Air Compressor

[NickCats]

Hi all !

I was thinking about picking up an air compressor for the house and I was wondering if you guys had any suggestions. With four vehicles ( and two in storage during the winter ) I think it would be a handy thing to have on hand. Here are two I saw in the Performance Products catalog I received in the mail yesterday :

http://www.************************************************************/product.asp?pf%5Fid=P883135&dept%5Fid=5125

http://www.performanceproducts4benz.com/product.asp?pf%5Fid=P805200&dept%5Fid=6489

Thoughts / Comments ?

Thanks,

Nick

Can it be used to change a diaper?

[ChrisZang]

Are you looking for an AIR COMPRESSOR (to run all your tools which run on pressurized air) or a TIRE INFLATOR ?

If you look for a tire inflator I'd get either this:
http://www.amazon.com/Portable-Compressor-Viair-Part-00073/dp/B0012WHBSO/ref=pd_bbs_9?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1238019181&sr=8-9
or this:
http://www.amazon.com/Slime-COMP06-Power-Heavy-Duty-Inflator/dp/B000M8R0QM/ref=pd_bbs_3?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1238019181&sr=8-3

[vath2001]

I have a Husky 5 gallon... runs up to 150 psi. It will run anything around the house and inflate tires too. I have nice Sears tire inflator with the built in gage. Use the air blow to clean out the drains. I still need to get a 3/8 drive rachet for it.

You can get a good unit at a good price at a Home Depot / Menards / Lowes.... under $100.

None of these options remove the moisture from the air. This would be an advantage.

[Lil bastard]

Buy a real compressor, not some toy - those things will last 1-2 yrs. at most.

A real compressor will return your investment many times over.

Sears (Craftsman), Ingersoll-Rand, Campbell-Hausfield, Chgo. Pneumatic, Coleman, etc. are useful tools for much more than just tire inflation... think pneumatic tools (add a water trap), painting, media blasting, power washing, car drying, etc.

I have a Sears (craftsman) 5 HP 17 gal. upright (small footprint), oil-less compressor which I got on sale for $150. It included the water trap, 25' of 150 PSI hose, a 3/8" Air Hammer, 3/8" Air Ratchet Wrench, HP Paint Gun, and accessory kit (Blow nozzle, Air Chuck, needle chuck, and other stuff).

[vath2001]

Originally Posted by bmussatti

None of these options remove the moisture from the air. This would be an advantage.

Add a air inline filter and lubricator if your concerned about water. For anything being used around the house, this may be overkill. I just add a couple drops of oil to the air tools. And open the bottom of the air tank every now and then to drain the water out (obviously when its not pressurized).

Originally Posted by vath2001

Add a air inline filter and lubricator if your concerned about water.

Not a concern for me, since I fill my tires with nitrogen.

[vath2001]

I use a 78% Nitrogen - 21% Oxygen mix with additional inert gases to fill my tires.... its called air.

[FTD]

I have a portable ViAir compressor that I keep in the tool bag in the trunk. I am very pleased/impressed.

Beware of $30 compressors. You don't get what you pay for. They are worth even less.

Portable ViAir compressors

[NickCats]

Bill, well I guess I could also use it to dry the baby's bottom

Chris, you are correct, I am looking for a tire inflator. I have no tools, and wouldn't know what to do with them if I did...

vath, thanks, I'll check out Home Depot

LB / MB, thanks for the suggestions

FTD, I like the ViAir. I will look into that as well. Which one do you recommend ?

Interesting facts about nitrogen & tires:

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2694/is-it-better-to-fill-your-tires-with-nitrogen-instead-of-air

Nick

[FTD]

Originally Posted by NickCats

FTD, I like the ViAir. I will look into that as well. Which one do you recommend ?

Nick

I have the 90P. Love it.

Vi Air 90P

[RandallNeighbour]

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]

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]

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]

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]

"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]

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]

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.]

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.