Air Compressor Opinions

[bh357]

Looking to buy an air compressor, 5~6hp motor, 30 gal tank, prefer vertical. Does anyone have any opinions on which brands are decent. Not looking to spend a ton of money, under $300.<br />Home Depot has a Husky compressor (5.5hp, 32gal tank, vertical), that includes a number of tools (impact, ratchet, spray gun, chisel, plus other accessories) for $299. I've also been eyeing the Craftsman line.<br /><br />Thanks

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Air Compressor Opinions

Don't think you could go wrong with either, as long as you don't plan to run a big cfm sucking DA sander off it...

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Air Compressor Opinions

I have had a 5.5 30 gal vertical Craftsman for a number of years that has always done its job. The husky should be fine for normal stuff, but if you are looking to paint or do other things that draw tons of air constantly you may need something more stout.

 

[Terry H]

Re: Air Compressor Opinions

for 300bucks you ain't gonna git much compressor. Look at the amp rating of the motor...you get appx 13amps per hp. I don't know how they get away with marketing a 1 hp compressor as a 5hp. A decent 5hp motor costs more than 300bucks. If you just wanna fill tires and use a small nail gun you should be just fine with what you are looking at...just a thought

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: Air Compressor Opinions

I have a craftsman upright compressor, 25 gal. 5.5 oil free. It is ok but is noisy as all heck. At times it struggles to keep up with the tools. If I had to do it over I would spend the extra $$ and buy a bigger one.

 

[Kenneth Brown]

Re: Air Compressor Opinions

A belt drive will work so much better for you than the direct drive oil-less models will. I have a Wally world special Campbell-Hausfield in 5hp form. It runs my impacts and other assorted tools ok but is way too noisy. If I had it to do over again it would have a belt.

 

[jimr]

Re: Air Compressor Opinions

I got a Campbell hausfield 5.5 HP Ironforce 22 gallon 150 PSI at lowes this spring for 199 buck. it can be vertical or horizontal. its also alot quieter than my father in laws craftsman compressor.

 

[one more cast]

Re: Air Compressor Opinions

If you need alot of cfm (DA sander, sand blaster, etc.) then go with a two stage compressor. I have a 2hp craftsman high rpm single stage that is fine for around the house and i've even painted a few bikes and 2 cars without a problem. My pressure blaster will run it out of air in about 20 seconds though.

 

[bh357]

Re: Air Compressor Opinions

Thanks for all the advice so far. I probably should've clarified that this would be for "household" use, i.e. things that a normal homeowner would do in his/her garage, such as car repair/maintenence, light painting chores (nothing like automotive repair), airing up tires, blowing off parts, etc... I'm just trying to make sure I get a good value for my money. It'll probably get used a couple times a week, so I don't think I need something really heavy duty.<br />I can deal with the noise of my father-in-law's single stage Craftsman, so as long as it's not louder than that, I'm happy.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Air Compressor Opinions

I have a Craftsman that belonged to my dad.<br />I can not tell you how old it is cause I don't know.<br />It is belt drive, 30Gal. tank.<br />It will keep up with me doing what I want and most of the time will build up and shut off while I am working with it.<br /><br />As far as what you want/plan on doing, either one would be just fine.<br /><br />Check the warranty's out on both before you decide.

 

[Terry H]

Re: Air Compressor Opinions

The "oilless" compressors are noisy...and relatively shortlived...just a thought