use. What can I say?

[dreamchaser]

Build a little hut outside of your shop to house the compressor and enjoy the peace and quiet.  I have a little compressor with a little tank that is 12v for tires.  It goes everywhere I drive/ride.  It fits in the Saddlebag.  Made by Green slime and you will never have a complaint with it.........how many compressors can advertise that?

[cookiedough]

For occasional use around the house,  I see no need really to get much more than a 6 gallon pancake compressor type.  So you plug it in to fill air/pressure back up, no big deal as long as near a plug in with 25' extension cord which most in-town houses will have nearby.  A good one can be had for 100 bucks on sale.  A 6 gallon one can fill up 4 vehicle tires down say 5-6 psi without running again but 3 gallons on under doesn't cut it for sure.

I see Farm and Fleet just now has a name brand Porter Cable 6 gallon oil less pump for 99 bucks normal price 170 bucks.   They are very loud though but for occasional use,  I don't care much.

Don't make the mistake though like I did and go smaller at ONLY 2 gallons being dirt cheap at like 45 bucks is all.  I've used it a few times to pump up my truck tires, but 2-3 gallons will NOT pump up 3-4 vehicle tires if down about 5-6 psi each without having to plug it back in to build pressure again.  Instructions though say to release the air pressure valve usually on bottom somewhere if not going to use for months at a time since the tank if left air pressure in it can rust and rot from inside out. 

[Jersey mike]

I'd have to recommend the Sears Craftsman 20 Gal.

I think it's the best general purpose/light commercial compressor you can get. I've seen them run for 10 yrs or more being used daily and IF there is ever a problem, parts are easy to get.

one thing I would recommend is to get an air dryer to keep moister away from your tools when using and 2..always drain the tank when finished, humid air in...just creates condensation in the tank and then rust.

[threevalks]

                 I have a 20 gallon in the bike building and a 60 gallon in the pole barn. Both are single stage and belt drive, both will run an air impact. As hubcapsc said, get a belt drive.

                 DO NOT BUY A DIRECT DRIVE, they are LOUD, LOUD, LOUD.

[srteach]

A BIG point is to drain the air when done with using the compressor. Not only will the tank rust from condensate, but the pressure in a tank with moisture will accelerate rusting by as much as 5x. I've seen a new tank rust out in 12 months when left under pressure (not my compressor). It also had about 2 gallons of water in it.
When it finally let go (pinhole leak), there was a 110 psi squirt gun. It cut cinder block. 

My compressor has a spitter on it from a semi air tank. 

[fudgie]

I'd recommend staying away from oilless.

Why is that?
I bought a Wal-Mart 20 gal Cambell & hosfield (sp) oil less 16-17 yrs ago. Still runs like a champ.

[Jess Tolbirt]

mine is an oil less campbell hausfield 20 gal i bought in 97,,i dont use it daily but it does everything i need it to do from impacy wrenches to painting and air da sanders and cutters and polishers,, but yes, it is loud,,,fills up my tank from empty to full in about 2 minutes..drops down to 100 psi and fills back up to 125 in abut 20 to 30 seconds

[Patrick]

Well OK, buy an oilless.  Mine are belt drive and need an oil change every now again.  They have been running for the 40+ years I've had them and I don't know how old the big one was when I got it.
Oilless seem to be popular today and are cheaper. I'm just thinking an oil filled belt drive 20 gal unit will do about everything a homeowner will need, doesn't take up a lot of space, affordable,  and last a lifetime. Just an opinion.

[Wizzard]

I have an ingersoll rand 80 gal 2 cylinder cast iron dual stage and I can pretty much do whatever I want including sand blasting.
Paid 800 bucks new when it was on sale.