Originally Posted by dlundblad
I don't understand the difference between oil and oil free. You'd think an oiled compressor would be the best long term buy. Is one quieter than the other?
I can see oil free being better in severe cold. No oil to churn and less strain on the system.
There are pros and cons to both.
Oil free compressors are cheaper, have very little if any maintenance, and take up less space. However, they also tend to be louder and generally have shorter life. They will work just fine for the average DIYer, but they don't satisfy the tool superiority complex found here on BITOG and other forums.
Oiled compressors are quieter, generally last longer, and are better for heavier usage. They are also more expensive. If your compressor is going to see heavy use and you want it to last a long time, oiled is the way to go.