Air Compressors

[wushaw]

I am not a fan of oil less either, I had a 24 yo 22gal 110v Sanborn I recently gave to my brother since I now have a bigger unit, that little Sanborn compressor worked real well for what it was. I inherited a 32gal Craftsman oilless a few years ago that I gave to another friend and said I never want to see that*(&^%%^$(^(&^ thing again

Something like this would probably work just fine for most homeowner uses and still be somewhat portable. FREE SHIPPING — Chicago Pneumatic Reciprocating Air Compressor — 2 HP, 26 Gallon, 115/230 Volt, 1-Phase, Model# RCP-226VP | 20 CFM + below | Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[whistlepig]

I did a Craftsman oil less once. In 18 months it burned out two motors. I gave it away. Good riddance. I have a conventional compressor now with a crankcase, two cylinders, and air cooled by a fan. This is the only way to go large or small. I don't use a compressor all that much. The Craftsman oil less motor failed both times with less than 20 hours of use. I would go to known compressor manufacturer. Ingersoll Rand or equivalent. I have A Coleman Power Mate and it is a very good compressor. I think Coleman is out of the compressor business now.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I bought an Eaton compressor. They're not a huge name. I bought from Eaton because they had the longest warranty and best duty cycle of anything within my budget (100% duty cycle!!) I'm going on three years with mine and it hasn't skipped a beat. I leave it on all the time. I don't use it often, but when I do use it, I use it hard (blow gun, paint sprayer, purging sprinkler system, etc.)

It's a lot quieter than others too. I bought their portable unit, but I leave an extra 10 gallon tank attached to it.

Here's their website...

Eaton Compressor & Fabrication Inc

I think they sell on e-bay too.

I can't speak to their service department because I've never needed it. The compressor does seem well built.

 

[Scooby074]

I bought an Eaton compressor. They're not a huge name. I bought from Eaton because they had the longest warranty and best duty cycle of anything within my budget (100% duty cycle!!) I'm going on three years with mine and it hasn't skipped a beat. I leave it on all the time. I don't use it often, but when I do use it, I use it hard (blow gun, paint sprayer, purging sprinkler system, etc.)

It's a lot quieter than others too. I bought their portable unit, but I leave an extra 10 gallon tank attached to it.

Here's their website...

Eaton Compressor & Fabrication Inc

I think they sell on e-bay too.

I can't speak to their service department because I've never needed it. The compressor does seem well built.

NO offence Iplayfarmer, but EATON is the one company i would not buy. They have a reputation for false advertising (ie: their compressors are not made in the USA, even though they are advertised as such) and using thug like tactics to force forums to delete any discussion of their products and turn over individual posters personal information.

For a bit if background information , please see here Eaton Compressor threatens to sue me over "Made in China" compressor post

Personally i choose to not support companies that hide behind the flag and resort to false or at least dubious advertising and threats of lawsuits to forums and THEIR INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS. But to each his own.

 

[Bird]

I have A Coleman Power Mate and it is a very good compressor.

Of course I sold my 60 gallon Puma when I moved back to town, but just over 4 years ago I bought an upright, 30 gallon, "Industrial Air" compressor by Coleman Powermate from Northern Tool. It's 125 to 155 psi, 1.8 running hp, 15 amp (I have it on a 20 amp circuit), oil level sight glass, 7.0 CFM at 40 psi, 5.7 CFM at 90 psi. I don't remember the breakdown, but with the hoses and accessories and sales tax, I spent $536.08 that day. I have enough 3/8" hose to reach anywhere on the premises.

I don't run one as long as I used to, but I do keep it pressurized all the time, and it's used for something almost every day. When I mow the yard, I use the 2' blow gun to clean the mower and the string trimmer, I use a 4' blow gun, instead of a broom or gas blower, to "sweep" sidewalk, driveway, patio, garden tool storage building, etc. The little short blow gun is used every time I shave or get a haircut to clean the razor and clippers. I blow dust, sand, grass clippings and/or water off my shoes before I come in the house. And of course, I have a one quart paint gun, a half-inch impact, a 3/8" ratchet, and an angle die grinder.

How long will it last? I don't know, but it's good as new so far and the manuals include exploded views and parts lists that, so far, haven't been needed.

 

[dodge man]

I also had an oil less compressor and hated it. It was very noisy and the compressor unraveled after several years. I would say I was over using it since at times it was running 100% of the time. I now have a cheaper upright that I bought at Lowes, something like a 5hp 220 volt. As I recall, it didn't cost that much more than a smaller portable.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

NO offence Iplayfarmer, but EATON is the one company i would not buy. They have a reputation for false advertising (ie: their compressors are not made in the USA, even though they are advertised as such) and using thug like tactics to force forums to delete any discussion of their products and turn over individual posters personal information.

For a bit if background information , please see here Eaton Compressor threatens to sue me over "Made in China" compressor post

Personally i choose to not support companies that hide behind the flag and resort to false or at least dubious advertising and threats of lawsuits to forums and THEIR INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS. But to each his own.

No offense taken. Thanks for the info. After reading your warning about their "Made in America" claims it makes a lot more sense to me that they dedicate a portion of their website to a defense of such claims. When I got mine I noticed that the pump was strikingly similar to the cheap Homier one I had before. I also noticed, however, that the rest of the thing is at least a step above the cheap compressors... Cooling fins on the tank feed tube, dual gauges, pre-installed quick connects, etc. I had just assumed from the beginning that "Made in America" meant what it means everywhere else... "Assembled in America". I've come to the same conclusion that radioman has...

Does it really matter what brand you get? It seems they are all the same now. All chinese like stuff.

I never based my decision on their Made in America claims. Like I mentioned before; my decision was based on warranty and duty cycle. I've personally been very happy with the purchase, and I'd buy from them again if I ever need another compressor.

 

[Wineslob]

How to size an air compressor:

You will, on average, get 7-8 cfm @ 100-120 psi from a piston pump per true HP
The biggest real HP (not that Sandborn stuff) on 110v 20 amp circuits is roughly 1.5 HP. Maybe. 1 hp is more realistic.
Using a 220v circuit will get you up 5 hp, but you're gonna pay for it. Average 5 hp motor @ 220V is 28-30 amps. At 5 hp you'll get about 30 cfm @ 100 -120 psi.
So go with what it is you want to run, and see what you need, cfm wise.

One thing........ignore the tank size. Yes a bigger tank will give a better "cushion"........... for about 30 sec. Most tanks are there for removing pulsation/smoothing the air flow.

If your'e adventurous, the HF pumps don't look all that bad. They seem to be pretty well made. You may want to consider building one?

 

[Redneck in training]

Refrigerator compressor make great inflaters. They are portable, quiet and often for free.

 

[Turbys_1700]

I needed a better air compressor to run an impact wrench...
Found a very nice used Campbell Hausfeld that was sold by Home Depot for $250...
Hardly any run time...
30 gal tank...
6 HP...
220V...
Great unit...

I would definitley recommend an oiled compressor...
I've got a 20 year old Emglo portable compressor that is oiled...
Never done a darn thing to that unit except run it...