well, I now live like 500 miles from my old roommate who owned the air compressor. Thus, I have a pile of air tools, and no compressor.

He had a craftsman 33gal? horizontal that was LOUD AS HELL.

I would really like a quieter, slightly higher capacity compressor.


I've been looking and found two styles: direct drive and belt drive. So I sort of get it but not really.

I don't understand oilless and oiled.



Please school me on the different kinds and what might be a good option. This is obviously just for home use. I thought about an 80gal, but that's a little large for the garage. I've considered 60gal as well. I know I want a vertical unit, but I've also thought that it would be nice to have one that was semi-portable.

This one looked interesting:
http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=3182229/search=air+compressor+maxus

any thoughts? suggestions? help? criticism?

going bigger though, this one looked interesting.
http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=1366842/search=air+compressor+coleman

Oil-less compressors use some sort of coated or non metal ring inside which eliminates the need for oil lubrication like on an oil lubed compressor that uses automotive type metal rings and oil to lubriacted. A Direct drive compressor spins the pump right from the motorshaft, so the pump will be turning very fast, making it very loud as well. A belt driven compressor uses two pulleys and a belt(larger units use two) to connect the motor to the pump. This setup allows the pump to be slowed down (sometimes) making it quieter.


Dont get me wrong, belt driven can still be loud but are generally quieter than the consumer line of direct drive oilless compressors.

Jim

I have the Vertical 33 Gal Craftsmen (Red) and it is Loud as Hell, a buddy has the Craftsmen Professional (Black), advertised as 40% quieter, which it is. I wish I owned that one!

don't get oil less..

this is what I have, got it for about $300 less at the local air compressor store though!

http://www.industrial-air-compressors.com/air-compressor-3-1.html

If you want a quiet compressor look for something with external air intake filters. Most of the noise on compressors is from the intakes. But those are going to be more money. Thats what I'm going to next time. I'm sick of the noise in the garage.

going bigger though, this one looked interesting.
http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=1366842/search=air+compressor+coleman

I wouldn't get the coleman one I don't know who makes it. but @ home depot the husky one is the same price and is made by CH. same specs as the colemen. it is very quite for a compressor, I just broke mine in last weekend. but its 230 only not like your first choice.:shaking:

Read this...

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2224989&postcount=7


.

Read this...

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2224989&postcount=7


.
Great writeup!! Lots of good info. Thanks for the link.