Compressor?
 

Any comments on the upright compressor Sears is always selling on sale for $299? 6 hp, 150 psi (it's about 90 psi at the CFM rating needed for typical air tools). http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...id=00916870000

It comes with some 'free' air tools, which do not appear to be very robust, but are probably okay for someone like me who would only use them a handful of times per year.

This would stay in my carport, so it will not be fully protected from the elements. That's why I don't want to spring big bucks for a Craftsman Pro model, etc.

It would be OK for running an impact wrench, ratchet, nail gun, tire inflater, and blow gun. It will also be OK for light use of air-hungry tools like die grinders, cut-off wheels and drills. As for sanders and polishers - probably not much chance - but you can buy electric versions, so its not that big of a deal.

I use my compressor for a lot of work - on the car, on the house and in my woodworking shop - so I wish I'd bought a two stage unit like the pro model. Even still, my single stage unit is fine for 90% of the stuff I do.

Looks like the single stage unit which is probably good enough for the home mechanic. I elected to get the 2-stage unit (w/o free air tools) that Sears sells for a similar price. Of course, I received a much better deal from Sears due to two delivery screw-ups on their part. :D

I have a similar model, and it has worked fine for all my normal air tools as well as nail guns and paint sprayer for sealing my fence (wouldn't try to do any real paint work with it) The single stage pump is LOUD, I wear ear protection when I turn it on in the closed garage.

(Have I mentioned that my neighbors love me)

-Justin

Spend the extra and get the BIG tank. I have a 220 unit with a 60 gal. tank and it works fine for hobbie sandblasting. The extra $s are worth it IMO if you aren't planning on moving it around.

SIX HP? That is BIG mother and more than a 120 volt 20 amp line can handle if it is truly 6 HP. Is it 230 volt 30 amp? For perspective I have a good sized 2 cyl that is a little over two hp but still just under 20 amp at 120 Volt. (There are some non standard rating methods that inflate the true power of a motor).

Look for oil bath over oil less. They last longer and tend to be a lot less noisy. CFM @ 90 psi is key not max PSI. Tank size only helps keep the unit from cycling as often for a given draw. Horizontal units take up more floor space but are less likely to fall over. Fall overs are a common way for compressors to commit suicide. The smaller units are often a better choice for occasional/ hobby type use as they can be moved to the project area and take up less space when not in use.

I have found that a portable 2 hp pancake compressor works for most things other than high flow constant use apps. A pancake will drive a impact gun in bursts just fine to remove lug nuts or blast off a rear wheel nut. It is a good size for the track.
The thing that limits many compressor setups for impact guns is a small diam hose or a small regulator. The tool will not have the power as the pressure will fall of at the tool during high demand use. Even big setups will have this problem if used with smaller diam hoses and cheap regulators. Cheap impact guns use more air too.

My only other non-car hobby is playing soccer, so I don't really need a compressor for that! This will be for car work only; I don't 'do' home repairs, wood working, etc... :)

I'm not familiar with single vs. two-stage, although two-stage sounds more expensive... But if they are a lot quieter, it would probably be worth the money.

A 220v compressor is too much -- as I only have 120v outlets and will not run a line just for this. Plus it will need to be portable, as I will likely store it in an adjacent shed and roll it out when I need to use it.

Kurt -- it's listed as 15 amps and 120 volts... Thanks for the info on oil bath vs. oil-less. I always thought oil-less was preferable, but I would rather have a quieter unit if possible.

I have no plans for taking this to the track, so I don't need one that's too small. But Sears does have a smaller upright that sells for $199.

As far as falling compressors are concerned, neither Dave R. nor I know anything about this phenomenon! :lol:

You gotta be kidding me, compressors can be used for soccer, how else are you going to get air in those soccer balls :wink: .

Not an issue right now. 10 years of indoor finally took it's toll, and the soccer ball I had went into the trash. If Santa brings me a new one (and it's on my list!) then I might be able to justify the compressor. But from what I understand, there will probably be lots of coal instead... (see my earlier comment about not 'doing' home repairs...)