Air Compressor - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

MRstark44 · 04-12-2009, 02:53 PM

I currently in the market for a portable air compressor. I have a gift card to Home Depot so i was going to use it for this purchase. just wanted to get some of your thoughts or recommendations.
I will be using the compressor for tasks such as shingleing and roofing. also finish carpentry.

Chris G · 04-12-2009, 03:52 PM

My little Campbell Hausfield crapped out Thursday so I needed a replacement the same day. I picked up the Porter Cable Pancake with brad nailer. I'm sure it's not the best, but they've been around for a long long time, so it's certainly no the worst either. I like it so far. I think it's a good value. If you want high-end look at rol-air. Think about what you want in: weight, capacity, psi, outlets, cost.

Basswood did a little review of small ones.

neolitic · 04-12-2009, 04:15 PM

I like my little Porter-Cable too.
Had it 3 or 4 years now, but it is
loud indoors.
Check this....
http://www.contractortalk.com/f13/li...iet+compressor

Harmoney Const · 04-12-2009, 06:13 PM

MY vote goes to Ridgid! Practically all of my equipment and tools are Ridgid. I have never had a problem with any Ridgid tool I have bought. They are very durable however the only downside I can say is that majrity of all Ridgid tools are very heavy!!!

Joining_heads@c · 04-12-2009, 06:27 PM

Makira mac2400. Not sure if they sell it at the depot though.

TBFGhost · 04-13-2009, 09:14 PM

I have this with the Husky name on it.

It really has not been a bad compressor. I bought a better air filter/silencer for it, did the break in thing as per the manual and swapped the oil out for Mobil 1 10w-30. Fills up fast, has more then enough power to do what your asking and it was cheap. $125 with a Husky Roofing gun(that I will prob never use).

Lubrication - Oil

Tank Size - 4 Gal (2 Gal Each Tank)

Max. PSI - 125

HP (Run) - 1.3

SCFM - 4.5 @ 40 PSI and 3.7 @ 90 PSI

Amps @ 115 Volts - 15

john5mt · 04-14-2009, 01:35 AM

i am embarrassed to say i have a 4 yr old rigid compressor that works great. It has out preformed many dewalts on the jobsite (ie it runs in -20 when they wont).

Dont tell anyone i recommended a rigid tool.

TBFGhost · 04-14-2009, 06:41 AM

I don't care who makes the tool as long as it works well...its not the tools, it is the guy using them. The coldest I had the Husky in was 18 degrees and it worked without a hitch...granted that is not -20.

strathd · 04-14-2009, 08:18 AM

Little off topic but when emglo sold out to dewalt (made in mexico) the emglo execs started a company called quincy. True blue reliability is their slogan. Emglo's were allways blue and pretty much the standard in the industry for years. So a quincy is the new emglo and they are American made. I've had a electric wheelbarrow type for about five years and it has'nt missed a beat. You won't find them at lowes or home depot though.

strathd · 04-14-2009, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TBFGhost

I don't care who makes the tool as long as it works well...its not the tools, it is the guy using them. The coldest I had the Husky in was 18 degrees and it worked without a hitch...granted that is not -20.

I agree to some extent as far as guns, saws ect. But how can you misuse a compressor other than not performing routine maintenance. Allthough it's getting more and more difficult I still try to buy American made when possible.

Darwin · 04-14-2009, 08:33 AM

I got a RIGID twin stack air compressor about 2 weeks ago. Bought a Semco roofing nailer with it. About the compressor:

oil-free
175 max PSI
1.8 HP running
4.5 Tank Capacity
4.9 SCFM @ 90 PSI

This is a powerful compressor. Quieter than most others. It also lasts 5X longer than most compressors out there ( they say).

I did a roofing job with it and it rocks. However it is very heavy. They should have put wheels on it.

tom m · 04-16-2009, 08:13 AM

I picked up a single tank Dewalt last month, has a pull out handle and rolls like a hand truck, stores that way too. It handled roof guns well. It is also very quiet I was impressed.

john5mt · 04-16-2009, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Little off topic but when emglo sold out to dewalt (made in mexico) the emglo execs started a company called quincy. True blue reliability is their slogan. Emglo's were allways blue and pretty much the standard in the industry for years. So a quincy is the new emglo and they are American made. I've had a electric wheelbarrow type for about five years and it has'nt missed a beat. You won't find them at lowes or home depot though.

I have been eyeballing one of those at my local hardware store. Thanks for the story behind them! now if i decide to pull the trigger i can do so in confidence. Perhaps a little off topic, whats the benefit of the twin tanks over the larger single tank? Is it just size. I have found a bigger tank to be just as good with nail guns and have the added bonus of more cfm if your running a non nail gun tool through it. (as well the quincy single tank wheel barrow is 150 bucks cheaper than their traditional rolair/quincy twin tank style wheelbarrow).

Quote:

However it is very heavy. They should have put wheels on it.

I think they basically did with that new mini wheel barrow one. Cuz it is heavy and awkward to carry.

strathd · 04-16-2009, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john5mt

I have been eyeballing one of those at my local hardware store. Thanks for the story behind them! now if i decide to pull the trigger i can do so in confidence. Perhaps a little off topic, whats the benefit of the twin tanks over the larger single tank? Is it just size. I have found a bigger tank to be just as good with nail guns and have the added bonus of more cfm if your running a non nail gun tool through it. (as well the quincy single tank wheel barrow is 150 bucks cheaper than their traditional rolair/quincy twin tank style wheelbarrow).

I think they basically did with that new mini wheel barrow one. Cuz it is heavy and awkward to carry.

I'm no expert on compressors but a bigger tank means the compressor will run less. A twin tank wheelbarrow usually has a lower profile. Resulting in less chance for damage to the tanks maybe ?

Five Star · 04-16-2009, 01:15 PM

id spend alittle extra on a thomas than that home chepot crap.

i have been getting by with this one even for light to intermediate framing

it quiet too and recovers in 12 sec.