Who Makes a Good Portable Compressor

   / Who Makes a Good Portable Compressor #1  

wsp617

Silver Member
Joined
May 27, 2009
Messages
152
Location
Wisconsin
Tractor
JD 1070
I currently own 2 compressors. One is a 1 gallon Dewalt (D55140). It works fine but it's small and has it's obvious limitations. I bought it for doing trim work and other "light-duty" jobs. The other is a Coleman 11 gallon vertical tank unit. My wife bought it for me from Menards a few years back. The pressure switch is bad or going bad (depending on the day). I see a new pressure switch is abour $60+shipping and there's a question on it's availability.

Anyway, I'm considering getting a new one as I was never happy with the Coleman. It's loud as heck and I've had issues with the pressure switch on and off for awhile. Basically it's for remodeling projects (air nailers, etc) and to run an air wrench fom time to time.

I like the little Dewalt unit. It's very quiet and has given me zero issues. I'd like to stay away from the HF stuff and get a name brand. Problem is, In looking at reviews, some of those don't fair well either.

What do you guys like? Any brands to stay away from?

Thanks
 
   / Who Makes a Good Portable Compressor #2  
I have an EMGLO "Powermate" as far as portable compressors go I think it is one of the best. EMGLO makes a few of the DEWALT models plus a few for other brands. The only type of compressor I would recommend that you stay away from would be an "oiless" type.
 
   / Who Makes a Good Portable Compressor
  • Thread Starter
#3  
That was one of my questions. Do I go with an "oil-less" units? The one unit I found from Dewalt is an oil unit. What is the advantage of an oil-less unit as I see them everywhere? Leaning towards the Dewalt D55153. It's only a 4 gallon unit but I think that's big enough for my needs.
 
   / Who Makes a Good Portable Compressor #4  
That was one of my questions. Do I go with an "oil-less" units? The one unit I found from Dewalt is an oil unit. What is the advantage of an oil-less unit as I see them everywhere? Leaning towards the Dewalt D55153. It's only a 4 gallon unit but I think that's big enough for my needs.

Advantage of the oil-less? It's cheap. No chance of oil leaking on anything. No oil to check or change. Easy to rebuild. Will last about one-tenth as long as an oiled compressor.:D
 
   / Who Makes a Good Portable Compressor #5  
Advantage of the oil-less? It's cheap. No chance of oil leaking on anything. No oil to check or change. Easy to rebuild. Will last about one-tenth as long as an oiled compressor.:D

I'm going to jump in here because this is near and dear to my heart at the moment.

I have one of those cheapo Campbell Hausefield I bought at wally world to pump up car tires when my wifes car had a leaker. It has been wonderful but no more 100 psi, now I'm lucky to get it to 25 psi. I use it regularly to pump up the leaker in my JD LX266.

I need to replace it clearly and have the same concerns as wsp617.

I also have a tank style compressor that was left behind by the widow. I suspect it has not run in 5-6 years and I'm a bit afraid to plug it in and have it blow up in some fashion.

I will be finishing my attic and I am eager to learn from the Masters here at TBN so I don't go out and buy a crappy compressor.

Thanks in advance,
David
 
   / Who Makes a Good Portable Compressor #6  
Can't tell you how good it is I have not used it yet,but I bought this one Portable Air Compressor - 2 HP, 8 Gallon, 125 PSI
from HF for $99+tax 2 weeks ago.
Only second item ever I have purchased from HF,the other was a cat#2 quick hitch attach.
Time will tell which HF list I put it on here on TBN,the crummy or the decent. :confused:

Boone
 
   / Who Makes a Good Portable Compressor #7  
   / Who Makes a Good Portable Compressor #8  
I bought my current Craftsman compressor, a 3 hp 20 gal, in 1988 and have used it commercially and it is still holding up just fine. I ran an automotive specialty shop (carburetors) for almost 9 years with it - tremendous hours of blowgun use and for the air operated agitators for the carb acid. I used it on a construction jobsite for 3 years running nail guns etc. I use it all the time at home for blowing my tractor & equipment off and all other things a compressor is needed for. Of course I've kept the oil changed and clean air filters and keep the condensate drained out of it. I just broke the first belt on it last week - I'd say that was pretty good service !! I'd definitely try another Craftsman if I needed another compressor.
 
   / Who Makes a Good Portable Compressor #9  
I'be had a couple over the years. A Sears 26gal was my first and was able to rebuild it many times over the years. Good compressor but loud. It didn't handle the larger tools I was buying so I got a 60gal from Lowes. For what you need I'd say any of the name brands should work. You can easily rebuild the compressor with minimum tools.
 
   / Who Makes a Good Portable Compressor #10  
I second the emglow brand. Ive had a 1-1/2 HP unit that has never failed me in over 16 years of use.
 

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