Oil free compressors

[Vlad D Impeller]

I'm in the market for a new portable compressor, with enough capacity to operate a couple of nailers at the same time, nothing too big and fancy, there is one at the Home Depot made by Rigid that operates oil free, Does anyone have one of these oil free compressors or happen to know if they're any good?

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Oil free compressors

Oil free compressors are kind of like those "washerless" faucets. You would think it's a good idea by how they market them, but really you want the ones that take washers. Because 10 years from now when you've got a leaky faucet, you can just buy $1 worth of washers and fix it rather than replace the whole faucet.

So it's one of those "you get what you pay for" things. If you can get an air compressor that takes oil for the same price as an oilless, then get the one that takes oil. But since you can't, the oilless ones can provide decent consumer service for a great price. Just don't expect miracles or to be handing it down to your grandchildren, etc.

 

[Vlad D Impeller]

Re: Oil free compressors

Thanks Paul, great advice as always. 8)

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Oil free compressors

I`ve always heard the same thing, and I have seen my fare share of oil less compressors fail prematurely. But, There seems to always be a "BUT"!

My Son without consulting me many years ago bought a 5 HP oilless Compressor from Sears. We, (Should say I), restored a 55 Chevy in my carport with it and worked it to death for about a year, Grinding, sanding, bodywork and priming. Biggest problem was running it so long made it hot and it created a lot of moisture. I had quite an elaborate water trap, actually I had three. It`s still working great.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Oil free compressors

I have an oil free Porter Cable 2hp compressor that I beat the crap out of. It's only designed for nail guns, but I've used it for painting and large pneumatic tools all the time, and it still works perfect. When it finally wears out, a new cylinder/piston/rod assembly is only about $40. Its a noisy SOB though...

Basically, I'd compare a good oilless compressor to a poor oiled compressor, and a bad oillless compressor to dog poo.

 

[jimr]

Re: Oil free compressors

I have a CH prof. series from lowes. it works good and is quieter than the sears. the only problem I have had is the copper line that goes from the head to the tank has broken 2 times and it gets real loud and won;t build air. the new ones come with a braided steel line to eliminate the breaking

 

[ndemge]

Re: Oil free compressors

At home I've got a Camble Hausfield Oiless from the Depot...

This thing should be dead.... I painted my basement ceiling, this thing ran almost constant for 2 days..... hose broke one day, it sat and ran all day..... Ran in my garage running my business for 6 months, ran about 2 hours every night, pretty much non stop.

Just can't seem to kill it.

......At work we have an oiled compressor from Habror Freight. It's just as noisy, we've ran that for a few years now for small projects, it's still going, but never have given it a crazy work out.

 

[dtherrien]

Re: Oil free compressors

Check out the new makita 2.5hp duel tank. Pretty nice compressor for about $250.
Oil motor, duel couplings, easy start...........only thing i dont like is that it is a little heavy.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Oil free compressors

Check out the new makita 2.5hp duel tank. Pretty nice compressor for about $250.
Oil motor, duel couplings, easy start...........only thing i dont like is that it is a little heavy.

Me thinks that you could sum up this discussion with that dtherrien. Oil compressors are quieter, possibly more durable and for certain quieter. Pricewise, I'm not sure how they line up.

 

[flashback]

Re: Oil free compressors

Vlad, I do re-modeling for a living (always looking for a job) I have a 79 dollar compressor from Pet boys that has oil in it.. and I love it.... I figure all bearings need oil, the ones that claim they are oil-less are sealed bearings. if the seal blows then the bearing blows, besides, on mine a little oil gets into the air and helps lube the nail guns and keeps the tanks from rusting from the inside out.......just my thoughts..... for what it worth...