Air compressor question....for home garage use
 

Need a little advice about selecting an air compressor for home garage use. I seem to recall some folks having problems with craftsman light duty compressors (30 gallon 150 psi models). I just need something for air ratchets, inflating tires, nail/brad guns and the occasional impact wrench. Sears is always having a sale for around $300 for an oil free 30 gal/150 psi model. Lowes has their Kobalt brand on a 17 gal model for c. $200. Short of a commercial huge compressor, what do you guys recommend for light use to run air tools etc.? Not gonna be painting cars or the like...just convenience for home wortkshop use.

Do not buy an oil free compressor. Their lifetime is much shorter than the oiled models. The oiled ones run much quieter too.

The craftsman oil free unit I had had aluminum pistons with leather rings running in teflon coated aluminum cylinders. I rebuilt it 3 times before I tossed it. I bought a simple oiled compressor at Costco for under $300 - 40 gallos IIRC. Oil free is being sold as superior - IMHO it is a way for the companies to sell you cheap stuff at a higher price. Especially since you aren't painting, an oil free compressor has no advantage. Even paint shops or other pro applications that are worried about oil run oiled compressors and use oil separators instead ...

That's my two cents.

George

Dueller,
I believe the oil free compressors are diaphram compressors, which I'd stay away from. I would look for at least a one stage piston compressor. Seems like a bunch of them around lately. It also seems like the diaphram compressors are fading from the scene - at least for now. Remember that chances are you'll not be satisfied with one that just barely meets your needs. Bigger is better.

Thanks, guys...just the kind of info I need. Anybrands you recommend?

Campbell/Hausfeld, Saylor-Beall & Mi-T-M for starters.

go to cpo.com. click on campbellhausfield look at bargains galore. reconditioned compressors w/1 year warranties.

bigger is better and sears compressors are CRAP! im lucky to be able to inflate my rubber ducky pool toy let alone run a freeking 1/2 impact!!!!!!!

secret to long life.................drain water during humid times/fresh oil. right now i have to drain mine every day because humidity so high .

I like a compressor with a belt, can't stand the sound of the direct-drives.
Jim

Thanks for the inquire Dueller. I've been thinking about one myelf. It is a coincidence that there is an ad for compressors at the bottom of the page??!

my 30gal. sears compressor turns my 1/2" impact just fine. undid suspension bolts on a grand cherokee that does beach duty (ie NASTY) with zero problems.

and i know you're joking but pool toys require hvlp stuff such as a $15 air matress inflator from wally world.

it is LOUD though and i don't expect it to last forever based on what i've read.

it's not really suited to air grinders and cutoffs but frankly i'd prefer the torque of electric tools for those uses anyways.

and $400 i think gets you a 60gal. Husky from Home checkyourowncrapoutyourselfwethinkcustomerservicei soverrated Depot.

No coincidence, those are the 'new' smart banners. Kind of freaked me out at first...

I just rebuilt my craftsman 5 HP/30 gallon for the second time. Sears sells a piston kit for about $45. I bought that one at a yard sale for $50 though, so I really don't have anything invested in it.

It's LOUD though, but pumps up pretty fast. And I like the portability and size. If all you're doing is air tools, but no grinding or sanding, I'd look on Craig's list for a 5 hp. Should be able to get one pretty cheap.

I cannot stress this enough.

Do NOT buy an oil-free air compressor!

I asked the same question on this forum two years ago. I ignored this good advice and ended up paying over $100 for a rebuild of a $200 air compressor in the first 18 months!

Do NOT buy an oil-free air compressor!

I got one( Campbell -Hausfield) from harbor freight. 5 H.P., two stage, 60 gal tank, runs on 220. I can run any air tools including needle gun and sand blaster although the blaster can only go for about a minute at a time before the pressure drops too low. +100

Ingersoll-Rand

I 6th the sentiment against diaphragm compressors.

That's strange.

I've had a Sears oil-free compressor for over twenty years now, and it works just fine. It builds pressure fast, its dual-guage controls work as they should, and I've never had to rebuild anything on her. And I've used it to build my house, rebuild my SC engine, and use it for many things around the house and the garage.

I guess it just goes to show that one man's bad experience is offset by another man's good experience.

Buy an oil free if that's what you want. You can't go wrong.

Andras:

Possible that your compressor was built when quality was still a concern to manufacturers. Since one can't go back 20 years and buy one of yours, I would be careful advising folks to buy an oil free unit.

George

Agree on the oiless. They are good for nail guns and low volume tools. But I woulddnt want one to run anything that uses a high volume of air.

That's why I never commented on my 25-30 year old Sears compressor. It's not oil free and runs off a belt, does a great job and has outlived its first power cord. Well worth the price of fixing somebody's car CD changer in exchange for it.

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