Air Compressor - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

RandallNeighbour · 03-26-2009, 11:39 AM

Nick, you need to start accumulating power tools. It's what real men do after they sire a child...

...not that I know about siring a child or anything. I just accumulate tools because I end up using them here and there and it saves me PILES of cash in car and home repairs.

Spend a little more to get a compressor vs. a tire inflator. You'll be glad you did when you use it to take off your wheels or dry your car.

Boxtaboy · 03-26-2009, 12:20 PM

Does anyone make a portable tire inflator that plugs into a standard wall outlet instead of a car's cigarette lighter?

EDIT: Just found one. I'm sick of always having to go to gas stations to top off the air in my tires: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02875117000P?mv=rr

Topless · 03-26-2009, 01:20 PM

I have two compressors:

A 4hp Campbell in my garage complete with air wrenches which I never use cause I cannot stand the noise they make. I like peace and quiet when I work.

I also have a little Vi Air 12V that I keep in my work truck. So convenient to top off a tire when I pick up a nail and then drive to the tire shop and let them fix it. I also take it every track day to adjust my pressure between runs. It works on bike tires too.

I vote Vi Air

(for sale, nice garage compressor with air tools... cheap

)

Burg Boxster · 03-26-2009, 01:37 PM

Hey Boxtaboy-

Just a thought for ya...

Instead of spending $50 on just a 110V tire pump, I recommend getting a PowerPack multi-unit instead. They are battery powered (portable), can jump a dead battery, usually have one or two 110V outlets, a cig lighter outlet, obviously pump

and a light. I have one and use it often for quick tire adjustments at home. Plus, it's really great when the power goes out during a game too (it'll power the cable box and TV for a few hours

).

Lot's of different versions out there but I recommend at least a 300W unit. I have a 400W unit which will be 2-3x what you're looking at but there are other options too.

Costco Version - $69.99

Here's the 400W unit I've had for ~ 4-5yrs

Great deal on the 450W version at QVC - $79.32

Definitely a practical thing to have around

edevlin · 03-26-2009, 02:03 PM

"Nick, you need to start accumulating power tools. It's what real men do after they sire a child..."

I teach full time, but I'm all about the tool thing. We have a two-car garage, one side gets the Boxster, the other gets my tools:

Ed

Boxtaboy · 03-26-2009, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burg Boxster

Hey Boxtaboy-

Just a thought for ya...

Instead of spending $50 on just a 110V tire pump, I recommend getting a PowerPack multi-unit instead.

Thanks Burg!

jjanari · 03-26-2009, 04:20 PM

I've had a craftsman compressor 33 gallon, 1.6 hp 150 psi model like this one:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00916762000P?
keyword=air+compressor

I've had it for at least 5-6 years w/o problems. It is noisy and takes awhile to fill up, but really helps out on tough projects, i.e. like removing axle nuts torqued to 340 ft lbs!, etc. however, if you're looking to just fill tires primarily and light power tool use, you probably don't need something like this.

Dave S. · 03-26-2009, 05:23 PM

If you are simply looking for a good small portable air compressor, I have one of these and they work great, and are good deal for the money:

http://www.thehorsepowershop.com/product.php?productid=1044620

I bought mine at Checker Autoparts and Pepboys also used to carry them. I wouldn't buy a compressor that plugs into the cigarette lighter socket as most decent ones draw too many amps for the lighter socket and come with battery clips. Some guys on one of my Jeep lists tested this compressor against other portables that cost up to $350 and this one inflated a 35 inch tire faster than all of the competition. It has a reasonably good duty cycle, which is important if you have more than one tire to fill.

For my garage, I have a 6 HP Sears Craftsman Oil-less compressor with 25 gallon tank. It works well for most power tool applications and I've used it for some high volume work like blowing out the sprinkler system before winter. It is only marginal for that kind of high volume requirement duty. I've had it for over 15 years with no problems what so ever - but it is loud when it runs.

Dave S.

renzop · 03-27-2009, 02:46 AM

I think that for pumping up tires some of the big compressors are overkill. There are many 5 gallon 110volt compressors that do the job well and will last for years. The little portable compressors are ok but they are much slower to fill a tire than an AC compressor with a tank (even a small 5 gallon tank). You can find small AC compressors at Lowes or Home Depot for under $100