Recomendation for an air compressor?

Post by **jtp** » 31 Mar 2011, 18:56

Too many things have come up in the past year where I needed an air compressor and didn't have one so I'm going to pick one up.

I need it to inflate tires, run an air wrench, and run a pneumatic nailer (though not too frequently so I'm not too into portability).

What kind of stats (psi, cfm) am I looking at for the air wrench, since I guess that will be the most demanding tool. Even though it only comes up for me a handfull of times a year when I want it to work I want it to work so having enough power is a priority.

Post by **JDS60R** » 31 Mar 2011, 19:30

Get a 2 stage as they are much quieter. I picked one up form Sears and it has been around for years. They are oilless and when they no longer compress well the cylinder liner pulls out and you re ring the piston. I haven't done mine yet (10 yrs old) but we did my friends and it cost about $12 per cylinder for a new liner and piston ring.

FCPEURO · Post by **FCPEURO** » 04 Apr 2011, 16:03

This should get the job done.

Volvos rock3 · Post by **Volvos rock3** » 05 Apr 2011, 01:07

Just picked up a Husky, 26 gal, from Home Cheapo for around $250. Came with 1/2 drive impact and 3/8 ratchet and 25' worth of crappy (stiff) PVC hose. I then went promptly to Harbor Frieght and got a good 100' rubber hose and reel and the other needed accessories. All in all about $350. It will run all my trim guns, framer, roofer, etc plus all my needed tools in the garage without issue. JTP is correct though that a two stage would be quieter. Happy shopping.

FCPEURO · Post by **FCPEURO** » 08 Apr 2011, 13:37

If you want to go el cheapo, you probably could just get everything form H.F. no?

Post by **Matty Moo** » 08 Apr 2011, 17:30

I just picked this up from HF a month ago. 21 gallon, 125psi. $160 on sale. I ran it for 30 minutes straight with no load to break it in, then changed the oil. All I really needed to buy for it was a ball valve, it doesn't come with any type of shutoff valve. It started up no problem, even at 15f.

http://www.harborfreight.com/25-hp-21-g ... 67847.html

It's had no problem keeping up using an impact, air cutter and an air ratchet, and it's been getting used a lot. I do all of my own repairs, so air tools are a necessity.

My last HF compressor I bought 2 years ago, and I've probably put 300 hours on it...I use a ton of air everyday. I broke off the air filter the first day I got it and it's been running flawlessly since new- even with dirty air. It's only a 10 gallon, so it's going to the lake for summer inflation duties. It just couldn't keep up with what I was doing with it.

HF's lower end impact guns suck...their earthquake series kick ass, I know of a few that have them. I personally have a craftsman 1/2 impact good for 180ft/lbs. It does a good job. HF's impact sockets are decent also.

HF's 3/8 air ratchet kicks ass also. I've had mine for a few years with zero problems, and for under $20 it's one of the best deals out there.

Another one of my HF favorites, their 3" air cutter...it's always on sale for $7. I've abused mine, and it just keeps going. Beats dicking around with a tiny dremel to cut things up. Replacement wheels are cheap, and hold up real well.

And this....their 1-ton engine crane. Perfect for FWD/AWD Volvos or any smaller/midsize car. I scored it for $99 using a 20% coupon. It's been getting used and holding up no problem. I also bought a $30 load leveler to go with it.