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"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
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I am interested in getting a portable air compressor with a 10+ gallon air tank for use around my rural property. Is there any brands that seem to be better than others? We have been looking at the oil lubricated compressors compared to the oil less compressors. I know about the spraying problems with the oil. We would be using it for some air tools and spraying and the air pressure What I am looking for is longevity and a quieter compressor. Is the oil less compressor expensive to rebuild? Our price range is around $300.
Comments? suggestion? Thanks
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Doesn't anybody have any thoughts on air compressors?
*Kerry: There was a FHB article on exactly this about 1 or 1.5 years ago. Emglo is really good, longevity-wise. I don't recall which was the quietest, but there were ratings in the article and they varied a lot. Wheelbarrow style is easier on the back to move but tippier than pancake tanks. Sounds like it will be for occasional use by one person. Buy quality and quietness if you like, but don't go for size. Look at 3/4 to 1 hp. The few times that you're using the framing nailer really fast, you may need to take a break and let it catch up. But every time you move it, you'll be glad it's not a monster. Get lots of air hose. It's cheap and you should not operate an A/C on a long electrical cord. Motors getting low voltage are prone to overloading. If I used it only 1-2 times a month for an hour or two, I'd consider an oil-less. But for more frequent use, lubrication seems like a good thing. -David
*I believe there is an article in this months JLC on compressors - check it out at a news stand ormaybee their site - http://www.jlconline.com.
*Sears pancake is great.quiet.....oiless.....cheap parts.....lots of air....stores's and parts nearby.Jack
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buy an emglo oil- don not worry about spray- but make sure you heed the advice about buying lots of hose and running a short elec. supply.
m.schultz
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I recently purchased my first oiless compressor and so far it has been real good. They call it a 1 1/2 hp and Iv'e run single framing and roofing guns with it and have had plenty of air.
Here is what influnced my decision to buy this particular compressor.
We had to run on a generator. A 5000 watt gen does not provide enough of a 110v circuit to run the compressor. The most common compressors, those like the Emglo with the two stacked tanks (which is a great machine and many consider the standard for this type of portable compressor) cannot be rewired for 220v. Oddly enough the same compressor motors and pumps when mounted on the small horizontal tanks with wheels (12-20 gallon size) come with motors that can be switched to 220v easily. So we did this and the inexpensive 5000 watt generator easily ran the compressor at 220v plus or saws etc. I have even found that I like having it on wheels and the larger tank makes for longer cycle times and so keeps the noise down. Bought the compressor and the generator for a total of $700 and feel it was well spent.
*I've used and abused many. My barn is full of old ones that I havn't given away yet.I am a framing contractor. Our 4 man crew is all air. We have late model Paslodes. We shoot each sheet as we lay it. That gives the compressor time to catch up. It also insures that each sheet is properly fastened. It will operate my wrenches, but is not as efficient as I would like. I have settled on a 1 1/2 hp "Air Mate" by Emglo. It delivers 4.1 cfm at 100psi. It uses oil. I paid about $325 at the "big orange box", Home Depot. I would not ever use an oiless model again. My last oiless lasted forever, but was sooooo sloooow!This air compressor claims to use less amperage, but I have found that it takes more to start it! Cold weather makes it even harder, but we manage. We keep it next to the power source, and that seems to solve all problems, even in winter. It does seem to work fine however, using less amperage after it warms up (one cycle is enough). We normally plug 4 makitas, the compressor, and in the winter, an electric heater into one 20 amp circuit. We try to keep voltage drop to a minimum by eliminting extra cords and using 12 gauge only.I also have a 5hp wheelbarrow emglow, with a Honda gas engine. It cranks out the cfm, but is a pain to start cold. I have a sears 220v that works fine. I thought that I could operate it off my Honda 5000 watt generator: Wrong! It will start empty, but trips the circuit breaker when it trys to re-cycle. I think a continous running type would solve that problem. If my crew expands, that would be my next purchase (emglo of course).Gas Emglos are reasonably quiet with a Honda motor.Hope this helps.blue, swamped in MI with compressors that failedOverheard my wife bragging "All men are idiots, and I married their King."
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Stick with Emglo. You will be happy you did. It is the only compressor I would consider buying. If you can, by an oil compressor if you plan on giving it alot of use. It will be quieter and substantially increase its longevity.
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