air compressors

[coolhl7]

I dont know squat about air compressors but I need to get one for my tractor, car, trailers etc.
I really just need it for tires, cleaning off filters, etc
what should I look for in a reliable yet relatively inexpensive model.
Thanks guys!

 

[quicksandfarmer]

I don't have any specific advice, but: Once you get one you'll find yourself using it more than you ever dreamed. So go at least one step better than the cheapie tire inflators.

 

[Timber]

Buy yourself a 5 horse 2 cylinder compressor, The make is really not that important. Lowes & Home depot both carry them. You will recognize it because it has a cylinder head like a motor cycle. The biggest reason is they are quiet. They will also deliver a decent volume of air to run most air tools at a fairly cheap price. Stay away from the diaphragm compressors. You will go mental listening to them run and they vibrate all over the shop. You can get these in either an upright or a tripod version depending on your shop requirements. Do not get less than a 5 horse even to just fill tires.Once you discover compressed air you will do all kinds of things with it. Nail guns, paint sprayers, Impact guns, Air chisel, blow gun and so on. It is a shop must have tool

 

[Harvster]

If you're just filling tires and cleaning filters than $200 -$300 will get you a decent little compressor. Although noisy as Timber said. But, look around at tools you might use and specifically at their CFM rating. They typically have a CFM rating and a recommended operating pressure. Match this to the compressor you purchase. Don't get fooled by bundles of tools either. Most are very poor quality and the impact wrenches will not turn the lugnuts on a tricycle. For impact wrenches look for at least a 400-500 ft/lbs torque rating for auto tires. I don't know what size or torque rating is suitable for larger tractor tires. Other toys like sandblasters use fairly high CFM so again match the tools you want to the compressor rating.

 

[Bird]

what should I look for in a reliable yet relatively inexpensive model

Think long and hard about every possible use you can imagine and the size compressor you need for those uses (CFM), then buy one a little bigger because you'll find more uses for it after you get it.

Cheapest price will be the oilless compressors. They work well for many people, especially those who only use them for short periods of time. The bad news is that they last about one-tenth as long as an oiled compressor. The good news is that you can completely rebuild one in less than an hour and pretty cheap. As they wear, they get noisier.

One step up is the vertical, oiled compressors, single or twin cylinder, aluminum or cast iron. You'll find some of the aluminum (as well as the oilless) have a warning in the manual to not run for more than 10 minutes continuously; a fact that makes me lean toward the cast iron.

The really "good" compressors are V-twin cylinders of cast iron, but may be overkill for most folks.

Single stage compressors are adquate for most people and will go up to the neighborhood of 150 psi; two stage will go on up higher on pressure, usually about 175 psi, but can be even more, and the compressors get pretty expensive. Every air tool I know of is "rated" for 90 psi; more pressure will give it more power, but shorten it's life, sometimes drastically. So you only need a maximum of 90 psi for your air tools. The volume (CFM) is what varies and the higher the number you get there, the better.

Assuming you're going to get an oiled compressor, be sure to know how to add oil (very seldom needed) and how to tell when it's full. Some have a sight glass that makes it pretty simple, but some of the cheaper ones do not. And I've seen compressors destroyed, burned up, when the owner had removed the plug, looked in, saw oil just below the threads, and thought it had enough. On those kinds, the crankcase is so shallow that you need to fill them right up to overflowing.

 

[RobertN]

I really just need it for tires, cleaning off filters, etc
what should I look for in a reliable yet relatively inexpensive model.
Thanks guys!

I did everything you list with a moderately priced 2hp 20 gallon roll around compressor, a blower nozzle, and a 1/2" impact. It was a twin cyliner cast iron compressor. I would still be using it, but the tank rusted out.

When I replaced the compressor, I got a 5hp 60gallon upright. Unfortunately, I got the oilfree type. While it is much cheaper, as Timber said, it is LOUD and shakes the floor. It does function for everything I do though.

That 2hp Sanborn worked really well for 15 years or so. Would still be working if the tank had been easier to drian; make sure whatever you get is easy to drain, even if you have to improve the drain yourself. With the 2hp, on a 3/4 ton pickup 8-lug rim, it pooped out after about 6 lugs and had to recharge.

 

[tallyho8]

I bought this compressor at Harbor Freight for $99 on sale when my larger $350 compresor was stolen shortly after Katrina.
Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices It has been used extensively with many different tools and performed remarkably well for such a cheap unit. (Actually better than my larger one did) Since you are looking for an inexpensive one, I believe this would well suit your needs. Around here they go on sale for $99 about every few months.

 

[Soundguy]

On the low end in the 9$ to 25$ range are the tire inflators. And that's about all they do.. -slowly- blow up a tire with a valve stem... usually No onboard air storage

In the 80-130$ range you see the pancake and other small compressors in the 1-2hp and 1-4 gallon air storage capacities.

These make great tire fillers, and hold enough air to blow a filter off or blow out the passages in a carb.. perhaps run a couple ounce spot touch up paint gun if you have a regulator and are painting only a couple square feet of material.

180-250$ You can usually find a small upright unit on wheels/cart in the 2-5 (peak) hp ratings with tanks from 15-30 gallons. Still single cyl units.. but these are decent middle of the line units. With the larger air storage and slightly bigger motor.. you can actually do some decent tractor painting. I have one in this range.. i painted my ford 5000 with it very easilly. I used to use a pancake compressor and an extra 15gallon air tank.. It was a long process with lots of 'wait' time.. Probably ran the bearings out of the poor compressor.. however.. it still runs ok too. Every now and then TSC and harbor freight have this model size on sale.

350$ and up. A large 'permanent' mount unit 1 or 2 cyl depending on pice.. and anytwhere from a 30-60 gallon tank. Generally 5hp motor,, Lotsa air. Sky's the limit on price. Generally you can find a CH or CO unit in the lower end of this price range. not on sale.. Occasinally you see a 'cummins' tool sale with a singe unit in stock for way low prices like 199$ or 250$.. just to get people out to the show..

Soundguy

I dont know squat about air compressors but I need to get one for my tractor, car, trailers etc.
I really just need it for tires, cleaning off filters, etc
what should I look for in a reliable yet relatively inexpensive model.
Thanks guys!

 

[mjarrels]

If you get an air storage tank compressor, be SURE to drain it after each use. Be suprised how much mosture builds up. If you have ever seen one that exploded you will understand why. Looks like a peeled banana.

mark

 

[ToadHill]

I'd look in the newspaper for a upright compressor that may be used. I got one that used to run a collision shop several years ago for about $100. the electric motor needed to be replaced, I found a used 5 hp motor for $50 and it has operated without a problem for years. Total cost $150. for a 5hp twin cast iron compressor with a 100 gallon tank.