Replies

1. 
   junkhound | May 26, 2013 03:08pm | #1

   Among others, I have 5 or 6 of the 3-4 HP (advertised HP) Craftsman compressors, not the junk that some would make sears stuff to be. .  Paid $50 or less for them at garage sales. Anything you can get for that price is good.

   Have a thomas also, noisiest POS, but does compress air pretty goo.

2. 
   hipaul | May 26, 2013 08:48pm | #2

   Auto - there's a ton of great compressors that probably would do what you want depending on how much you want to spend and what your parameters are.

    https://www.finehomebuilding.com/Tool-Guide/Product-Finder/Compressors/65402.aspx?channel=1

   I have a small Thomas compressor that's the quietest and hardest working little guy, and a large Max compressor that's the other hardest working and quietest compressor. For all around use, good capacity, good air flow, quiet, and not too heavy I'd take a look at this Rol-Air compressor. I got a chance to test it and wished that I could've held onto it afterwards.

    https://www.finehomebuilding.com/toolguide/product-finder/rol-air-JC10-compact-air-Compressor.aspx?nterms=65402

3. 
   Mongo | May 28, 2013 10:18am | #3

   Back in the day I had three that I used locally. I got rid of two and now just have my old Thomas. Probably coming up on 12 or 13 years old now. A Thomas is probably overkill for you.

   Most compressors should be able to keep up wth a siding nailer. Even though you don't think you'll ever run air tools, if yours will pretty much be fixed in location you could consider a large volume tank.

   Several years ago I was out of state and needed a compressor, the only one available was a porter cable pancake. I've done a lot of work with that thing ove the past 15 years. Still chugs along. I've framed and finished with it, and bump-nailed sheet after sheet of sheathing and it never missed a beat, but I never ran more than one gun at a time.

4. 
   toolpouchguy | May 29, 2013 07:13am | #4

   dewalt

   I bought the same one nothing but troubles 

   new motor ,switch wire came disconnected pita to reconect , then it got a leak 

   and i am sure your leak is a small gasket where the metal tube is inserted 

   i threw mine away motor worked but it had a leak ,

   but it is a cheap compresor you get what you pay for 

5. 
   Nojak | Aug 27, 2013 09:26am | #5

   my 2 favourites

   I have 2 that I both like.

   Makita MAC2400.  The standard 2 tank portable.  It's relatively quiet, the motor runs at 1720rpm, it has an oil lube pump and a real cartridge input filter.  My workhorse.  It will last forever.  Seems to be sold everywhere.  And it's a Makita.

   Dewalt D55140.  Tiny, super light, quiet.  Cost me $99.  Perfect for finish nailers.  Can handle a framing nailer, but only if you're slow.  Did I mention that it's tiny and super light and quiet.

   One day i'll add an 80 gallon 2 stage monster into the (auto) shop.

   ...karl

6. 
   diespithe | Mar 29, 2014 09:37am | #6

   I Like

    I have a 130PSI Makita MAC700 air compressor, it is only 59.6 pounds heavy, very quiet and portable,It is very durable and strong. I often use it for car tyre, very convenient.

7. 
   btbhfh92 | Apr 12, 2014 04:32pm | #7

   I thought most/all compressors will leak a little; at least I've never had one that could sit idle for extgended periods without cycling.  But I don't hear the leak, it just cycles about every hour or so without use.

   In any event, Emglo makes quality compressors and as someone already stated, worth a repair.  I've owned a Rolair vertical pancake for 15 years without problems; it's an oil-splash design so a bit slow to crank in cold temps but relatively quiet.

   For small jobs I like the mini Senco that weighs about as much as a fully stuffed lunch pail.  You can get about 5 shots with a 15g angle finish nailer and at the most 2 to 3 shots with a framing nailer before cycling.  But for small, occassional jobs I find it more economical than buying cordless finish nailers.

   Regards, Bob