I'm buying my husband an air compressor and I'm looking for a recommendation. Brands I've identified include Campbell Hausfeld, Porter-Cable and Sears. Compressor will be used around the house -- car repair and the myriad of remodel projects we're working on. I expect to spend around $250. Do I need more than a 4 gallon tank? Is this a case of bigger and faster is better? Thanks for your input.

Dear Calgal,
First you must utilize the first rule in buying a compressor. Match the compressor to your usage. If you are going to use the compressor all the time, I would opt for a good 5HP 25 gal. tank. Porter Cable is good, but for something that you'd like to last for a lifetime, I'd recommend the Speedair brand. Campbell-Hausfeld is shaky in my experience. I've had 2 break on me and they could not be fixed. The Speedair is a professional compressor and will last a lifetime if maintained properly. The second rule is volume. A thirty horsepower pump will not run a nail gun if one does not have adequate storage for the compressed air. All air tools have a listing of the volume of air they require. That designation is CFM or cubic feet per minute. This is the amount of air they require to operate. Do yourself a favor and put about 450.00 to 500.00 into a good commercial compressor. This will be a good investment and the resale value if needed will be better than the Home Depot brands.
Good Luck, Len

In addition to what Len said, if you do purchase a small compressor do not get an oilless as they are very noisy.

You may want to do a little research to find some reference books/journals/classes in the proper use/maintenance of air compressors/tools as well if your lucky husband isn't familiar with this type of equipment. Compressors aren't something you can just leave in a garage and expect to whip out and use without a thought. If not used/maintained properly, compressors/tools have been known to cause serious injury.

Well, I am a homeowner and I have done my bathrooms basements run frameing nailers etc, I needed something small enought to carry around from room to room and keep wp with a fraiming nailer. I got the newer portor cable pancake compressor and love it. It will last a lifetime for me and it has the same motor as the bigger compressor on it so the cfm is good. The tank is 3 gal but because of the bigger motor and higher storage pressure it is like having an 8 gallon tank. If you don't want a huge compressor this is the way to go. Could be quieter but it is a compressor after all.

definately get the Dewalt Heavy DUTY

2 3/4 HP
4 gallon single tank
electric
hand carry
compressor

model number D55155

It is great looking as most compressors are well just ugly hehe

It is a true work horse and best of all hand carries in my humble opinion

has the EMGLO system

349 at *****

not sure at home depot

as low as 319 on internet

It is the best portable i have ever owned
as well as the coolest looking one I have ever seen period

TRUST ME YOUR HUSBAND WILL LOVE IT
as will you