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

Thanks for your time.

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Mike Murrell
1991 300-SEL - Model 126
M103 - SOHC
"Fräulein"

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).

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1992 300D 2.5T
1980 Euro 300D (sadly, sold)
1998 Jetta TDI, 132K "Rudy"
1974 Triumph TR6
1999 Saab 9-5 wagon (wife's)

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

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

A pancake compressor.

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"Our Lady of Blessed Acceleration...
don't Fail Us Now"

I got one of these

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

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95 Honda Shadow ACE 1100.
1999 Plymouth Neon Expresso. 2.4 swap, 10.5 to 1 comp, big cams. Autocross time attack vehicle!
2012 Escape, 'hunter" (5 sp 4cyl)

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...

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 560SL convertible
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 158"WB
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

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.

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5 speed '91 190E 2.6 320,000 mi. (new car, fast, smooth as silk six, couldn't find any more Peugeots)
5 speed '85 Peugeot 505 2.5l Turbo Diesel 266,000 mi. (old car, fast for a diesel, had 2 others)
5 speed '01 Jetta V6 (new wifes car, pretty quick)
5 speed '85 Peugeot 505 2.2l Turbo Gas 197,000 mi. (wifes car, faster, sadly gone just short of 200k )
5 speed '83 Yamaha 750 Maxim 14,000 mi. (fastest)
0 speed 4' x 8' 1800 lb Harbor Freight utility trailer (only as fast as what's pulling it)