I'm looking at a small air compressor for the garage. It'll mainly be for keeping the air pressure correct in the bikes, cars and trucks but of course, it would be nice as well for using when detailing. What does everyone recommend? I don't want to spend a packet on this.
Makita Canada Inc Makita MAC700. I have it and have no problems with it. Low noies compared to other models.
P1et...any tool is the same thing..you get what you pay for. I started with an 8 gal 'pressor and found it inadequate to blow out my sprinkler lines which is one of the main reasons I own one. I sold it and replaced it with an oil-less 15 gal 'pressor that peaks at 125 psi...it rocks! It's made by DeWalt.
Whatever you get, get a piston driven compressor. They last for forever... craftsman makes good ones. at least an 8 gallon. Then get a Hose reel and you're set!
/subscribed I need to get one myself and not exactly sure what to look for in a quality air compressor.
That's the one I have. I think it does a great job although if I had to choose again I would get a much larger tank. It has to refill itself a couple of times when I'm blowing out water after a wash and it does not have enough output for an air sander.
just got this one the other day...it was on sale for 150....stealllll http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...Compressors&cName=Air+Compressors+&+Air+Tools
It's really more of a nice to have rather than a need to have. So you can only use the air that's inside the tank, and once that air is used up, you have to let it recycle again? So a bigger tank is better because you can keep blowing the air?
This is the one I use got it about a year ago. Works great. http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00916770000P?mv=rr#reviewsWrap
P1et...trust me on this one...seriously...bigger is better. Get a small one and you WILL regret it. The one Scott linked to is great $200 is a great deal for that machine. Your needs will change over the years and having a great, useful compressor is so important. Go with the one from Sears or if funds are tight, wait until you can get one of that caliber.
correct, you can also regulate how much air gets out before you want it to fill up again... Min 5gal tank
Thanks for the feedback chaps. Sounds like I need to do a bit of research. And yes, it's always best to future-proof a purchase like this...
I highly recommend staying away from oil-less compressors. They are short lived, especially if you use them fairly often.
Oiless SUCK... mine took 2 years to die... but I hated every noisy minute of it... One problem with air compressors is if you buy one you will find lots of uses for it, and then it will be too small... I have an 80 gallon with a 5hp motor and it is BARELY adequate...
I use my oil-less compresser for 3 years and only have a small valve leak... piston driven can't be beat!
I thought I was the only one fixing to get a compressor. Your not alone in the search of a compressor. Here Compressors Buying Guide | Canadian Tire you can read some info I found today. I agree with others, that if your going to buy one, spend the money right the first time. Nothing bites more then having to spend more money to upgrade your system. Hopefully that info helps. JR.
why is it barely adequate. HP and gallon's is not how you should be buying a compressor. When I bought my compressor I looked at two things voltage required and CFM. CFM is the most important number for a compressor. CFM is short for Cubic Feet per Minute a measure of volume flow over time. You have to look at the one item that consumes the most usually a spray gun, sand blaster, or DA sander require a ton of CFM. Once you find your highest consuming item you then use that number to shop for compressors. You want to match or excede the flow rate of the compressor to the flow rate of the tool, that way you don't have stop and wait for the compressor to catch up. The size of the tank doesn't really matter nearly as much as the cfm. Think of the tank like a resevoir. Essentially the bigger the tank the longer the compressor can stay off while you run your tool. Personally I have a 60 gallon 5 hp compressor that runs a 15.4 cfm @ 90 psi. Keep in mind I do a lot of metal fab. for restoring cars. I found my highest consumer was my DA @ 15 cfm. Another thing to keep in mind is you definitly want to run an airline drier. Moisture is a killer for air tools. Make sure to dump the moisture out of you tank when you are done using the compressor. You will be surprised at the amount of water that comes out after a day of beating on the machine. I don't run an oiler on my aircompressor only because I shoot primer and we all know oil and paint don't really mix. Hope this helps
