Thinking about buying a small air compressor this weekend

JAG2955 · Post by **JAG2955** » Sat May 28, 2011 4:03 pm

Can I go wrong with this one?
4 gallon

Or should I step up a notch?
6 gallon

I want it to blow dry guns I'm cleaning, get crud out of crevices, use a finishing brad nailer, and maybe power a small airbrush. Space is at a huge premium in my small garage. I'm not adverse to spending a little more, I don't foresee using a framing nail gun, or any heavy pneumatic tools.

HTRN · Post by **HTRN** » Sat May 28, 2011 4:15 pm

Almost all small compressors like this are "oilless", even ones from companies traditionally known for making air compressors(Campbell Hausfield, etc). I'm not fond of oilless designs, because they tend to have a sloppy tolerances, and therefore crap out after a short period of time. Also, because they don't use oil, they heat up the air charge alot more, causing even more condensation inside the tank, and the air line(something a former employer found out when they got a minicompressor for a CMM because they absolutely did not want oil getting to their new 20K piece of gear)

rightisright · Post by **rightisright** » Sat May 28, 2011 4:18 pm

As a building contractor, I've gone through scores of portable compressors over the years. The only good thing about those pancake compressors is they are light. Otherwise, they are noisy as hell and they don't last long. Oil-free compressors are generally garbage.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001Q2VPK/ref ... B0001Q2VPK

That is literally the best small compressor I have ever used. I have 2 of them. It's extremely quiet, very efficient and has a low initial amp draw. If you look around, you can get a reconditioned one for ~$225-$250.

If that's more than you want to spend, this; http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000D ... s=hi&psc=1 is a much better value than the pancake models. I have one of them and it's fine for trim nailers but won't run a framing gun for more than 10 shots w/o being overworked.

HTRN · Post by **HTRN** » Sat May 28, 2011 4:34 pm

Honestly? How much do you plan to use it? If the answer is "every once in a while", then instead of a buying a compressor, have you considered using Paintball CO2 tanks and a Reg? Cost about 4 bucks to fill, about 20 bucks a tank.

Get a CO2 reg that goes to say, 120psi or or so, swap the typical CGA320 mount they typically come with for a paintball adapter, add a quick disconnect to the output side and voile! You now have a portable source for compressed gas.

Darrell · Post by **Darrell** » Sat May 28, 2011 4:55 pm

If you do get one for airbrushing, if not an oilless you will want to get a separator for the air line. I used to airbrush, I did not like the racket the garage type compressor made, not exactly conducive to doing artwork.

JAG2955 · Post by **JAG2955** » Sat May 28, 2011 5:05 pm

HTRN wrote:Honestly? How much do you plan to use it? If the answer is "every once in a while", then instead of a buying a compressor, have you considered using Paintball CO2 tanks and a Reg? Cost about 4 bucks to fill, about 20 bucks a tank.

Get a CO2 reg that goes to say, 120psi or or so, swap the typical CGA320 mount they typically come with for a paintball adapter, add a quick disconnect to the output side and voile! You now have a portable source for compressed gas.

That CO2 reg costs over half of what I'd be paying for the small compressor. I'm planning on doing some more bookshelves in the near future, and I want something to handle doing the hardwood facing. There's also the occasional time where I wish I could blow crud off of a trigger mechanism or firing pin hole.

But basically, I should spring for a oil-lubricated compressor? This thing doesn't have to last forever, but I don't want to replace it in less than 5 years.

rightisright · Post by **rightisright** » Sat May 28, 2011 5:21 pm

But basically, I should spring for a oil-lubricated compressor?

Yes.

JAG2955 · Post by **JAG2955** » Sat May 28, 2011 5:52 pm

What about a Craftsman oil driven one?Link

It seems like most of the good ones are more than I want to spend right now. Maybe I could go down to Sears and have them fire up a few to see how loud they are...

rightisright · Post by **rightisright** » Sat May 28, 2011 6:10 pm

What about a Craftsman oil driven one?Link

For that price, go w. the Senco I linked. I've had mine for 4 or 5 years. It gets light usage, 1 or 2 hours a week (compared to the bigger ones which run all day 5-6 days a week), but it's been reliable.

JAG2955 · Post by **JAG2955** » Sat May 28, 2011 6:23 pm

rightisright wrote:
What about a Craftsman oil driven one?Link
For that price, go w. the Senco I linked. I've had mine for 4 or 5 years. It gets light usage, 1 or 2 hours a week (compared to the bigger ones which run all day 5-6 days a week), but it's been reliable.

I just might do that. Now if I can only find a local retailer...

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Thinking about buying a small air compressor this weekend

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