Which Air Compressor should I buy?

Which compressor should I buy?

  • Campbell Hausfeld 30 Gal. 2hp 135 psi Max.

    Votes: 19 67.9%

  • Central Pneumatic 29 Gal. 2hp 150 psi Max.

    Votes: 9 32.1%
  • Total voters
    28
  • Poll closed .
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roadrunnerh

roadrunnerh

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I am buying an Air Compressor and I definately want one that can be moved so I have been checking out the 30 Gallon range units.
Which one should I buy?
Central Pneumatic (HF) http://www.harborfreight.com/air-to...-cast-iron-vertical-air-compressor-68127.html
OR
Campbell Hausfeld http://www.tractorsupply.com/campbe...n-belt-drive-cast-iron-air-compressor-1013313

I am heavily leaning toward the Campbell Hausfeld and I can get it for $369.99, Would the Max.135psi VS Max. 150psi be a big deal? The Harbor Freight one is 150 max...
 
a 2 stage with a big tank. Only one that will not run short of air.....A single stage with a big tank is not bad but generally the single stage one will just gradually run out of air....
 
My grand father has the harbor frieght compressor and we were runnin 2 big air nailers non stop and my dad using shears and a grinder and no problems with it keepin up. We are running a whole 60x45 barn with it with scheduale 40 PVC
 
74DartSwinger360 said:
My grand father has the harbor frieght compressor and we were runnin 2 big air nailers non stop and my dad using shears and a grinder and no problems with it keepin up. We are running a whole 60x45 barn with it with scheduale 40 PVC
Click to expand...
pvc is not for air......just saying.....
 
Yeah, but if you try to run any body tools or die grinders, it won't keep up. I know from experience. I don't know your situation, but as a rule for toolboxes, air compressors,and garages, you need to buy the absolute biggest you can, because you will always need more as your ambition and talent grow. You shouldn't need to move the compressor around. That's what air hose is for.
 
It depends on what you want to do with it. If you want to run air tools and such, I would go at least 5 HP, two stage and larger tank, minimum 50 gal.

I have a single stage 5 HP 30 gallon and it won't keep up with my air tools, it will run them for short bursts then I have to wait, that is MOST frustrating.

If you want portable, I would suggest something in the smaller category and then something larger for your garage.

I know it's an expense but IF you can afford to, I would do it right the first time.
 
I had used a similar sized craftsmen that I borrowed from a friend.....it would run constantly and you had to wait for it to catch up. When he needed it back I bought the 5hp Ingersol Rand that tractor supply sells. It was pricey but well worth the investment.

I will never go back after having a good one. Check them out on blackfriday they probably will be onsale and they usually honor their sales online too. It will be around $850+ and you will need some accessories but its much better in the long run!
 
Agreed, get something small for portable and put some money toward the big boy. My 5hp 60gallon is a single stage and it will do anything I need. I haven't tried to sand blast with it yet but i expect it to handle that. I can run cut off wheels and impact guns for a good while before it even kicks on and it takes 20 seconds to pump up and stop even with me running tools
 
well I would go get as big as you can get other than that you are not going to be happy! have you thought about buying a used on look on craiges list. two stage with at least 5 horse power motor
 
Badsport said:
It depends on what you want to do with it. If you want to run air tools and such, I would go at least 5 HP, two stage and larger tank, minimum 50 gal.

I have a single stage 5 HP 30 gallon and it won't keep up with my air tools, it will run them for short bursts then I have to wait, that is MOST frustrating.

If you want portable, I would suggest something in the smaller category and then something larger for your garage.

I know it's an expense but IF you can afford to, I would do it right the first time.
Click to expand...
x2...........
 
What about this Campbell Hausfeld 60 gallon unit for $429.99?
I can't afford a $800+ air compressor and really the amount of work I do doesn't warrant it.

One of these big ones is gonna be a pain in the balls to unload :shock:
 
inkjunkie said:
pvc is not for air......just saying.....
Click to expand...

74DartSwinger360 said:
It has worked with 100 plus psi for over 1 1/2 with no problems
Click to expand...

NEVER use PVC for air. OSHA forbids it, and there documented cases of explosions. I don't know whether it gets cold and brittle, or hot and stretches. But when it ruptures it generates flying, sharp debris that can injure people.

So far as the compressor

I'd stay away from anything Horrid Freight

Get a belt drive, if possible an all cast iron pump and in NO case settle for an oiless or direct drive

Forget about tank capacity, unless you simply cannot afford a large enough pump

Take the largest tool you figure on using such as an air sander, determine the air flow requirements, and go from there.

Be careful of "claimed" air output, amperage and horse power

REAL horsepower of years past was rated as motor shaft HP

FAKE hp is derived from the amperage it draws, and is theoretical, sometimes just plain untrue, and depends on the motor efficiency

Airflow: There are three popular ways of rating airflow, only one of which is "correct"

Airflow at (typically) 90 psi. This is the ONLY way to rate airflow, as it reflects what the tools are using

Airflow at 40 psi. This makes a smaller compressor seem larger, as any pump moves more air at lower pressure

Airflow at SCFM. This is INTAKE IE atmospheric air, and is a total fake, and makes a REALLY small compressor seem REALLY big.

Take all ratings with a grain of salt.

If you see to 2hp units with vastly different ratings, the larger one is probably an "optimistic" figure.
 
67Dart273 said:
NEVER use PVC for air. OSHA forbids it, and there documented cases of explosions. I don't know whether it gets cold and brittle, or hot and stretches. But when it ruptures it generates flying, sharp debris that can injure people.

So far as the compressor

I'd stay away from anything Horrid Freight

Get a belt drive, if possible an all cast iron pump and in NO case settle for an oiless or direct drive

Forget about tank capacity, unless you simply cannot afford a large enough pump

Take the largest tool you figure on using such as an air sander, determine the air flow requirements, and go from there.

Be careful of "claimed" air output, amperage and horse power

REAL horsepower of years past was rated as motor shaft HP

FAKE hp is derived from the amperage it draws, and is theoretical, sometimes just plain untrue, and depends on the motor efficiency

Airflow: There are three popular ways of rating airflow, only one of which is "correct"

Airflow at (typically) 90 psi. This is the ONLY way to rate airflow, as it reflects what the tools are using

Airflow at 40 psi. This makes a smaller compressor seem larger, as any pump moves more air at lower pressure

Airflow at SCFM. This is INTAKE IE atmospheric air, and is a total fake, and makes a REALLY small compressor seem REALLY big.

Take all ratings with a grain of salt.

If you see to 2hp units with vastly different ratings, the larger one is probably an "optimistic" figure.
Click to expand...

OMG this is so true. I had a friend that spent many weeks in the hospital when the PVC he was using gernaded. It was in his heated garage so cold wan't a factor on this one but maybe heat might of been.
 
I just got a 30 gallon it sucks get the 60 gallon at tractor supply you can always join hoses together to do what ever, dont settle for 2nd best get the right one.
 
I've used a Craftsman 5.5hp 30 gal almost 15 years and it has served me very well. I don't know the difference in quality between the old vs. the new, but I do notice that the newer compressors in this size and price range seem a bit wimpy in comparison. These turn up on craigslist and other places every now and then and may be sufficient for your needs.
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-33-g...p-00916473000P?prdNo=3&blockNo=3&blockType=G3
20121120_162156.jpg

20121120_162225.jpg
 
This is the one I have. But I got it when Farm & Fleet had it for around $1200 normally, and on sale for $1000, then I did their credit card deal where you get 10% off that purchase, so around $900. It's a total beast. I compare it to the ones at Harbor Freight every time I go there, and those are such a joke for the price (no offense). Not everyone has the room for a compressor this large, but in my opinion, it pays for itself. How much is your time worth? It'll take at least twice as long, maybe more, with a small compressor. A nail gun will run off a tiny compressor, air tools like DAs and grinders, and paint guns use up way more air way faster. The "get the best you can afford" advice is solid.

http://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/Industrial-Air-IV5038023-Air-Compressor/p3710.html

(So, I didn't vote for either).
 
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