If you’re looking for a compressor for your garage or workshop, a 20-gallon tank offers the right amount of air to keep your projects moving so you’re not constantly waiting for the tank to refill. Well, they probably don’t have as many resources to invest in an industrial air compressor, so the cheaper price and lower maintenance needs of the oil-free air compressor work well for them. It can move just four CFM at 40 PSI, which means you’re going to have difficulty powering many pneumatic tools with this compressor. Part of this is likely due to the fittings that were leaking when the unit arrived. The 8 gallon tank on this air compressor provides the power you need to operate your pneumatic tools and equipment. It can supply up to 150 PSI, which is more than many competing models. The motor is also dual voltage, so you can wire it to work with 240V electricity, though it’s wired for 120V from the factory. DEWALT Portable Air Compressor – Premium Choice, 4. But it takes a long time to reach capacity, especially if filling the tank from empty. That doesn’t mean it’s Craftsman CMXECXA0232043 Air Compressor, 9. #2 Ingersoll-Rand Garage Mate – 2 HP, 5.5 CFM, Model# P1.5IU-A9 The Ingersoll-Rand Garage Mate is a must have compressor for any professional or … Quincy QT-15 – Click to See Price, Top Rated Model Running at just 70 decibels, the CAT-20015HP Two-Stage Air Compressor from California Air Tools is pretty quiet, even though it can reach a maximum pressure of 175 PSI. For Dean, few passions lie closer to his heart than learning. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Additionally, you have a clean workplace without the mess created by the lubricant and these units are more environmentally friendly. If portability is important to you, look for a compressor that’s on the lighter side. Or, it would be, if it weren’t for the 0.25-inch air pressure regulator bottlenecking the airflow. But we don’t think this compressor is built as well as others. The name alone is more than enough to tell you what oil-free compressors are. The real difference that affects portability is weight. But we can get over the noise. By far the two biggest pros of oil-lubricated air compressors are noise and durability. It’s also capable of producing higher pressures, up to a maximum of 175 PSI. Making matters worse, the handle doesn’t feel secure and tends to flex while moving the compressor. Alright, so now that we are all on the same page regarding what the two types of air compressors are, it is time to go about comparing the two. The oil coats the moving parts and prevents friction damage. Oil-free compressors use very special components that are coated with pre-lubricating material that keeps them from wearing out due to friction. They do have some flaws, otherwise, there would be no need for the oil-free models. It didn’t quite earn its way into our top three, but this Porter-Cable air compressor is a very capable device with some great features. At 90 PSI, it moves just four CFM of air, so it will have difficulty powering some pneumatic tools. Types of Air Compressors Comparison. Buy the MCGRAW 20 Gallon 1.6 HP 135 PSI Oil Lube Vertical Air Compressor (Item 64857) for $174.99 with coupon code 30258599, valid through June 30, 2020. How long do oil free air compressors last? The noise difference wasn't enough to justify the increased cost and decreased output. In our experience, it seemed much louder than this. Stealth SAQ-12018 Ultra Quiet Air Compressor, 8. For the price, we were hoping for better longevity. Every good tool collection needs a stout compressor to power the pneumatic tools. Buy the MCGRAW 20 Gallon 1.6 HP 135 PSI Oil Lube Vertical Air Compressor (Item 64857) for $174.99 with coupon code 35791720, valid through March 31, 2020. It’s got a maximum pressure of 155 PSI and a max airflow of 7 CFM at 40 PSI. When you’re looking at compressors, it’s easy to see that these all share a common tank size and assume that they have the same capabilities. There are differences in wheels, but they only have a minimal effect on portability. They achieve this by a combination of sound dampening and soundproofing techniques. The powerful 1.5 running HP universal motor with thermal overload protection is up to 25% quieter than other compressors in its class. Pounds per square inch is how air pressure is measured. This is because it is able to produce a lot more air pressure compared to any smaller air compressors , and because of this it is more likely to keep running, where air compressors that are smaller do have the habit of stopping and starting quite frequently. Update Privacy Preferences If the compressor isn’t using oil, then how are the internal parts of an oil-free air compressor lubricated? Oil-free compressors use very special components that are coated with pre-lubricating … At a weight of just 83 pounds, this Craftsman air compressor is easier to move than most of the others we were testing it against. Just because it’s quiet doesn’t mean it’s weak though. Large pneumatic tires make it easy to move around the workshop, though at about 160 pounds, you probably won’t want to move it often. Some of the quietest compressors we’ve used operate around 70 decibels or a little lower. The first thing that I want to go over is what oil-lubricated air compressors are. As the name indicates, oil lubed compressors use a special oil to help keep internal friction to a minimum. Some smaller tools may only require 3 CFM of airflow at 90 PSI while others might need six CFM or more at the same pressure. The answer is quite simple. Low Noise: As you might have expected, the presence of a constant source of lubricating oil helps to keep the grinding to a minimum, which in turn helps to keep the noise levels down significantly. We don’t want that to happen to you, so we decided to test some of the best and most popular 20-gallon air compressors on the market, writing up short reviews comparing each so you can see how they stack up. MCGRAW 20 GALLON, 135 PSI OIL-LUBE AIR COMPRESSOR Lot No. The tank just doesn’t seem to fill up fast enough for tools that are at the top end of this compressor’s capabilities. From nail guns, to paint sprayers, to air-powered vehicle lifts, just about every type of tool comes in a pneumatic version that produces reliable power when you need, provided it’s backed up by a compressor that can supply enough air and pressure. This stands for cubic feet per minute, and it represents the volume of air that’s moved.  The pros of going oil-less are basically the exact opposite of the cons of going with an oil lubricated model (and vice versa). Pre-lubricated coating (Teflon) on moving parts. Even though it’s more affordable than other units, we don’t think it’s a great value when it can’t even do what’s advertised. The motor is just 1.3 horsepower; not as stout as some we’ve tested that produced two horsepower or even more. However, the WEN 2202 Portable Vertical Air Compressor offers a more affordable solution. After a few weeks of light use, it developed a leak at the pressure switch, drastically reducing its usefulness. They. Most people aren’t purchasing a 20-gallon compressor for its portability. On the other hand, some of the louder ones were over 100 decibels. Campbell Hausfeld DC200000 Air Compressor, 6. The NorthStar Single-Stage Portable Electric Air Compressor is a very capable device that’s held back by some obvious oversights. The most common kind of oil lubrication used in air compressors is what is called “splash lubrication.” Basically, how this works is a series of dippers inside the air compressor is constantly dipping into a reservoir of oil and splashing it upwards (hence the name). Weighing in at just over 120 pounds, this is a pretty hefty compressor that isn’t easy to move. It’s definitely reliable though; a fact that’s backed up by the inclusion of a two-year warranty. 8 gallon 2 HP 125 PSI Oil Lube Air Compressor 8 gallon 2 HP 125 PSI Oil Lube Air Compressor $ 99 97 Compare to Husky 0300816 at $149.00. However, modern oil-less models are relatively quiet. If you want an air compressor that is more suitable for business use, then a 20-gallon air compressor would be ideal for you. MCGRAW 20 GALLON, 135 PSI OIL-LUBE AIR COMPRESSOR Lot No. Are you looking for a compressor to powerup your nail gun or impact gun? Buy the MCGRAW 20 Gallon 1.6 HP 135 PSI Oil Lube Vertical Air Compressor (Item 64857) for $164.99 with coupon code 60207977, valid through August 31, 2020. There are pneumatic or solid tires and you can find them in different sizes. It might reach high pressures, but this compressor doesn’t move very much air. 69269/97080 A true Renaissance man, Dean Eby has worked a variety of hands-on careers, including home building and remodeling, personal training, and now shares his experiences and understanding as a writer. Cost and Size: For example, oil-less air compressors tend to be both cheaper and a lot lighter. Amazing deals on this 8Gal 2Hp 125Psi Oil Lube Air Compressor at Harbor Freight. Because oil lubrication is so effective at keeping air compressors running longer, it makes sense that they tend to cost more because you don’t have to replace them as often. Unfortunately, this is one of the more expensive compressors on our list. NorthStar Single-Stage Portable Electric Air Compressor, 7. By the numbers, the CP has better air delivery in terms of Cfm. Clean & Dry Air: The compressed air out from these units are free from lubricants and less contaminated. But there are many times when you’ll end up needing to move it. An avid outdoorsman, Dean spends much of his time adventuring through the diverse terrain of the southwest United States with his closest companion, his dog, Gohan. Not only is this a lot quieter, but it is also a lot better for the longevity of the parts. But with the advancement in technology, the modern oilless compressors can last up to 2000 hours or more. All rights reserved. Craftsman Oil Free – See Price. Prices, Promotions, styles, and availability may vary. We were able to remedy the issue by swapping it for a larger regulator, but we don’t think you should need to upgrade such an expensive compressor because of a factory oversight. So, what are some of the more common issues that people complain about with regard to oil lubed models? You’ll have to spend just as much time letting the machine rest as it runs, so expect a lot of downtime when using this compressor. Industrial Air Belt Driven Air Compressor – Best Overall, 2. Less than a professional would, and this definitely applies to air compressors tend be! Cost to mcgraw 20 gallon oil lube air compressor reviews this stands for cubic feet per minute, and it represents the volume of decibels. You’Ll find a stout compressor to power the pneumatic tools wheels to make it to! To run larger air tools cost and decreased output the quietest compressors used. 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