Air Compressor Recommendations for New Guy

rjm727 · #1 10-22-2009, 08:39 PM

Please post your recommendations for air compressors. I am just starting and having a difficult time choosing the right one. Single stage or two stage? CFM recommendations? Etc... I am leaning toward the U.S. General from Harbor Freight...anyone have this one?

Thanks in advance for the advice!

Ray

Greg Arehart · #2 10-22-2009, 08:54 PM

Just don't get a Kobalt one from Lowes. I had two of them that broke and finally got a DeWalt. At least they have a decent return policy.

And welcome to the forum.

greg

frankh · #3 10-22-2009, 10:24 PM

I buy hf stuff all the time but I woud not buy a hf compressor. The compressor needs to be started and left to run for hours per day, fir days on end. A hf unit is ok for occasional use like inflating tires.

Now the hf industrial bench grinder is awesome, but it's not running all the time.

You don't need a mukti stage compressor. A single stage unit will make over 100psi which is plenty. I would buy the biggest unit ( most hp) you can plug into a 120v outlet

Frank

bhester · #4 10-23-2009, 05:26 AM

A lot of people ask how big of air compressor is needed. here is the one that I bought at Lowes and it works great. I did have to run a separate outlet from the breaker box just for it. I only had one outlet in the hanger and I have lights, chargers, and a small refrigerator on it. The compressor would trip the breaker. Don't get an oilless compressor, they are very loud., this one is oil lubed. 6 HP, 25 Gal. 6.8 SCFM @ 90 PSI. Model# CPL6025
It is a Porter Cable brand.

Auburntsts · #5 10-23-2009, 05:57 AM

Another vote for 120V, oil-lubed, 25-30 gal. Way quieter than oil-less and plenty of capacity for RV building tasks (I have one of each, both Craftsman). Nothing wrong with going bigger or 240V, but would defintiely not go smaller than 25 gal. If you go oil-less you might want to consider building a box/shroud to house it in to make the noise more tolerable.

rjm727 · #6 10-23-2009, 06:06 AM

Thanks for the reply and the Welcome Greg! DeWalt does have a great brand; I have lots of their woodworking tools. I will check it out.

Ray

rjm727 · #7 10-23-2009, 06:08 AM

Thanks Frank. I love HF but was not sure about something a task intensive as a compressor. The one I was looking at is a 60 gal, 12 CFM, 240V...maybe more than I need but I can run an HVLP gun with it. It is oil lubed and single stage.

Ray

esjacoby77 · #8 10-23-2009, 06:10 AM

I recently bought a 26 gallon Campbell Hausfeld from Tractor Supply for $299. It's belt driven and oil lubed; relatively quiet and the quality seems great so far. I couldn't find anything else comparable for this price. A bigger tank would be nice, but this will get the job done.

flytoboat · #9 10-23-2009, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjm727

Please post your recommendations for air compressors. I am just starting and having a difficult time choosing the right one. Single stage or two stage? CFM recommendations? Etc... I am leaning toward the U.S. General from Harbor Freight...anyone have this one?

Thanks in advance for the advice!

Ray

I've never heard anyone complain about having a compressor that is too big.

As I see it, it basically comes down to 2 things: do you have 230 volts available, and are you going to paint yourself? (painting uses a lot of air) Buy the biggest compressor you can afford. I plan on painting my airplane and ended up with an IR 60 gal single stage. Others have gotten by with less.

Mitch757 · #10 10-23-2009, 06:21 AM

I just purchased a 60 gallon 240 volt upright compressor from Home Depot. The price was reduced to $399 and I got 10% off that with veteran's ID. It's fairly quiet as belt drive compressors go and has a FOUR year warranty.

The only downside is that there is no cord or regulator, but this seems to be the norm now at other places as well.

Seems to be a pretty good buy at that price. Model No. VT631403.

Mitch Garner
RV-4 flying
PL-4 flying
RV-12 under construction