Replies

1. 
   Pro-Dek | Dec 06, 2001 09:11am | #1

   *
   Buy one of these

1. 
   r__ignacki | Dec 08, 2001 05:22pm | #2

   *I 've got a campbell hausfeld comp. with a 20 gallon tank, 8 cfm @ 40 psi, does fine for paint spraying, also a small emglo, kind of like what pro-dek has pictured, never painted w/ it, I'm suspicious it wont supply enough air, if you try it , lemme know.

1. 
   Ross_Welsh | Dec 09, 2001 05:58am | #3

   *Kyle:In my humble opinion Emglo and Thomas are the best brands.

1. 
   Shoeman_ | Dec 09, 2001 07:27am | #4

   *I would have to agree with Ross on this one. Although the 2 horse twin tank Hitachi is also a pretty nice unit and the new DeWalt has gotten good reviews - like the design of it, but, am always a little leary of yellow tools.

1. 
   Scott_R | Dec 09, 2001 06:22pm | #5

   *> ... always a little leary of yellow tools.I'm with you Shoeman. Hard to deny the Emgol name on that compressor.Where have you seen reviews of the DeWalt compressor?Scott R.

2. 
   Phill_Giles | Dec 09, 2001 06:58pm | #6

   *I recall seeing a review on the DeWalt (Woodshop News ?): said it was a good solid Emglo compressor with a funny paint job.

3. 
   Thomas_Moen | Dec 10, 2001 03:01am | #7

   *Oil lube, or oiless, it doesn't matter much with hand carry compressors. Just treat them as the manual recommends. I have the Dewalt/Emglow with one 4 gallon tank. Its a good one. Rol-Air and Thomas are great too.

4. 
   Shoeman_ | Dec 11, 2001 07:14am | #8

   *Sorry, don't recall where I read the review on the DeWalt - I know I read two different ones and they both said it was a good unit. Like Phill says a good emglo compressor, also has nice arrangement with easy access dials and connector and everything contained inside the roll cage. I personally have a Thomas so I shouldn't have to shop for one for a while.

5. 
   GACC_DAllas | Dec 12, 2001 06:49am | #9

   *I'm with Ross,Emglo or Thomas.You can't go wrong with either.Those big blue Cambell Hausfelds at HD?Forget it. Great price, but I've burned up two this year alone.My Emglo and Thomas's are still running strong.Ed.

6. 
   Ross_Welsh | Dec 12, 2001 07:33am | #10

   *I forgot Rol-air.. I've got one that just keeps on running.

7. 
   Thomas_Moen | Dec 13, 2001 12:03am | #11

   *Same pumps as Emglow...at least the new ones.

8. 
   Mongo_ | Dec 13, 2001 12:21am | #12

   *Looks like a 2820...I just picked up one today. Good unit!Mongo

9. 
   Rick_Massic | Dec 13, 2001 07:05am | #13

   *Pro-Dek, What model is that compressor?

10. 
    Mongo_ | Dec 14, 2001 10:06pm | #14

    *Rick, It's a Thomas 2820. Looks exactly like it, anyway...Great compressor. Not good, but great.Mongo

11. 
    Rick_Massic | Dec 15, 2001 06:46pm | #15

    *Mongo, Thanks, I'am looking for a new one and from what I've heard Thomas is the way to go. Appreciate the info. Rick

12. 
    kip_harris | Dec 16, 2001 02:55am | #16

    *rick had emglo for 16 years been laid up twice 2nd time last week for over haul. she deserves it. first time forgot about a little thing called oil. embarrasing yes but 35 dollars freed it up and got it running. 2h.p. electric 4or 5 gallon over under model you cant go wrong

13. 
    Mongo_ | Dec 18, 2001 05:52am | #17

    *Rick, Quick Thomas info:The thomas pancake is very quiet, but has a somewhat longer recycle time and has no knob that allows you to adjust the output pressure. Most Thomas compressors cycle between 100-125 psi, and since that's within the range of most guns, it may not be a lmiting factor.Still, the pancake is a good rig if you work indoors (the quiet comes in handy there) and are only running one finish gun, and won't be bounce-nailing.The 150 is a great unit, one motor, lots of outflow, but VERY LOUD! The 200 is a "rebuilt" 150...I haven't heard it running, but was told it has been quieted down from the 150.The 2820 has two motors, up from one on the 150/200. Quieter as well. Quick recycle time. It is pricier...but these units are going to last you FOREVER.Thomas does have a bunch more in their line, but those are the only ones that I'm familiar with.Most important? Don't forget to drain the condensation from the tank at the end of each day.Emglo's are worth looking at as well.Just decide...oil or oiless...then follow that path and have at it.

14. 
    Chris_Calderone | Dec 20, 2001 05:31pm | #18

    *Dont forget who owns emglo, Dewalt bought them out last year. I own a cambell housefeld and have had it for 6 years with not a single problem and it puts out more air then most of the other brands for alot let money

15. 
    Bucksnort_Billy | Dec 23, 2001 04:50am | #19

    *Sanborn V twin w/ 20 gallon tank for spraying...replaced a stolen Emglo low twin tank with a Campbell Hausefield dual stack 1 1/2 horse 13 amp job, about 6 yrs ago. Can't kill it, and it doesn't pop breakers. Got no beefs against yellow tools, 'n that new compressor is light enough for a trim carpenter to pick up...so, have you seen the PC cordless gun w/ battery?

16. 
    Jeff_J._Buck | Dec 24, 2001 10:50am | #20

    *See first post/pic. Great compressor. St 2820. Jeff

17. 
    Rick_Massic | Dec 24, 2001 06:06pm | #21

    *Mongo, Thanks for info. I'm looking at the Thomas "Renegade". I like the twin stack as oppossed to the pancake style. I'm going to return all my relatives and friends "well-meaning but really ugly" clothes they give me for Christmas and put the money towards the compressor. (I'll probably keep the fruitcake!!!) Rick

18. 
    Mongo_ | Dec 29, 2001 09:24pm | #22

    *Hold on to that fruitcake!When my 12 lb sledge went missing-in-action, I fitted a fruitcake to an extra axe handle I had. Worked great! Worst part was cutting the hole in the cake for the handle...ruined a couple of good carbide blades in the process.

19. 
    Alan_Kim | Dec 30, 2001 05:24am | #23

    *I'm a bit confused with the Thomas Ultra line.What is the difference between the 2820 and the Renegade ?Just downloaded the product info PDF files and I will peruse those.Also, Amazon/Tool-Crib has the Renegade listed but not the 2820.Any on-line source ?There isn't a walk-in store in our area that stocks Thomas.Thanks for your help.Alan

20. 
    Richard_Utter | Dec 30, 2001 08:26am | #24

    *We just picked up a portable DeWalt / Emglo. Seems to work fine but it needs put to the test of framing or roofing, I guess we will have to wait till spring for the roofing.

21. 
    Mongo_ | Dec 31, 2001 07:25am | #25

    *I just picked up a 2820 not too long ago. My impression, from talking to the boys behind the counter, is the following:The 200 (Renegade) is, essentially, an updated version of the old 150. The 150 was a great compressor, but quite loud. The 200 does have some mechanical upgrades, but, essentially, it's a quieter, and somewhat updated version of the old 150. They didn't have a 200 at the shop, but he said that he considered it still too loud to run indoors. He'd recommend it for framing, but not for finishing or remodel (indoor) work...and that's solely because of the noise.The 2820 vs the 200? The 2820 has twin pistons vs the 200 having one piston. Because of the 2820 having twin pistons, it puts out more air with a faster recycle time. Because the 200 puts out slightly less air they run it at a slightly higher pressure setting. The 2820 is much quieter. It's still noisy, but quieter than the 200. They pull about the same number of amps when starting.I called the Thomas 1-800 number and asked for the names of a couple of dealers in my area. I had to go about 40 minutes to get my compressor, but they had it in stock and I needed it that day.Here's an on-line link to purchase Thomas w free shipping:http://www.bobstools.net/Store/Thomas.html

22. 
    Alan_Kim | Dec 31, 2001 07:57am | #26

    *Mongo -I really appreciate your detailed reply.And thanks for the url to Bobs Tools.On the noise level, one of the features that attracted me to the Thomas is the low noise level compared to other brands.There was a compressor review in FH (or was it FW ?) and the 150 was rated one of the quietest.But maybe this was among a bunch of noisy compressors in the same class, so it's still noisy ?The 2820 - if it is a lot quieter, I may be willing to pay extra for that coupled with the increased capacity for when it is needed.Just a little puzzled because you mention "it's still noisy".Maybe you mean compressors in general are noisy beasts due to the nature of their operation.If it has more of a lower hum then let's say the Renegade, that would be nice.Thanks for the info,Alan

23. 
    ken_hill | Jan 02, 2002 03:09am | #27

    *I've seen it at Western Tool Supply and it seems like a ridiculus bulky toy. Maybe you would need it where there was no elec. but you would then have to have enough charged batteries to power the on-board compressor. The only really practical use I can see is where one would need to do a quick hit- like a motel mechanic going in to hang one piece of trim- budda-bing budda-bang. And by all this the tool would only have limited versatility. My guess is that this thing will go the way of the Bammer.

24. 
    Alan_Kim | Jan 02, 2002 05:18am | #28

    *Ken -Are we talking about the same thing for this particular thread ?

25. 
    ken_hill | Jan 02, 2002 06:16am | #29

    *Alan- Yes, I had been browsing this discussion for the first time and was referring back to #20- still would be amused to hear what others have to say about the PC cordless nailer............ At any rate, I've heard nothing but good things about the quality of the Thomas line- although the one that one of our lead guys had on site seemed to be pretty loud. The quietest unit that I have used had the name 'Airmec' and we had purchased it from Coastal Nail and Staple here in Olympia. This is a professional comp. (no cheap crap) and performs comparably to other 2HP4GAL machines. When crew members firstheard this compressor running, there was a very obvious difference in volume from the units they had been used to. Hope this helps.

26. 
    Alan_Kim | Jan 02, 2002 06:29am | #30

    *Thanks, Ken -I missed that passage.I am leaning more toward the 4 gallon 2820....there is only a $100 difference between it and the Renegade, which isn't too bad for something that will be around for along time.Hope to have another 15-20 years of tinkering.Thanks for mentioning the Airmec - that's a new one.Will check Coastal Nail.Alan

27. 
    Rick_Massic | Jan 02, 2002 07:38am | #31

    *Mongo,I'm sitting here looking at the specs for the 2820 and the 200. Very close in all areas. air displ for the 2820: 9.0CFM for the 200: 8.0CFMair delivery 2820: 5.0CFM @100psi 200: 4.6CFM @ 100psiweight (shipping is all that is listed) 71lbs for both unitsrecovery time 2820: 9 sec 200 12 secas you said the 2820 is a twin piston vs. 200's single pistoncost for 2820 is exactly $100 more than the 200so my only question is how "loud" is the 200 as compared to the 2820? If you read the 200's description in bob's tools web site it says i "ultra quiet operation. As the quietest professional 2 HP compressor on the market, the Renegade will make your job site quieter than it has ever been" I realize that is marketing talkI'm going to try to find both models and take my decibel meter from work too see how much of a difference there isthanks again for the info Rick

28. 
    Mongo_ | Jan 02, 2002 06:34pm | #32

    *Rick, I really don't know...When I picked up my 2820, I asked about the 200. I was told that the 200 was, essentially, a remodeled 150. Quieter than the 150, but still noisier than the 2820. Those were the words from the counterman.I'd still classify the 2820 as being noisy...though the term is relative. You can carry on a conversation while it's cycling, unlike other compressors. Still, when it's running, it's running. It's not quiet like the pancake.Performance-wise, based upon the numbers, for all but those that will truly tax the compressor, I think they're a wash. Hitch my guns up to either and I doubt if I'd be able to tell the difference.Best bet? Like you mentioned, find a dealer or a jobsite that has both and go run them through a few cycles. If you do, let me know...I'd like to know if the counterman was right regarding the noise levels.

29. 
    Rick_Massic | Jan 02, 2002 07:01pm | #33

    *Mongo, If I can find the two models together somewhere I give them a listen and compare db levels. I'll let you know if I'm successful. Right now I'm leaning towards the 200 since I rarely, if ever, tax a compressor to its limit. Plus the extra 100 bucks can get me a few accessories.

2. 
   Kyle_Bartlett | Jan 03, 2002 12:33am | #34

   *
   I got a Pro-Air compressor a year ago and man what a piece of crap. The thing went on me a few months back. I talked with a guy at my local rental store who has six of them and he told me 2 of his went and he didn't bother with the warranty. These are homeowner air compressors anyway so I decided the hell with it. I need a portable compressor and I would like n to run a paint sprayer. I am between a Hitachi 2 HP side stack oil lube compressor rated at 4 cfm at 90 psi. Or a Campbell Hausfeld Extreme Duty side stack oiless rated at 6.1 cfm at 90 psi. I want one to last a while and for that reason I'm leaning towards an oil lube. What do you think?