need your help w/compressors

[fearfact]

hi everyone.. figure this is a good place for help! i'm looking forhelp finding a compressor for home use.. i know to look at the scfm and whatnot, just looking for your first hand experiences w/quality vs cost type of stuff.ill be running air tools to include whiz wheels and what not, some painting too..wont get crazy amounts of use just weekend project sorta stuff and tinkering on the jeep. i live in military base housing so id like a quiet one well as quiet as reasonable, i know the oil free compressors have a shorter life span but ive been told theyre quieter. this isnt a compressor for the next 30 yrs, probably 5 at most till i buy a house and run a bigger setup..also looking for prolly around 30-40 gallon so its movable and everything.. i need suggestions as to ones to look at and i know theres tons of experience on here with this stuff.obviously cost is an issue too, that sweet military pay, stay at home wife and kids really play a role in my toy funding and what not!.thanks guys
-matt

[bremen242]

hi everyone.. figure this is a good place for help! i'm looking forhelp finding a compressor for home use.. i know to look at the scfm and whatnot, just looking for your first hand experiences w/quality vs cost type of stuff.ill be running air tools to include whiz wheels and what not, some painting too..wont get crazy amounts of use just weekend project sorta stuff and tinkering on the jeep. i live in military base housing so id like a quiet one well as quiet as reasonable, i know the oil free compressors have a shorter life span but ive been told theyre quieter. this isnt a compressor for the next 30 yrs, probably 5 at most till i buy a house and run a bigger setup..also looking for prolly around 30-40 gallon so its movable and everything.. i need suggestions as to ones to look at and i know theres tons of experience on here with this stuff.obviously cost is an issue too, that sweet military pay, stay at home wife and kids really play a role in my toy funding and what not!.thanks guys
-matt

oil-less compressors suck. they are loud and blow up a lot.

home depot has a husky 26 gallon portable 115V compressor for $389 that I am eying up. They also have a 220V 60 gallon stationary for $399.

[thebigredtruck]

home depot has as sale on all tools right now like 30 dollars off any purchase between 100-200, 60 dollars off any purchase $300-400 that husky 60 gallon is going to look good in my garage

[Static-XJ]

In my experience the noise level has more to do with direct drive vs belt driven, than oiled vs oilless.

[Rerock]

home depot has as sale on all tools right now like 30 dollars off any purchase between 100-200, 60 dollars off any purchase $300-400 that husky 60 gallon is going to look good in my garage

I have that 60gal Husky...it sucks. Of all the tools/ shop shit I've ever bought, I have never had any regrets; except for that thing. I was going back and forth between that and an 80gal 2cycle IR. I really wish I would've ponied up for the IR...

[Travis Waldher]

Really.

I have a CH 60 gallon at my parents house. I've been happy with it.

What sucks about your husky?

[Mh4Runner]

I need 175 psi operating pressure and most compressors won't cut it. Make sure you get more than you think you need, not only in volume but pressure as well.

Stay away from oil-less or diapragm syle compressors, they are just too noisy and don't make much for CFM. Most ratings are for peak horsepower, not actual horspower.

I recently picked up a used Ingersol Rand T-30 with a 5 hp motor and an 80 gal. tank. Found it on craigslist for $350. I have never been happier.

[DSW]

Somewhat off topic but just an idea you might want to think about.

Have you considered whether or not the base or a nearby base has rec facilities you can use. When my family was stationed out by Seattle, our base had a fully equipped wood shop open to all personnel. The Sub base had a complete auto shop that you could use. You might be able to make use of other facilities if you inquire with the right personnel. Motor pool perhaps, Aircraft maintenance, machine shops and so on. When we were stationed near DC the fight club shared facilities with the field maintenance staff. You could work in their shop as long as they didn't need it for anything.

Just something that you might want to consider that can stretch you budget for the time being. Also you might make a few contacts that might help you out later, say if you need some serious welding done or access to rather specialized equipment. I know its nice to work in you own shop, but if its not to inconvenient why not work where they have better tools?

[fearfact]

yeah man weve got "hobby shops" and theyre great, have near any tool i could need, lifts,welders everything but they are at my house ya know.. when i go there i tend to bring along a days worth of projects, setting up a smaller shop at home will make tinkering better, ill still use the hobby shop for big projects because of the lifts and all anyway

[DSW]

Cool, glad to hear you know about them. I was surprised at how many guys didn't realise what we had avalable on base as far as open facilities, let alone on the bases nearby that they could access with no problems. Thanks BTW for serving.

[fearfact]

yeah i like the shops its just a PIA at times, i liek to be home with the family but if i have and hour or 2 free i like to tinker around ya know.. and thanks for the appreciation man i enjoy doin this shit :)

[4x4not]

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200311707_200311707

I've been eyeing that one at Northern Tool for some time now, but I can't spend the money right now (unless I use parts money :( ). I have a 26 gallon Eagle 220v right now which works OK but still seems slow for the size of the damn motor.

Free shipping and no tax on the NT unit is also nice.