For home use. I may build a jeep someday. Mostly light duty work around the house and garage. I'm looking at the:

HUSKY $299.00
5.5 Peak / 1.7 Running HP, 32 Gallon Husky Air Compressor Kit
Model WL660899
5.5 Peak HP Air Compressor Kit was designed for the Homeowner.The compressor is a vertical design and is shipped with a variety of tools and accessories to complete a basic pneumatic system.

• Kit includes: Impact Wrench, Air Ratchet, Metal Spray Gun, Metal Touch Up Spray Gun, and Die Grinder.
• Operates a wide variety of air tools to complete all your tough projects around the house.
• 120 volt plugs into any household outlet.
• An Air Chisel, 8 piece socket set, 1/2" to 3/8" socket adapter, die grinding stones are also included.
• Also comes with an air chisel bits, couplers, female plugs, male plugs, blowgun and blowgun adapter.
• Tire chuck, inflation needle, tool oil, thread sealant tape, carry case, and a 50' hose included.

I like that it comes with everything, but not if they are junk. I would rather get a better compressor with nothing included than a mediocre compressor with everything.

Or:
Campbell Hausfeld $288.00
28 Gallon 150 PSI Lo-Tone Air Compressor
Item #: 16060
Model: WL6117
Lo-Tone quiet filter reduces noise level up to 50% (vs. competitive models) - 89 dbs
PowerFlow air fittings deliver more air by reducing line restriction by 50%
7.4/6.1 SCFM at 40/90 psi
Portable ASME - Approved Tank
Maintenance-Free Oil-Less Pump
On-board Control Panel and Tool Storage
1.8 running HP
2 year limited warranty

Any advice is appreciated.

 

I'd go with a 2 stage compressor, if the money is there. You may find out that the compressors you listed may be a little under powered if your needs grow. At least consider a 5 hp compressor.

 

I'd get the Husky out of the two. CH stuff is just to cheaply built to purchase an investment item like a compressor.

 

Unless you want to be deaf, find the quietest one you can afford. My Coleman 6 hp, 21 gal (7.7 cfm @ 40 psi and 6.0 cfm @ 90 psi) is OK for my use but it is noisey. Paid $279 with the tools you mentioned plus some others.

 

Check out Home Depot's web-sight. Look under air compressor specs.
CH builds the Husky air compressor.

 

Pass on both of those and get a belt driven cast iron 5HP (not peak) 30+gal 60 prefered.

You should be able to get one about $100 over those prices, and the compressor will be MUCH better, stronger, faster...

Anything less is pretty limited and the extra $100 is well spent. I've had mine for 20 years now and really wish I got a 2 stage 60 gal. I've spent as much time and money converting mine to 220volt and a true 5hp motor and extra tanks, I could have bought the bigger 60 gal model.

 

A 5HP compressor will be too big for your normal houshold to run. 3 HP will be about the max amps you will be able to run without browning out the neighborhood. I am talking real horse power, not peak horsepower. Industry standards call for a compressor to deliver around 4.5 CFM per HP. Take the delivered CFM at 90 PSIG and devide it by 4.5 to get HP. You would be suprised that 5 peak HP machine is only giving you about 2 real HP. 2 real HP = 9 CFM at 90 PSIG. and the higher you go in pressure the less CFM you will get. That two HP machine at 150 PSIG will drop in delivery to about 7.5 CFM.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

to find the hp of the motor take the amps multiply it by the voltage and divide by 746 to get true hp and get a oil lube compressor skip the one at home depot or spend the money on a good one go to www.chpower.com and click on hot buys they have a 60 gallon compresssor for 350.00

 

$439.99
Craftsman Professional 25 gal. Air Compressor, 3-1/2 hp, Vertical Tank, 2-Stage Oil Free Pump

Sears item #00916778000 Mfr. model #16778

Cons- Direct drive and oil free. Anything bigger and better needs 240V and all I have is 120. I think this will work for my needs. What do you think?

 

i think you will be sorry if you buy oil free. those things are so loud they will wake the neighbors. my neighbor just got a 60 gal oil free craftsman that blew a piston and busted the head. the only thing worth salvaging is the tank. they won't give you the life of an oil lube.

 

I couldn't help but notice you'll be paying full price for that compressor. It seems Sears discounts their air compressors every 3 months or so, and might throw in some air tools to boot. Just wait and watch the ads in your paper for the sales, then go and get what you want. I've got my eye on the Craftsman Pro. 25 gallon horizontal, 5 hp, twin piston and oil lubed compressor. My old man has got an old Sears twin piston 20 gal. from 25 years ago - still runs like a top.

 

Do not under any circumstances buy an oil free air compressor!
The only reason for oil free air is for breathing or contact with foodstuff.
They will not last and are very noisy. One of the main reasons oil was invented was to increase the life of machinery.

 

The new Sears ones are not built the same. I have the 6 peak hp red tank 30 gallon upright one. It is made by DeVilbiss. It's loud and it works OK so far but I wish I had spent the money on a bigger oil lubricated 220v one. Unfortunately at the time I bought this one was because it was the biggest I could run on the 120v circuit I had available to me in the garage at my rented house at the time.

The air tools they give you with the Sears compressor are total junk though. Don't bother if you're waiting for a deal that includes the tools, you're not really getting anything.

 

I think I like this one. Not too big, not too expensive, belt driven and NOT an oil free model! Should work for me...


HUSKY
5 Peak HP 26 Gal Vertical Compressor
Model VT6315



A solid CAST IRON, twin cylinder compressor pump for extreme durability. Offers 135 PSI maximum pressure and air delivery 6.6/5.8 SCFM @ 40/90 PSI. Features pneumatic tires, efficient Solberg style intake filter, and a heavy-duty handle. Unit also includes a pressure switch and regulator with outlet and tank gauges.

• Up to 5,000 hours of extended life
• Space saving vertical tank is ideal for the garage or limited space environments
• Sturdy, robust handle and wheels for easier portability
• Designed to channel air over the pump for maximum cooling
• Automotive style changeable air filter
• Protective belt guard designed to channel air to cool the pump
• High quality oversized gauges
• American made CAST IRON pump
• 26 Gallon vertical tank
• Semi-pneumatic tires
• Over 35 percent quieter and 60 degrees cooler than aluminum pumps with cast iron sleeves


Internet/Catalog # 167501
Store SKU# 723883

Price: $377.00/ea

 

Don't sweat it, we all have to build our workshops on a budget or with some kind of restrictions. My wife and I had a new house built about two years ago - it has my first garage. I'm assembling a modest workshop piece by piece and that takes time and money. My current air compressor is a 21 gallon upright, 4.5hp, oil-lubed Central Pnuematic I got for $120 at Harbor Freight Tools. It's a bit underpowered for my needs, but hey, I'm not running a body shop here. I'll just bide my time, save my money and upgrade to something better in the future. Until then, that little compressor works just fine.