Small air compressor?

[Goop]

Hi Everyone!

I'm looking to get an air compressor for my collection of bike necessities. I usually go to the gas station and use the coin operated compressor to keep my tires up to spec. I think it's time to buy my own. I don't have a garage, so I'm looking for something that's small, driven by household electric, and can be portable enough to carry out to the car port where I park my bike.

Any advice? There are so many to choose from, but I'd like to hear some real-world experiences with any of the hundreds of compressors that are out there.

Thanks!

 

[Boneman]

Canadian Tire sells a neat little setup called the Airman Inflation Station

Airman Inflation Station | Canadian Tire



Not sure if you can order online and have it shipped or check eBay for something similar. Rechargable and portable.

If you find that you want this and can't orderit/find it in the USA, let me know and I can always head down to a Canadian Tire and pick one up for you and ship it to ya!

Note: the reviews on it wern't that great

 

[Jblk9695]

Check out the pancake air compressors from Sears. Small and portable, runs off of household current. Harbor Freight may have a selection also.
I have a Sears pancake that I used for years in my garage shop until one of the bearings went, but I used the crap out of it so for occasional use it should hold up quite well. Just drain any condensation out of the tank regularly.

Jerry

 

[Wavex]

This is what I use: [ame=http://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-ASI300-Station-Inflator/dp/B000IE0YIQ]Amazon.com: Black & Decker ASI300 Air Station Inflator: Home Improvement[/ame]

Works great.

 

[REO Scorpio]

This is what I use.

Walmart.com: Campbell Hausfeld Cordless Air Compressor: Home Improvement

I leave it in my Jeep and fill up the bike when needed. Doesn't take long, enough power, and plenty of charge options.

Scorpio

 

[champion221elite]

I have one of those small, tankless style emergency air compressor/ inflators.

It has an internal battery if you're away from an electrical source and will inflate several light truck tires on a full charge. It also has a 12 volt cigarette adapter to charge on the go as well as an input for 110 volts from a household source.

It's a handy little unit that also works great for inflating air mattresses, water toys and anything else that needs air. It's been a handy unit to have around the house.

 

[sublime0713]

I used to use the portable/tankless style compressors but I upgraded to this:
2 HP, 8 Gallon, 115 PSI Portable Air Compressor
because I can also use air tools, etc. with it. Works great and has wheels to roll out to your carport with extension cord. :thumbup:

 

[FuriousGeorge]

I have a couple small compressors in the garage, but I never use them for the bike. I only ever need 2 or 3 psi at most so it's easier to just use a cheap bicycle floor pump. Half a dozen pumps and you're good to go.

 

[Tailgate]

Funny, I, too had been pondering getting a small air compressor for quite a long time. Then, in the back pages of a bike mag (many of them have the one-page Harbor Tool coupon ad/page) I saw this one for $39.00 (with coupon). Although it may not be available for $39, you can still cut out the 20% off coupon and apply to the current $59 sale price. It's a handy, but small and 1/3 HP, 3 gallon, compressor and is perfect for pumping up tires, cleaning/air blowing small stuff (carbs, etc.). The motor turns off/on automatically to keep up the pressure. It it's a small job compressor you're looking for this one is nice. Don't forget to get accessory hose, nozzles, etc. (I still need to get a side entry fill nozzle that will fit the FZ6 air valve stem.)
1/3 HP, 3 Gallon, 100 PSI Oilless Air Compressor
http://www.harborfreight.com/air-tool-accessory-kit-42716.html

 

[Goop]

I have a couple small compressors in the garage, but I never use them for the bike. I only ever need 2 or 3 psi at most so it's easier to just use a cheap bicycle floor pump. Half a dozen pumps and you're good to go.

I thought of that too, but I would like to start changing my own tires... :thumbup:

 

[Goop]

Funny, I, too had been pondering getting a small air compressor for quite a long time. Then, in the back pages of a bike mag (many of them have the one-page Harbor Tool coupon ad/page) I saw this one for $39.00 (with coupon). Although it may not be available for $39, you can still cut out the 20% off coupon and apply to the current $59 sale price. It's a handy, but small and 1/3 HP, 3 gallon, compressor and is perfect for pumping up tires, cleaning/air blowing small stuff (carbs, etc.). The motor turns off/on automatically to keep up the pressure. It it's a small job compressor you're looking for this one is nice. Don't forget to get accesory hose, nozzles, etc.
1/3 HP, 3 Gallon, 100 PSI Oilless Air Compressor
Air Tool Accessory Kit

Just saw the coupon in Cycle World! I'll check that out too.

 

[RJ2112]

If all you are doing is 'topping up' the tires, go to Walmart and buy a cheap bicycle pump. Less work than hauling around something that has to be plugged in, much more rugged, and less expensive to operate.

The standard vertical style pump takes less than a minute to add 5-10 lbs to your tire. It'd take that long to lay out the extension cord, etc.

 

[Goop]

If all you are doing is 'topping up' the tires, go to Walmart and buy a cheap bicycle pump. Less work than hauling around something that has to be plugged in, much more rugged, and less expensive to operate.

The standard vertical style pump takes less than a minute to add 5-10 lbs to your tire. It'd take that long to lay out the extension cord, etc.

I want to be able to change my own tires as well, so I'll need something a little more substantial.

 

[rjo3491]

Check out the VI Air line. I have a mid priced unit that runs on 12 volts. It's never let me down.

 

[Fred]

I had a Harbor Freight air compressor like this one. It was underpowered and slow. One time I left it plugged in and it almost set my house on fire after the motor stalled.

Now I have a Husky brand compressor from Home Depot. It's a 33 gallon tank, and it has worked perfectly for years.

If I was going to buy another, it would be even bigger, and would have a separate motor and compressor connected by a belt. That type costs more, but can run for longer before overheating. And they're quiet! With the Husky, I have to evacuate the garage while it's on.

Fred

 

[Wavex]

I want to be able to change my own tires as well, so I'll need something a little more substantial.

Forget about my previous recommendation then... too slow to fill full tires...

Fred knows what he's talking about ^

 

[Jblk9695]

Here's the one from Sears, like I said its like a Timex, takes a licking and keeps on ticking
It also depends on what you want to spend and how truly portable you need it to be. Also how many amps in the circuit your going to use, this may be the limiting factor as to which compressor you end up with.

Link to Sears
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...air+compressor&prdNo=7&blockNo=7&blockType=G7

Jerry

 

[Goop]

Thanks everyone for the input. I'm steering towards a Craftsman, probably the pancake style. Although I did find this, looks handy and it gets good reviews:

Craftsman C3 19.2 volt Cordless Inflator

 

[kyle]

Check out the pancake air compressors from Sears. Small and portable, runs off of household current. Harbor Freight may have a selection also.
I have a Sears pancake that I used for years in my garage shop until one of the bearings went, but I used the crap out of it so for occasional use it should hold up quite well. Just drain any condensation out of the tank regularly.

Jerry

You like yours? I have a 3 gallon I got as a gift, and I was a bit disappointed as I can't even fill all 4 tires on a vehicle without recharging the thing if they are any more than a pound or two low each. Pretty good for the bike, but it'd probably be just as handy to use a tankless compressor by the time I wait on it to fill.

 

[kyle]

Thanks everyone for the input. I'm steering towards a Craftsman, probably the pancake style. Although I did find this, looks handy and it gets good reviews:

Craftsman C3 19.2 volt Cordless Inflator

That thing looks really cool. Only hesitation i would have is the fact that it says it will only fill two tires on a charge, but that's fine for the bike and you're not going to get a compressor for $45. I'd recommend a 5 gallon compressor if you go that route. There have been plenty of times I have been filling tires on the xterra and and to refill the tank to get the last tire. I've seen a couple of 5 gallon models at Lowe's and Home Depot that don't look that much bigger or heavier than my pancake Craftsman. Another thing to consider is that the included wheel chucks with the compressor can be tricky to get between the spokes and brake disks at the right angle. That little electric unit looked perfect in that regard.

Edit: just saw some other posts. Didn't realize one could get a compressor that cheap. Gotta love Harbor Freight.