Need a cheap compressor for my shop

macrnr said:
What do you really need an air compressor for in a home shop? If you look at things objectively, you might blow things down, run a paint sprayer, or a brad nailer. I have been told you shouldn't use compressed air to clean your machines, because it blows debris into areas that are inaccessible thus causing excess wear & tear. Unless you have an industrial duty compressor you can't run a die grinder, and for the most part you can get electric tools that do the same as air tools. I.E impact drivers, die grinders etc. I used to have a large compressor, and I rarely used it. I now have a small compressor that suits my needs very well, but I have a small shop with small needs. It is all relative......
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I agree, but I want to do some spray painting of parts on machines I need to restore, and I want to use the Porter Cable nail guns I bought at an auction to put some paneling in the laundry area (I know, an excuse to play with some toys). The sprayer and nail guns need intermittent pressure.

I am reading and digesting all the comments, and so far, it seems the GMC Syclone, (http://www.amazon.com/GMC-SYCLONE-Ul.../dp/B0038MWDXY) ugly as it is, will fit my needs for $225. The tank isn't big, but I don't have much room. Yes, I could look for a used Champion, but do I need yet another project when I have machines I haven't yet restored to operational? At 58 decibals, SWMBO won't complain too much. Yes, it is oil-less and therefore won't last past 3000 hours, but that is a lot of time to an occasional user like me, and I don't want to mess with oil that I have to clean up. Oil can be noisy too. It draws 8 amps which means my existing wiring is good (12/2, 20A lines). It will fit in a corner.
 
kd4gij said:
IR has been made in China alot longer than thay have been in wallmart. Thay have been in Home Depot for 5 years with made id chinaa tools. Oh and that Craftsman compressor you have is a rebadged IR made in china.
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I suppose that would explain its lackluster performance, and my negative review of it. My grandpa was loyal Craftsman customer and I sort of just followed him. I usually don't think twice about it, and I didn't even check where the compressor was made. Recently I have noticed that a lot of the stuff sporting the Craftsman name has been pretty crappy honestly. I guess its time to reevaluate my loyalties.
 
I just wanted to throw something in too. I know this is a general consensus but those "oil less" compressors ARE LOUD!!!!!!!!! Belt drives are too but nothing near "the hammers of hades" loud like the oil less.
This is the only air compressor that I have ever owned at home. I bought it from Sears in 1980 and paid what I thought then a fortune. It was the first large tool purchase I made. Sometimes it has been too big (like when I lived in a apartment or didn't have 220v) and sometimes it has been too small (for a blast cabinet that I sold). It has moved alot of air in it's time and has been run hard but still works well although the valves are starting to rattle. Notice the aluminum pump. When it dies I will upgrade to a Vertical to save space. Providing I don't go first then It may upgrade to a better machinist.:lmao:

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Oz said:
I agree, but I want to do some spray painting of parts on machines I need to restore, and I want to use the Porter Cable nail guns I bought at an auction to put some paneling in the laundry area (I know, an excuse to play with some toys). The sprayer and nail guns need intermittent pressure.

I am reading and digesting all the comments, and so far, it seems the GMC Syclone, (http://www.amazon.com/GMC-SYCLONE-Ul.../dp/B0038MWDXY) ugly as it is, will fit my needs for $225. The tank isn't big, but I don't have much room. Yes, I could look for a used Champion, but do I need yet another project when I have machines I haven't yet restored to operational? At 58 decibals, SWMBO won't complain too much. Yes, it is oil-less and therefore won't last past 3000 hours, but that is a lot of time to an occasional user like me, and I don't want to mess with oil that I have to clean up. Oil can be noisy too. It draws 8 amps which means my existing wiring is good (12/2, 20A lines). It will fit in a corner.
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I have read some good things abouth this compressor too. I was thinking about just buying one to use a a jokey pump in my air system or to use when I want quiet and don't need much air for things such as airbrushing or blowing off parts when they leave the parkerizing tank.
 
Nelson it is like all machinery ...Just a huge compromise. I have 1 air compressor A cheap Campbell Hosefield 5HP 175PSI 75 Gal vertical 2 stage. I have wished for a bigger compressor but I have never wished I had bought smaller. I got it about 15 yrs ago 1/2 off when HQ went Tango Uniform. Get the biggest you can stand, You'll need it to bead blast or do anything useful.

BTW it is my opinion that blowing off machinery is an unneeded damaging hazard. It blows grit into the equipment and around the shop so that it may sit about and wait until you reach for a chart and fall in your eye. I wouldn't by a compressor for the airgun. I do use an air powered vacuum on the machinery but it is LOUD. In TSMS no airgun is EVER pointed at a machine.

There is all good advice from the other posts. The price spread is so large with compressors you could always buy "cheap as chips" and upgrade as needed when you know what you really require.

Steve
 
Tractor supply sells several smaller air compressors (Jobsmart) that are under $200.
I have one of there larger ones I bought 7 years or so ago that has held up great. Mine is a cast iron, belt driven unit with oil, it is 120v, 2.5hp I think and 23 gallons. They have one similar now but with a little different specs under the Campbell Hausfeld name, mine was bought under there Jobsmart name. You might want to look at there oil filled 10 gallon unit as one you can get local. I also have a small Campbell Hausfeld unit that is a 3 gal, hot dog unit, with a carry handle, it is oil less but really quiet and I have had it for about 13 years now, it looks similar to this one, mine will inflate a tire, run a nail gun and I have used an impact with it without any problem, just couldn't paint or use any tools for long intervals with it. Might be something to look at it.

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I agree, stay away from oil-less compressors if you care about life & your sanity, those things make noise like I can't explain & like to throw rods. I wouldn't go with anything smaller than 2o gallons. Even with that size you can forget about using 1/2" impact guns or any rotary air tool like die grinders or drills unless you don't mind waiting around while in the middle of a job. I had a 20 gal Craftsman oil lubricated (made by DevilBiss) since '98 & I loved that thing. But it was too small & I upgraded ro a 60 gal for just $50 less than what I paid for the Craftsman 10 yrs ago.

The only compressor I would buy from HF are the 60 gal models (which is what I have). They are one of the few products by HF that are US made. If you have no choice & need to buy one of their smaller ones, it would be wise to buy the extended warranty. As with import machinery, they can be a hit or miss or need fiddling & may work very well.

I agree with someone's recommendation, the 30 gal vertical models by Husky or Kobalt are worth buying. But for that price you could go with a 60 gal for not much more if you had the room for it. Air storage truely is "bigger the better". I have a 17 gal piggy backed to my 60 gal & i still want more air, and this is just for hobby use in my garage.

My buddy just got a Kaeser screw compressor with dryer unit & 60 gal tank. It's 10Hp, 3 phase, wired for 460v with very low hrs on the meter. It's for sale for only a fraction of what it costs new but that's still in the Ks. I'm still mad that he got it & doesn't really even know what it is!
 
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