Looking for input on compressors. Unit would be used only for blowing out/cleaning small engines, no painting and limited air tool usage. Unit would be kept in an unheated Midwestern garage so I would assume an oil free would be best during a cold winter. Any recomendations on a quite and fast refill compressor. Am considering one from GMC power equipment.
Thanks in advance
Replies
Quiet & oil-free don't belong
Quiet & oil-free don't belong in the same sentence. The oil-free's are generally quite noisy. The new oil bath compressors might use synthetics, I don't know. That would help with the winter time performance, if so, but if you're talking about below zero temps stick with the oil-free.
You need to determine max air flow requirements for the types of tools you might get in the future. Some things like sanders, grinders & the like require a lot of air even though they are relatively small tools. Nail guns, etc. not so much for non-production work.
Rollair and Thomas are considered a premium brands (not sure Thomas is still in business). Ingersoll-Rand also makes some smaller shop type compressors, but I imagine most people have the one of either the Dewalt/Emglos, the Porter-Cable/Devilbiss/Craftsman, Ridgid, Bostitch, etc.