Who Makes a Good Portable Compressor

[grsthegreat]

If I was running 500k thru a supply house I'd probably open one. But that's just me. I'm cheap. I got wholesale car dealers license so I could save sales tax.

when your wiring schools and hospitals, the $$$ move up super fast. you couldn't pay me enuf to open my own place hehe

 

[sharpanther]

for the small units the porter cable and dewalt have both been really reliable. In the small units oil-less is nice for convenience and ease of use. The larger units you have to be willing to drop some fair amounts of money to get a good compressor that is quiet. I saw a nice looking small-medium snap-on unit (6 gal) at a good price at costco. Just find out how many CFM your tools require, and that will narrow down the field a lot for selection. I avoid the box stores most of the time on these. I either buy used (estate sales and so on) or go to tool specialty shops. I just find Home Depot and such have a way to make their tools fail after 2 years. And I believe if you're getting a bigger it should be oiled, it's just too hard on the components under those loads without oil.

 

[two_bit_score]

when your wiring schools and hospitals, the $$$ move up super fast. you couldn't pay me enuf to open my own place hehe

If I opened one it probably be a small one anyway. Hope your business picks up soon, my friend.

 

[California]

bought this one Portable Air Compressor - 2 HP, 8 Gallon, 125 PSI from HF for $99+tax 2 weeks ago.

A couple of years ago I bought the next one up. 2.5 hp (claimed!), 10 gallon, 125 psi max. Mine is red but I see they are black now.

I'm not impressed. I tried running a little HF die grinder continuous that specifies air consumption/pressure at 90% of this compressor's claimed output. High pressure didn't last long, soon it couldn't hold at 25 psi and the motor was smoking badly. Since then I've only used it for tires. Not Recommended, or at least discount HF's claimed output by 25%.

 

[kelloggguy]

A couple of years ago I bought the next one up. 2.5 hp (claimed!), 10 gallon, 125 psi max. Mine is red but I see they are black now.

I'm not impressed. I tried running a little HF die grinder continuous that specifies air consumption/pressure at 90% of this compressor's claimed output. High pressure didn't last long, soon it couldn't hold at 25 psi and the motor was smoking badly. Since then I've only used it for tires. Not Recommended, or at least discount HF's claimed output by 25%.

That unit is a slightly less than 1.5 HP based on both motor amperage and output. A true 2.5 HP unit would pull 25 amps and put out about 8 cfm at 90 psi.

The only real way to know horsepower is by amps. For reference, 15 amps @ 115V is 1.5 HP. Two HP is 20 amps, etc. And the breaker size should always be twice the amps of the motor to allow for startup inrush current.

 

[grsthegreat]

All those horsepower ratings are bogus. Lowe's and HD always are at war with each other about the HP ratings on compressors and vacuum cleaners. If you do the math theres no way the units could match the written specs. they changed HP to PHP (peak horse power). I did a quick search of home depot and they show a $79.00 wet/dry vac thats 110 volts and 5 PHP.... ya right. 746 watts x 5 = 3,740 watts / 120 = 31 amps. hmmm, that should work on a residential 15 amp circuit ... no problem. So much for truth in advertising laws. They need to list the true HP ratings under load, not what it would ramp up to before it reaches speed.

At least my old 1-1/2HP Emglow is a real 1-1/2 HP motor......as you best have a true 20 amp circuit handy to use it.

 

[bullbreaker]

A couple of years ago I bought the next one up. 2.5 hp (claimed!), 10 gallon, 125 psi max. Mine is red but I see they are black now.

I'm not impressed. I tried running a little HF die grinder continuous that specifies air consumption/pressure at 90% of this compressor's claimed output. High pressure didn't last long, soon it couldn't hold at 25 psi and the motor was smoking badly. Since then I've only used it for tires. Not Recommended, or at least discount HF's claimed output by 25%.

California :
Thanks for "field report"
Like I stated only second item I've ever bought from "Harbor Fright" not a big fan of their stuff.
I have an older "Blue Emglo" for myself,and plan on giving HF to my 17 year old son to keep correct air pressure in his car tires,blow stuff off on occasion,and use a frameing nail gun with at home on projects.I was reading the HF reviews and your 10 gal got better reviews than our 8.I did not buy the extended warrantee,just has less than 90 days now.Thanks again for input.
If it last 3 years I'll be content.

Boone

 

[BigE_]

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.
Boone

I've had that compressor for about 4 years now, and the pressure switch just went out on it. Worked good while it lasted, although it was very loud. I kept it in the garage to run the impact wrench when changing car tires and air up tires. My 60 gallon in the shop did the bulk of my work.

I think I may replace the 8 gallon HF with a little Porter Cable 150psi pancake compressor.

 

[PoorPlowboy]

My little Makita MAC700 big bore 2hp is my "go to" compressor. It's the quietest and fastest recovering small compressor I've ever used. Did I mention how quiet it is? If your tools can run on 3.3cfm @ 90, you'd be well served with one of these at 52lbs and 80db. It's a bit heavier than comparison units, that's because of the cast iron. It's built to last.

Amazon.com: Makita MAC700 Big Bore 2.0 HP Air Compressor: Home Improvement

 

[deereman75]

some are rated truthfuly, my new ch extreme duty 26 gallon compressor is a true rated 3 hp compressor. It draws 15 amps at 220v, and I run it on a 30 amp circuit.