cheap air compressor options?

[lairdwd]

I'm looking for an inexpensive compressor capable of running air tools like a 1/2" impact gun - ideally sub $100. Looks like this one from harbor freight is one of the only options. Willing to spend a little more for better alternative.

I don't envision using my air compressor all that much. An occasional wrench on the car and other small, infrequent projects.

 

[saaber1]

Sears and home depot also have sub $100 compressors. I bought one of these harbor freight ones and a small plastic hose blew the first day. They replaced the unit and that one has lasted fine so far. The fittings are very cheap but it works fine, holds pressure fine etc. Very portable.

I had one of these Hitachi ones and the regulator blew. It wasn't that old. The regulator cost about as much as the harbor freight compressor.

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1x...catalogId=10053

Basically any of these cheap ones won't last that long but with light use they are o.k. I'm happy with the harbor freight one but I go easy when turning valves etc. I don't go easy on it in terms of running it (when I run it) and it has held up so far. For light use, portability, and low expectations, it's o.k. IMO

 

[Rand]

I have an older 8gallon 3hp harbor freight and it wont run an impact wrench. The metal line from the tank to the valve is so small it develops great pressure but not enough volume.

I tried it with 3 different impact wrenches(2 of my dads and mine)

I was there the other day snagging a new floor jack (works great)
and I saw their newer model ones seem to have fixed that problem.

 

[Billbert]

That compressor does not produce enough CFM to run an impact wrench or any of the other typical 'mechanic' tools. It will work for most air nailers, paint sprayers and other home improvement type tools.

 

[JTK]

Exactly. That one will fill tires and run nail guns, but for something like impact wrenches or grinders, you need a portable compressor with something like a 25gal tank. That will run you around $200+. FWIW, I've had a HFT twin hotdog tank 5gal for many years. It's a great little cheap machine, but it cant do any rotary type tool for more than a few second burst.

 

[daman]

Spend more $ and get something better most that HF stuff is one time use.

 

[eljefino]

The pancake compressors don't do much.

I got what is surely similar to the HF air compressor at big lots about 6-7 years back for $100. Uses most of 15 amps like most air compressors and has a sizeable but not huge tank. Still works fine, but barely ran my CH "260 ft lb" piece of junk impact.

Get a "standard" oiled one instead of the oil-free deals. And look into modifying the regulator to give a little extra.

 

[lipadj46]

Harbor Freight has a 21 gallon compressor that has that motor on it. It is usually under $150 and will run an impact, air ratchet etc easily.

 

[Steve S]

You need at least 10 CFM minimum to use air tools. Bigger is better.

 

[jcwit]

Originally Posted By: lipadj46
Harbor Freight has a 21 gallon compressor that has that motor on it. It is usually under $150 and will run an impact, air ratchet etc easily.


Same as what I have, and has been doing just fine for 10 years. I use it for everything from impact wrenches to light spray painting.

Been a one time use ever since I got it.

Don,t forget youcan get a 20% off coupon from many magizines and Sunday paper inserts. Brings the price down to a whopping $120 bucks.

 

[lipadj46]

Originally Posted By: Steve S
You need at least 10 CFM minimum to use air tools. Bigger is better.


That is simplifying things a bit too far. You can run an impact in short burst easily with most any compressor. With continuous tools like air grinders, sand blaster, drills, paint guns yes you need may need a bigger compressor with more CFM.

 

[Errtt]

Look at the cfm rating for the compressor and the cfm for the pneumatic tools you plan on using. A small tank can be exhausted fast, and a low cfm compressor will take more time to recover.
I know things don't always go as planned, but think future needs of compressed air.
I tried a little twin tank compressor once that was about the size of a pancake compressor. For small jobs it was fine - but can be frustrating when the workable pressure fell below the tool effective operating threshold and having the wait time to continue for another spurt. Also, I was working that poor little thing hard.
Small compressors for smaller jobs/consumption I think is fine, takes less room and is portable.
Also, if something doesn't meet your needs, take it back and upgrade during acceptable return policy.

I go in usage spurts depending on what I'm doing. I have an old Jed Clampit compressor - cast iron twin cylinder I been using for years. Looked bad when I got it (still is) but it's been a work horse. I've had it go for hours on pneumatic sanders and it smell cooked many times. I added 2 extra tanks (about 35 gallon each) to it for some run time volume - actually because I got them cheap and put them to some use.

 

[Don_B]

also you notice larger units' tanks are ASME certified to withstand the pressure the work at; but 6" or smaller tanks are not req'd to be rated by them; ASME is almost like UL; those hotdog or pancake units fall under the radar as far as needing certification; watch CL as well as the local classifieds and garage sales and your dollar will go farther; I don't know anyone with too-big of a compressor but lots who complain they are too smalL! especially when blasting, or tools like impacts and grinders come into play that really eat the air....