Thread: Air Compressor Recommendations

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Sorry if this is in the wrong topic, but I figured the prop builders all have one so here goes.

I recently had my bostich 2hp 6 gallon air compressor
shooting large metal fragments from the area that used to be considered
the motor.

I used it a couple years moderately. What do you folks use? I'm looking for something rock solid that I won't need to purchase again in a year or two.

I'm lost without mine, it saved me soooo much time for prop building last year.

I have a Craftsman pancake type 2hp 6 gal unit that i use for my home repair biz, airbrushing & Halloween props ( & a few other things ) for 6-7 years now & still runs fine.
& when it dies, I'll be quick to replace it with the same ! It's been a workhorse for me.
Also depends on your needs. If your planning on using multiple props, then you may need a bigger unit. But if you need it to be as easily portable as the pancake for personal use & only a couple of air props on Halloween, then pancakes are good.
Also i have small air tanks next to each prop as an air reserve to help each prop from "starving" with a regulator. ( i use old propane tanks I convert ).

I can't recommend Crapsman I had a 70 gal and it blew the diaphram in 2 years... and it's a sealed motor you can't repair.

I have a porter cable 7 gallon and 30 gallon. Both run perfect after 6 years.

The last time this topic came up, I wrote down and entered a note in my phone so when I am ready to pull the trigger, I have the specs at hand...3-5hp, 20 gal, 100+psi...Don't know if it helps, or anyone agrees, but thats what I wrote down.

I would agree with those size requirements as a minimum for my personal needs that paulcav listed.
I have owned many different sizes and brands and currently own 4 different one and they all have their benefits. I would recommend a name brand that you recognize and is in your planned budget.

Also what you plan on using it for will determine how big of a compressor you are going to need.

My shops compressor is an 80 gallon 7.5 hp that needs 220 for the electricity. I use a smaller 20 gallon compressor that is 40+yrs old to run props.

My shop compressor is 6hp, 60gal tank , 125psi. I have a small off brand one that is a 2gal tank, used it for about 5 years. I had one as you were speaking, a bostich pancake. Buddy used it for house building, then I got it, used it couple years, now my brother has it. I never had problems. The pancakes are handy to use and move, and I have not heard of alot of problems with them. In my shop I have a second 60 gal tank for more volume, compressor doesnt cycle as much.
I do recomend a brand name though, dont go to harbor freight, heard bad luck about them.

We have a couple of compressors, for our props we use the GMC SYCLONE 6310 Ultra Quiet and it really is very quiet, only 60 Decibels that is why we bought is a couple of years ago. It is not big, but keeps up with 4-5 pneumatic props.

What ever brand you buy make sure it is an oil lubricated pump. Oil less compressors wear out a lot faster than oil lubed ones. I have a 220volt oil lubricated craftsman 13cfm at 90psi compressor. Had it for almost 15 years. It gets used for my props, construction jobs and all my projects at the house so it has been used and abused. I'm not trying to sell you on craftsman just the oil lubricated compressor pump. Good luck hope this helps.