Oil or sealed compressors better?
Are oiled or sealed compressors better? Do oil compressors last longer? I have a newish sealed Porter Cable Job Boss that already doesn’t sound too healthy. The oiled version is available but seems to cost more and the SCFM output is 4.4 instead of the 6.0 of my sealed one. Why is that?
Thanks,
Brian
Replies
You probably don't want to hear this but the P.C. compressors are not good, to put it nicely. IMHO
I don't know which ones are better but I prefer oil myself, but thats just me.
Dave
Edited 3/16/2005 8:36 pm ET by DAVE MASON
Oiled compressors will generally last longer and be quieter then their non-oiled siblings.
I know some guys that do not like oiled compressors because they could leak inside a house or what have you. Never really seen an issue with it myself as you can put the compressor on a sheet of cardboard or what ever.
For the most part, PC compressors are crap as previously stated.
I know, I own one.
that quieter line of thinking crap lasts just about as long as it takes me to turn on my oil-less thomas ...
haven't come across anything comparable that's anywhere near as "quiet" ...
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry in Carpentry
Pgh, PA
Once again Bucky cuts thru the crap!!!
The Question is not oil/oiless...
But quality/crap
Thomas, Rolair, Hitachi/ EmgloDefault, PC, Sears, Campbell Hausfield ...
Mr T
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Thomas, Rolair, Hitachi/ EmgloDefault, PC, Sears, Campbell Hausfield ...
or...
Rolaire, Thomas... etc....
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
senco oil,5 years still going strong
runs 2 framing guns&fits behind my truck seat
Brian, I bought an Emglo oiled compressor about 15 years ago and a craftsman oil less about 10 years ago. The Emglo finally quit but the craftsman is still going strong.
I don't know if one is better than the other but I just bought a craftsman oil less to replace the Emglo.
James Hart
Oil-bath compressors, as previously stated, generally last longer and are quieter.
The exception is the high-quality oiless used to supply breatheable air for divers or for filling high pressure supply tanks of various kinds where impurities are not acceptable. THAT kind of oiless compressor is quite expensive.
If you are a professional builder who relies on a compressor daily for framing, one of the low-end oiless isn't going to last long.
If you're a homeowner who just needs a compressor to air up tires or maybe run a nailgun or stapler on occasion, the oiless is probably fine.
I don't know what your needs are, but the new Makita line is pretty nice and not terribly expensive for an oiless.
I like oil compressors better, I find them quieter, which is a big deal if you are working near one all day. I also have a PC oiless twin stack, that pumps 6.3 cfms @ 90psi. I use it for stapling 3/8ths underlay for tile or lino. It is quite possibly the noisiest portable compressor I have ever heard and if left untethered, will scoot across the floor untill it unplugs itself. The motor runs at an incredible rate of speed which explains the high cfms and the vibrating across the room. I can staple all day with the thing and never run out of air, which is why I still have it, but I use a nice quiet little oil compressor for the day to day.
That new little oil type Senco with the gallon and a half tank is way cool. It will only work for brad and finish guns but we strapped it into a milk basket for protection and it is so quiet!