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Need small air compressor recommendations

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January 08, 2022, 05:13 PM
SigM4
Need small air compressor recommendations
My 14 y/o Craftsman 3 gallon hot dog compressor bit the dust today. Looking to replace it with something similar. I have no need for a big 20-30 gallon unit anymore as all my tools are cordless now. Basically filling tires and airing up soccer balls. Any of them better than others anymore?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: SigM4, January 08, 2022 07:38 PM



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Complacency sucks…
January 08, 2022, 05:15 PM
Hamden106
The little Makita compressors are real good. And much less noisy. Even better with a muffler you can get from Grainger.



SIGnature
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January 08, 2022, 05:42 PM
Pyker
I have a Bostich 6 gallon pancake. Does all the more mundane tasks pretty well. It will only just run an impact, but is just fine with a nailer or stapler. Easily portable too.

This one >>>



Bostich 6 gallon.
January 08, 2022, 05:43 PM
wreckdiver
I love my little DeWalt 20v for stuff like that, keeps up with nails guns and such.


_________________________________________________

"Once abolish the God, and the Government becomes the God." --- G.K. Chesterton
January 08, 2022, 05:45 PM
bigdeal
I know some here will likely malign this option, but a friend of mine has one of these that he's had good success with, and its really quiet. https://www.harborfreight.com/...ompressor-64596.html


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Guns are awesome because they shoot solid lead freedom. Every man should have several guns. And several dogs, because a man with a cat is a woman. Kurt Schlichter
January 08, 2022, 06:27 PM
cparktd
quote:
Originally posted by bigdeal:
I know some here will likely malign this option, but a friend of mine has one of these that he's had good success with, and its really quiet. https://www.harborfreight.com/...ompressor-64596.html


This ^^^^^^^ is what I bought last year after my old 20 gallon roll around died. It's portable enough to carry to a job site etc. It's quiet enough that is doesn't scare the crap out of me in the middle of the night if it kicks on because I forget to turn it off! You can easily find ones with more output for less money and it doesn't come with a hose but I love it for my use.



Endeavor to persevere.
January 08, 2022, 07:13 PM
OKCGene
Seems like Home Depot and Lowes are almost always having a sale on a package deal consisting of a pancake or small compressor and a few nail guns.

Here is one LINK seems like a pretty good deal if you want/need/can use the nailers.

I'm keeping my out for one, not in any big hurry.

My neighbor bought the Harbor Fraught one, he likes it a lot, I've borrowed it for wheel barrow tires, it worked just fine.
.
January 08, 2022, 07:38 PM
jimmy123x
I have a porter cable pancake air compressor from I think it was Lowes for 5 years now, I at least use it monthly and it's oil less and runs perfectly.
January 08, 2022, 07:53 PM
P250UA5
Mine looks identical to the Bostitch above, think mine is a Porter Cable.




The Enemy's gate is down.
January 08, 2022, 09:23 PM
ranger312
A lot of people on the Woodworkers forum that I follow like "California Air Tools" compressors. Ultra quiet. I will likely try one when my LOUD Bostich pancake compressor dies.
January 08, 2022, 09:34 PM
Jelly
I have about 5 working air compressors around. The harbor freight FORTRESS brand air compressor seem to work fine from my own experience and others I know that have them. Many of the models have soft start technology. I have their 6 Gal. 175 PSI pancake air Compressor I like the FORTRESS better than my RIDGID 6 Gal. 150 PSI Pancake Air Compressor.

https://www.harborfreight.com/...ompressor-56829.html

I have also have a Kobalt 3 Gal. 150 PSI Hot Dog air compressor that I like and use a lot especially in the car trailer. It is lighter than a typical 6 Gal. pancake air compressor so it easier to move around.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobal...ompressor/1000258241
January 08, 2022, 10:29 PM
Excam_Man
Heavy duty jobs... 3HP Porter Cable pancake, no longer made. Will damn near keep up with a blow gun for cleaning purposes. Thing is a monster, but heavy.

https://www.partswarehouse.com...cake-Co-s/171267.htm

Light duty... 20 volt DeWalt pancake... Light weight, though eats batteries quickly.

https://www.dewalt.com/product...ressor-kit/dcc2520t1

Airing up tires and such... Schumaker battery jump pack.
Anything from jumping a car battery to airing up tires.
What's nice about this product is that you screw it on the valve, set the pressure and hit run. It will automatically shut off at the set point. If it gets to hot or runs for 10 mins, it will shut off and automatically restart and continue this procedure, until the set pressure is reached.
It also has USB ports, 12 volt ports, 120 volt port, led light
Absolutely the go to for airing up tires.

https://www.amazon.com/Schumac...a-584981232865&psc=1




January 08, 2022, 11:29 PM
Horn
For a small air compressor that really is quiet ... check out
the California brand. I bought one at Home Depot. If not carrying
them in stock you can order one and pick it up at the store.
I mean these are quiet.

poli Viejo
January 08, 2022, 11:52 PM
ensigmatic
quote:
Originally posted by Horn:
For a small air compressor that really is quiet ... check out the California brand.

Specifically: California Air Tools.

They do look good, get positive reviews, and appear to be a good bang for the buck. I'm inclined to go with a larger, upright, 20 gal. Ingersoll-Rand for my needs, but would probably go CAT, otherwise.



"America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system,,,, but too early to shoot the bastards." -- Claire Wolfe
"If we let things terrify us, life will not be worth living." -- Seneca the Younger, Roman Stoic philosopher
January 09, 2022, 08:36 AM
tomsegel
Plus one on California Air. Very quiet and fast.
January 09, 2022, 08:44 AM
Blackmore
ROLAIR

Mine's been great.


Harshest Dream, Reality
January 09, 2022, 09:02 AM
229DAK
quote:
Originally posted by Blackmore:
ROLAIR

Mine's been great.
Same here, never an issue.

Question concerning California Air Tools - where are they made?


_________________________________________________________________________
“A man’s treatment of a dog is no indication of the man’s nature, but his treatment of a cat is. It is the crucial test. None but the humane treat a cat well.”
-- Mark Twain, 1902
January 09, 2022, 09:21 AM
ensigmatic
quote:
Originally posted by 229DAK:
quote:
Originally posted by Blackmore:
ROLAIR

Mine's been great.
Same here, never an issue.

Question concerning California Air Tools - where are they made?

Good point. Everybody bitches about China, but few do anything about it.

CAT says "We have an assembly facility in San Diego, CA.", but who knows? Given their vague response, one might reasonably suspect the majority is manufactured elsewhere--quite possibly China.

I've heard good things about Rolair.

Here's a list of American Made Air Compressors

I note Ingersoll Rand is not on that list. Hmmm...



"America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system,,,, but too early to shoot the bastards." -- Claire Wolfe
"If we let things terrify us, life will not be worth living." -- Seneca the Younger, Roman Stoic philosopher
January 09, 2022, 09:44 AM
tatortodd
quote:
Originally posted by ensigmatic:
quote:
Originally posted by Horn:
For a small air compressor that really is quiet ... check out the California brand.

Specifically: California Air Tools.

They do look good, get positive reviews, and appear to be a good bang for the buck. I'm inclined to go with a larger, upright, 20 gal. Ingersoll-Rand for my needs, but would probably go CAT, otherwise.
I've had a 10-gallon 2-stage California Air Tools compressor for 6 or 7 years. Everyone is amazed at how quiet it is (e.g. you can have a conversation next to it while it's running). It has wheels so very portable and I've rolled it in the house a couple times for projects.

I was looking at a pancake at the time, but Home Depot had a Christmas in July deal where it was 50% off (i.e. too good of a deal to pass up). I can run a 1/2" impact gun and rotate my tires with it so it has more capability than a pancake.



Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity

DISCLAIMER: These are the author's own personal views and do not represent the views of the author's employer.
January 09, 2022, 10:02 AM
4MUL8R
Thank you for a timely thread. I am hopeful that I can clean and reuse, or replace my compressor pressure regulator. If not, time for another one. I was not impressed by my call to a non-existent company for part purchase -- the number on the decal of this compressor is no bueno.


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Trying to simplify my life...