I am looking for a new air compressor.... I figure most of the people on this forum deal with air compressors to some degree.... I am looking to spend as little as possible, I will not be using it hard, but I do want to be able to operate a wide variety of air tools - - impact wrench, air ratchet, sometimes grinder wheel or air drill.... any suggestions? I would like to spend as little as necessary...

Belt drive or direct drive? 115 or 220? horizontal or vertical? portable or stationary(doesnt make a difference to me as it wont be moving anywhere anyway)?

Any brands to stay away from?

 

220 pulls less amps than 110
Verticle takes less floor space
stationary will have a bigger tank (usually)
probably something in the neighborhood of 5 hp 120 PSI will be sufficient. Our shop uses Ingersol-Rand, but those can be pricey.

 

Have you shopped Lowe's and Home Depot? They're probably as cheap there as anywhere and they have lots to choose from. Also Tractor Supply and Northern Tool are good. Unless you're running two tools at once you don't need a 60 gallon tank. 30 gallon works well for single tools. But like Fronty says 115-120 PSI with two cylinders keeps your momentum going without waiting for the pressure to build back. But I don't have any experience with direct drive or diaphragm compressors.
Nat

 

I have Lowes and Home Cheapo as well as Tractor Supply nearby... I looked at Northern Tool, but the shipping price is not acceptable on a compressor.... $90+
I would love to get an 80 gallon I-R, but cannot justify the expense of it...

Found this at TSC... it looked ok, and the price seems decent... a similar one is less from northern tool, but by the time i pay shipping, its a lot more...
http://www.mytscstore.com/detail.asp...productID=9827

I do not anticipate the need to run more than one tool at a time, so that should not be a problem.

 

I got mine at sears, its a 30 gallon 2 hp 110 volt. it makes 6.3 cfm at 90 psi. I haven't run out of air yet. got it for $350

 

I would stay away from those small portable tank units. They don't put out enough to work a grinder or cut off tool. At least the one we have at work won't. I have one of the tall vertical Campbell Hausfeld units and it is about 15 years old and I have not had one problem with it yet. I've changed the oil twice and it keeps ticking somehow....

 

TSC (as stated before) seems to have some good prices on their cheapy 60 gal. 5 HP single stage. I know you can get a decent one at sears for around $400. Just don't get the crap one with the oil-less plastic piston, get a vertical tank 5 horse, it'll be the last one you buy.

 

I too like Dodgezilla have the Campbell Husfelt vertical model. Bought it used from my brother in law. He used it for his side business (auto body/paint) so, when he needed to step up to a two stage IR (80 gal.) I got this one for 2 bills. It runs and sounds like new and can run any tool I hook up. He ran it constantly and claimed that the single stage pump created too much heat and moisture, but for the three times a month I run it, it is perfect!

Good Luck.

 

Don't buy one of the Sears oilless compressors. I can't count how many I know of that wore the pistons and cylinders out. My friend had a 220 model that he had to rebuild about every 5-6 months until the whole bottom end went out of the motor less than 2 years after buying it new. Mine lasted about a year of medium use before wearing the piston and cylinder. Not an expensive fix, but a pain when you need the thing.

Too bad you weren't closer...I bought a brand new 19 cfm@ 90 psi 80 gal $780 compressor less than a year ago for the shop. Up here in the middle of nowhere I can't sell it...nobody has any money or use for a large compressor. I put the word out that it must go, no offer refused...and its still there. It will probably end up going out for scrap with my tool boxes, welders, motorcycle, and everything else i can't unload.

Jim

 

well i got one of the oil less craftsman professional ones and its seem to do the job quite well so far and 2 of my buddys got the same one and none of us have had any kind of problem with them

by the way those farmhand products from TSC are made by campbell hausfeldt

 

Well, if you want to spend as little as possible, look on eBay or Recycler.com (or Craigslist.com, probably).

I've gotten great deals on used air compressors in the past. Don't always see why so many people love to buy new when you can get an old used workhorse thats twice as good for the same price.

 

Good point Begle1.... I have no objection to buying used.... just a matter of finding what I want when I want it.... yall know how that is....

 

Just got a good deal on a brand new IR type 30. It needed some work, but it runs like a champ now. It will replace my old IR type 30. Should have pics up in the morning.

Dusty

 

If noise is an issue, get a belt drive. they are quieter in the long run. Being around equipment all day every day has led me downt he path of quiet tools.

Otherwise, go with what you want to afford, just compare a bit, sometimes you buy stuff cheap, you get cheap stuff.

Good luck on the compressor hunt

 

I have an IR single stage, SS3 pump. It's a vertical unit, quiet, and plenty of air for what I need. It replaced a charge air pro (also made by IR) oilless. The replacement was on a recall, and I got the new unit for like $300 inc. freight, a steal for an IR compressor.

After having the oiled cast iron pump, I'll never go back to oilless. It's SO much better.