Someone recommend me an air compressor

[TerryMason]

I've decided to replace my air compressor with something better, and I'd like to get your opinions. I'd like a fancy craftsman, but I'm not sure they are the best value out there. I'd like to be able to paint, and use my airtools (cutting wheel, etc) with it. I don't want overkill, but as is, it takes a full 20 minutes for my 5gallon tank to reach 80psi.

So what do you guys think? Maybe something like this:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=90234

Terry

 

[TerryMason]

hmm, that air compressor I listed above provides [FONT=arial, sans-serif]5.6 SCFM @ 90PSI, while a cutoff tool like this one :
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=90114
uses 17 SCFM....

I guess I don't use it constantly, but in short bursts.
[/FONT]

 

[currupt4130]

I had a Craftsman, the motor burnt out on me after a year. I won't ever buy another, it was loud and obnoxious, but I got it for free so I can't complain

 

[Sparky-Watts]

I used to be a big Craftsman fan, but I'll never buy another Craftsman product again. Quality and service have gone down the proverbial crapper over the past 5-10 years.

 

[redrooster]

The oil less ones are loud for sure.
I have a Husky from Home Depot. It is an upright with wheels. I believe it is a 30 gallon. Makes 135 psi.
If you stroll through Home Depot you will see what I'm talking about. They have an oilless and a piston in that size. You want the piston one (look for a seperate motor attached by a v-belt).

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

My oil-less Craftsman has been pretty good to me, but I doubt I'd ever buy oil-less again due to the noise. Wish I knew that sooner.

 

[TerryMason]

Thanks for the suggestion - sounds like this is the one you're talking about:

http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?CNTTYPE=PROD_META&CNTKEY=misc%2fsearchResults.jsp&BV_SessionID=@@@@1910065914.1146574964@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccciaddhjijdhmmcgelceffdfgidgjn.0&MID=9876

I also see this one:
http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?CNTTYPE=PROD_META&CNTKEY=misc%2fsearchResults.jsp&BV_SessionID=@@@@1910065914.1146574964@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccciaddhjijdhmmcgelceffdfgidgjn.0&MID=9876

The coleman seems to have more output, but the tank is half the size.

About oilless v. piston - is the piston alot better, or is it just alittle quieter? Is the life expectancy similar?

Thanks again guys

 

[TerryMason]

hmm, those home depot links don't seem to work...

I see two husky 26 gallon compressors:

piston - 5.9 scfm - $377
oilless - 5.1 scfm - $259


Is the piston worth the extra money?

 

[yjdave]

Everyone been slamming craftsman, but i got a 2 stage (black ones) and it is quite and got more than enough psi for most tools. Even my DA sander and grinder......my.02

 

[redrooster]

The oilless uses teflon wear bands on the piston. The "Piston" ones actually take SAE 30 oil and last longer. The biggest complaint from home users of the oilless are the buzzing noise when running. You almost need earplugs.
This is mine:
http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDU...earchResults.jsp&MID=9876&N=2984+3966&pos=n24
It will run the Harbor Freight (got one of those too) cutoff fro abour 4 minutes at a time before it slow too much to cut. No problems with paint sprayers, impact or the like.
In case it doesn't show, it's the model VT6315.

 

[redrooster]

Yeah, my link didn't work either.

 

[TerryMason]

Thanks, that's exactly the info I was looking for. More money than I wanted to spend, but I think I'll go ahead and buy it anyway.

thanks for all the help!

 

[cewtwo]

I use the Quick Air II air compressor and have for over two years. You should be able to see it here -
http://www.fourwheeler.com/techarticles/62758/

I purchased a Kenworth air tank off of eBay. I went to the local hardware store and got the various air handling supplies that I need.

The unit has served me well. It will set a bead on a tire (I know). With the tank, it will power air tools.

Now it is getting old. Used to fill a 33x12 tire in about two minutes, but now it takes about 3 1/2.

Good compressor, though. It has served well.