Here are links to both

Speedaire (http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/1NNF6)
this is the newer model but has the same specs

Craftsman pro (http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00919541000P?vName=Tools&cName=Air+Compressors+%26+Air+Tools&sName=Air+Compressors)

I found the speedaire for $200 with a 50 ft rubber hose used locally. Well the thing is, i was going to buy the craftsman next week new anyway but then found the speedair. I want to make the right choice, whether i should spend double and get the craftsman(parents paying for half so i would only spend $200) or get the speedaire and pay nothing(and the parents would pay all)
My 2 main concerns are
1)buying a used compressor- i know the guy and he is very active in our local forum and clubs so i know he isn't going to try to rip anyone off but there is still something there that makes me a little hesitant
2) the craftsman has 25 gal and 150 psi which leads me to believe that i will have much more available air.

The biggest thing i want to use this for is air ratchet and some refinishing of an aluminum wakeboard tower. I can understand having to wait for it to fill when im using a die grinder, or impact for lugs and such, but i dont want to when im using the air ratchet. I dont have 220 so thats not an option.

Back in the day when I was saving for a compressor I was saving for that Craftsman one. It was belt driven and had output numbers that I wanted. Where I worked we had a similar Speedaire compressor to the one you posted. It was a cast iron pump that was built in the USA and was rebuildable and serviceable. The motor was a Dayton and was rock solid.

I have no experience with the CM unit but the pump is AL with iron sleeves (i think) and has a cheap motor on it. I think you will be money ahead if you get the speedaire. I think it's a better compressor and if it has low hours and is in good shape it should last you a long time.

I have since left the job that had the speedaire. When they remodeled they got a new compressor and my buddy was able to buy the one I used to used. He got it for about $100. It was 10 years old and I took such good care of it I was jealous. At least I know he got a good deal, the thing is still going strong.

The biggest thing i want to use this for is air ratchet and some refinishing of an aluminum wakeboard tower. I can understand having to wait for it to fill when im using a die grinder, or impact for lugs and such, but i dont want to when im using the air ratchet. I dont have 220 so thats not an option.


When you buy tools buy ones that do not require more air than your compressor puts out. Buy nice tools as well, if you don't you will end up doing so eventually so do it right from the start. Good tools typically do their job well at 90 psi and take the air they claim. They last longer too and are pretty strong. My compressor puts out something like 5.9 cfm @90 psi. My IR 2135TI takes at least this but I'm not draining a tank when I use it. I can get 3 wheels of my rig before my compressor kicks on and the gun is strong the whole time.

If you're doing a lot of grinding you may benefit from a tank that has a larger volume. At 120v this is kind of limited and I would not suggest adding tanks to either of the 2 compressors you've mentioned. Just be patient and use the regulator. I got a lot of grinding with my little IR301 grinder and with the regulator at 70psi or so the compressor keeps up. Actually most of the time it will catch up and kick off while still grinding.

Hope this helps.

Crapmsman is just that..

Speedair is OK get a Curtis Toledo

http://www.aishouston.com/curtis_toledo.html

I have one like new $500 2hp 2 years old Just got a 2 stage 80 gal unit.

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s116/boulderwallguy/741f802f.jpg

These are Industrial 2hp motors. near samr output as a Crapsman 4-5 hp unit.

I would not suggest adding tanks to either of the 2 compressors you've mentioned. Just be patient and use the regulator. I got a lot of grinding with my little IR301 grinder and with the regulator at 70psi or so the compressor keeps up. Actually most of the time it will catch up and kick off while still grinding.

Hope this helps.

That was the next question i was going to ask can you add tanks to make more stored air. why wouldnt you? Would it be running the whole time if i did?

I use the Craftsman and have been happy with it. May b/c I upgraded from a Direct Drive unit. The CM keeps up with everything accept my spray gun, and plasma cutter. However I use the tank from the old dd compressor and generally the duty cycle of the user kicks in before the lack of air becomes a problem.