Please advise regarding selection of an air compressor for all around home and shop use. I don’t anticipate more than 1 or 2 tools being used a the same time however the unit should be high quality and have a long life. Any advice?
Thanks.
Please advise regarding selection of an air compressor for all around home and shop use. I don’t anticipate more than 1 or 2 tools being used a the same time however the unit should be high quality and have a long life. Any advice?
Thanks.
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Replies
What will you be using it for and what tools will be used. Something link an air sander using a ton of air while brad nailers use very little. Also, what type do you want, something portable or something that will stay at home/garage?
I won't recommend any particular brand, but I really like my barrel style Craftsman for at home. It is an 18 gallon 4 horse. Bought 8 years ago for $250, but the same style is fairly less expensive now. Even though home use is minimal, I still like the ability of lots of air available. I guess I would rather have more capacity, meaning less running time, than a smaller one that has to run all day just to air up a tire or toy.
I get paid to do carpentry. That makes me a professional.
If I work on my own house does that make me a DIY?
Yes, Do NOT get a Dewalt unit...at least not the cool twin tank unit with the two outputs and the step top that says "Do not step". When the temperature gets frigid...dropping into oh, say......the 60's, and you are a great distance away from a high current outlet, say over 2.75 ft, it will refuse to start.
At that point it will then give you a lesson in the senselessness of kicking inanimate objests....
Jake Gulick
[email protected]
CarriageHouse Design
Black Rock, CT
that happens with any decent sized oil lube compressor.
I just focus a 500 watt halogen work light on it for 10 mins. before start up, then it runs fine.
The most important and relevant diff. is whether they are oil-lube, or oiless.
Often, the exact same compressor (looks-wise) are made in both styles, and if you aren't paying attention, it can be easy to be mixed up.
Oil-lubed are quieter and longer lasting; but, you do need to check the oil occasionally and change with heavy use.
Oiless have no maintenance really, are cheaper, but much louder.
I have a 4 gallon twin stack PC Oil-lube and have been very happy with it whether I'm framing, trimming or using air tools for the car. One cool feature of the PC is that the oil pump is sorta like a "scoop" - it can be used on non-level surfaces and still get the oil where it needs to be. Good for roofing.
Don't make the mistake of buying the huge Coleman (or any brand) models - they take forever to fill up...
JT
Check out the Campbell Hausfeld four cylinder quad. It runs at half the speed of those two-stage units and it's relatively quiet for a medium-priced machine. They cost about $900 and if you look around some places offer free freight. I've had one for two years with no problems. Just change the oil every six months and make sure the filters are clean.