Can I live with a Pancake Air Compressor in the garage?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 150
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From: Los Angeles
Can I live with a Pancake Air Compressor in the garage?
I have a 33gal 6hp horizontal air compressor that takes a lot of floor space in my garage and I rarely use it. Seems like a big waste of space in my crowded garage.
I am thinking about getting one of those small 6 gallon pancake compressors to save space and have something more portable. These days I'm only using it as a blow gun to clean the work bench, or whatever I'm working on, and it will run the occasional air tool like a ratchet nothing big. I don't need it for my impact anymore, I've switched to a battery powered DeWalt impact and I love it.
This is the one I'm looking at RIDGID 6 Gal. Portable Electric Pancake Air Compressor OF60150HB (homedepot.com)
I am thinking about getting one of those small 6 gallon pancake compressors to save space and have something more portable. These days I'm only using it as a blow gun to clean the work bench, or whatever I'm working on, and it will run the occasional air tool like a ratchet nothing big. I don't need it for my impact anymore, I've switched to a battery powered DeWalt impact and I love it.
This is the one I'm looking at RIDGID 6 Gal. Portable Electric Pancake Air Compressor OF60150HB (homedepot.com)
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 7,128
Likes: 1,945
From: Sportsman's Paradise
I have a 33gal 6hp horizontal air compressor that takes a lot of floor space in my garage and I rarely use it. Seems like a big waste of space in my crowded garage.
I am thinking about getting one of those small 6 gallon pancake compressors to save space and have something more portable. These days I'm only using it as a blow gun to clean the work bench, or whatever I'm working on, and it will run the occasional air tool like a ratchet nothing big. I don't need it for my impact anymore, I've switched to a battery powered DeWalt impact and I love it.
This is the one I'm looking at RIDGID 6 Gal. Portable Electric Pancake Air Compressor OF60150HB (homedepot.com)
I am thinking about getting one of those small 6 gallon pancake compressors to save space and have something more portable. These days I'm only using it as a blow gun to clean the work bench, or whatever I'm working on, and it will run the occasional air tool like a ratchet nothing big. I don't need it for my impact anymore, I've switched to a battery powered DeWalt impact and I love it.
This is the one I'm looking at RIDGID 6 Gal. Portable Electric Pancake Air Compressor OF60150HB (homedepot.com)
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 618
Likes: 257
From: Stow, MA
What type is your 33gal 6Hp? For me, the noise from the direct connect rocking piston compressors is enough that I'd never go back. You can have a regular conversation next to my low rpm Quincy 5Hp. As RLXXI points out, check the CFM ratings. If your 6Hp compressor or the 3Hp Ridgid compressor plug into a regular 120V outlet, then they are not really 3 or 6Hp. A true 115V single phase 3Hp motor draws 34A and compressor manufacturers have wet dreams with their HP ratings. CFM is the true measure - single stage compressors will deliver 3-4 CFM per Hp.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 7,128
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From: Sportsman's Paradise
What type is your 33gal 6Hp? For me, the noise from the direct connect rocking piston compressors is enough that I'd never go back. You can have a regular conversation next to my low rpm Quincy 5Hp. As RLXXI points out, check the CFM ratings. If your 6Hp compressor or the 3Hp Ridgid compressor plug into a regular 120V outlet, then they are not really 3 or 6Hp. A true 115V single phase 3Hp motor draws 34A and compressor manufacturers have wet dreams with their HP ratings. CFM is the true measure - single stage compressors will deliver 3-4 CFM per Hp.
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
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If the specs support what you are doing, it will be fine. But as mentioned, these can be loud. So check that--I do not see sound levels published when clicking on your link. See if you can do a trial listen. Of course you can always take it back if it drives you nuts.
I made the mistake of selling my 1991 Craftsman "hot dog" compressor at a garage sale. It was tolerable. I made two more mistakes by buying 2 $35 Harbor Freight pancake jobs. I went back to two errors by returning one. The slow, irritatingly noisy first unit remains in service....
I made the mistake of selling my 1991 Craftsman "hot dog" compressor at a garage sale. It was tolerable. I made two more mistakes by buying 2 $35 Harbor Freight pancake jobs. I went back to two errors by returning one. The slow, irritatingly noisy first unit remains in service....
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
If you're going cordless for impacts etc then maybe one of the dinkypancake compressors would work most times.
Honestly I'd buy one, use it for a while but keep the larger compressor until you know whether it will do what you need. Space and foot print wise you could go with one of the "cheap" oil less vertical models that will run on 120 or 240 VAC. They're much quieter but tend to be throw away tools once they've lived their expected life.
The advice to compare CFM's is very wise---that's pretty the best measure of a shop compressor, IMHO anyway.
Honestly I'd buy one, use it for a while but keep the larger compressor until you know whether it will do what you need. Space and foot print wise you could go with one of the "cheap" oil less vertical models that will run on 120 or 240 VAC. They're much quieter but tend to be throw away tools once they've lived their expected life.
The advice to compare CFM's is very wise---that's pretty the best measure of a shop compressor, IMHO anyway.
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,104
Likes: 384
From: Southern California
I was in a similar situation a few years ago.... I went with a Senco unit... and added a 5 gallon tank inline.
This is really more than enough to operate my nail guns, HVLP spray guns and even my IR Impact gun (short duration- enough to R&R wheels)! IMHO if I ever did need more capacity I would purchase a very inexpensive HF type pancake unit and "T" it into the airline.
This is really more than enough to operate my nail guns, HVLP spray guns and even my IR Impact gun (short duration- enough to R&R wheels)! IMHO if I ever did need more capacity I would purchase a very inexpensive HF type pancake unit and "T" it into the airline.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 150
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From: Los Angeles
Looking at "single phase" I'm seeing really large units that look like they belong in a business and not a hobbyists garage. That's the opposite direction that I want to go in. I need something small for occasional use.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2020
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From: Sportsman's Paradise
Also being 240v I decided to connect a clothes dryer pigtail to it and use that outlet instead of a dedicated circuit as neither machine is always in use or at the same time, this way we leave the dryer plugged in until the compressor is needed then just swap plugs.
With that said, I have this little one for everyday things like airing up the tires on all the vehicles and yard machines we have and it'll actually run my tire machine albeit running nearly constantly, it handles it. I seriously doubt it would run my blast cabinet or other air tools due to the higher CFM requirement for those items, it's a little bit louder than the big one and as you can see very portable on wheels.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2020
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From: Sportsman's Paradise
If you're going cordless for impacts etc then maybe one of the dinkypancake compressors would work most times.
Honestly I'd buy one, use it for a while but keep the larger compressor until you know whether it will do what you need. Space and foot print wise you could go with one of the "cheap" oil less vertical models that will run on 120 or 240 VAC. They're much quieter but tend to be throw away tools once they've lived their expected life.
The advice to compare CFM's is very wise---that's pretty the best measure of a shop compressor, IMHO anyway.
Honestly I'd buy one, use it for a while but keep the larger compressor until you know whether it will do what you need. Space and foot print wise you could go with one of the "cheap" oil less vertical models that will run on 120 or 240 VAC. They're much quieter but tend to be throw away tools once they've lived their expected life.
The advice to compare CFM's is very wise---that's pretty the best measure of a shop compressor, IMHO anyway.
Kitty litter to the rescue!
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 6,305
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From: Boulder Creek, Ca
I have both, larger compressor in using the cabinet and/or pressure sand blaster and other air tools that require considerably more CFM; otherwise find I am using my pancake compressor for all other task, I like the fact the pancake is mobile, occasionally I can fill the tank and drive to site for limited use where there is no electricity.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 237
From: NE Ohio
I whole heartedly 2nd the senco recommendation.
if you're going to go small, a 100% duty compressor like a senco will do you very well.
I use mine to spray under coating and it keeps up pretty well. Way better than a 30 gallon oil less kobalt I was given for free. I always have to wait on that thing when using it for anything besides topping tires off.
if you're going to go small, a 100% duty compressor like a senco will do you very well.
I use mine to spray under coating and it keeps up pretty well. Way better than a 30 gallon oil less kobalt I was given for free. I always have to wait on that thing when using it for anything besides topping tires off.
FTE Legend
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 54,030
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From: NY and VA
I put a small addition on the side of the garage for my 60 gal CH compressor. I have a couple of 6 gal compressors and they are noisy.
Another thought: (I know that's scary) build a loft for the compressor to get it off of the floor.
Another thought: (I know that's scary) build a loft for the compressor to get it off of the floor.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,571
Likes: 21
Could you get one of the Rubbermaid Deck Sheds and put it outside? Wire it up on a Contactor and a Spring Wound Timer inside the garage, so you won’t forget and leave it on. Plus no noise inside your garage, and you free up the space. I leave the Drain Valve on my Compressor Slightly open so it will bleed the water out. My Large Compressor gets a lot of use, every time I mow the Yard, Lawn Tractor and Push Mower get blown off and out. Everything on them is air cooled. The First Couple Times you replace the Batteries on your Impact, I bet you will go back to you air wrench.
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