help me decide - Air Compressor

[pixelmonkey]

Trying to decide on an air compressor that has enough cfm power to keep me happy, while not requiring excessive budget, floor space or noise.

been thinking about this for a while and have it narrowed down to the following

Porter Cable Product Details for JOB BOSS™ 150 psi, 4.5 gal Oil-Free Portable Air Compressor - Model # C3151 (http://www.portercable.com/products/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=11501)

and

D55146 4.5-Gal. Portable Electric Air Compressor-D55146 at The Home Depot (http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&productId=100497925&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&ci_sku=100497925&ci_src=14110944&cm_mmc=shopping-_-googlebase-_-D25X-_-100497925&locStoreNum=3902)

open for suggestions.
chris<pixelmonkey>:D

[pixelmonkey]

another option...

Makita USA - Tool Details - MAC2400 (http://www.makita.com/en-us/Modules/Tools/ToolDetails.aspx?ID=462)


DEWALT D55154 (http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00919251000P?sid=IDx20070921x00003a&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=SPM2673549902)

still searching.
chris<pixelmonkey>:D

[jonn127]

it might have the cfm you are looking for, but at that size tank, the compressor might be running non stop. Guess it depends on what you use it for.

[DLB]

What are your intended uses?
What are your size limitations?
How mobile does it need to be?
What is your target price range?

DLB

[pixelmonkey]

What are your intended uses?
mobile detailing


What are your size limitations?
1 person loading into truck


How mobile does it need to be?
must have wheels. fit through a doorway *front door of home* would like it to weigh less than 120 lbs.


What is your target price range?
under $400 is what i'm hoping

if it's running all the time during use, i will not cry. ear protection will be in use most times as well.

chris<pixelmonkey>:D

[DLB]

mobile detailing


1 person loading into truck


must have wheels. fit through a doorway *front door of home* would like it to weigh less than 120 lbs.


under $400 is what i'm hoping

if it's running all the time during use, i will not cry. ear protection will be in use most times as well.

chris<pixelmonkey>:DGiven that criteria, I would definitely look at something like this:
Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more (http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00916642000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1)
Shop Campbell Hausfeld 1.3 HP 20-Gallon 200 PSI Electric Air Compressor at Lowes.com (http://www.lowes.com/pd_340269-43657-HJ300299DI_4294795218_4294937087_?productId=334129 6&Ns=p_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr|0||p_product_qty_sale s_dollar|1&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl_Air%2BCompressors_4294795218_4294 937087_%3FNs%3Dp_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr|0||p_prod uct_qty_sales_dollar|1&facetInfo=)

etc...

The 20 Gallon size is still manageable to load by yourself, but it is a HUGE improvement over the small compressors. For detail work I use the air nozzle more than anything I guess. In blowing out a single car thoroughly you would have a hard time keeping high pressure on a smaller tank. Sure you don't care if it is cycling a lot, but when you have to wait on it to build up pressure, that just stinks.

Side note: My dad is a builder and he uses that size of compressor only. We have had 3 full size nailers running on 1 of those PLENTY of times. It cycles more, but they keep up. Right now he has a Craftsman Pro (I didn't list it, it is cast iron pump and more $$$) and a Campbell Hausfeld similar to the one I posted. The CH isn't near as tough, but it shouldn't be for price. The best one he ever used was when he used mine for about a years time before buying a new one, and mine is a DeVilbiss. I use it in my garage now MOST of the time over the big 60 Gallon I have.

Based on my own personal experience, and using both styles of those compressors (along with plenty of others), just get a good solid wheeled 20 Gallon. It is large enough to do some heavy work, and small enough to be portable. Just my $0.12 (inflation).

DLB

[5.4 Shelby]

I have both a large 20 gal and a small twin tank 4 gal. There is a huge difference in ability.

The small one is good for nailers as they only use a small burst at a time then have a few seconds to recover. Also good for inflating tires, blow up rafts, balls etc.

If you plan to run anything with sustained air flow like polishers, sanders, paint guns, etc, you need a big one. I even have my doubts on blowing water out of crevices. At least the one I have would struggle with it. It is only 3.0 SCFM.

[pixelmonkey]

still searching, but getting close.

what is needed - running CFM at 90psi : 8

in totaling that, the size goes up, and the mobility goes down. makes the search list quite a bit shorter. In finding this information, it's not likely going to be picked up by me and stored in the bed of a truck without a few more flintstone vitamins.


found one that is a bit closer to what i need.
Chicago Pneumatic - CFM at 100 PSI 7.1 (http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200347528_200347528?cm_mmc=Aggregates-_-Google-_-Air&#37;20Compressors%3ESingle%20Stage%20Electric%20Ai r%20Compressors-_-110522)

think i have a winner here
Campbell Hausfeld VT6271 - CFM @ 90 PSI: 10.2 (http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CAM-VT6271)

chris<pixelmonkey>:D