Advice on buying a sub $400 air compressor

[PeterH828]

I would like to replace my old husky air compressor because it is too loud and constantly runs. The main use is blowing off the RC cars for cleaning and filling bike tires. Current unit is 2.75 hp 8 gal 135 max psi.

Thanks,
Peter

[robbiem]

IF you want to stay small I'd look for an older 20-30 gallon belt driven compressor. The quality brands run pretty quiet and put out some decent cfm. Could easily be found for less than $400.

[jeff22]

Belt drive is definitely the way to go. Much lower rpm therefore much lower noise. Check out harbor freight if you have one in the area. Pretty good prices and enough reliability for casual use.

http://m.harborfreight.com/air-tools...sor-61489.html


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[bob1961]

home depot has some belt drives for bout 350.00....

[Norton]

Great compressor for the $ and quiet! http://www.amazon.com/Makita-MAC2400...air+compressor

Been running solid for years and good CFM. I use it for nailing and spraying poly on wood working for the business.

[PeterH828]

Belt drive ? I wouldn't have thought that it wasn't a good option, so I will give it some consideration. I had been looking at the Makita but feel that the tank might have been too small. is the Makita really that quiet?

[robbiem]

I've never seen one of the small ones that puts out any decent air that isn't ungodly loud. Even the good ones don't up out that much. Just depends if you have the space/need for something bigger.

[bob1961]

home depot has a belt drive that is on wheels, if you have a storage spot the you should not have any trouble....the one I'm looking at went up in price, but should handle anything we do here....plus it can handle taking lug nuts off your car with air gun....

Husky 30 gal. Ultra-Quiet Portable Electric Air Compressor-C301H - The Home Depot

[BigSki]

Don't forget about looking for a used one, I recently sold my Husky 5hp, 30 gallon compressor for $250. It worked flawlessly and looked good. There are some good used buys out there.

[Tio Loco]

I don't think it's the belt drive, so much as oil-less vs. oil-lubricated. The little oil-less compressors are much louder.

[jeff22]

I don't think I've ever seen an oil lubricated compressor that wasn't belt drive. But basically what you want is low rpm. The noisy compressors run about 3k rpm quieter ones 1500-1700 rpm.


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[jeff22]

Just found this. Not really enough cfm (airflow) for air tools but seems perfect for your application. Low rpm. Oil free. Almost seems too cheap to be true. I would buy this if I had room for another one.

http://m.homedepot.com/p/California-...6310/202977399

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[navyeoseabee]

Originally Posted by Tio Loco

I don't think it's the belt drive, so much as oil-less vs. oil-lubricated. The little oil-less compressors are much louder.

oil VS. oil-less is the noise you hear.

i had a 25 gallon oiled compressor and my buddy talked me into a a oil-free compressor (i wanted a larger tank so i got a 33gallon) but this thing is so noisy!!! I wish i stuck with oiled compressor unit!

this is the one i got.
Craftsman 33 Gallon Vertical Air Compressor: Portability from Sears

if you are mainly using it for a r/c this one is 10 gallon oil lubed. 10-Gallon Oil-Lube Portable Air Compressor Kit: Blow at Sears