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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.

Rich M. said:

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.

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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.

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.

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

jekjr said:

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

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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?

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

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.

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.

cpurvis said:

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.

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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.

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:

Bought a used two piston PUMA and restored it to mint condition.It's electric and has twin tanks....russ

Rich M. said:

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

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I got the 240V 60gallon compressor from HF. Steel tank (still last time i looked)made in US. I paint and blast with mine now and then.

15 years knock, knock.

Here are some things i learned shopping and buying this one to replace a no oil pump:

Oil quieter
Oil cyl lasts longer
Oil many times 240v would need new breaker
Oil for more volume jobs- blasting\painting
Oil larger tank- last longer before internal condensation and it spits out water

no oil won't leak blowing oil
no oil cheap
no oil 120V
no oil takes forever to build pressure to blast again.
no oil usually on small tank- condensation\spitting water pretty quick

Rich M. said:

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?

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If you go to the Harbor Freight website, and pull up a given item, you will find a link to "read reviews" right next to the "blue stars" alongside the picture of the item. There, you can read dozens, often hundreds, of comments from customers who have bought the item.

A while back I bought an HF 2.5 HP 21 gallon vertical tank combination oil lubed unit to use at a place where I mow the lawn weekly but need to clean my ZTR several times while mowing there.
At $150 it is an OK compressor. It is high amps at starting and runs at 14 amps 115 VAC. I had to increase the wire size to the outlets in the shed where I use it, fortunately not a big deal.
I did notice the compressor oil getting silver from metal particles, so I brought it home to my shop for the winter and have been using it. It took about 4-5 oil changes to cleanup the oil. I did carefully remove the sight glass and wipe it clean without damaging the gasket, the oil now stays clean so I assume that the compressor is now broken in.
I checked the actual max pressure and it was 112 PSI. I have readjusted the pressure switch to cut out at 125 PSI. The gauges are fairly accurate. Cut in at 90 PSI cut out at 125 PSI. Being a portable vertical tank unit it is easy to drain the water thru the large easy to open drain valve.
I have a 20 gallon horizontal 2 HP 115VAC V twin Porter Cable air compressor in my shop which replaced a 60 gallon vertical tank V twin 240 VAC Campbell Hausfeld compressor that I sold along with two blasting cabinets as I wasn't using them much.

Depending on your needs, and to be clear. I'm not suggesting this particular model. I 'm just conveying a thought using a link.

NorthStar Belt Drive Single-Stage Portable Air Compressor 2 HP 20Gal Hor 5.5 CFM

Is a way better option than that oil-less thing

pep

I just purchased this little gem at a thrift store for 45 bucks. 1hp, 12 gallon and its as old as I am and runs like a champ, and builds pressure quickly. it does bounce like a frog on hot asphalt, but from what I read, that a design flaw. I have a feeling it will do fine for what I need. Running some small tools and a blower mainly. it is an oil compressor, but the biggest question still remains, what kind of oil do you use? You can buy "compressor oil" but I have also read that you can use synthetic, non detergent oil.

I suggest you just the use of compressor oil, can be found easily. Motor oils aren't designed for electric motors < (brain fart) LOL.

Suggestion remains the same, use compressor oil, for the compressor pump

Northerntool, HF

That rig will serve you well, change the oil every 1 - 2 years and it will last and be trouble free.

pep

My compressor is only 20 some years old, powered 24 X 7 x 365, compressor oil used exclusively,

clusters4400 said:

I just purchased this little gem at a thrift store for 45 bucks. 1hp, 12 gallon and its as old as I am and runs like a champ, and builds pressure quickly. it does bounce like a frog on hot asphalt, but from what I read, that a design flaw. I have a feeling it will do fine for what I need. Running some small tools and a blower mainly. it is an oil compressor, but the biggest question still remains, what kind of oil do you use? You can buy "compressor oil" but I have also read that you can use synthetic, non detergent oil.

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That's a single cylinder Piston pump, powered by the electric motor beside it.

Mine is 3-1/2 hp & I've been running it on Castrol HD 30w since I bought it in 1995. I change oil every year tho, same time.

Its a twin cyclinder for sure. I just verified it.. But when it tries to refill it trips the breakers in the house. Does fine when empty but the head pressure is making it work harder

Gonna try fresh oil. A thinner air filter and if that doesnt work. Maybe new breakers:\

"Gonna try fresh oil. A thinner air filter and if that doesnt work. Maybe new breakers:\ "
None of those are the problem most likely ..
Most probable will be the pressure relief valve, dumps the head pressure, so the motor can start when tank is pressurized.

It is part of the pressure switch that cuts the motor off when full pressure is reached, it dumps the head pressure.



They are cheap 30 bucks or so.

That lever upper left side on/off, with the red tip, can you post a picture of that area from behind. When I see it I will be able to point out what I'm talking about.

If you can remove the plastic dust cover post picture of the plumbing would be great also

pep

1pep said:

There should is a pressure relief valve, dumps the head pressure, so the motor can start when the tank gets low. It is part of the pressure switch that cuts the motor off when full pressure is reached.

They are cheap 30 bucks or so. If you can take a picture of the area behind

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X 2.....

I tried it in a different outlet and it worked fine. Its exceedingly difficult to remove the contact cap without disassembly of the entire unit. I'll keep looking though

Is this what you are looking for?

Yup that's it, but you say moved to another out let solved the problem. If true just keep your eye on it. It fails to start with pressure on the tank that gray unit will cure the problem.

pep

The relief valve is working properly. I tried the "good outlet" and when the tank was full the on/off lever moved with much less effort. Usually you can feel it but I was smooth. These breakers and outlets are probably about 20 years old and in need of a makeover

When yer air compressor shuts off, you should hear an air discharge, this would be the release of air pressure, so next start up is easier.

So would the general consensus then be a well rated HF unit for someone buying their first compressor? A friend has a pretty small "pancake" unit which is both loud and seems to need to refill quite often even for seemingly small jobs. It'll mostly be used for filling tires and blowing off lawn equipment. Not anticipating any painting, and probably no air tools but never say never.

7394 said:

When yer air compressor shuts off, you should hear an air discharge, this would be the release of air pressure, so next start up is easier.

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Exactly X 2 :thumbsup:

pep

If you are using any air powered tools that impact like a wrench or air hammer, you certainly want something 30 gallons or larger. With a 10 gallon compressor you won't be able to get a wheel on and off of a vehicle without it having to cycle again. That's just extra wear and tear on the unit. Here is a nice one from Tractor Supply. I don't know the price where you are but it costs $380 here.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...belt-drive-air-compressor-30-gal?cm_vc=-10005

cruzenmike said:

If you are using any air powered tools that impact like a wrench or air hammer, you certainly want something 30 gallons or larger. With a 10 gallon compressor you won't be able to get a wheel on and off of a vehicle without it having to cycle again. That's just extra wear and tear on the unit. Here is a nice one from Tractor Supply. I don't know the price where you are but it costs $380 here.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...belt-drive-air-compressor-30-gal?cm_vc=-10005

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I run a 20 gal and can remove and replace a 5 lug tire without compressor restarting until the last lug goes back on.

i've beaten on a Harbor Freight 40gal compressor (NOT oilless) for years and years and it's never let me down. i replaced the gauge and regulator with better units and bought a good muffler for it from mcmaster-carr. it's been bulletproff and sees a ton of use.