It is time to upgrade from my pancake compressor. It is just too small for any sizable task. I think the vertical style on wheels is my ticket. Big enough that I won't be asking for more, small enough to move around the house and yard depending on where the project is. I will use it for anything from filling a flat, running a framing gun, impact gun, etc. can anyone recommend a size and/or brand to look at? Thanks, Craig
My husband went from a small horzontal tank to a large vertical tank from Harbor Freight. It is better than the small one, but its heavy & cumbersome to roll around. The guys at his work have smaller ones that more pressure and are quiter too, but alot more expensive.
I have one very similar to this. Mine is a couple years old. I think it was $349 when I bought it. http://m.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-2-HP-3...Volt-Vertical-Electric-Air-Compressor/3824207 I'd used a horizontal 10 gallon compressor for nearly 20 years but wanted something with a bit more volume for running impact wrenches, media blasters, etc. I have no complaints about the Kobalt. It's big enough to do what I need, but I can wheel it from the barn to the attached garage if I need to.
Craig there are a lot of brands out there and most are good. First thing to know is there is electric diaphragm pumps and electric motors that drive a separate piston style pump. The piston style are far better in my opinion having run both. Diaphragm will be very loud and not pump as fast where the piston pump will really put out air and be much better on your ears. Just ask my neighbors lol they no longer complain with out piston pump. Above is the diaphragm compressor below is a piston pump. At home I use a 30 gallon coleman compressor that runs nailers, all sorts of auto air tools like air hammers, chisels, ratchets, impact drills, hvlp spray guns and so on. That is very portable and moves with easy. Mine is an older version of this style. If your going to run an impact you will want a minimum of 20 gallon compressor weather horizontal or vertical and I can say with experience diaphragm though good will get old very fast when your using an impact because they use a lot of air fast.
I plumbed my pull around compressor into a 100lb propane tank to give it more volume for my 1" impact and I can also use it as a portable pig. Works great.
X 2.... Much prefer the piston style compressors.... I have a Kobalt 30 gallon. It can be wired for 110 or 220.
I have a 30 gallon horizontal, oil less diaphragm type, 5hp,220v, that has been serving me well for many years, but yes it is a noisy mofo. It runs the impacts and grinders and everything just fine only thing I ever had a problem running was an air sander. Mine lives under a bench so it doesn't really take up extra floor space, if I need to go portable I just use the pancake compressor. All that said, if I had to buy a new one I would probably go with a 30 gallon vertical, piston type
I have 3 piston compressors 7cfm,15cfm,50cfm. 7cfm on a 60gal tank - always waiting on it for on the air tools, 15cfm on an 80 gal tank is perfect air tool wise. The 50 on a 120gal tank is dedicated to the media blast cabinet, it is also running 1" lines, others are on 3/8. all are horz. so have a a large foot print. On top of all this is a little diaphragm pump forget the size on a 5 gal tank used for general cleaning and that sort of thing. It does not have enough volume to use on my truck tires and such unless in a real pinch. ( Note the 7 &15 units are all low speed about 900 rpm very quiet. ) Size your system based on your primary tool usage + about 15% pump/tank volume wise if the pocket book allows and you shouldn't be playing the waiting game which is extremely annoying at times.
I have the Home Depot version of the compressor that 343amc linked above. I use it primarily for impact wrench and inflating duties, and it's served me well. It's set up to run on 120V, which was nice because my garage doesn't have a 240 outlet, and I wasn't running one just for a bigger air compressor. I have the compressor mounted on a shelf I built for it, and have plenty of air hose, in addition to a little sausage compressor if I need to air something up that's too far for the hose to reach or for trim carpentry duties.
I'll add my $.02. I would go with at least a 30 gallon tank that is vertical. If possible, i like the oiled compressors. I know in the winter they are a little bit of a PIA but IMO they last longer. But, most days my compressor is on all day. Not running but I use air all the time. All the choices are good. I have had good luck with Rol-air Compressors. I am in the process of horse trading a bunch of stuff to get a new Rol-air for my shop. Right around $400 but what I need. I got air now but I use everything, I want a dedicated shop stationary compressor. Check Craigslist there are many available. Also, check the Pawn shops they seem to have alot of compressors.
Wife got me a vertical compressor. Big, but on wheels. Nice, but most all I ever use it for is for the air gun nailers and to inflate tires. I would have preferred the pancake one because I can move a smaller one around better. Ive had mine now about ten years and never a problem. I continue to buy more nailers. Best feature I can think of. No more bent nails or split ends.
I've had this one for about 3 years now and it's served me pretty well. http://www.sears.com/craftsman-prof...0916475000P?prdNo=15&blockNo=15&blockType=G15 It's run all the tools I've used on it except for DA sander and whiz wheel. Those tools work, but have to keep letting the pressure build up. The tool I use on it mostly is a framing nailer and it works great for that. It's pretty quiet as compressors go. Whatever you get, don't get rid of your pancake compressor. My little 2 gallon compressor still gets used from time to time.
don't get caught up on volume/supply ratings - bunch of marketing crap, the regulator and supply lines determine point of use power the 30gallon low end compressors with wheels will do everything you need to do, we're talking a tool that will see such limited use, no sense in "Stihl" pro-grade the pancake compressors are so easy to move I rarely use my 30gallon I bought 15 yrs ago to rebuild a 65 chevy pickup - even painted it with the help of an old water heater as an accumulator.
Buy what you can afford. Check the plate on the compressor. I like a DevilBiss. They make them for several rebadged units. Sears usta be one of them but I don't know anymore.
If you are running intermittent tools like framing guns and impacts, a dual stage compressor is best as it will run less frequently by pumping up the tank pressure higher. A single stage will not achieve those high (150+) tank pressures but will deliver more air (cfm) while it is running. So if grinders, sprayers and tools like air drills or big air ratchets are on your list, you would be better served by a single stage compressor of the same HP. I have been running a small-engine shop off a 30 gallon dual stage craftsman pro unit for the last 7-8 years. It runs outta breath if I want to run the cutoff wheel, drill, or die grinders more than a couple minutes at a time but otherwise has kept up fine with everything else. I routinely run 3/8" and 1/2" impacts with it. In fact that's probably what's hooked to it 90% of the time. Impacts don't really use a lot of air compared to other tools like air ratchets, grinders and sprayers. Unless you have an impact gun bigger than 1/2" a 30 gallon vert. Unit should more than keep up with it.
All these problems are replaced with a stationary old water heater(that holds pressure) has a relief device and fittings - like having true service air
