Lets talk air compressors

I am finally ready to start moving some tools into my new pallet garage. One of the main things I want to obtain is a larger air compressor. My little 4.2 gallon twin stack Makita works well, but I want a larger unit that will stay in the new shop. I'm thinking something in the 20-30 gallon size. I'd prefer vertical as it is a smaller shop. I'm also thinking oil lubed as they seem to be quieter typically than the oil free.

Uses will be inflating tires, using a blow gun to blow off mower decks and machines, 1/2" impact gun, occasional use of compact air cut off tools, and possibly a DA type sander for short periods of time if I need to repaint hoods, fenders, etc.

Anyone have a particular brand or model they use/used and recommend?

 

I have been using my cheap air compressor for 22 years it was a cambell hausfeld from tractor supply mine is a 60 gallon vertical with the cast iron oil lubed I bought it to replace mine that was stolen out of a shop I worked at I was figuring on replacing it when it broke but it keeps on working i have abused it many times from spray painting to running the blast cabinet it was about 325.00 new and I am very impressed with it for something cheap I usually do not get that lucky JB

 

Can’t beat the 60 gallon uprights for the money. Not sure if there’s any real difference between brands. For sure get an oil lubed. Compare CFM when shopping.

 

I have 6 champion compressors and have never had any issues whatsoever with any of them.

 

I put this one in a few years ago . It’s been dead reliable and relatively quiet .
Pro tip : leave it on the shipping pallet ,or get those mount pad thingies .
Northern Tool has sales on them fairly often .

 

The 60 gallon stationary units do seem to be the best bang for your buck. The footprint isn't really any bigger than a portable 30 gallon unit. The only thing I don't like is that occasionally I may want to use it in the barn (220 ft away) or on a jobsite. Looking at the tools I intend to use it for they all seem to fall in the 4-6 CFM area. The 60 gallon units produce double that.

 

With air tools I feel you need a 2 stage if you can. They cost more but will keep up way better.

 

DA sanders and die grinders are air hogs 11cfm@90 psi is about minimum. You are looking at a 60 Gal or so to get that.

 

If you want small, quiet and cfm go rotary screw, the drawback is $$$

 

I would like to have the 60 gallon upright and I put a 240 volt plug in special for one, when I built my shop.

I have owned a small 120 volt Dewalt portable for many years. I think it really only a 2.5 or maybe 3 gallon and you can pick it up and move it easily. And have one of those hose reels mounted on a frame in the shop with quick disconnects to the compressor. That way I can just grap and go with another 30ft hose, and leave the reel in the shop.

However, I have not bought the 60 gallon compressor yet, and might not never, as I have used this little Dewalt for everything, air nailers, etc and it works fine. I don't really need anything more, so I have just kept running the little Dewalt.

 

This guy has been around for a while. It’s good for filling tires. It doesn’t run air tools very well.

I’m used to a dual lung compressor at work so my opinion may be skewed.

 

Ingersoll 80 gallon 2 stage with a second 80 gallon cooling/drying tank. Run most things you’re going to except a sandblaster, throw an external dryer on for painting.

 

Bingo..

 

Dewalt makes some really good rolling compressors, but they are loud, and expensive. Have never burned one up though. Campbell hausfeld also makes (usually) good stuff but their stock caps suck and you'll replace them sooner than later. Usually when you need it to run the most.

Lowe's has a $500ish 2 stage stationary that is painfully slow to fill but holds a lot of air. Been using that one for several years and can't complain much. 220v though.

Check the specs on any Harbor Freight compressors before you buy them. Most are the same head on a larger tank, which are usually very under powered to begin with. Had plenty of those, wouldn't recommend any of the smaller ones, can't speak for the larger or 2-stage.

I don't use air tools, filling IBC totes or tires is the largest draw now. Spent many years at construction sites in a previous life.

 

No matter what the brand you will find that the majority of them are Chinese made.

 

I picked up a NorthStar 20 gallon upright from Northern Tool a few years ago. Looked at 60 gallon but they I would need 220, not a deal breaker, but just didn't feel I needed the larger tank since it is only used every 3 or so weeks. Got it on sale plus the starter kit that gave me an extended warranty.

 

I appreciate all the advice this far. I was surprised when after researching I saw that the 20 gallon McGraw compressor from HF offered less hp and air than my little Makita 2400. 1.6 hp and 4.0 CFM @ 90 psi vs 2.5 and 4.2. The Makita 5200 offers 3.0 hp and 6.5 CFM @ 90 psi. As cool as a 60 or 80 gallon 240v compressor would be, it’s just not practical or in the budget for my modest repair shop. Keep in mind I’m working on small tractors occasionally as a hobby. I’m not taking lug nuts off full sized construction equipment with 6’ tall tires all day. I haven’t run into problems with my current compressor. Just looking for something a little bigger so I can have one in each shop.

 

Just remember back to your "framing in the winter" days and the grief a cold compressor and hoses can hand out. Then if you're on an extension cord, starting a cold compressor needs to be a consideration.
Sorry to be a downer but if you used framing guns in the winter you know what I'm saying.

 

I certainly remember those days!!! Hard to forget!!! We almost exclusively used 30-35 gallon portable compressors and ran a 1/2” rubber lead hose, and 3/8” offshoot hoses. We also used wheelbarrow style gas compressors at one point. 4-5 framing guns daily year round. Often a 100’ lead hose then 50-100’ individual lines to each gun. In the winter we poured brake line anti freeze directly into the hoses to keep them from freezing. Sometimes you’d get a shot of ice bb’s come out of a hose end. I plan to run my propane heater in the pallet garage on cold days. I put a double layer of plastic over the two main doors this morning.

 

buy once, cry once. I bought this Quincy 2V41C60VC QT-54 Pro 5-HP 60-Gallon Two-Stage Air Compressor 230V 1-Phase to replace a 30gallon Dewalt.... DeWalt DXCM271.COM Dewalt 1.7-HP 27-Gallon Portable Air Compressor 120V 1-Phase

Some of the best spent money in my life