Basic, bare bones air compressor

[Ryan Swanson]

I am in need of a small, portable, basic air compressor. Usage will be light duty only - finish nailers/brad nailers...no framing-style work.

My budget is strictly capped at $100 for this need.

I have found three that seem to be viable candidates - can anyone shed some light on what to look for amongst these bottom-end compressors?

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00915310000P?vName=Tools&cName=Air+Compressors+%26+Air+Tools&sName=Air+Compressors

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=103500-43657-FP209599DI&detail=cr&lpage=none

http://a2.slickdeals.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=246097&d=1250195284

Thanks!

[Jerry Bruette]

Ryan

I have the Sears compressor that you're considering and I use it for the exact things you'd use it for and it's been very good. I like that it an oiled model, quiter and should last longer.

You'll want to throw the hose away and get a real one though and the other tools are only marginal quality.

Good Luck
Jerry

[Jason White]

Go with a Porter Cable "pancake" compressor. Sometimes they sell them with a free nailer or two.

Jason


I am in need of a small, portable, basic air compressor. Usage will be light duty only - finish nailers/brad nailers...no framing-style work.

My budget is strictly capped at $100 for this need.

I have found three that seem to be viable candidates - can anyone shed some light on what to look for amongst these bottom-end compressors?

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00915310000P?vName=Tools&cName=Air+Compressors+%26+Air+Tools&sName=Air+Compressors

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=103500-43657-FP209599DI&detail=cr&lpage=none

http://a2.slickdeals.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=246097&d=1250195284

Thanks!

[greg sprouls]

I 2nd the pancake which is a little larger so you don't have to listen to it charge every time you nail something. Porter cable, bostich are both great!

[Dan Friedrichs]

Are you averse to used tools? Check you local CraigsList - there are always lots of very nice compressors available there for cheap.

[Stephen Edwards]

I bought this one on sale for $89.95 about 18 months ago and have had great service out of it thus far. They put them on sale quite often:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=95386

My only complaint with it is that it's a tad noisy. But, for the money and light/medium duty tasks I think it's a good value.

Best of luck with your decision.

[bill mullin]

I bought that Sears model several months ago, and have used it quite a bit, even with my framing gun a couple times. I like it.
Even though it is oil lubed, it is still a bit loud, but much quieter than the PC pancake compressor, which I also have used.

[David Epperson]

I bought this one on sale for $89.95 about 18 months ago and have had great service out of it thus far. They put them on sale quite often:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=95386

My only complaint with it is that it's a tad noisy. But, for the money and light/medium duty tasks I think it's a good value.

Best of luck with your decision.
My FIL is using that same set up, mine has the same pump with a smaller tank - I've had mine for 4 or 5 years with no issues.

[Ryan Swanson]

Thanks for the advice - 2 questions....what is the difference between the "pancake" style versus these horizontal types function-wise...and...

What is the deal with/difference in having oil lubed versus oilless?

[bill mullin]

Really no difference in function. One difference you'll find between that Sears model and a pancake style is in transporting. The Sears will not stand up on its own in the back of a pickup. You'll have to "wedge" it in between other tools or tie it off somehow to keep it upright. The pancake style usually have a wider stance and will stand on their own.

In general, the oil-less types are said to not last as long as the oil type. I'm on my third oil-less now, mine have lasted an average of about 6 years of day-to day use(I'm a trim carpenter). But, I'm not convinced yet a sub-$100 oil model will last any longer under the same demands. For occasional or weekend use, either should last a long time.

[Thomas Stephenson]

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xr5/R-100676589/h_d2/ProductDisplay?cm_mmc=CJ-_-1122587-_-1225267-_-Home%2520Depot%2520Product%2520Catalog&langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053&AID=10368321&PID=1225267&SID=u351041t1541077f0fp0c0s671&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.homedepot.com%2Fh_d1%2FN-5yc1vZ1xr5%2FR-100676589%2Fh_d2%2FProductDisplay%3Fcm_mmc%3DCJ-_-1122587-_-1225267-_-Home%252520Depot%252520Product%252520Catalog%26lan gId%3D-1%26storeId%3D10051%26catalogId%3D10053, These are on sale at Home Depot stores in certain areas of the country,

[Louis Brandt]

Ryan,
I second what both Jerry and Bill said. I have the same Sears 3 gallon compressor, and I think that it's a great buy. I've used it for both my brad and finish nailers, and it works great. It's an oiled model, and it's not as noisy as the oilless models would be.

I disagree with the notion that you'll be hearing it recharge constantly. I've used it extensively, and on the average, I nail about twenty to thirty 18 gauge brads and almost that many 16 gauge nails before mine recharges.
Louis

[Jason White]

"Oil-less" will be a little more noisy, but not terribly so.

The pancake is lighter and the weight is distributed better for lifting and carrying than the twin-tank type compressors. Most are 6 gallon, I think (I sold mine a year ago so can't quite remember). The twin-tank ones are a BEAR to move around.

For what it's worth, I just upgraded to a 26-gallon KOBALT that I found on clearance at Lowe's for $150. This particular model was normally $300 when I found it, so I jumped on it. About the only thing it probably won't do well is run an HVLP sprayer, which I might want to do someday.

Jason


Thanks for the advice - 2 questions....what is the difference between the "pancake" style versus these horizontal types function-wise...and...

What is the deal with/difference in having oil lubed versus oilless?

[Russ Boyd]

Look into a Puma also, VERY lightweight and dependable. I bought mine for handyman repair stuff and ended up using it on a daily basis for interior trim. I've had it for 5-6 yrs. now with absolutely no problems. And as someone else said, oiless IS more noisy, but, no real maintenance needed either. BTW, the Puma I have is a 1 gal., I believe.

[Ryan Swanson]

Thank you all for the advice. I ended up getting the Craftsman from Sears for 99 bucks.

I did see that Brute on sale at Home Depot, however a 10 gallon (86 lbs weight) is just too darn big for my needs and I'm not in an area where they were in stock...certainly seemed like the best dollar for dollar value, though!