I just want to run a 1/2" impact and a air hammer. Maybe a spray gun for oil undercoating. I work in my garage like once a week. I don't care how loud it is. I've been using a pancake compressor for years and it cannot be louder than that thing.

The Quincy QT54 would be perfect. I don't think I've ever spent $1,400 before in my life though, at least not at a retail store. I'm not sure my heart would handle that.

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...6209_200756209

This one is more my price range. Probably a "throw away" compressor.

 

look at lowes or home depot. see if they have any last year floor models.
they usually sell the floor models for 50% off.

 

Do you by chance have a Tractor Supply near by? For the use you indicate it seems very light and low duty cycle. There is a option https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pr...waAtD9EALw_wcB

These are Dewalt "Branded" they are made through a Black & Decker partner arrangement. The unit would be fine for home shop use. The tank and pressure switch are made in USA, pump is based on a old Employee design and is from China and the motor is Mexico or China last I saw.

 

Did you see some of the reviews for that Black & Pecker? Lots of bad reviews. Shame

 

Overall the reviews are good, at that price point some issues are to be expected. Some are a little embellished, one claims the motor was glowing red inside. Well we both know a induction motor won't get to the glowing stage of meltdown. Smoke comes first if the overload fails and the breaker shuts down if that fails. The guy with the busted flywheel I can about guarantee it was self induced, don't lay them down to transport.

 

When picking a compressor look over your air tools and pick the one that uses the most CFM@PSI and add 10% to that CFM and that is what you want to go with.
You say "this is all I want to run" but once you have a good compressor you will get more air tools and some may use more air than the one you picked.

My compressor is over kill for me in my garage but I will never run out of air even with 2 other people using air tools at the same time I am and that what I wanted.
When you have worked in garages and have good air the last thing is running out in your garage!

I found mine on Ebay for under $1000. Had to put a little work into it so maybe got $1200 total and it is a $5000 compressor - as I said over kill!

I also have been around air compressors most of my life, 61 in 2 months, and only seen / heard one "blow out" the bottom.
It was rusty and the shut off did not work IIRC, just as dad said to go shut it down boom and the bottom let go.
No metal was blown all over the place just the air pressure knocked over the paint gun cup spilling the paint and kicking up dust & dirt.
His fix was to get a water tank and plumb the compressor into the new tank next to the old motor / pump as the mount was on the old tank.
Dave ----

 

Nice compressor, Dave. Used units go very fast right now. Very hard to find in Iowa/Illinois.

One question. Did SnapOn actually manufacture that compressor or is it a different brand?

 

_________________________________
Used units go very fast right now. Very hard to find in Iowa/Illinois.

I chuckled as I read this.... I was not laughing at you... I was laughing with you..... Don't beat yourself up for being in Iowa. It's the same way in Montana and every where else that I have friends and family. I hear it daily. I'm down to buying an open box of 6010 welding rods off of Ebay because I can't afford to go to my local welding supply house and buy a 50# box. A year ago I'd go into a good pawn shop in Missoula and it would be stocked wall to wall... guns double stacked in the racks, 10 - 12 Husky or Stihl chainsaws, tools, generators and compressors. I stopped by there last week and had to ask the guys there "Are you going out of business?"... The shelves were empty. I've been trying to find a plain old middle buster for my tractor... New ones are Chinese junk with a sky high price. I'd be welding them back together in the first hour of use... I wish I had some answers. My main focus right now is to just "Maintain" what I do have.

Hang in there, a compressor will show up for you.

Hobo

 

from the internet:

over the years Snap On Air compressors have been built for them by companies such as Rolair and The Big Red One made by Sleegers Engineered Products Inc. in Canada. Another Canadian company, Brahma Compressors is said to have made compressors for Snap On as well. The thing is, even these companies don’t make all the parts, but assemble various components into a finished compressor that is labeled as Snap On.

 

Thanks on the compressor. I would say I was lucky I found it when I did.

I have had it guess going on 10 years now, same for the air dryer (fin tube base board tubing) that I built.
I got it when I lived in CT, had to go to PA to pick it up, and it came with me when I moved to NC almost 6 years now.

As for who built it I could not say but it looks like TJC posted some information about them.
The un-loader check valve was bad so it was trying to start under PSI and that welded the starter contacts together.
I also found the head was loose so I replaced the head gasket and the reed valves being I was in there.
All the parts I was able to get on line.

I have it sitting on rubber pads and the noise it makes is not that bad at all and can hardly hear it, I have heard worst.
Been running great and vary happy with it.
Dave ----

 

X2 on drain it......often, it should come with at least a place to thread in a drain valve on the bottom. Yes they can blow up.

 

I ended up buying a 20 gallon Harbor Freight compressor. For $160 it will do the trick. No more messing around with craigslist.