What portable compressor do you own?

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fossten

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So I'm moving up in the world, tired of using caveman tools to work on my car. The compressor means I can yank the wheels off my car and not dread it, but funds are limited as my spouse is laid off.

I'm looking at the Harbor Freight Central Pneumatic $99 special with the 2 year warranty. I still need to pick out an impact wrench. I haven't bought the compressor yet because I'm looking for some feedback here.

Anybody got any ideas as to what might be the best option? What compressor do you own?
 
get one with the biggest tank you can afford. air tools eat a lotta air.
Ingersoll Rand is probably argueably top of the line. Campbell Hausefeld aint too bad. Sears is another good brand. there are many many to choose from. always keep your air tools lubricated. always buy the best pneumatics you can afford. and always drink upstream from the herd...
 
Can't afford top of the line right now - this is like a gateway drug to get me off the hand tools until I can afford the big dog. I'm looking for the best economical solution.
 
Sears Craftsman always comes to mind. you probably wont be using it too much so an economical brand might be good for you for the interim.
 
4 years ago I bought the $129 special from Walmart with the complete air tool kit. I abuse the compressor to no end. I havent drained the tank in over 2 years. The tools get thrown around too. The impact that the set came with sucks ass though. I upgraded the impact and air ratchet as funds allowed. Found an Ingrosol impact for $20 at a pawn shop and then the ratchet for $15 at the same place.
It all works fine. Compressor cant keep up with an air grinder though...... hell, I seen V-twin comps running dual tanks not keep up with the air grinders..... thats why I have an electric one.

Anyway, its a brigs & stratton compressor and for the most part gets the job done.
 
I have a 30 gal and it's just about right ... wish I had bigger ... keep it in the basement and have it pipped to the garage ... I can reach everywhere around the house we enough hose ...

Just remember don't put the wheels back on with the compressor ..
 
Have to agree with searching the pawn stores ... see what you can find ... there ... I keep hitting them looking for Snap-on or Mac tools ... also picked up a nice 3/8th ingrosol at a pawn store ... The hunt for tools is fun when you can't afford those off the truck ...

LaserSVT said:
4 years ago I bought the $129 special from Walmart with the complete air tool kit. I abuse the compressor to no end. I havent drained the tank in over 2 years. The tools get thrown around too. The impact that the set came with sucks ass though. I upgraded the impact and air ratchet as funds allowed. Found an Ingrosol impact for $20 at a pawn shop and then the ratchet for $15 at the same place.
It all works fine. Compressor cant keep up with an air grinder though...... hell, I seen V-twin comps running dual tanks not keep up with the air grinders..... thats why I have an electric one.

Anyway, its a brigs & stratton compressor and for the most part gets the job done.
Click to expand...
 
Great idea about the pawn stores guys, I'll check that out. I looked on CL here in Lou but man people just want to unload their crap and it isn't cheap.
 
Thats whats nice about CL. peoples prices arent etched in stone and they always leave a little wiggle room. shoot them a price and if they dont like it, the worst they can say is no.
 
we bought one on sale at Lowe's last night, but i haven't plugged it in and gave it a run yet, so i'll let ya know. it's a campbell hausefeld or however you spell it
 
Mine is a 60 Gal 220V and I never have ran out of air with a grinder or buffer. I thought the fire damaged it but it just needs a belt. Just waiting on the garage to be finished this week.

DSC00971.jpg
 
I started out with a pretty inexpensive harbor freight compressor.
It worked well for many years, until the damn rubber diaphram in the on/off switch broke. It's a $.05 part, it can only be purchased inside the $15.... and I'm waiting on at least a six month backorder.

With that said, it's nice to have a large tank because the air tools use up a lot of air, but you can make do. You just have to stop and let the tank refill with a high degree. It's a little inconvenient, but most of the time, when you're just doing suspension work, it's worth the money saved.
 
Calabrio said:
I started out with a pretty inexpensive harbor freight compressor.
It worked well for many years, until the damn rubber diaphram in the on/off switch broke. It's a $.05 part, it can only be purchased inside the $15.... and I'm waiting on at least a six month backorder.

With that said, it's nice to have a large tank because the air tools use up a lot of air, but you can make do. You just have to stop and let the tank refill with a high degree. It's a little inconvenient, but most of the time, when you're just doing suspension work, it's worth the money saved.
Click to expand...
Waiting a few secs for the tank to fill is a lot better than grunting and straining with a hand tool.
 
Calabrio said:
With that said, it's nice to have a large tank because the air tools use up a lot of air, but you can make do. You just have to stop and let the tank refill with a high degree. It's a little inconvenient, but most of the time, when you're just doing suspension work, it's worth the money saved.
Click to expand...

I agree. Using air ratchets, impact will work fine with a small tank but when you get into constant air usage like grinders ect, that's really the only reason you would need a large tank. The only time I have ever started running out of air was with two grinders going at once but that was a once in a lifetime thing. With one grinder, mine will kick on and keep up with whatever I'm doing.

For simple air tools, I wouldn't go all out on anything big.
 
people preffer certain brands, i agree some are better than others, but no one can shoot down my home depot husky compressor, this september it turns 10 years old, for 7 of those 10 years it was outside, it has the original belt on it still, i run synthetic mobil oil in it, all i have ever done to it was replaced a pressure switch, the copper pipe from the pump to the tank with new compression fittings, and change the oil in it and drain the water once a week and empty and clean my dual water traps. this thing much have a million hours on it, still works like a champ. its a 60 gallon 220v with a 150 psi pressur switch, it came new with a 125 psi but that sucks so i bumped it up. it doesnt owe me a dime, brand new right now home depot has them on sale for $399.00. my buddy has two of the same as what i have, they are both brand new, home depot screwed up and he has two, long story, i think i am going to buy the other one he has and hook it up as a painting only compressor and keep old faithful for all the other abuse we throw at it!
 
I have a inexpensive 5 gallon - 1 HP - 110V Kobalt compressor. Works fine for intermittent use.
 
fossten said:
Tell me more!

I'm looking online but not great reviews so far. Do you have a recommendation?
Click to expand...

I found that they were expensive and not as powerful. Just more convenient.
Maybe they've gotten better?
 
Question, who has the quietest compressor? I have a Campbell Hausefield 26 gallon 5hp 110 volt. IT is seriously loud. I usually have ear muffs on, when using it.
 
fossten said:
Tell me more!

I'm looking online but not great reviews so far. Do you have a recommendation?
Click to expand...

I have seen Dewalt # DW292 it has 345FT/lbs on Amazon for about $150, and also Milwaukee makes one as well with almost same spec only little more expensive.

I have both a 60 gallon vertical 5 HP 220V Cambell Hausfeld and a small 2 gallon unit. The small unit is handy for airing up things because you can carry it (although somewhat heavy). The small tank unit makes more sense to use most of the time I need air, but it is not a good one for diving air hungry tools. Building trades made them popular for their use will auto-nailers and staplers.

If I was to go out today to get an impact gun I would get an electric one as they are much more portable than an air driven tool. Also you do not have to wait for air tanks to fill before you pull the trigger.
 
fossten said:
Tell me more!

I'm looking online but not great reviews so far. Do you have a recommendation?
Click to expand...

Here is a great suggestion ... I've used one of these for years .. only paid $50 for it ...

Bought one from a surplus store ... and has never given me a lick of problems.

I wouldn't suggest a cheap one for daily use but for as often as I needed one. This thing worked great. I bet Harbor Freight would have one cheap.

Only big problem is it's a bit bulky. But it's been a great tool, and would work great on what you have been talking about ... wheels ... shocks ... etc.

Might be a great solution until you can afford a nice or good compressor. Also the electric unit is easy to take to places as long as you have electricity (just carry a long extension cord).
 
Thanks for all the help fellas. Given the ridiculously small space in my 'garage,' the electric unit is perfect for my needs. I'm going that route. If I want some air for tires or cleaning I can always buy one of the cheap tiny units that plugs into the cig lighter.
 
Any flea markets in your area.
There's a big one in buffalo every weekend
called the Super Flea.
There's always new and used airtools and compressors.
Maybe there's something like this in your area.
 
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