Odds of finding a reasonable air compressor for $300

[Milford Cubicle II]

So what are my odds? I've looked several places and it doesn't look great. I need something to run air tools off of, nothing crazy or air hungry, but not dinky either - let's say, a decent 1/2" impact. I've been wrenching without air for years now so I'm ok with not doing EVERYTHING with air, but it would be nice for lug nuts, pinion nuts, etc.

In my search I've heard a very wide range of what specifications are acceptable for those purposes, so I'm just kind of lost and unsure. My $300 budget is pretty firm though, whatever I get has to fall within it.

Links and personal experiences/review would be fantastic, thanks!

 

[REVROK]

So what are my odds? I've looked several places and it doesn't look great. I need something to run air tools off of, nothing crazy or air hungry, but not dinky either - let's say, a decent 1/2" impact. I've been wrenching without air for years now so I'm ok with not doing EVERYTHING with air, but it would be nice for lug nuts, pinion nuts, etc.

In my search I've heard a very wide range of what specifications are acceptable for those purposes, so I'm just kind of lost and unsure. My $300 budget is pretty firm though, whatever I get has to fall within it.

Links and personal experiences/review would be fantastic, thanks!

Craigslist... a newer used 5-6 HP should be a slam dunk for this price.

 

[samger2]

Yeah, you can find quite a few on craigslist well within that range. Or if you don't have any preferences on oiled or non oiled you can get some 26-30 gallon oil free at Home Depot for like $259

 

[Milford Cubicle II]

http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hard...-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053#BVRRWidgetID

That one is looking hard to beat, especially the price. But I would prefer an oiled unit (get your minds out of the gutter) because of how much louder the oil-free pumps are.

I really want to stay away from one that is going to be constantly refilling, especially if it's obnoxiously loud. So from my understanding, the tank pressure and volume are going to determine how long I can go without the compressor kicking on, and the pump CFM is going to determine how fast it refills the tank. And for that reason, I'm preferring the Husky compressor over this: http://www.harborfreight.com/air-to...-cast-iron-vertical-air-compressor-67847.html one as it's only 125psi versus the Husky's 155psi. I do like that the HF compressor is oiled though.http://www.harborfreight.com/air-to...-cast-iron-vertical-air-compressor-67847.html

 

[fyrfytr1717]

In addition to the noise reduction, I think the longevity is better on the oiled units. I have a 26 gallon Husky that has been going strong for almost 10 years now. I believe it was right around $300. It is only 135psi max, but it is an oiled unit. I haven't looked in a long time, but I assumed they were all still oiled. Back when I was working at Home Depot, that was the major difference between the Husky line and the Campbell Hausfeld line. Husky was 135psi and oiled, CH was 125psi and dry.

 

[GrimmJeeper]

NAPA has one on sale (at least it was last month) for $249, it's the house brand "Evercraft" but it's a vertical tank 26 gallon. I can get the part number for you on saturday when I'm at work if I can remember to check, we have one in the front of my store on display.

 

[xj dreamin]

I was also looking for a compressor and the craftsman compressors from sears are pretty good and fall around your price range.

 

[bails85]

i bought the 21 gallon from harbor freight. ive abused it for 5 years and it still works perfectly. if youre just gonna run air tools like impacts and stuff this will be perfect. if you plan on running air sanders and grinders then you will want to look at twin cylinder compressors that can be pricey and you would be lucky to find one for 300. also the husky model from home depot works very well.

 

[snowonweb]

Your best bet for air compressors is your local Pawn Shop. Construction is down and contractors pawning tools left and right. You can pick up a nice pancake compressor for $20-30 bucks, plus you can have some kind of warranty but you have to fight for it, you know how pawn shops are.

 

[camron]

Check out craiglist they have them on there under the tools section fairly cheap. Keep an eye at home depot also when they have their sale You can also pick them up cheap for a bostch and it comes with three nail guns I have that one and it has worked good for airing up tires and light jobs with air tools.

 

[anthrax323]

Don't make the mistake I made - I bought a new 33 gallon Craftsman compressor (upright, 1.6 hp I believe) that is lackluster to say the least. Their "Universal Motor Technology" is a fancy marketing term for them making their compressors as cheap as humanly possible.

The 33 gallon tank allows me to get things done with impact tools, as the compressor alone does not seem like it could possibly sustain the advertised CFM @90 PSI (I forget what it is off hand). Make sure to pay attention to air volume rates, particularly at 90 PSI, as this is the best gauge of how usable the compressor will be.

Honestly, I'd really rather have a compressor capable of 60% more air flow than what I have, but with a much smaller tank.