Looking for a good portable air compressor that runs off 120 VAC, that would be good enough to use in the garage for power tools such as an impact wrench or an air grinder/air cutter.

Not sure how many gallons I should go for, but the 2 gallon ones at Wal mart don't look like they'd fit the bill.

my humble opinion..... don't get an oil-less one.... around here they overheat. Get something that has an oil reserve in the bottom... also, consider going 240 volt? Just seems to work better for me... Mine is Craftsman... 20 gallon.

Try to get one with the biggest tank & highest cfm rating that you can afford. Once you get one, you will be wanting a bigger one. Air grinders use ALOT of cfm & anything that runs on 120v is gonna have problems keeping up. I have a craftsman 26 gallon that runs on 120 or 240 & puts out around 7cfm I think. I've run an air grinder with it but I have to stop & let the compressor catch up + wait so that it can cool off. That 2 gallon is way to small aor anything but filling or changing 1 tire.

I've heard cast iron heads not aluminum live longer

my humble opinion..... don't get an oil-less one.... around here they overheat. Get something that has an oil reserve in the bottom... also, consider going 240 volt? Just seems to work better for me... Mine is Craftsman... 20 gallon.

I guess I could......if I can get past having to move/unplug my dryer just to operate it. (I don't own my own home so wiring a 240 outlet is out of the question)

I have a3hp 5 gal compressor (sanborn). It's 20 years old, it does pretty for me. I also have a oil less compressor. I bought it last year when I thought my old one went out. It is a lot noisier and can't keep up as well, same size. when I'm doing alot of work I run the tanks in a series and use the old compressor to fill both. Like Everybody says, the one you buy you'll wish it was bigger.

I have this one, except in 22gal and 120-130psi max:

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?cat=Compressors+%26+Air+Tools&pid=00916732000&vertical=TOOL&subcat=Air+Compressors+%26+Inflators&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

It runs a 1/2" impact with no problems. It's no good with die grinders, sanders, etc...that need more air.

I will upgrade to a 240V 60 gal in a few years. I need to upgrade the electrical in the garage first.

Here's a couple I'm looking at:
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=241345-71025-KLA1581009&lpage=none


http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?cat=Compressors+%26+Air+Tools&pid=00916727000&vertical=TOOL&subcat=Air+Compressors+%26+Inflators&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

Or, if I can bring myself to spend the extra coin, this one:

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?cat=Compressors+%26+Air+Tools&pid=00916732000&vertical=TOOL&subcat=Air+Compressors+%26+Inflators&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

what ever you do. Do not get a oil less one. too noisy & don't last that long

home depot

I've heard cast iron heads not aluminum live longer

Oval port or retangular?? :-)

what ever you do. Do not get a oil less one. too noisy & don't last that long

Aight, I'll keep that in mind. :)

what ever you do. Do not get a oil less one. too noisy & don't last that long


Mine is an oil-less one. Yes it's noisy. It also draws 7.5 amps.

I would also prefer to have a vertical tank vs. horizontal. Saves space.

Try these guys. quality at low cost.

http://www.eatoncompressor.com/catalog/item/504747/206940.htm

I bought one 22 yrs and it still runs.


Larry

It has to be 2-cylinders oil lubed and belt driven before you even start to find something decent. Search at Sears 1st unit is OK for light use.

If running sanders or grinders then you need 240VAC 60-gal unit minimum.

Peter

I just did come back from Sears, looks like the only model that is both oiled and uses 240 volts is the stand up one, the only bad thing is it's stationary (bolts to floor) and not a portable, which since I don't own my home I'll have to move it with me before long.

All of the other models were 120 volts, and oil less.

Also I talked with the sales clerk there, looks like I'll need at least a 26 gal or even better a 33 gal one, for the stuff i intend to use it for.