Recommendations for pancake compressor
 

Will use only for tire inflation. Lots of choices and hoping to keep things under $100.

Thanks for your time.

Probably any name brand like DeWalt,Ridgid,CambleHausefeld?, would be fine.I would look for one Made in USA if possible, and no matter what anybody says DON'T buy one fromharborfreight.

I got a Porter-Cable some years ago on sale for $99. I have used it alot for nail guns and it has held up very well. It is a little heavy, but not so heavy you couldn't grab it quickly for tire inflation. Also, you could let it run until it shut off, then carry it to the vehicle with no power.

Good luck in finding one.

Merry Christmas

Why not just get a refillable tank? I have one, and it's great for airing up the mower tires out in the shed, and whatnot. I use my "big" compressor to refill it (or just run to the gas station and put it on their dime).

I've had my Harbor Freight pancake compressor for about 15 yrs. Works fine.

http://pmimages.worthpoint.com/thumb...1eb15443e6.jpg
A pancake compressor.

I got one of these

http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/i/bto/200...er_270x337.jpg

I wouldnt use an air tank. Storing the energy in a tin can bothers me some. With your stated needs, your going to be fine with an air tank, and a cheap tankless air compressor for tire filling (hooked to the air tank to fill it)

You know your going to want to run an impact gun, or at LEAST an air ratchet...

For your price, your stuck with a cheap one from Harbor Freight. They're fine for filling tires, but wont keep up with anything but that.
Used ones appear on my craigslist all the time, for cheap. I would think that's the way to get a deal on one. I got mine for $90, with a very nice reel/re-tractor. It needs a bit of TLC, but, it's a good compressor.


~Nate

why a pancake? small tankless compressors are fine for tire filling. 12V models can be had in the 50.00 range that will fill any tires you have just fine.
the pancake things from HF are pretty cruddy, but can do the job fine. I like the oil filled cast iron pump on a tank with a separate motor myself... the 110v models are decent... and they have wheels to pull up to your tires...

Sounds like the applicable parameter is $100. Pancake is just one type, the air doesn't care.

I bought a Harbor Freight one about 8 years ago to hold my valves shut when I changed my valve guide seals and all my tires have been full since. I have kids with bikes who like getting flats and I should have bought one years ago.

There's more than tires (don't forget the spare). A blower attachment is great for getting dirt out of nooks and cranneys, like around the dash.