I’ve got a little 6 gallon Porter Cable that’s not holding it’s own. Today it gave up and won’t get near shut off pressure. I think I know what the issue is but using this as an excuse to get something with more storage. Already swung and missed on a 20 gallon Craftsman on CL. So, I’m buying new. Saw 26 gallon at TS for $260, also Porter Cable. Any suggestion or direction?
Biggest question is does it have to be portable? I got one just for my garage and it's 220 volt and 80 gallon. You can find them new for under a grand if you want to spend that much. Never had a problem with it even on cold winter days.
Stay away from oil-less if you plan to use it much...those are for pumping up bike tires and basketballs IMO...
I have an upright 26 gallon crapsman compressor (I think 2 horse). If I am doing anything that needs a decent amount of air, it has a hard time keeping up. For light use, it's ok.
I found an 80 Gallon Gardener Denver for $150 a year ago, the deals are out there. Go oil lubed and bigger is better.
What do you want to use it for? Did the 6 gal serve your needs? Bigger is only better if you need it. Do you need it to be quiet or is loud o.k,? Lots of options out there nowadays.
If it pumps enough cfm tank sise is unimportant. A lot of rotary screw compressors do not have tanks.
Excellent points and challenges. Just what I was looking for. The thing only needs to be portable in my garage. It’s not going to a job site. The 6 gallon was a tire filler/chainsaw cleaner. I’m there with the oiled units! Quieter is betterer and more money, from what I’ve seen so far. I have visions of running some hand tools, like dye grinders, a need I don’t have now.
What are you using it for primarily? Blowing parts off, running a 1/2” impact wrench? CFM is king. If you’re looking for power from your air tools make sure you’re using at least 3/8” hose AND fittings, not 1/4”. If you’re after impact wrench power you might need to look at a 2 stage, otherwise a single stage with a decent size storage tank and large enough hose will give you enough initial power to break fasteners loose. For nail guns and occasional parts cleaning a pancake oil less compressor is ok but they have low duty cycles.
We posted at the same time. For what you’ve been doing single stage is great. Air grinders, impacts, etc will run on a single stage but you’ll be waiting for it unless you’re patient. A two stage will handle it no problem. Look at cfm ratings at 90 psi, not full pressure. Compare that to some of the tools you’re thinking about running.
Die grinders are air hungry little buggers. 60 gallon 11 cfm @ 125 psi at minimum. mine blows 23 cfm@ 175 psi, then regulated to 90 psi.
Just what I was going to say...die grinders, air drills and the like use some air! I have a 5 hp 240V compressor that is rated at 11 something ft at 90 PSI and 20 gallon tank...it just BARELY keeps up with a grinder run non stop. It is a twin cylinder single stage Campbell Hausfield
For the time being, I’m not yet that serious about getting serious I guess. Ended up at HF. This guys was 2 beans and there was $25 coupon. Ran 1/2 hours unloaded with the tank drain open, per the instruction, for a break in. And then changed the oil.
Now keep your eyes peeled for a crapped out compressor with a big tank. Plum the tank up inline and you’ll have air storage/recovery capacity. Then you’ll be able to run air tools better
I can tell you I think the manual caution about using it in the cold are real. About 18F here for a high today. The unit sat silent for about 5 hours in the unheated garage before I wanted to use it again. Spent air until the lower pressure switch made contact and I heard buzzing lope, maybe three of them, before silence. A couple wiffs of smoke came up from under the shroud. Let it sit for a bit and put the power on again. Nothing! Pressure was low on the air lance when I used it, before the loping, so I brought that in the house to warm up Incase it had iced up. Waited a little longer and tried it again. Started right up like nothing happened. Used it for a couple cycles, hi pressure shut off and low pressure cut in. Worked fine. I’m thinking motor thermal protection kicked in due to molasses oil. And maybe something in the hose or lance valve froze up.
Warm it up and drain the molasses. Fill it with a premium multi viscosity grade motor oil rated 5w-30 or better like 0W-40. An old 100 pound propane tank makes a good auxiliary or portable tank. 3/8" fittings and couplers for sure.
