Air Compressor Recommendations?

Got tire changer and balancer on order. Next an air compressor.

My thought was to check out Craigslist and pick up something for around $100. Not knowing what to look for I ask you guys what do I need for setting the bead and filling new cycle tires? What should I be looking for or avoiding? I will use it for changing 6-12 cycle tires per year and occasionally topping off my car tires.

I use this guy: Craftsman 120 volt Air Compressor Inflator

Works great for both, m/c and cage tires.

I have a Rigid two tank compressor that has two hose attachment locations, built in water filtration and is strong enough to run two nail guns at a time. The compressor is small enough to be hand carried yet produces psi like the big ones. Works like a charm. I had it for three years with no regrets. The best thing about Rigid is the lifetime warranty against factory defects.

Depends on how much room you want taken up. I have an 8 gallon oiled compressor I use. If you get a compressor compressor, make sure you install a filter and water seperater inline with the hose.

Shame:

I'm using a H.F. Central Pnumatic 5 gal, 2 hp, 110 volt. Bought the 5 year extended. Just over 100 bucks.

Redemption:

I have beat the hell out of it, and,......well,....knock on wood.

Craigslist is prolly your first, best bet. But for new, cheap, I love my POS. It has more than paid for itself.

You can never have too much compressor.

Don't bother with oilless. They don't last, and they are LOUD.

You CAN seat beads with a 12v or small tire inflator type 120v, but having a tank makes it a LOT easier.

I think mine is a Campbell/Hausfeld four gallon four horse power contractors grade.

I bought it for running multiple nail guns.

Once I moved here, I don't have access to 220v power to hook up my 60 gallon Ingersol Rand, so I use this.

It gets to 125psi fast!

If you are going to start doing other peoples tires, you will want a good compressor with high PSI.

Some wheels are hard to seat the tire... One that comes to mind is the RSV Mille' R.

Don't go cheap. You get what you pay for from Harbor Freight.

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jeremy556You can never have too much compressor.

Don't bother with oilless. They don't last, and they are LOUD.

You CAN seat beads with a 12v or small tire inflater type 120v, but having a tank makes it a LOT easier.

How big of a tank starts to make it easier? On trips I found that our 12v portable inflater usually worked after plugging a flat but when the bead came loose on time it just did not work.

Many of the compressors I see for sale are for air tools and have 1 to 5 gallon tanks or double tanks. Or do I need larger capacity to force the bead to seat?

Oiled sounds better. I hate buying cheap crap that I have to replace in a few years. I can add oil.

Bad BoyHow big of a tank starts to make it easier? On trips I found that our 12v portable inflater usually worked after plugging a flat but when the bead came loose on time it just did not work.

Many of the compressors I see for sale are for air tools and have 1 to 5 gallon tanks or double tanks. Or do I need larger capacity to force the bead to seat?

Oiled sounds better. I hate buying cheap crap that I have to replace in a few years. I can add oil.

I would look for at least a 3-4 gallon for setting beads. If you happen upon ATV tires, they will give you the hardest time. You may think that you'll only use it for tires, but if you ever get a die-grinder hooked up to it you'll be waiting for the compressor more than you will be grinding.

Like rangerscott69 said, how much room do you want to take up? And if your budget is the $100 like for the CL one, keep on savin'.

hondalover

Bad BoyHow big of a tank starts to make it easier? On trips I found that our 12v portable inflater usually worked after plugging a flat but when the bead came loose on time it just did not work.

Many of the compressors I see for sale are for air tools and have 1 to 5 gallon tanks or double tanks. Or do I need larger capacity to force the bead to seat?

Oiled sounds better. I hate buying cheap crap that I have to replace in a few years. I can add oil.

I would look for at least a 3-4 gallon for setting beads. If you happen upon ATV tires, they will give you the hardest time. You may think that you'll only use it for tires, but if you ever get a die-grinder hooked up to it you'll be waiting for the compressor more than you will be grinding.

Like rangerscott69 said, how much room do you want to take up? And if your budget is the $100 like for the CL one, keep on savin'.

Thank you for the advice. This is new to me.

I can make room or spend what it takes to get something that will work well. I would like to get just what I need with out getting more or spending more than I need for changing cycle tires. Craigslist can be a way saving money and get a better quality unit if I know a good deal when I see it. I need to do my homework.

I had the good fortune to live next door to the local Ingersol Rand service technician for a few years. We drank beers together in the evening and became pretty good friends. I got a really, really sweet deal.

I have found that it has met all my needs.

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Just go to sears and buy one that fits your budget. I think our garage has a Sears or Fleet Farm special 8 gallon something or another and it works fine for tire changes. It doesn't take too much pressure for tire changes. Now, if you were running a full time time shop, then you would need something BIG!!!

I've got two: a 30 gallon or so Campbell Hausfield for the shop and then a little 2 gallon Campbell Hausfield that I stick in the bed of my Toyota Tacoma when I go to rallies. My Tacoma has a 115 volt outlet in the bed so I always have air as long as I can make it to my truck.

For your shop compressor, get one that has a seperate compressor and motor. I tried one of those that has the motor and compressor built as one unit and it lasted about 2 years.

Get an air drier for the line(s) and drain the tank religiously every couple of months or so of water condensation. Sears, Home Depot, or Lowes. Get a warranty on it and you'll never have a worry again.

You're gonna get what you pay for.

Seating the bead and filling a tire is pretty low on the air compressor scale; whereas, painting, air tools, etc., demand more. I easily get by with a portable nailer unit with a tiny tank that I got for home renovations and have used a simple foot pump to air up a repaired flat rear tire.

Now as with most tools/equipment, once you have one you want to do more. If painting or running an air grinder/sander, you'll want to go big! smile.gif

It doesn't take too much pressure for tire changes.

Yes... It does... You will need something that can maintain at least 50psi for several seconds. That is why most shops have at least 100psi.

A four gallon with 3 or 4 HP is plenty.

Note that sometimes tires are stubborn and they just don't want to seat.

But don't take my word for it, I have only been changing motorcycle tires for twenty five years.

This is very similar to the one that I have collecting dust.

It was pretty much overkill for changing tires. I had my shop plumbed with 1/2 pipe so I could get air at all corners.

It did do a nice job of maintaining a constant preasure for my media blaster.

[image: 2340L5_500.jpg]

gr8vfr

It doesn't take too much pressure for tire changes.

Yes... It does... You will need something that can maintain at least 50psi for several seconds. That is why most shops have at least 100psi.

A four gallon with 3 or 4 HP is plenty.

Note that sometimes tires are stubborn and they just don't want to seat.

But don't take my word for it, I have only been changing motorcycle tires for twenty five years.

This is very similar to the one that I have collecting dust.

It was pretty much overkill for changing tires. I had my shop plumbed with 1/2 pipe so I could get air at all corners.

It did do a nice job of maintaining a constant preasure for my media blaster.

[image: 2340L5_500.jpg]

Gr8vfr, would you care to sell that dust collector in the second week of May?

I'll be down for the TexasMac ride with my truck & would love to take it off your hands! I was planning to get a 60 or 80gal unit this summer anyhow.

I currently use a Craftsman 33gal unit that has served me very well for the last few years, but I have 4 HVLP paint guns that it can't keep up with, and I just got a huge sandblasting cabinet that is coming into the garage this spring. using my air grinders also keeps it running constantly, which leaves me with extra water to drain from my lines later on...

Mines a HF. Friend gave it to me and I have no clue to how old it was before I even got it but I've had no problem with it.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/disp...temnumber=40400

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I have a 30 gallon Sears oil-less compressor and have had problems seating beads using it. Bounced the tire around etc but still could not get the bead to seat. Tire valve was removed. Beads seated easily using the compressor at the local gas station so there was nothing wrong with my mounting. Maybe my hose is too long/too small or I didn't put enough tire lubricant on? I'll try it again in a couple weeks when I mount my VFR tires.

When my dad had his scuba shop, we always had scuba tanks at our disposal, with 3000 psi on hand, now with a regular old compressor and 125 psi, life is not the same. :rolleyes:

Thanks for the information it was very helpful. I just ordered from Amazon.com a new Campbell Hausfeld HL4101 8 gallon, 1.3 Running Horsepower, 4.5/3.7 SCFM @ 40/90 PSI, Oil Lube Compressor, with a 3/8" Goodyear rubber hose. At $149 with free shipping it was inexpensive and should be just large enough to do the job with out taking up too much space. The reviews I read were better than other brands for a cheap unit. I went with the oil lubed for longevity and less noise.

Bad BoyThanks for the information it was very helpful. I just ordered from Amazon.com a new Campbell Hausfeld HL4101 8 gallon, 1.3 Running Horsepower, 4.5/3.7 SCFM @ 40/90 PSI, Oil Lube Compressor, with a 3/8" Goodyear rubber hose. At $149 with free shipping it was inexpensive and should be just large enough to do the job with out taking up too much space. The reviews I read were better than other brands for a cheap unit. I went with the oil lubed for longevity and less noise.

I think you did well. I forgot to mention the air hose. It doesn't matter what kinda of compressor you're using if you pumping the air through tiny air hose. For seating beads, it's best to have alot of air quickly. I think you'll be happy with your choice. :biggrin:

Need to change my portable air compressor (tire inflator). Someone may give me some suggestions? Thanks.

- 12V portable air comp, use for car and bike.

- Prefer the one use car cigarette lighter socket.

- Inflate a SUV tire from flat to working pressure within abt 3-5mins

- As light as possible, should be less than 3kg.

- Options: c/w battery cords, pressure gauge.

This one looks cool but it has built-in battery so quite heavy for traveling by VFR:

[image: portable%2Btire%2Binflator.jpg]

[image: Black-Decker-ASI500-Rechargeable-Cordless-Air-Inflator.jpg]

Really don't want this - China one, slow, hot, broken down quickly:

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Anyone knows about this - quite compact, is that a real Good year?.

[image: Goodyear+i3000.jpg]

This is also cool:

[image: The-Jump-Start-Store_1376.jpg]

GOODYEAR i7000 12 VOLT 130 PSI HEAVY DUTY DIRECT DRIVE FAST INFLATOR WITH WHISPER SOFT TECHNOLOGY

DESIGNED TO INFLATE CAR TIRES, BIKE TIRES, ATV TIRES, SPORTS EQUIPMENT. AIR MATTRESSES, BEACH TOYS AND OTHER INFLATABLES

DIRECT DRIVE INFLATORS HAVE LARGER PUMPING CYLINDERS AND A HIGHER RATE OF AIR VOLUME DELIVERY

POWERFUL, SMOOTH, QUIET AND VIBRATION FREE

HEAVY DUTY WITH FAST AIR DELIVERY OF 30 LITERS PER MINUTE

INFLATES P185/RIR TIRE FROM 0-28 PSI IN 3 MINUTES OR LESS

PLUGS DIRECTLY INTO VEHICLE’S 12 VOLT ACCESSORY OUTLET OR CIGARETTE LIGHTER SOCKET

FEWER MOVING PARTS MAKE THIS INFLATOR LAST LONGER THAN GEAR DRIVEN 12 VOLT INFLATORS

1 FT RUBBER HOSE WHICH CONNECTS TO A 16 FT PVC COIL AIR HOSE

BUILT IN ANALOG PRESSURE GAUGE

TWO COMPARTMENT CARRYING BAG

TWO 15 AMP FUSES

THREE INFLATION ADAPTERS

12 VOLT 10 FT POWER CORD WITH 15 AMP FUSE

QUICK CONNECT COUPLER

BUILT IN 4 LED WORK LIGHT

WEIGHT: 5 LBS

DIMENSIONS: 8”L X 6”H X 3.5”W

MADE BY BON-AIRE

1 YEAR WARRANTY

VietHorse

Anyone knows about this - quite compact, is that a real Good year?.

They are all made by Bon-Aire.

A bit more expensive but you can't go wrong with equipment from Touratech: http://shop.touratech.nl/vehicle-equipment/technical-accessories/breakdown-kit/mini-air-compressor-airpower-115-moto.html

Well, that seems too expensive for a mini inflator, I think.