Compressor Recommendations (for garage)

Hey folks. I’m in the market for an air compressor for my garage. And when I say garage, I mean an average residential two car garage, not an actual shop. I’ll be using it with impact guns for tire rotations, airing up tires, and your usual pneumatic tools for basic household use. I’d like a vertical one on wheels, preferably oil free (I really don’t need another thing that requires oil changes lol). Looking under the $500 mark.

Any recommendations? What kind of psi range would I need? There are a few at Harbor Freight, but I’m concerned about their longevity. Whatcha got?

 

I bought one like this in 2015 when we were building our shed (20' x 30'). Easily ran two framing nailers. Tank wasn't the biggest, so the compressor ran more frequently than one might think, but it had no problem keeping up.

DEWALT 4.5-Gallon Single Stage Portable Electric Horizontal Air Compressor in the Air Compressors department at Lowes.com

 

I have a Porter Cable from Lowes that is 17 gallons and 150 psi. I have had it for over 12 years with not a single issue. This one linked is a 20 gallon 175 psi for just under $500.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/PORTER-CAB...e-Electric-Vertical-Air-Compressor/1000142931

 

pneumatic tools tend to use a lot of air, a larger tank and good recovery time will help ya a lot

 

You want decent volume to run an impact, high volume for drilling or spraying. Personally, I would shop the pawn shops in my area as there are many and the deals are usually great if you push the issue as in walk out and let them call you back. For your situation about 35-50 gal. tank capacity. Look at some retail to get an idea on costs or just Google them while standing in front of one at a pawn shop. Be prepared though, it can get addictive and your garage may become a well equipped shop quickly.

 

I got the stand up Husky from Home Depot, can’t remember the size. I’ll see if I can’t get a picture of the plate on it and post it up. Very happy with it. The one thing I will say is the oil free ones are loud AF. If that doesn’t bug you, then go oil free. I’ve owned them in the past and hated how loud and obnoxious they were.

edit: added pictures

 

I have an older craftsman 30 gallon stand up compressor that I use with most of my “garage” tools like impact, grinder, etc….. Then I bought a pancake porter cable for most house stuff like my nailers and sanders. If you’re looking for garage type tools I would get a higher volume - then pancake ones will run all day long and not recover quick enough.

 

I have a 40 gallon oil free compressor in my garage for identical use cases. Way overkill. When I sell the house I'm leaving it here and getting a small, double-tank portable one.

 

This is great feedback, I really appreciate it. There are almost too many options lol.

What do you guys think of this one?

 

X2

 

I tend to shy away from HF, I will buy "disposable" one use type tools from them. I've had a Craftsman oil free for over 30 years. Just remember to drain the tank of condensation and they will last many years.

 

Linky no worky! Ha

 

Now it works, guess it’s my browser. I just wouldn’t use anything from Harbor Freight unless it’s a jack, jack stands, or their hydraulic presses…but that’s just me.

 

I got this one from harbor freight about 3 years ago, it was around $180 when I picked it up. It is an oiled compressor though. It's served me well, and I've used it alot. I'd personally suggest getting a Milwaukee 1/2in impact, and getting a compressor to fit your needs from there. Cordless impacts have changed my life. I got mine from home depot for $250 with a battery and charger. They always have deals on Milwaukee stuff.

 

Make sure you understand that a tank of compressed air is somewhat of a safety hazard. They can and do sometimes burst. Just beware and position accordingly.

 

Okay, based on some searching and piecing together advice from all your replies here, I’m leaning toward this one:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-QUI...e-Electric-Vertical-Air-Compressor/1001014062

26 gal, 150 psi, oil free, under $400. And in stock down the road from me. I think it should be okay for typical homeowner use and it seems comparable to the Husky line. Still looking at other options, but this one is a contender.

 

This is a great recommendation. I have alot of Ingersoll Rand air tools but they pretty much collect dust now. I use Milwaukee impacts now no hose or noise.

 

Yes! I definitely want a cordless impact, and all my other cordless tools are Milwaukee, so that’s the one I’d likely get. That’s on the list too.

 

I love being able to take it anywhere with me, it's great for roadtrips in case you get a flat, or have to go help a buddy work on something. It's great to not be limited to the length of your air hose when it comes to your impacts.

 

Mine's a Kobalt. It has worked flawlessly for me. Just make sure you bleed excess pressure off every time you're done with it. The bleed is at the bottom and it blows out any condensation. Like I said before, the only thing wrong with mine is that it's more than I needed, and the extra bulk is a pain when I want to move it.

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/air-compressors-whats-good.81290/

 

X2

 

Agree; the cordless impact is convenient. Just have to remember to keep the battery charged. My wife got me the rigid octane 18v from Home Depot a couple christmases ago. It works really well for my applications. I bought an impact driver set from harbor freight. Haven’t had any issues and has tackled everything thrown it’s way.

 

Lowes Kobalt Quiet Tech 26 gal is oil free, and very quiet and a 3 year warranty I think. I have one and it is awesome!

 

I'm still using the first compressor I bought new in 1975 from Sears. 20 gallon, 2hp 240V. Reed valves twice, pressure switch and one motor bearing replaced once. Oil has been changed a dozen or more times. I've been working this old beast hard too.

 

I have two small ones (one at each location)...one is Kobalt and the other is HF. Both are the silent models, and really like that option...pricier but much more livable.

 

So I kind of took a hard left turn with my decision here. After reading everyone's input and re-evaluating what I will truly use a compressor for, I realized the main thing I really need it for is an impact gun. Everything else can be accomplished with a smaller compressor. So, I decided to change my approach:

I bought this compressor on sale for $99 to use for common household stuff (mostly airing up tires, small nail gun, etc.):



Then, I took the money I would have spent on a larger compressor and ordered this bad boy:



Best of both worlds! In the end, I based my decision on actual needs instead of buying a big compressor that would be overkill, and I'm still under $500.

I really appreciate everyone's input.

 

Fwiw, a little volume is really nice when cleaning the truck or car, plug in the air nozzle, dry the exterior hard to reach areas. Interior, under seats, vents, around the column, lower windshield, headliner, etc. Can't beat it! Just my .02.

 

Good choice OP with what you went with. And as a FYI to others reading this thread, I’ve had two HF compressors for years without issues. Both the 8 and 10gals. The old ones have great CFMs, but the newer McGraw ones seem to have tapered off a bit. I can run most tools wide open indefinitely. Only downfall is the compressor is running non-stop. If I ever am lucky enough to have a dedicated shop; I’d look into one of the smaller rotary screw compressors and save my ears.

 

Yep! That's the plan for this one. I will use it for cleaning a lot of hard to reach places in the truck interior. Hopefully the 6 gal will be enough, but I also have those little cans of compressed air for keyboard cleaning lol.