I researched this a while back and ended up buying an upright Sears 60gallon,
12 cfm, 5hp, aluminum compressor w/steel liner. . .mostly because I had a stash
of Sears gift certificates built up; otherwise I may have gone with a
Campbell-Hausfeld or Porter-Cable. Parts are easier to come by for the Sears
but you may need to buy parts more often. . .interesting trade-off.
The only real issue is to stay away from the oil-less compressors. Besides the
other issues on the list, they wear out much faster than a regular compressor
if you really use it. When I told Sears what I wanted it for, they even said
that it wasn't the right technology for the job. Basically they have to be
rebuilt every few hundred hours of operation. . .don't remember the exact
number.
Otherwise, everything else is a trade-off of cost vs performance and how much
you want to put up with.
Mark Noakes
58/56 Chevy Suburban
59 GMC Suburban
Knoxville, TN
On Wed, 12 December 2001, "Duncan M. Nickles" wrote:
>
> I have been reading all of the recent postings about air compressors and shop
>set up. I have the impression that those of you with the large compressors
>are running more that your average shade tree garage.
>
> I too have been contemplating a compressor but am on hold until the funds
>materialize (or quit disappearing at least).
>
> I have been looking at the CFM displacement rather than the psi rating,
>etc... but the large compressors that have been discussed lately seem to be
>overkill for typical handy man activity. If I go to Sears, Home Depot, or
>Lowes and but a small compressor - less than 200 psi with a relatively small
>tank - less than 50 gal. - the CFM ratings are still there that I can run
>impacts, wratchets, die grinders, drills, sanders, paint guns, etc... I am
>not planning on running hydraulic lifts or anything of that industrial nature,
>but I may look at some small scale sand blasting in the future. I also will
>use the compressor for pneumatic nail guns in the shop.
>
> Am I missing the boat? I definately cannot afford a $750 - $1000 compressor
>(probably for the next 20 years). But I can afford $300 - $400 for one from
>Sears, Home Depot, or Lowes. Will I be disappointed? I realize that the
>compressor will run when I am using high demand tools like sanders, drills,
>and die grinders.
>
> Thanks
>
> Duncan Nickles
> Canonsburg, PA
> '59 Chevy 1-ton
> '75 Jeep CJ
> oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
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