Who Makes a Good Portable Compressor

[wsp617]

I currently own 2 compressors. One is a 1 gallon Dewalt (D55140). It works fine but it's small and has it's obvious limitations. I bought it for doing trim work and other "light-duty" jobs. The other is a Coleman 11 gallon vertical tank unit. My wife bought it for me from Menards a few years back. The pressure switch is bad or going bad (depending on the day). I see a new pressure switch is abour $60+shipping and there's a question on it's availability.

Anyway, I'm considering getting a new one as I was never happy with the Coleman. It's loud as heck and I've had issues with the pressure switch on and off for awhile. Basically it's for remodeling projects (air nailers, etc) and to run an air wrench fom time to time.

I like the little Dewalt unit. It's very quiet and has given me zero issues. I'd like to stay away from the HF stuff and get a name brand. Problem is, In looking at reviews, some of those don't fair well either.

What do you guys like? Any brands to stay away from?

Thanks

 

[billybobjimmyjoejack]

I have an EMGLO "Powermate" as far as portable compressors go I think it is one of the best. EMGLO makes a few of the DEWALT models plus a few for other brands. The only type of compressor I would recommend that you stay away from would be an "oiless" type.

 

[wsp617]

That was one of my questions. Do I go with an "oil-less" units? The one unit I found from Dewalt is an oil unit. What is the advantage of an oil-less unit as I see them everywhere? Leaning towards the Dewalt D55153. It's only a 4 gallon unit but I think that's big enough for my needs.

 

[Bird]

That was one of my questions. Do I go with an "oil-less" units? The one unit I found from Dewalt is an oil unit. What is the advantage of an oil-less unit as I see them everywhere? Leaning towards the Dewalt D55153. It's only a 4 gallon unit but I think that's big enough for my needs.

Advantage of the oil-less? It's cheap. No chance of oil leaking on anything. No oil to check or change. Easy to rebuild. Will last about one-tenth as long as an oiled compressor.

 

[MossflowerWoods]

Advantage of the oil-less? It's cheap. No chance of oil leaking on anything. No oil to check or change. Easy to rebuild. Will last about one-tenth as long as an oiled compressor.

I'm going to jump in here because this is near and dear to my heart at the moment.

I have one of those cheapo Campbell Hausefield I bought at wally world to pump up car tires when my wifes car had a leaker. It has been wonderful but no more 100 psi, now I'm lucky to get it to 25 psi. I use it regularly to pump up the leaker in my JD LX266.

I need to replace it clearly and have the same concerns as wsp617.

I also have a tank style compressor that was left behind by the widow. I suspect it has not run in 5-6 years and I'm a bit afraid to plug it in and have it blow up in some fashion.

I will be finishing my attic and I am eager to learn from the Masters here at TBN so I don't go out and buy a crappy compressor.

Thanks in advance,
David

 

[bullbreaker]

Can't tell you how good it is I have not used it yet,but I bought this one Portable Air Compressor - 2 HP, 8 Gallon, 125 PSI
from HF for $99+tax 2 weeks ago.
Only second item ever I have purchased from HF,the other was a cat#2 quick hitch attach.
Time will tell which HF list I put it on here on TBN,the crummy or the decent.

Boone

 

[kf4uda]

I have had this Porter Cable compressor for about 6 years. I would buy another one just like it if this one ever fails. I mounted a hose reel on it to make it even better.

Amazon.com: Portable Air Compressors - Portable Air Compressors(sold individuall): Office Products

 

[skipmarcy]

I bought my current Craftsman compressor, a 3 hp 20 gal, in 1988 and have used it commercially and it is still holding up just fine. I ran an automotive specialty shop (carburetors) for almost 9 years with it - tremendous hours of blowgun use and for the air operated agitators for the carb acid. I used it on a construction jobsite for 3 years running nail guns etc. I use it all the time at home for blowing my tractor & equipment off and all other things a compressor is needed for. Of course I've kept the oil changed and clean air filters and keep the condensate drained out of it. I just broke the first belt on it last week - I'd say that was pretty good service !! I'd definitely try another Craftsman if I needed another compressor.

 

[RPW]

I'be had a couple over the years. A Sears 26gal was my first and was able to rebuild it many times over the years. Good compressor but loud. It didn't handle the larger tools I was buying so I got a 60gal from Lowes. For what you need I'd say any of the name brands should work. You can easily rebuild the compressor with minimum tools.

 

[grsthegreat]

I second the emglow brand. Ive had a 1-1/2 HP unit that has never failed me in over 16 years of use.

 

[psj12]

I have both oiled and oiless compressors. I find my 5hp sears oiless (I had two of them) to be quite loud. Oiless last longer and are quieter. Oiless are generally speaking lighter. So I favor the oiled units for larger installed units and oiless for portable applications.

 

[Bird]

I find my 5hp sears oiless (I had two of them) to be quite loud. Oiless last longer and are quieter. Oiless are generally speaking lighter.

I know oilless do not last longer and are not quieter. So I'm not sure that's what you meant to say. And then I have no idea at all of what you mean with that next sentence.

 

[flusher]

I have had this Porter Cable compressor for about 6 years. I would buy another one just like it if this one ever fails. I mounted a hose reel on it to make it even better.

Amazon.com: Portable Air Compressors - Portable Air Compressors(sold individuall): Office Products

I have the same compressor--4 years, no problems.

 

[MossflowerWoods]

I have had this Porter Cable compressor for about 6 years. I would buy another one just like it if this one ever fails. I mounted a hose reel on it to make it even better.

Amazon.com: Portable Air Compressors - Portable Air Compressors(sold individuall): Office Products

The $267.20 price seems good, it is the $178.15 for shiping that kills me...

I'm going to look for it locally

David

 

[ultrarunner]

I run several Emglow... one for 15 years and zero problems... just keep up with checking the oil and changes.

I also have a small Senco that was part of a brad nailer kit from ACE Hardware... kit was under $200...

It lives at the work bench because it is so quiet and no oil.... like a whisper if I were to exaggerate.

In the basement is a very old two state unit from the 60's... it is a great compressor... does take a lot of power to run...

First thing is to determine how much air you need, PSI and CuFt... then the quality of air as to what you will need to condition the air for say auto spray painting...

Noise can be a real issue too...

Lots of the jobs I use to work on were older homes... read no 20 amp outlets... 15 amp... so some of my friends had compressor that would always blow fuses in the older homes... might be a consideration for portable...

My small compressor runs just fine in my service truck from my 12 volt Statpower Inverter.

 

[two_bit_score]

Thomas or rol-air. Not cheap but very good. Rol-air is better in my opinion.

Rolair Systems

 

[kf4uda]

The $267.20 price seems good, it is the $178.15 for shiping that kills me...

I'm going to look for it locally

David

Sorry David, I didn't even notice the shipping. I actually bought my compressor at Lowes. I was just pointing to the Amazon ad to show you the compressor. If you could get it for that price locally you would be doing well.

 

[kelloggguy]

What kind of compressor to get is a matter of what you need, and what you can afford. The best option is an all cast iron (not aluminum), oil lube compressor. For less money, you can get units up to about 2 true HP that run on 115 V (20 amp), and put out up to
6 cfm at 100-125 psi. For a little more, you can get a true 3 HP that runs on 230V, single phase, at 15 amps, that puts out 9-10 cfm at 125 psi. Non lube compressors are loud and don't last, but they are cheap. The question is, do you want a disposable unit, or one that will last for years.

 

[Chilly807]

I have an Eagle brand oiled compressor. It's built a house and a barn so far, as well as shop use. The first thing most people notice is how quiet it is, but it's not that light.

This is the one I have, but they make all different sizes and applications.

Wood Industries, Inc. - Air Compressor Product Page

Made in the US if you can believe what you read. I'd buy another one the same if I needed a second compressor.

Sean

 

[Trailkeeper]

5 - 25 HP Air Compressors : Piston Air Compressors for Sale : EatonCompressor.com

I bought the 3 hp 13 cu.ft./min vertical (first one on page) and it is fantastic. I personally like the V design (runs cooler) as well as a single stage, they produce more air and a 110 PSI shutoff is all the pressure I need. I have 40+ year old Sears that worked fine but I dropped it on the floor from my tractor bucket and broke the crank and of course it was obsolete. I called Eaton and bought a 2 cylinder V twin compressor and installed it on the Sears tank and motor and it works great.