Shopsmith Forums

I am in need of a compressor, and while bigger might equal better, I don't see a need for huge capacity. I am planning on buying a Fuji HPLV for painting, so I doubt I need one large enough for painting, nor do I plan any air-powered tools.

Basically I find myself going through too many dollars worth of canned air blowing things out etc. Nothing is better for cleaning out crud from nooks and crannies like compressed air. I've been looking at the HF cheapies and am not sure about oiled vs oilless, nor capacity.

This would spend most of its time in my basement shop, and make treks to the garage only when I'm working on cars, bikes, lawnmower etc.

What'cha think. Size? Oiled? Oilless? HF vs used? Anything I'm not considering?

I think of air compressor tanks as as small bombs. Not sure I'd trust HF, but I don't have any data on problems.

I've been happy with my Porter Cable pancake unit, fairly easy to move. Got it on Amazon bundled with several PC nail guns. I've used the heck out of it. Noisy tho.


Then I have a larger 20 gallon Cambell Hausfeld compressor with wheels out in the garage. Both have their place, but I can't imagine being without compressed air. So handy!


Both are oil less. To pick what you want, decide what tools you want to run. Find out what CFM air delivery you need for that tool, and buy the unit that can keep up with the demand.

I also have the Porter Cable pancake unit. I went years and years without one and now that I have it I wish I had done it earlier. I too bought it with three Porter Cable nail guns because I am remodeling my house. I use it for many other things as well. Don't go cheap; you will be glad after you have it and will not even think about the money after you have it. I paid $269 for the compressor and three nail guns.

I absolutely love my Senco PC1010.
It is:
Very small.
Quiet.
Very portable.
Perfect for a quick blow the dirt out....
Great for the pin nailer, brad nailer, and even a finish nailer.

It is not:
High capacity. You're not going to be able to run a continuous blow gun, spray gun, impact wrench, etc.

Go with an oiled compressor. The oil-less compressors are nasty loud, and wear out fast. The oiled compressors run quieter and with minimal maintenance will last a lifetime or two. Everybody I know who bought an oil-less compressor regretted it from day one. Everybody I know who bought an oiled compressor loved it, but wanted a bigger one in addition to the small one.

bffulgham wrote:I absolutely love my Senco PC1010.
It is:
Very small.
Quiet.
Very portable.
Perfect for a quick blow the dirt out....
Great for the pin nailer, brad nailer, and even a finish nailer.

It is not:
High capacity. You're not going to be able to run a continuous blow gun, spray gun, impact wrench, etc.

That Senco looks sweet! Only 20 lbs.

I have a pancake type like the Porter-Cable, but it's Bostitch. It came with three nailers too.

garys wrote:Go with an oiled compressor. The oil-less compressors are nasty loud, and wear out fast. The oiled compressors run quieter and with minimal maintenance will last a lifetime or two. Everybody I know who bought an oil-less compressor regretted it from day one. Everybody I know who bought an oiled compressor loved it, but wanted a bigger one in addition to the small one.

I believe this was once true, oil less would wear out fast and tend to be louder. However things have changed.

When my old 1980 oiled compressor got stolen I went to buy a new one. I went to the Porter Cable outlet store we once had and they recommended an oil less model. They insisted it would last longer and would be as quiet as most oiled compressors for what I was doing.

I disagreed and bought a two cylinder oiled unit from another store. Kept it about a week or less. First time it started unexpectedly it nearly scared my wife to death. Loud was not the word for it. Very loud! Took it back and went to the Porter Cable store with my tail between my legs and bought the Model C3151 they recommended. I love it! Perfect size for me.

This one is a shade bigger than a pancake unit with a 4.5 gallon tank and a pull out handle and wheels. But I often carry it around by the lifting handle. Heavy but manageable.

A friend I have has one, bought his without my knowledge, and is using much like you want to. He absolutely loves it.

I don't know if they still make the C3151 but I will say don't worry about oil less just be sure to get a fairly good quality unit. I would pass on the Harbor Freight but I know a lot of guys swear by them.

I don't own one, but the Rolair JC10 Model has received great reviews and is super quiet.

http://www.rolair.net/products/spec_pag ... /JC10.html

http://www.youtube.com/user/TheRealROLAIR

$239.00

+ one on the SENCO. It is oil-less but not loud at all.

bffulgham wrote:I absolutely love my Senco PC1010.
It is:
Very small.
Quiet.
Very portable.
Perfect for a quick blow the dirt out....
Great for the pin nailer, brad nailer, and even a finish nailer.

It is not:
High capacity. You're not going to be able to run a continuous blow gun, spray gun, impact wrench, etc.