Garage Air Compressor

Rich M.

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Since a lot of us on this forum probably fix our own lawn mowers or at least do all of the maintenance, I thought I was safe asking opinions about a new air compressor for the garage.

My compressor is starting to act up. Now, it is a thirty-year old Craftsman oil less unit that has served me well.

So my question is do I go out get another oil less or switched to a oil filed. Now a little qualifier here, this new compressor will most likely out live me, so longivity is less of a concern. My compressor is not used much or for long periods of time, so the running noise is not too much of an issue. My thought based on my criterial is to stick with the oi less. A plus to this decision is that it would also be lighter in weight and cheaper in price. Thoughts? Am I missing an important factor?

Okay, so if I go oil less, any reccomendations on a 10 gallon version? i have been reading up on the "Wen" and it had good reviews. Typically, I check out what my friends are using as a gauge, which mainly consists of Craftsman and one Harbor Freight.

I would love to get a bigger tank, but a vertical 10 gallon will just fit in the alotted space, plus 10 gallons is probably more than I need.
 

deminin

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May 19, 2014
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Since a lot of us on this forum probably fix our own lawn mowers or at least do all of the maintenance, I thought I was safe asking opinions about a new air compressor for the garage.My compressor is starting to act up. Now, it is a thirty-year old Craftsman oil less unit that has served me well. So my question is do I go out get another oil less or switched to a oil filed. Now a little qualifier here, this new compressor will most likely out live me, so longivity is less of a concern. My compressor is not used much or for long periods of time, so the running noise is not too much of an issue. My thought based on my criterial is to stick with the oi less. A plus to this decision is that it would also be lighter in weight and cheaper in price. Thoughts? Am I missing an important factor? Okay, so if I go oil less, any reccomendations on a 10 gallon version? i have been reading up on the "Wen" and it had good reviews. Typically, I check out what my friends are using as a gauge, which mainly consists of Craftsman and one Harbor Freight. I would love to get a bigger tank, but a vertical 10 gallon will just fit in the alotted space, plus 10 gallons is probably more than I need.

Unless you do a lot of spray painting, etc., there is probably little need for a large air compressor. One of these small "portable" units should suffice for nearly everything a person would ever need...airing up tires, etc. I got one of these little "jewels" for free at a casino drawing a couple of years ago, and it is More than enough to do anything I will ever need. It is an "oiled" unit, but came with a bottle of oil, and I bought a small bottle at Walmart for a couple of dollars...in case I need to add, or change the oil...but so far, I haven't needed the oil.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-3-ga...SellerId=Sears&prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

I keep it in the garage, to check the air in the vehicles, and bicycles, etc., but it is small and light enough to easily carry out to my shed in case I need to add some air to the tractor tires.
 

cpurvis

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If or when I have it to do over again, I'll buy a belt-driven piston compressor, if for no other reason than they are so much more quiet.
 

jekjr

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Harbor Freight is your best bet. Get one of theirs and don't look back.
 

Rich M.

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Harbor Freight is your best bet. Get one of theirs and don't look back.

I am in Harbor Freight perhaps every other month buying something. I do not know much as far as their compressors hold up compared to some of the other similiar priced compressors.

Do we have anyone with a godd (or bad) Harbor Freight compressor story?
 

cpurvis

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Most (not all) of the things I've bought from Harbor Freight are pure junk.
 

jekjr

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I have one that I bought three years ago that is gas powered that we run a Pinestraw baler with that has served us well. Now sure how many hours are on it but it has done the job. I also have one that I bought a few months ago under the sale tent that was as is that sits in my garage plugged in and charged all of the time that we sue air off of to air up tires, and blow out filters screens ect on our equipment. It has done an excellent job as well.
 

bertsmobile1

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FWIW I use a Hydro Vane rotary compressor and would never go back to a piston type.
Then again mine is on 24/7 as all my tooling is air.

For the home owner I would go for a belt driven unit because they can be repaired and are generally of a substantially higher quality than the combined units.
 

7394

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If or when I have it to do over again, I'll buy a belt-driven piston compressor, if for no other reason than they are so much more quiet.

X 2, my belt-driven piston compressor is almost 20 yrs old. I service it annually (oil change 22oz. & wash & re-oil air filter, check belts etc). No complaints here on mine. It runs on 220. And is a 3-1/2hp Powermate*, Black Max series from Sam's club.

Mine is a horizontal unit. Which is perfect for under my work bench. The advantage of a vertical IMO is the condensation & drain are on the very bottom.
 

Boobala

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Long ago my BIL told me, ALWAYS ! buy the BIGGEST compressor & the BIGGEST Shed you can afford, I have a VERTICAL 33gal. Husky brand comp. ( Lowe's ) and a Lark 12 x 16 Shed... the comp. is perfect for all my needs, ESPECIALLY blowing off the lawn-mowers & equipment after the yard-work is done, plenty to work my Bink's touch-up gun, also, However, I wish I had bought a 40' Shipping container as a shed, NO need to mention why ..is there ??? .. :mur:
 
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