What Compressor Brand is Best?

[Dustin]

 

 Well I was searching through past forums trying to figure this out, but did not find what I needed. I am going to buy a compressor for airbrushing and can't decide between two brands. One is a Campbell Hausfeld 4 gallon, 135psi, 2.5 cfm@90psi and the other is a Porter-Cable with the exact same specs... but its $50 more. They both come with the same type of accessories... nail-gun, nails, hose etc. Both have dual gauges, regulator, drain valve etc.

So which is the better brand? Any experiences out there? Is Porter Cable better (is that why it costs more)?

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks,

 

[Don Z]

Dustin,

I'd be willing to bet that the company that made the Campbell-Hausfield compressor also made the Porter Cable unit. Porter Cable then puts their label and logo on it, and since it has their nice red paint, they charge more for their compressor.

Don Z.

[jwar]

If one is made in the USA buy it, if made in China ya taking yer chances. Look at duty Cycle, over 50% should work, if 35 % leave iton the shelf. Either pump will have enought CFM for an air brush. Just my 2 cents...John

[Loco]

Check this thread out.... 

http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/967513/ShowPost.aspx

[bogp40]

Dustin,

Although the Campell Hausfeld compressors aren't bad by themselves, if you are to buy the set with the finish nailer and brad nailer I would strongly recommend the Porter Cable. The Porter Cable nail guns are far superior to some of the lesser models. Even though I have 3 compressors ( Emglow and Hitachi) 2 of which are used on a daily basis as a finish carpenter and most of my guns are Senco and Hitachi, all my smaller brad and narrow crown are porter Cable. These Porter Cable guns have never failed and some are 5-6 years old. The compressor that I have been using on a regular basis lately is one bought to just use in the model shop for airbrushing. This one is a small lightweight Crafstman Model 919.152390. 1.5 gal tank, 2cfm@90lb and will run on any 15Amp circuit. This was bought as a father's day gift 4 years ago to use for painting. I find it so versitile that now I'm spoiled and tend to leave all my larger, heavy Amp hungry beasts on the truck or at home. This model will even run a Hitachi framer, roofing and sidewall nailer. I won't try to kill it so one of the larger models will come out for heavy use. I know many fellow carpenters that are satisfied with the Porter Cable. It specs out almost the same as the Craftsman.

An additional model that is fairly decent is the small Husky upright model in the red plastic enclosure. The specs are close but it is much noisier as the Campell Hausfeld is.

In addition to the Porter Cable set you could also buy any of the other smaller guns (small brad, narrow crown stapler or if you ever need a better/ larger finish nailer to suit your needs.

[loathar]

I've owned a few Cambells and not had any problems with them. I too would recommend looking at the Craftsman ones. If you can afford it, try and go up to a 20 gallon. You'll find uses for it. Trust me. The oil-less ones are real loud. I prefer the belt driven if I can afford it.

[Dustin]

Dustin,

Although the Campell Hausfeld compressors aren't bad by themselves, if you are to buy the set with the finish nailer and brad nailer I would strongly recommend the Porter Cable. The Porter Cable nail guns are far superior to some of the lesser models. Even though I have 3 compressors ( Emglow and Hitachi) 2 of which are used on a daily basis as a finish carpenter and most of my guns are Senco and Hitachi, all my smaller brad and narrow crown are porter Cable. These Porter Cable guns have never failed and some are 5-6 years old. The compressor that I have been using on a regular basis lately is one bought to just use in the model shop for airbrushing. This one is a small lightweight Crafstman Model 919.152390. 1.5 gal tank, 2cfm@90lb and will run on any 15Amp circuit. This was bought as a father's day gift 4 years ago to use for painting. I find it so versitile that now I'm spoiled and tend to leave all my larger, heavy Amp hungry beasts on the truck or at home. This model will even run a Hitachi framer, roofing and sidewall nailer. I won't try to kill it so one of the larger models will come out for heavy use. I know many fellow carpenters that are satisfied with the Porter Cable. It specs out almost the same as the Craftsman.

In addition to the Porter Cable set you could also buy any of the other smaller guns (small brad, narrow crown stapler or if you ever need a better/ larger finish nailer to suit your needs.

Thanks Rob. This is exactly what I was looking for in terms of opinions. I do in fact plan on using my compressor for some light duty work like crown mouldings, wainscotting and baseboards etc., so the overall performance was what I was most interested in.

Are some models of oil-less compressors more noisy than others? Where can I find the duty cycle info? I didn't notice this when I was originally looking this weekend.  

Thanks,  

 

[TheK4Kid]

The nice thing about a Craftsman unit is you can get parts and service quite easily , should you ever need it.

I don't know about Campbell Hausfield units, never owned or used one. 

TheK4Kid 

[twcenterprises]

Campbell Hausfield is a manufacturer, they also build for Home Depot (Husky brand), Sears (Craftsman), Lowes (I forget their brand), and a few others.  The reason I know is because I used to deliver freight to one of their plants (in TN, if I recall correctly), and also hauled finished compressors to a Home Depot warehouse.  I think (not sure) they make them for Porter Cable.  I think Black and Decker is possibly one brand that may make their own (if they even sell compressors).

I personally own a Husky brand compressor, since I got it on sale.  Mine is the 13-15 Gallon, I forget the other specs.  The 20 gallon one has the same compressor, just a bigger tank.  I would shop around, and buy whichever one is the least expensive, as long as it's made in USA. 

Brad 

[Greg H.]

Check this thread out.... 

http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/967513/ShowPost.aspx

Let's make that clickable.

http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/967513/ShowPost.aspx

[reklein]

bogp40 makes a good point. The porter-cable nail guns are tops. I used to work at home depot and those had the fewest returns. If you're not in too big a hurry HD has some pretty good sales on that stuff in yhe fall and specially up toward christmas time. You just gotta keep an eye on the store. Also if Amazon has a good sale, print off the page the sale is on and take it to HD and they will meet the price with frreight and sales tax added on of course.

[ezmike]

Just my $.02, I own the Porter-Cable pancake type from HD that came with a brad nailer, finish nailer and crown stapler, all with hard cases. I've had it for a few years now and have used it in one form or another with wainscoat, mouldings, etc. without issues. It seemed to me, the non-professional, to be the best deal for the money.

As far as noise, I do not think I ever met a compressor that isn't noisey. That's all I have to add.

 Mike

[Dustin]

Well, thanks to all who have helped me!

I just ordered the Porter-Cable unit from Rona and they had a wicked online deal. The compressor is a 6 Gallon, 150psi, 2.6cfm@90psi with 50' of 300psi hose, two couplers, teflon tape, 1000+ nails, a nailer with case and a sander.... all for only $248! There is enough hose I could leave it in my garage and take the "quiet" end to any room in my house...... or my neighbor's house for that matter. I am going to pick up an inline dessicator before I do any airbrushing though.

Now I just need to build my layout! Thanks guys.

 

[SpaceMouse]

Maybe because I was a professional with tools, I have become snobbish. Although the Craftsman tools come with a great warranty, they are aimed at home owners who tend to own tools rather than use them. With any real use they break easily then you have to go through the hassle of replacing them. Air guns are rather simple devices and probably safe, but I would not buy a compressor of theirs if there were any other choices available.

[gjvjr50]

I have owned (still have all thee)three Craftsman 20-30 gallon compressers two are ofthe belt driven oil type 20 to 30 years old and one oiless 5 years? old  Yes the oiless are noiser in a different way