Recommend a home air compressor

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Texchappy

Joined
Feb 22, 2021
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After about 15 years of minimal use and several Army moves, my old PC pancake compressor gave up the ghost. I want something for tire and blow out duty. I might also use it to power a tornador detailing tool*. Not going to be powering any air tools (at least as far as I am planning). Recommendations? Budget less than $500 but much less would be better.

When I looked a while back, California Air Tools were highly recommended. Are they still worth it?

* don’t currently have one but looked at them for a while. They recommend 20 gallon tanks for the tool but many successfully run on 10 gallon. If this requirement drives up the cost considerably then it isn’t essential.
 
I bought a Makita MAC700 based on recommendations here, I think by Trav? Quiet and fits the bill nicely for similar use.
 
Here is a thread from just a week ago. Same basic question. California Air Tools for the win.

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Thread 'Quiet air compressor....'

Looking for a nice quiet air compressor. Small shop stand up design or hot dog would work well. Pancake as a last resort. I inflate tires, and use it to blow out carburetor parts etc.

I checked out the PF video and others on YT, but they are a few years old at this point.. The 10 gallon compressor I have now will wake the dead.
 
JavierH19 said:
I don't suggest any oil free compressor. A 10 gallon one is only $50 less but 20 gals is nice.

https://www.harborfreight.com/20-gallon-135-psi-oil-lube-vertical-shopauto-air-compressor-64857.html
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My only hesitation with this unit is the stated decibels. While quiet isn’t the most important factor, this one is 16 decibels louder than the Makita and 26 more than the CAT oil free.

Oiled lasts better than oil free? Not challenging, just asking since it seems about 50/50 on the ones I’m looking at.

That Makita looks nice but how big is the tank @TMoto ?
 
Texchappy said:
My only hesitation with this unit is the stated decibels. While quiet isn’t the most important factor, this one is 16 decibels louder than the Makita and 26 more than the CAT oil free.

Oiled lasts better than oil free? Not challenging, just asking since it seems about 50/50 on the ones I’m looking at.

That Makita looks nice but how big is the tank @TMoto ?
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It's not a large tank at 2.6 gal but is not oil-less which I think helps with reliability and being quieter. It does fill fairly quickly though.

Makita does have larger tank versions but not entirely sure if they use the same motor technology. What they call Big Bore or some such. @Trav may be able to shed some light on this.
 
Texchappy said:
After about 15 years of minimal use and several Army moves, my old PC pancake compressor gave up the ghost. I want something for tire and blow out duty. I might also use it to power a tornador detailing tool*. Not going to be powering any air tools (at least as far as I am planning). Recommendations? Budget less than $500 but much less would be better.

When I looked a while back, California Air Tools were highly recommended. Are they still worth it?

* don’t currently have one but looked at them for a while. They recommend 20 gallon tanks for the tool but many successfully run on 10 gallon. If this requirement drives up the cost considerably then it isn’t essential.
Click to expand...
Go big or go home:

P01PSXXP10V120V230X-1-scaled.jpg
 
Nukeman7 said:
Unless you can afford bigger bucks for a top quality California Air Tools unit, I own and recommend this KOBALT Quiet Tech 26 gal. compressor from Lowes. They will likely go on sale during the Lowes Black Friday sale next month.
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I have one of these also. It is a good compressor, but there is no way that the noise level is 70 dBa. To see, I just installed a noise meter app on my phone, and measured my Kobalt Quiet Tech from 8 feet and ear level (I'm 6'3") at 78.1 dBa average and 82.2 dBa max.

I selected the Kobalt over a California because I wanted a larger tank, to blow out the sprinkler system each fall, but still wanted a lower noise level. It does fine at blowing out the sprinklers, but it is noisy.
 
If not using shop tools or at least using compressed air to blow dirt away during repairs, I’m wondering why it’s even needed. My DeWalt 20v inflator has been perfect for tires.

Go on CL or FB marketplace and go find a decent USA made Speedaire.

Replace the filters, and it if the oil with Amsoil compressor oil. Require for 240 if you have it, rewire with a heavier gauge cord otherwise. It will serve you well.

IMG_4108.webp
 
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JHZR2 said:
If not using shop tools or at least using compressed air to blow dirt away during repairs, I’m wondering why it’s even needed. My DeWalt 20v inflator has been perfect for tires.

Go on CL or FB marketplace and go find a decent USA made Speedaire.

Replace the filters, and it if the oil with Amsoil compressor oil. Require for 240 if you have it, rewire with a heavier gauge cord otherwise. It will serve you well.

View attachment 305069
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I got mine from a guy selling off his father's estate, and he didn't want/didn't know how to install a 240v outlet.
 
kschachn said:
I got mine from a guy selling off his father's estate, and he didn't want/didn't know how to install a 240v outlet.
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One of the two speedaire units I got, the owner wanted his 240 line for charging an EV, so he installed an old school pressure switch and rewired it for 115.

The old school switch was to limit it to like 55 psi, so it never drew enough to blow a 115 line, even though it’s rated for a much higher draw (24A) from 115. I left the pressure control as is but am converting it to 220v so it will live an easy life (I have two of these).

It was an older guy who decided he wasn’t going to wrench much with air tools and only really needed it for tires and blowing off his woodworking.

IMG_4122.webp
IMG_4129.webp


OP; you could do something like this as well, if you are so inclined.
 
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I’m not in a rush. I may take another look if I need one. I’ve heard mixed reviews on the little sit up tools and with my big Bronco tires not sure if they’d cut it.
 
I have a dual stage 28cfm IR from tractor supply modded and runs between 150-175psi. Been using for 8 years. Had to replace a capacitor about two years ago. Other than that its been great
 
Jmoney7269 said:
I have a dual stage 28cfm IR from tractor supply modded and runs between 150-175psi. Been using for 8 years. Had to replace a capacitor about two years ago. Other than that its been great
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A buddy of mine told me to switch over to redline compressor oil. When I did the first change the factory fill was all milky and nasty. The redline oil comes out pretty clean. One night it popped an air hose because I left the valve on and it ran all night. Tank so hot you couldn't even touch it. No damage that I could see after it cooled and I drained the water
 
Jmoney7269 said:
A buddy of mine told me to switch over to redline compressor oil. When I did the first change the factory fill was all milky and nasty. The redline oil comes out pretty clean. One night it popped an air hose because I left the valve on and it ran all night. Tank so hot you couldn't even touch it. No damage that I could see after it cooled and I drained the water
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Ouch. I have a smaller single stage model. It definitely gets hot even after running a few minutes. I can’t imagine an all nighter. Lol. I leave mine switched off with a tank full of air. Ball valve closed. It’s in an unheated garage and they say not to run it in the cold.

The first drain and fill on my compressor looked horrible too. After my oil change, I can’t get the darn drain plug to not leak now.
 
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