Anyone know the good brands for a home air compressor? I'm gonna be using it for my Jeep, mostly the impact wrench. Is a Craftsman compressor a good choice, brand-wise?

the most important thing is to get a belt drive cast iron compressor, the oiless are junk, loud as hell, and dont last.

the cast iron belt drives last a lifetime.

I've got a 20 gallon craftsman and it's worked like a champ for a year now.

I'll second the cast iron, oil bath. I have oilless now and it's junk. I have to resleeve/piston it yearly.

I bought the upright Craftsman two-stage oilless unit and it ROCKS. Not noisy at all and runs up to 175 lbs. It kicks off at 175 and back on at around 145. Adjustable output, and it runs on 110. It's the black one. I highly recommend it. I think I paid around $389. on sale... :D:D:D Oh, it's 25 gal and has wheels so it's easy to move around.

Click here for a picture of it. Currently listed at $429...

http://www.sears.com/data/product_images/tools/large/00916778000-dlv.jpg

I have a campbell hausfeld 60 gal, 220volt, oil, iron head, and belt driven. It is quiet and I like the large tank so I don't have to constantly wait for it to refill. I just could not take the noise of the oil free ones. If you just want to run an impact why not put onboard air on your Jeep then you can use it on the trail also? www.onboardair.com has some nice setups for Jeeps

Hey Glenn,

Can I come by sometime and see how loud it is?

I've heard the two stage ones are quieter, but I wonder if they are quiet enough.

The single stage one is way tooo loud.

I have a single stage oiless that is 8 year old now, and it runs perfectly - but it is freakin loud!:nuke:

Jim

Originally posted by Dan-H
Hey Glenn,

Can I come by sometime and see how loud it is?

I've heard the two stage ones are quieter, but I wonder if they are quiet enough.

The single stage one is way tooo loud.

I too have heard the single stage ones and they make my ears hurt. Come by anytime and I'll give you a demo. You will be pleasantly surprised. With the 'on' at 145 and 'off' at 175, regulated out at 100, you don't have to worry about it running out and having to wait for it to pump back up. The two-stage pump is pretty quick... :D:D:D Oh, and the 110 hookup makes it a snap to roll around and plug in anywhere you have an outlet.

just bought one of these bad boys.


http://www.portercable.com/cgi-bin/products.cgi?method=byid&prod_id=CPLC7060V

got it for 400 bucks. brand new. list is 799

Its all about the CFM and the oil free ones will not hold up. Stop by the air tool store off Auburn BLVD to get better educated and look at parts.

My 2 stage Oil bath is loud as hell,

But I cant beat it, 19cfm at 40psi.. 17cfm at 90psi..

60 gallon upright tank as well..

IT all good tho, the tanks compensates for how loud it is..

Hey Glenn,

youve had better luck than most with that rig, I worked at sears for 3 years as a PMT ( fixed returned goods, and dispositioned unfixable returns)

and I swear to God, about 40 of those compressors came back with the rod thru the side.

I truly hope yours holds up though!

Originally posted by Chazzworth
Its all about the CFM and the oil free ones will not hold up. Stop by the air tool store off Auburn BLVD to get better educated and look at parts. Ya what he said. Go as big as you can afford. A die grinder will suck the air bigtime.

I am in need of an air supply and was wondering if anyone has used a smaller cheap unit. Most of the compressors discussed are a hell of a lot bigger than I have room for as well.


Has anyone had any success with a unit with like a 10 gallon tank? I know it will have to be running a lot more since the tank would be much smaller, but will a smaller compressor run air tools well or would I be wasting my time and $$$? I was hoping to spend about $200 or so...can someone either point me in the direction of a compressor that is decent or stop me before I waste my money.........
thanks.

Originally posted by Dingo
I am in need of an air supply and was wondering if anyone has used a smaller cheap unit. Most of the compressors discussed are a hell of a lot bigger than I have room for as well.


Has anyone had any success with a unit with like a 10 gallon tank? I know it will have to be running a lot more since the tank would be much smaller, but will a smaller compressor run air tools well or would I be wasting my time and $$$? I was hoping to spend about $200 or so...can someone either point me in the direction of a compressor that is decent or stop me before I waste my money.........
thanks.

a high CFM rating will help make up for a small tank size, but not completely. Problem is, most small tanks come with small compressors. Look at the small ones with the two small diameter tanks, contractors use them a lot for running nail guns and stuff in a portable application, might work good for you.

I have the craftsman oil free, loud as hell, but no problems yet, course it's only a 1 year old. I have seriously considered building one from a york, or possible two, and an old tank, yorks are quiet, and put out a lot of air, I just don't know how well they would hold up to semi-continouis use.

Chad

I ordered a 6hp 60 gal. twin cyl. cast iron,belt drivenHERE (http://www.chpower.com/) this summer.

$360 including tax and delivery.

Only problem was, when I opened the box it was red instead of blue.

Husky brand instead of CH.

I had a couple people tell me Husky is their top-of-the-line and CH is the bottom. If so, I got a helluva deal.:D

If not, I'm still happy.:p :p

I don't know how in hell I ever got along without one for so long.:flipoff2: :flipoff2: :flipoff2:

Air compressors are rated by CFM & PSI.
What you need to do BEFORE buying a compressor, is find how many CFM your tools will consume @ what PSI. Die grinders, air drills tend to use the most CFM.
You want the compressor to put out more air than you use.
The 2 stage will get you a higher PSI than a single stage.
The tank size will be the deciding factor on how often the compressor turns on & off, and how long it will run. The larger that tank, the less often it will, but the longer it will run each time.
You want the compressor to be off 50% of the time that you are using the air. That's so it will cool down a little and create less moisture in the tank.

edit: Most of the 110 volt compressors are of small HP and low CFM. Even though the motor may say 5 HP or some such. it is actually a beefed-up 3 HP. There is no way a hold the start-up amps that it takes a true 5 HP motor to start.
If the compressor is going to be stationary, use a 220 motor. Costs a little more initially, but the operating expense is less.

Go to Emglo.com buy anything there, and you will be happy. I have the small contracor one that is two tubes with the pump in the middle and you move it like a whell barell. The great thing about it is you can barly hear it running, if you have a car next to it, you can not hear the compresor. The other great thing is portablity. With other compresors (110) you need to make sure you are not over a 15 amp draw. But even with this when it kicks back on it takes much more to start it, if you are using an extension cord, it will just sit there and not run until the breaker pops, but witht the Emglo, the motor spins even when it is not pumping and is much easyer for it to kick on and begain pumping.

I love mine.

I bought a 60gal upright 6.5hp (7max) Husky belt driven compressor from HomeDepot for $400. Is a great compressor in my opinion has about 11cfm @ 90psi I was going to purchase a Campbell Hausfeld extreme duty compressor (same stats) at Tractor supply for $380 but they didn't have one in stock when I was ready to buy. As far as I can tell they're the same unit, just painted differently.

And I agree get an oiled belt driven comp. nothing else is worth it.

I'll echo that the oilless ones are JUNK. Mine went out recently taking the cylinder wall with the piston so I cut the aluminum housing off the electric motor, made some brackets and hooked up a belt drive to the York a/c unit from my Scout. Now I have a oil bath compressor for use around the house and just need to put on back on my Scout. The best thing is it works GREAT and is quiet now.

Originally posted by Dingo
I am in need of an air supply and was wondering if anyone has used a smaller cheap unit. Most of the compressors discussed are a hell of a lot bigger than I have room for as well.


Has anyone had any success with a unit with like a 10 gallon tank? I know it will have to be running a lot more since the tank would be much smaller, but will a smaller compressor run air tools well or would I be wasting my time and $$$? I was hoping to spend about $200 or so...can someone either point me in the direction of a compressor that is decent or stop me before I waste my money.........
thanks.

Also take into consideration that you will need a water/air seperator, a pressure regulator, hose, oil, tools, impact sockets...

The accessories can add up fast. I bought all dirt cheap tools(impact, air ratchet, and 3" die grinder/cutoff), sockets, etc., and still ended up at about $200 above and beyond the cost of the compressor. Not to mention with a 220 compressor, you'll need to wire it as well.

I have no experience with the York set ups, but if a York will run all the tools you want(and from what everyone says, it will), I would recommend putting your money that direction. You just aren't going to get much of a home compressor for $200. I would say around $400 would be the minimum, unless you find a good sale or something (they pop up once in a while).

I just sold my Husky(the same model mentioned in a few previous replies) when I moved, and will be looking at some sort of York set up now because of space constraints.

Originally posted by xj4rocks
I bought a 60gal upright 6.5hp (7max) Husky belt driven compressor from HomeDepot for $400. Is a great compressor in my opinion has about 11cfm @ 90psi I was going to purchase a Campbell Hausfeld extreme duty compressor (same stats) at Tractor supply for $380 but they didn't have one in stock when I was ready to buy. As far as I can tell they're the same unit, just painted differently.

And I agree get an oiled belt driven comp. nothing else is worth it.

That sounds like the same as mine colemanpowermate (http://www.coleman powermate.com/compressors/cl7006016.shtml#)


MODEL NO. CL7006016
MAX PRESSURE 100 - 130 PSI
CFM @ 40 PSI 12.3
CFM @ 90 PSI 10.3
MOTOR 7 Peak HP
VOLTAGE/AMPS 208 / 230
AIR TANK 60 Gallons
PUMP Oil Lubricated, Belt Drive
WEIGHT 217 lbs.
WARRANTY 2 year

And cheep around $360 from costco.

Thats the other problem with the larger compressors......I live in an apartment complex so I don't have a ton of room to store something with a large tank. I kind of like the contractor compressor idea, but would one of those power air tools like an impact, ratchet, etc?

thanks again for all your help.

Ditto on the "oiless sucks" comments. My craftsman oiless did last about 4 years, but just blew out a few weeks ago. Biggest complaint is the noise. I use to put in ear plugs when it kicked in.

I scrapped the pump part of it, re-used the motor (good quality, GE motor BTW), rigged up some pulleys and I'm using a York. I've only had it going a week, but it's *much* nicer. Puts out much more air and runs about 1/4 the sound level.

http://www.houlster.com/shop/compressor/images/106-0636_small_img.jpg

There's some more pics here. (http://www.houlster.com/shop/compressor/images/)

--Dan

Originally posted by houlster


There's some more pics here. (http://www.houlster.com/shop/compressor/images/)

--Dan


I was just checking out your pics page......looks like a sweet set up.

Originally posted by houlster

There's some more pics here. (http://www.houlster.com/shop/compressor/images/)

--Dan

Yep, looks a lot like mine does. The neighbors love that it's much quieter especially if I forget to turn it off at night.

Originally posted by houlster
Ditto on the "oiless sucks" comments. My craftsman oiless did last about 4 years, but just blew out a few weeks ago. Biggest complaint is the noise. I use to put in ear plugs when it kicked in.

I scrapped the pump part of it, re-used the motor (good quality, GE motor BTW), rigged up some pulleys and I'm using a York. I've only had it going a week, but it's *much* nicer. Puts out much more air and runs about 1/4 the sound level.

http://www.houlster.com/shop/compressor/images/106-0636_small_img.jpg

There's some more pics here. (http://www.houlster.com/shop/compressor/images/)

--Dan

I got a feeling my oiless is going to look like that some day :)

Sweet job, looks like it came that way.

chad

what kind of cfm could one expect from a York setup like that. I too have an oil less setup :(

- jack

Originally posted by chadl


I got a feeling my oiless is going to look like that some day :)

Sweet job, looks like it came that way.

chad


Thanks :D I'm not sure of the CFM though. The York is one that I got many years ago before I knew there were different sizes and it's been sitting in the garage. It's one of the 8.7 ci ones and it's geared to turn about 1600 rpm. I do know that it pumps substantially more than the old oiless pump. That thing was pretty small. The motor turns it easily and doesn't sound like it's slowing down at all at higher pressures so I'm gonna look for one of the 10.3 ci yorks next time I'm at the junkyard.

I did some sandblasting last night and the compressor did run continually, but pressure never dropped enough that I had to wait. With the old compressor, I had to wait on a regular basis for it to catch up.

I haven't tried my cut-off wheel or die grinder yet. I expect that it won't quite keep up with those, but it'll still be much better than the old one was.

--Dan

I had an oiless Crafstaman for five years, it worked OK but was way too loud. I bought an upright 60 gallon Superior from the Air Tool Store in Sacramento, and I have been totally happy with it. It is quiet and makes a lot of air. I think the cost was only about $650, not bad compared to $400 for a Craftsman plus a set of earmuffs to run it in your garage!

Good luck on the search!
Doug

Originally posted by houlster



I haven't tried my cut-off wheel or die grinder yet. I expect that it won't quite keep up with those, but it'll still be much better than the old one was.

--Dan

I used mine yesterday for the first real trial. It kept up with the die grinder no problem. It did run continuously, but it kept up. Usually I'd have to stop and go deaf while the oiless would catch up to me. Now I can just keep going :)

One question for ya though. I do get some oil from the York so the air coming out of the line isn't clean and dry like before. Do you get this on your's?

So what kind of CFM are you guys getting out of your compressors?

I still haven't made up my mind yet, but I will be certain to get an oil lubricated pump. thanks again for the help.

Originally posted by Curtis

One question for ya though. I do get some oil from the York so the air coming out of the line isn't clean and dry like before. Do you get this on your's?


I didn't notice it being oily with the sandblaster. I'll check it though to see for sure what I'm getting. When I first ran it, I got quite a bit of oil out of it. I think I over-filled it a bit :eek: I cracked the tank drain and was getting some goopy crap out the bottom of it.

I left it cracked open and let the pump cycle on and off overnight and there was pretty much nothing coming out the next day. It seems to be fine now but I think I'll get an oil separator to use next time I paint with it.

--Dan

Originally posted by Dingo
So what kind of CFM are you guys getting out of your compressors?

I still haven't made up my mind yet, but I will be certain to get an oil lubricated pump. thanks again for the help.

If I had to guess, I'd say 7 - 8 CFM at high pressure. Die grinders need around 8 or 9 CFM I think, so if Curtis' kept up good, it's gotta be pretty close to that.

I was just at Home Depo and they had a 25 gal Husky vertical compressor with cast iron oil bath pump for around $400. That's about the same size as mine and about $140 more than I paid, but I'd say it's well worth it for the oil bath pump. I didn't really look at the specs on it, but it was the smallest oil bath compressor they had there.

--Dan

1 word....... DeVilbis..... damn thing is old as fuk, runs quiet with mobil 1 air compressor oil and after it builds a head of steam it will run my die grinder or impact with out having to wait.

~Nate~

I have a 6hp 60 oiless that is almost 10 years old and sees use at least once a week. It is still running good (knock on wood). It is so loud, I moved it to the basement and plumbed outlets into each corner of the garage. So now when it runs it is louder than crap in the house but not so bad in the garage. My wife does not like this set up so much. When it goes I am going to get a belt oil bath 60gal and hook up the old tank so I can have 120gals.

Scott

Is everyone still happy with the Husky/CH VT6314 compressors? I am trying to decide between it and the IR SS3L3 for my garage. Noise and durability are more important than cost for the most part. Most of my air tools will take at most 4-5 cfm of air at 90 psi. I think it should be ok unless I end up with a sandblast cabinet. Then either should be about maxed out.

279979

279980


If anyone has comments let me know.

Well I work at Sears and the only really good compressor is the Black upright I think it is 60 gallon all of the other ones are always coming back for repairs, or people are returning them within the week because they are not big enough, they say all they do is run and that they can't keep up with their tools

IR is good stuff. I would pick it over husky/ch any time.:smokin:

i have a husky 80 gal. (from home depot)
works great and a can talk next to it when it's running

Thanks for the advice.

Link to IR $579.99 http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_158284_158284

Husky $399.00 Can't link for my life.

I have one of the 60 gallon oil less from Sears. It has been with me since about 92 or so but it is not used everyday in a shop. Has been flawless but I will agree to the LOUD statement. JJ

Well, I just order the IR compressor from Northern Tool. Hopefully it works out awesome. If not everyone in Pirate will know.

I've been eyeing the Husky for a while now..

Anyone running it?

At 400 bones the price is right.

Update,

I bought the IR ss3l3 and got about 6 months ago. I used it about 10 times and the compressor siezed. I called Northern who had me call IR who had me call the local service company. They sent a truck out ($100/hr from the time they leave the shop, $98 service charge and parts if warrantee not valid) the guy said it threw a rod and replaced the pump a week later.

Warrantee was valid, on site repair in the garage. I am very pleased with the IR purchase at this point.

I am pretty sure that Husky, etc would not send on site repair.

I am pretty sure that Husky, etc would not send on site repair.

Yeah, but I'm guessing if you brought it back to Home Depot they would swap it for another one.

Yeah, but I'm guessing if you brought it back to Home Depot they would swap it for another one.

likely. Amazingly convenient this way though. As pissed as I was it siezed this was painless. Oh the service call was next day. I have never had any repairman show up that fast.

Ditto on the "oiless sucks" comments. My craftsman oiless did last about 4 years, but just blew out a few weeks ago. Biggest complaint is the noise. I use to put in ear plugs when it kicked in.

I scrapped the pump part of it, re-used the motor (good quality, GE motor BTW), rigged up some pulleys and I'm using a York. I've only had it going a week, but it's *much* nicer. Puts out much more air and runs about 1/4 the sound level.

http://www.houlster.com/shop/compressor/images/106-0636_small_img.jpg

There's some more pics here. (http://www.houlster.com/shop/compressor/images/)

--Dan

that is brilliant. work of art. i wish i had done the same, but i got a great deal on a big used 60gal monster. i love it. but those yorks kick ass.

when i was a kid, my dad made a homebrew one with a propane tank and a york, it worked great until the pane tank exploded and launched itself through the roof drywall of the garage:laughing:

I have something similar to this:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_009H0313000B?vName=Tools&keyword=air+compressor

Mine was the special edition of this model. I have had it since college so going on 7 years now. 33 gallon oilless. It works great but is SO loud. Being a college purchase I was limited and it need to be semi-portable. I just have yet to get a new one because this one still works...

I've got a IR like yours, and it's been trouble free for 5+ years. For about 2 of those years, it was running a 5k foot shop with multiple tools.

I've got a 60 gal. Porter Cable compressor. It's belt driven, but uses an all aluminum compressor body with an iron sleeved cylinder. I'm pretty sure that it's the same as the Campbell Hausfield/Husky/etc. compressors with different paint and labels. I've had it for about 5-6 years now with no problems. I think it was $400 @ Lowe's, and I've had no problems with it even running die grinders, sanders, paint guns, etc. Pretty quiet, too, compared to my dad's old oilless compressor :eek:

If I had the extra money, though, I would have bought a 2 stage, but this one seems to hold up very well.

I have something similar to this:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_009H0313000B?vName=Tools&keyword=air+compressor

Mine was the special edition of this model. I have had it since college so going on 7 years now. 33 gallon oilless. It works great but is SO loud. Being a college purchase I was limited and it need to be semi-portable. I just have yet to get a new one because this one still works...

I pretty much have had the same one too.
It's 10+ years old. My dad loaned it to me 8 years ago when we bought our house... He told me to keep it as a house warming gift.
Still going strong.... But I'd like a bigger tank model eventually.

I have the husky 60 gal and have no complaints. Works like a champ.

I kept my eyes open and noticed that a neighborhood shop had one of these sitting by the side unhooked.
http://www.allensaircompressors.com/images/pi_16401.gif


I went back and talked to the owner and he said it had failed on them and they did not have time to troubleshoot it. ( It would blow the breaker after one cycle). He said come and get it for $50 .:D

Took it home expecting the pump or the motor to be fried only to find that the pump was 1qt low and had been kicking the thermal breaker. Changed the oil and it works flawlessly.

7.5 Horsepower, Heavy Duty 1800RPM Motor 220v single phase
ASME Code 80 Gallon Vertical Tank
Champion Splash Lubricated RV15A Pump
intercooled output
magnetic starter
Pump RPM 1035
Delivers 24CFM @ 175PSI or 22.9CFM @ 125PSI
Dimensions: L=33, W=26 5/8, H=76
wt: 600lbs

when i was a kid, my dad made a homebrew one with a propane tank and a york, it worked great until the pane tank exploded and launched itself through the roof drywall of the garage:laughing:

Hmmm...now you got me worrying about my homebrew York/propane tank compressor.

He said come and get it for $50 .:D

Took it home expecting the pump or the motor to be fried only to find that the pump was 1qt low and had been kicking the thermal breaker. Changed the oil and it works flawlessly.


Sweet find!

Thanks :D I'm not sure of the CFM though. The York is one that I got many years ago before I knew there were different sizes and it's been sitting in the garage. It's one of the 8.7 ci ones and it's geared to turn about 1600 rpm. I do know that it pumps substantially more than the old oiless pump. That thing was pretty small. The motor turns it easily and doesn't sound like it's slowing down at all at higher pressures so I'm gonna look for one of the 10.3 ci yorks next time I'm at the junkyard.

your 8.7ci would output 8.05 CFM at 1600

a 10.3ci would pump 9.53 CFM at the same speed

Thats the other problem with the larger compressors......I live in an apartment complex so I don't have a ton of room to store something with a large tank. I kind of like the contractor compressor idea, but would one of those power air tools like an impact, ratchet, etc?

I have this one from HF and run it without a regulator:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/38800-38899/38898.gif
It cycles every 5-6 lugnuts with an impact, 15-20 secs with an die grinder, can't remember with the air hammer, but it ran it. It's not totally useless and fills quickly.

I also have a 33 gal crapsman oiless. Its too loud IMO.

Ditto on the "oiless sucks" comments. My craftsman oiless did last about 4 years, but just blew out a few weeks ago. Biggest complaint is the noise. I use to put in ear plugs when it kicked in.

I scrapped the pump part of it, re-used the motor (good quality, GE motor BTW), rigged up some pulleys and I'm using a York. I've only had it going a week, but it's *much* nicer. Puts out much more air and runs about 1/4 the sound level.

http://www.houlster.com/shop/compressor/images/106-0636_small_img.jpg

There's some more pics here. (http://www.houlster.com/shop/compressor/images/)

--Dan

My Oiless Craftsman died on me tonight. I got just almost 3 years out of it. I've said that I would do this to mine when it finally died ever since I first saw your compressor. Well now mine's dead. So are you still using this setup? Have you changed anything? Is there anything you would do different were you to do it again?

This is what I've got. I love it, its pretty quiet, but I still have it outside in a shed.

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/623707/fullsize/compresor.jpeg

So are you still using this setup? Have you changed anything? Is there anything you would do different were you to do it again?


My York shit the bed after about 2 years. I think maybe with better cooling it'd last longer, but someone else said theirs lasted only a year or two doing this as well. The York did get scalding hot after running a little while. I just don't think they do well as a long term shop air compressor. On a rig? yes, but not so great in a shop.

I still have the same setup now, but replaced York with an oil-bath compressor from HF. I think it was a '3 hp' or so model. It's a single stage, twin piston and cost about $70 - $80 on sale. I think this one (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93785) is more or less the equivalent.

This one's been going strong for 4 or 5 years now. I would really suggest going this route.

--Dan