Air compressor recommendation for garage?

The problem with cheap air compressors is they really don't last long. I ended up spending a bit more on a small one, name brand, can't remember which, at Menard's and it was worth the extra money--I haven't had to replace it; it's still going strong five years later. I bought my first one prior to that, a cheap one, at HF, it lasted a year....Unfortunately "cheap" and "air compressor" don't mix....

 

This one has worked well for me.

Craftsman 3 Gallon Horizontal Air Compressor.

Craftsman Horizontal Air Compressor: Bring Power to the Job with Sears

 

I bought a small upright from Sam's bout 15 years ago and it's still running. $225 20-25 gallon tank. Has wheels. Less then 2'x2' foot print. You'd be surprised how often you find the Need for it if you do home projects etc.

 

Sears has some nice ones. Mine is about 20 yrs old and works just fine.

 

Be careful about Amazon reviews. I have been burned by them before.

The Sears unit is cheaper and you can pick it up and take it back to any Sears if you have problems. For me this is not something I would want to buy on-line.

Good luck with whatever you buy I am sure you will enjoy it like I do my garage air compressor.

 

Yeah, Sears does have some nice stuff--not always cheap, but usually well made, and it often goes on sale if you're not in a hurry. And if you have a Sears close by, they are about as good as it gets for honoring warranties.

The one I got from Menard's was nice--it is like a small cart with wheels--very portable, small tank, and quiet. That's the other thing I forgot--some of these suckers, especially the cheap ones, are loud--as in neighbor waking loud. I was going to get rid of my cheap one anyway because of that; nothing like getting up at 6 A.M. to go to the track and waking up the 'hood inflating tires.

 

If all you're going to be doing is filling tires and other lik use get a pancake compressor. I've had one for over a dozen years with no issues. I have a 50' retractable hose reel hooked to it.

Rockford, 1-Gal. Air Compressor, CAT944-4 at The Home Depot - Tablet

 

I got my first one, a small Campbell housefield, since 1986. It's still working fine. It won't run air tools but it will fill tires. My cheap harbor freight 8 gal has been working fine for 6 years.

 

95% of the time I just use my Black & Decker Air Station for maintaining air pressures in the 6 vehicles at our house. Set to a pressure, it shuts off when reached. Runs on 12v also, I've taken it auto crossing. I've used it since 2008, and is holding up fine. It's just easier to use than dragging out the "real" compressor most of the time. It's tire pressure gauge is close enough to use, and I can always double check if needed with a separate gauge.

 

For just topping off tires, using the blow gun to blast debris off stuff, etc. this is a great solution. Set it up in a corner, mount a hose reel, and it's really handy. Use quick-connects, and you can unhook the pancake compressor and take it where it's needed. Good ones can run low volume air tools (nailers, airbrushes, some impact wrenches, etc.)

I started with a portable, and quickly outgrew it to one of these...

But I run lots of air tools, paint guns, etc.

 

I'm with Dave.0 on this. I only need a small one for tires, blowing off mower, filters, etc. But, I quickly went through 2 small "off brand" ones bought at big box stores on sale. Went to Sears and got one of their small units 6 or 7 years ago and not a problem with it. Wasn't that much more $ and I could tell the better construction right away.

I also find keeping a stand alone tank full is handy. It's portable and keeps me from running compressor every time I need to adjust cycle or bike tires. Prefer quick release attachments on both, as it seems I need about 4 different chucks (short, double extended, etc.) to reach the valve stems depending on the vehicle.

Good luck!

 

If you're going for "small and lasts forever," check out this Makita. The oil-lubricated pump is very quiet, runs cooler, and will last much longer. My brother and I gave one to our father for Christmas, and none of us have heard a compressor as quiet.

Makita MAC700 Big Bore 2.0 HP Air Compressor - Amazon.com

 

Funny thing. I was in the garage today, and finally figured out I contain so much overblown, pressurized hot air, I no longer need an air compressor. Imagine that!

 

I've had great success with my Craftsman upright. This 6HP, 33 gal., 150 psi model easily runs my small air tools in addition to the small tasks everybody has already mentioned. It's easy to move if need be and takes up very little space.

I'm not sure why I can't get the picture to post correctly. Must be another iPhone fart.

 

I have no experience with this, but I've been told that leaving a compressor full will get you rust in your tank. Moisture in the air, etc..

 

What about something such as this then?

Sears.com