I bought a little pancake compressor years ago and quickly outgrew it. I didn't have much money for the scfm and volume I wanted, so I scoured Facebook marketplace daily. After months I found what I thought was a deal. 5+hp 33 gal 13scfm @ 90psi for $150. Only issue was the guy didn't have 240v wired for me to test. Neither did I at home. But he assured me the thing ran and he always drained the tank. I gave it a quick once over and bought it. Months later I finally wired 240v with a dedicated breaker. I spin the thing up and within 15 seconds a crack blows open and starts spraying rusty water. It took almost 40 minutes to completely stop spraying. Since then I've learned a ton about compressors, and I wish I had seen your video sooner because you covered 95% of it for most people. Fantastic video. If you buy used (or even new) here are some tips: check the drain valve - if it doesn't open easily and shows obvious signs of corrosion, tread carefully, or quickly away. Drain valves can be replaced but if it's difficult to open it usually means there's a significant amount of corrosion around that port. Also, realize that even if you have an auto drain, some tank configurations don't fully drain without being tipped/rocked. Make sure you read your manual and any labels printed on the tank as most of them indicate what is necessary to fully drain them. Somewhat related and definitely important for safety is that there should be a safety valve on your tank. If not, or yours doesn't function, you need to install one, they're pretty cheap about $8. Next, ideally, have a way to power the thing on, whether that's plugging it in at the buyers' or bringing a generator that means the power demands, you might even be able to get away with an inverter. If that's not possible, at least check the tank with a boroscope. You can get a decent one for under $35 and they're useful for tons of other things. You're looking for rust and any signs of corrosion especially on the side of the tank drain. On horizontal models, the inside tank top also accumulates a fair amount of corrosion so make sure to look all over. Alternatively, if you have access to another tank of similar size, you might be able to transfer that air to the tank you want to buy with the right set of fittings and a proper port access. If all of that seems fine, go for it. But now realize it's your job to keep as much water out of the tank as possible to begin with. That usually means building or buying an air dryer - lots of good DIY build on KZfaq. Ideally, the dryer should come between the compressor and the tank to keep water out. All of this is quite a lot to deal with before even purchasing. I think most people would be better off buying new and realizing that there's a limited life to these things so make sure to read the manual and understand what that means. In production environments, compressor tanks are regularly inspected, serviced, and decommissioned to mitigate becoming a ticking time bomb. I feel like I dodged a bullet with how that crack formed. Luckily, I found an unused 50 gallon tank for 40 bucks and will hopefully be replumbing the old pump. Worse comes to worst and I resell the old pump / motor assembly as the 5hp motor alone should recoup most of my initial purchase which is why I thought it was a good deal in the first place. Plus I get to practice brazing with a torch. I hope this helps someone, anyone.

Thank you Pete for not having loud annoying distracting music in the background

Pro tip....I have found that if I bring an empty tank and open the valve at the local elected officials office that it fills with hot air fairly fast.

There's so much usable information here.im going to watch it in sections again and again and learn something else everytime. Thanks 👍

Some of the best info I’ve seen yet! Thank you!

Thank you so much for such a great and informative video. I had a bunch of questions about air compressors cause I want to buy one to make my life easier when it comes to doing a small job in my garage, now I got a lot of info to pay attention to when going to the store. Keep up the good work sir

What an informative and comprehensive explanation. Nice work mate!

Great video lots of great info included in video and for the part where he said he didn't know where the air tanks are made for the compressors pretty much they're made in Marion North Carolina at Morganton pressure vessels I used to make them myself

THE most informative video I've seen. Thanks

Pete, Greetings from Cornwall, Ontario, Canada. Super video! Your video has been very informative plus came at a perfect time. I just sold my pancake 'King, Performance Plus' compressor this morning. So I'm on the hunt for a new one. Although all of your '7-How's' will be key in my decision two of them stand out. Noise level plus it has to be on wheels.....I'm getting old Pete! Anyway thanks again...…

Very well explained thanks a lot!

Excellent advice - thank you!!

Thank you for sharing, I learned again, looking forward to more good videos.

This is all I needed. Thank you.

I work as a carpenter.....and I buy nothing other than Makita. The small one is the quietest I've come across...and is very reliable. The larger one is pretty noisy....but has a good high rate of compression, without being very large. The downside of the larger one is that it draws very close to 15 amps, and so it can easily trip a breaker if you put it on an extension cord. Has to be plugged directly to not trip a 15 amp breaker. I've had mine for about 15 years now...and they run like brand new.

Excellent clear Info. Thanks so much. 👍❤😁

Very good helpful information, thanks!

Greetings, you are honest, sincere and really really good hearted as you have shared your good knowledge to the best. I needed your kind of advice in helping me buy an Air Compressor. After watching your this KZfaq video I can now go confidently and buy exactly what I need. Indebted to your goodness. Godspeed ❤

Great information thank you!

Great video, many thanks Pete. I have a Matika 5200compressor which i believe is one of the best in class in its category. I'm a wood turner and I bought a a very small air sander to finish sanding turned pieces. Well, even though the compressor is highly rated at 6.9 SCFM it can hardly keep up with the demand and runs continuously while I'm using it. It has a 5 gallon tank. Do you think a compressor with a bigger tank even with a lower SCFM would be a better option?

Great job and very informative and well done video. Thanks

Thank you for Great info and video 👍

Hey Peter ! Your knowledge of compressors is impressive, I have really leant a lot from this video. Now even though my question is somewhat outside of the scope of this video I believe you can offer a good advice. I am a Biogas/methane enthusiast (if you know what I mean). I am looking for a methane compressing compressor for packaging and safe transportation between schools for the disabled children and old aged adult homes in South Africa. I have a good grasp of purifying the gas as the impurities are a hindrance to the compressibility of the gas and could cause overheating and subsequently explosion. As an expert in this regard what type of compressor(s) would you recommend for my little biogas/methane project? Your help would be really appreciated. Thank you!

Great video ,thank you

Brilliant video thank u

That's great I learn a lot from video my compressor is 2 HP Ypan 3NA

Very comprehensive! Nice job. :)

Great info, thanks

This is great information sir!

Pretty amazing how complicated it can be to pressurize air and bring it somewhere eh? Great video :)

Thank You it was very informative

Very informative!!!!

Excellent!

Regarding wiring directly, should always use a magnetic starter box between the unit and fuse panel. If the compressor faults or a hose/airline breaks and your not around the start box will sense the overload and cut the power.

Very informative 👏

WELL DONE !

Great video

Thank you

+Great video, very helpful. Thank you! :)

I have a Question is Wise too keep my Compressor Plugin and with the switch in the on position. The last one I had I kept it plugged in and in the on position. It would come on automatically when the air pressure dipped below a certain level. Thank you for the commentary for this video, I have learned so much from your platform. US Army Veteran

Hi Pete! Long time no see.. Hope all is well. Spring is coming soon. I hope you have some cool jobs on schedule. Love to see more MOPAR builds.... Stay safe up there!!

Amazing content and video. Which compressor for plastic welding machine?

Best air compressor

Good information. I would like to hear about which diameter hose should we choose! For example for 50 feet hose for 150 psi compact air compressor 3/8 is better or 1/4. Best luck

Great video. question if a single stage air compressor is 4.5 Scfm @90 psi do I need to set my regulator at 90 psi or set it to the tool SCFM that I'm using? I hope that made sense.

I’m looking for a compressor to blow out my irigation system. Pressure regulator can be set to 80psi (not more, pvc pipes cant handle more). My current small (old) compressor can only provide this for like 20 seconds before it has no pressure left. The cycling doesnt keep up with whats needed. Important is that it outputs 80psi continuously, for as long as possible, without having to stop it every minute, wait for the tank to fill up etc. What kind of stats/size compressor would you recommend me?

So the stage is my best bet for blowing out a sprinkler system. Bc of the large tank for volume and the fact that it can run maintaining pressure. Am I correct? Your thoughts and or recommendation. I have 4 zones but they are spread out across a large property.

Is there an advantage to higher horsepower? I have a working 5hp compressor motor from an old rusted tank so will it improve performance if I swap out the 1.5hp motor on a newer compressor with the higher hp motor? Great video.

Started the vid thinking "Man, getting a compressor for home use would be cool! I can do so much! Let me find out about it! 11 minutes in: Ugh, way too much hassle, forget it.

would you recommend California Air Tools brand? I’m trying to get US made products but not sure if this is a good brand aside for being quiet.

What hose would you recommend to seat the bead on the newly installed tire (1/4" or 3/8")? And if you could tell the setting on the compressor for that procedure and corresponding set. I changed my 1st tire, but couldn't seat it on the bead yet, since tried to use a small tire inflator. I'm getting a small pancake (for 6 GA) compressor shown in the film, but how to set everything up? Thank you for the informative film.

I am super new to air compressors. How important is PSI vs CFM vs SCFM? What is most important? I see small pancake compressors with higher PSI number but lower CFM and SCFM when compared to larger tank and HP air compressors.

Hey Pete I just recently bought a Goodyear 165psi air compressor from Walmart it's kind of small so my question is will this be enough for me too run basic air tools

I recently bought a John Dow fluid extractor, I am wondering what air compressor I should buy. The manual requires an air pressure of 110-115 PSI. Would a small portable air compressor be suffice?

With all the cordless tools nowadays, do we still need a compressor? I only see use for them in a professional workshop. Only thing I can´t find is a decent battery powered air gun. But a shopvac or tire inflator come a long way. Although the downside of battery powered tools is $$$. And you´re forced to choose one ecosystem, while air fittings are pretty much standardized. Would love to get your opinion on compressed air vs. battery powered tools :)

I wish you would have covered oiled vs oilless.

I’ve been looking for a small compressor to preform vacuum bleeding on automotive cooling systems. Any tips?

best way to bring the noise down on a 2-stage

What spec or size of air compressor do I need enough for blowing polishing pads and car interior?

I been looking for a hug capacity air compressor to plow debris off my lawn equipment. Found a battery powered leaf blower to be capable, portable, quiet, and no hose to deal with. Am I even a man with no compressor in my shop?

Do you have a video like this for Natural gas cylinders?

I need a compressor to blow out my sprinklers, what size/type would you suggest?

can i ask you sir?i plan to buy air compressor its 1hp 76 litters and the cfm is 6cfm it is ok to use thr air tools of 8cfm?

I have a bostich 6 gallon. I only use it to blow out vents and filters in my home but, tired of it having to refill to use it again.

To inflate a semi truck tire LP22.5 what is the requirement to buy a compressor?

So what does 300% more run time mean?

If I knew how much larger compressors cost now, I would have had mine shipped when I moved, despite the fact that the air pump was dying.

What happened to the first version of this episode?

wouldnt off for 90 seconds and on for 30 seconds, a total of 120 seconds, wouldnt that be 25% duty cycle since its on only 25% of the time. 30 seconds is 1/3 of 90, but the total is 120 seconds, not 90. just wanted clarification...

Well damn, I came here looking for oil filled or oil less AND a motor with or without brushes. I got neither question answered and I thought they were good questions.

160db won't make your ears bleed.Ask me how I know........Listen to my car stereo daily and it is 160 capable. No bleeding ears, ever.....

you left out the HOW about the pressure you going to need ,I don't need cfm I need 30 bar lol

3d print your parts.

Off for 90 seconds then running for 30 seconds is 25% duty cycle, isn't it?

I bet you get texts at all kinds of weird hours lol I'm having a bitch of a time finding a compressor to suit my needs. Your math led me to 11scfm at 90psi. And I've only got access to standard 120 volt 10 amp. And I don't want one of those stupid 8 gallon wheelbarrow types that will run constantly. AND I need it on wheels. Pretty much impossible. Might have to go gasoline powered. Ugh. That'll get expensive

Should become a teacher

In a civilized world the metric system is used.

LOWES AND HOME DEPOT SCAM…. Yes really… I needed to repair my older shop air compressor… I tried to find parts…all discontinued. So I started looking at Lowes and Home Depot topical brands. And I selected a few models and then I tried to buy spare parts…. MOST OF THE “ spare parts” to repair MOST of the compressors were either back ordered with NO expected timeline to get them, or the parts were discontinued… Let me repeat… BRAND NEW COMPRESSORS STILL IN THE STORE….and the repair parts were already discontinued…. So all you’re getting is a compressor with a one year warranty and NO CHANCE TO REPAIR….to me that’s a scam.. Don’t believe me… I’m just a troll…. WHENEVER you buy an expensive tool CHECK FIRST to see if the parts that might fail and disable that tool… CHECK TO SEE IF THOSE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE.

Its the noise i cant stand. Thats why i bought all electric. Not nearly as strong as pneumatic air tools but it does the job.

What compressor type/ would I need for a nail gun if I want to build a shed?

One word of warning about mainly the type of cheap compressor where they use an electric motor mounted directly to the actual compressor head known in marketing terms as direct drive instead of a belt drive system. What they use as a piston is basically an Alumimum connecting rod with what looks like a penny on a stick not a conventional conrod wrist pin and piston with rings like any gas type engine. This system is both cheap and nasty as the lack of a wrist or gudgeon pin means the top of the piston wobbles over both top and bottom dead centre, But worse yet no piston rings as such they just use a neoprene ö" ring instead of proper rings therefore they are not going to be long lasting or efficient maybe ok for the occassional pumping up of tires or so on but otherwise a big waste of money. So be very wary of any so called direct drive compressors they are just cheap and nasty.