Air Compressor

    • 834 posts
    December 28, 2012 2:07 AM PST
    Looking for a new air compressor.  The one I had was a cheapie that I bought at a garage sale and it quite on me.  Looking for something for normal araound the garage type stuff... air for cleaning, filing tires, small nail guns and hopefully some air tools adventually.

    Anyone have any recommendations on which on to buy?
  • December 28, 2012 3:10 AM PST
    Home Depot
    • 5420 posts
    December 28, 2012 3:43 AM PST
    I've got the Porter Cable 3.5 Gal - 135 PSI Pancake Compressor and I love it.  Just the perfect size and easy to move around. Cost me $99 at Home Depot.  They also make a 6 gal - 150 psi version ($169), but I have been perfectly happy with the 3.5 gal.  I never have to wait for air using my nail guns constantly, or using my impact wrench.  If you are using the air gun for cleaning parts, drying the bike, etc, it will run low if you are blowing at full air.

    See it here... http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-203254365/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=air+compressor&storeId=10051#.UN3XKnfheSc />
    • Moderator
    • 16870 posts
    • 58 posts
    December 28, 2012 3:51 AM PST
    I have the 6 gal version. It does sometimes run low using the impact wrench and is not recommended for spraying paint (but I do it anyway).
    • 1855 posts
    December 28, 2012 4:31 AM PST
    After a few decades of buying "cheap" and having things go to hell in a hand basket, I can't really offer much except I prefer Craftsman for just about everything these days.

    Peace
    • 5420 posts
    December 28, 2012 5:57 AM PST
    No doubt Jimmy. Good tools will last forever! Nothing in my tool box except Craftsman and Snap-On... and the tool box is a Craftsman too!

    But for compressors, Porter Cable makes some really good ones. My son is a contractor and uses only Porter Cable and Dewalt compressors and air tools.
    • 1 posts
    December 28, 2012 9:48 AM PST
    yup, got a porter cable at home that works great for over 6 years now. In the shop I have Ridgid that is a great heavy duty compressor. A little big and bulky for home use.
    • 834 posts
    January 3, 2013 5:48 AM PST
    Thanks everyone.  Got the Porter Cable 6 gal at Home Depot for $170.  LOVE IT!
    • 844 posts
    January 8, 2013 1:58 PM PST
    Good choice. Have lots of porter cable air tools myself
    • 7 posts
    January 9, 2013 2:19 AM PST
    Make sure it has the CFMs (Cubic Feet Per Minute) to do all the things you suspect you'll want to do.

    Oh. Too late. Hope it works out for ya.