Air compressor Oil or maintenance free

[Nandy]

The short:
wanting to buy a compressor for occasional use. I have seen maintenance free and oiled motors. Which will be the best for occasional use? I bet the maintenance free but just checking...

The long:
The details surrounding the above question:
Im about to buy an air compressor to replace the one I had stolen and work in my fence. Im not spending too much money and I want a compressor under $300 and about 21 gallon tank or larger and with tires for moving around. Homedepot/Lowes are the only suppliers I have in mind now. This will be used lightly most of the time, filling tires and occasionally operating a pneumatic tool like a framing nailer, impact tool and pneumatic socket wrench. The one I had before was a husky and it came with a kit, I cant remember the size of the tank but it was smaller that what I have been seeing so far. That old compressor would cycle quite a bit when using the socket wrench or impact tool but never showed sign of overheating.
Any input appreciated.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Air compressor Oil or maintenance free

I have both and by far my favorite is the oil bath compressor, it is a much quieter machine. But it is a very large commercial machine, my portable is a maintenance free machine and it sounds like a loud rattle trap when it is running..but it still gets the job done..make sure and look at cycle duty and CFM to see if it will match up to your requirements

 

[xxxflhrci]

Re: Air compressor Oil or maintenance free

Oil-filled...It should last longer and be a good bit quieter.

 

[scipper77]

Re: Air compressor Oil or maintenance free

Just went through this, I'm happy with my maintenance free but don't have the experience with an oiled unit to compare.

What I did want to say was something I thought of after the fact. I keep my compressor in the garage where it is often well below freezing up here. I'd bet that at say 15-20 degrees your doing more harm than good when you start up an oiled unit. But like I said this isn't coming from actual experience.

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: Air compressor Oil or maintenance free

Oil man Oil. Lubrication is what makes stuff last whether it be the grease in ball joints and tie rod ends to the oil in your engine. Lubrication makes it last.

Stuff that runs in clean oil almost never wears out. Look at engines, hydraulic systems, power steering systems, etc, etc.
The oil-less stuff is just cheap junk and as mentioned usually LOUD.

Sadly oil free compressors are 75% of what retailers have for sale.
Maybe its what folks want, after all nobody can mix gas for a 2 stroke saw or weed whip now it seems and resort to clumsy 4 stroke machines. Some people are scared of oil, who knew ? I prefer it.

I don't like maintenance free stuff either, I like maintaining my stuff.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Air compressor Oil or maintenance free

Just went through this, I'm happy with my maintenance free but don't have the experience with an oiled unit to compare.

What I did want to say was something I thought of after the fact. I keep my compressor in the garage where it is often well below freezing up here. I'd bet that at say 15-20 degrees your doing more harm than good when you start up an oiled unit. But like I said this isn't coming from actual experience.

I have never had any problems with my oil bath stand up, it sits in my garage year around and here about a month ago, I used it quite a few times at about 20 below, now my portable if I leave it in the garage and try to start it in that kind of cold, it just hums...and eventually blows the circuit breaker on the unit..

 

[scipper77]

Re: Air compressor Oil or maintenance free

I have never had any problems with my oil bath stand up, it sits in my garage year around and here about a month ago, I used it quite a few times at about 20 below, now my portable if I leave it in the garage and try to start it in that kind of cold, it just hums...and eventually blows the circuit breaker on the unit..

Don't the oiled units use 30 weight oil?

 

[Alpheus]

Re: Air compressor Oil or maintenance free

Oiless compressors are cheap disposable junk. Get yourself a good oil bath compressor with a good motor. The pumps can easily be rebuilt or replaced when they start to wear out. You cant do that with an oiless...

 

[bigdee]

Re: Air compressor Oil or maintenance free

Some compressors that are being marketed as oil filled crankcase are direct drive and are almost as noisy as the oiless type but for home use they are a good compromise. I had an oiless for over 25 years and it is still going strong. I also bought two direct drive oil filled compressors from harbor freight that I am satisfied with,one is 4 gallon pancake and the other is a 20 gallon with wheels. If you want to save money the HF compressors are pretty good. I was using the HF 20 gallon in the attic of my vacation house and forgot to turn it off and it ran for 5 weeks (leaky nailgun) and it did not burn up. Type of oil for compressors is 30wt. non-detergent. I have never had to add any oil to mine though.

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Air compressor Oil or maintenance free

Maybe its what folks want, after all nobody can mix gas for a 2 stroke saw or weed whip now it seems and resort to clumsy 4 stroke machines. Some people are scared of oil, who knew ? I prefer it.

Not sure what a fear of oil and the 2-stroke vs 4-stroke debate have in common?
Four strokes certainly use oil...definitely need maintenance...and aren't all that clumsy.

I have an "oil-less" machine that is noticeably louder than a similar oil-bath unit.
But it performs the exact duty that Nandy is describing pretty well.

Someone suggested that in a cold climate that the oil-less type might be the way to go...I'd suggest the opposite.
Any compromising of the lubrication will be more significant on a compressor that has such a discrete amount to begin with.

I never run mine if it is below freezing (stored), but if it was in the house and I take it outside, I am not worried about the ambient temp if it is starting up at inside temps.

 

[rbh]

Re: Air compressor Oil or maintenance free

I sure like our Ingersoll rand, yes there is oil in the crank case, I think it is a five horse with the 60 gallon tank.
We paint our equipment with it and use air tools with it, The only thing we have an issue with is using the heavy inpact with the 1 inch drive for removing lug nuts, that thing needs alot of air preasure to work.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Air compressor Oil or maintenance free

Oil all the way. The oilless are way too noisy.

 

[642mx]

Re: Air compressor Oil or maintenance free

The maintenance free works great for my needs... I just want compressed air and not another machine to service.

 

[Brewman61]

Re: Air compressor Oil or maintenance free

Service on an oil bath compressor isn't all that much. Keep the oil topped off, change it when it's called for, not a big deal at all.
I just don't care for the buzzy noise that the maintenance free machines make. Just doesn't sound right to me. I don't run my compressor in the cold months, really no need to anyway.

 

[Nandy]

Re: Air compressor Oil or maintenance free

Thanks for your input guys. I'm leaning towards the oiled machines. One thing about that husky is that it was loud.
I did consider harbor freights but being a frequent shopper there I know most of their stuff is not great quality. I generally buy there the tools n stuff I think I will use just one time or like once a year. Those of you that have bought their compressors, what is your experience as far as it holding thru the years?
Thanks..

 

[642mx]

Re: Air compressor Oil or maintenance free

Service on an oil bath compressor isn't all that much. Keep the oil topped off, change it when it's called for, not a big deal at all.

I'm sure its not a big deal, neither is the servicing on the 5 vehicles, 2 dirtbikes, boat, tractor, gas pressure washer, generator, mower, etc that I own. One more machine that needs serviced might put me over the edge....lol. Every time I walk into the garage, there is something that needs done. Being able to flip the switch and having compressed air and no maintenance is a big plus for me.

 

[Nandy]

Re: Air compressor Oil or maintenance free

Anyone other than BigDee with harbor freights experience? The only unit they have without a bundle of tools is a bit out of my range... Might go to HF and northen tools today...
Thanks!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Air compressor Oil or maintenance free

Too bad the 20% coupon for HF doesn't apply to compressors anymore.

 

[bigdee]

Re: Air compressor Oil or maintenance free

Too bad the 20% coupon for HF doesn't apply to compressors anymore.

That is true only for the Campbell-Hausfield compressors...not the Chicago-Pneumatic. There is a coupon in this months Popular Mechanics.

 

[DJ]

Re: Air compressor Oil or maintenance free

I've owned/used both. There is NO question that "oiless" units are noisier.

For what I use one for, I went oiless. I don't do much:

1. Fill tires.

2. Occasional air nozzle to clean areas.

3. Occassional air nailer/staple gun.

4. HVLP spray.

I wouldn't think of running a 1/2" or 3/4" impact on it though. For the 1/4" or 3/8" air ratchets, it works fine.