I had a terrible time buying a compressor made in USA...

[caseydog]

I recently sold my big, heavy air compressor, and went to buy a small "pancake" compressor.

Whenever possible, I at least try to buy American products, even if they cost a bit more. It's nearly impossible on power tools -- and a lot of other tools, anymore. My Bosch power tools are made in Europe, and they buy a lot of stuff from us, so that's better than buying from China, IMO.

I figured on something like an air compressor, I'd have plenty of options.

Nope. Almost everywhere I went, it was almost all Made in China. Even the big ones.

I did find a Porter Cable compressor at HD and at Lowes that was, "Assembled in the USA" using parts from other countries -- meaning China, I'm sure.

I even went to WalMart. Bwaahaahaahaa!

I had a temporary loss of mind, I guess, thinking I might find an American product in WalMart.

So, I paid $164 for my new compressor, that was at least assembled by some of my fellow Americans.

So, I think I'll eat some Aerican beef tonight, cooked on my Weber charcoal grill (made in the USA).

CD


PS: an interesting web site... http://www.stillmadeinusa.com/

[planovet]

So, I think I'll eat some Aerican beef tonight, cooked on my Weber charcoal grill (made in the USA).

Is Aerica in the USA?


Don't those fruity computers have spell check?

[Dave A]

Yes, It's a suburb of Texas.

[Shadow Catcher]

DiVilbiss used to make compressors here in the Toledo area and Sears was one of there main customers. There was however a problem that Sears had, the compressors lasted too long. The no longer make compressors in Toledo.

[eamarquardt]

You succumbed to "I want it now fever"! I purchased a $600 Dayton (WWGrainger) 4hp (240 volt) for $150 at a garage sale. I got a nice 2hp Dayton (WWGrainger) for $35 at another garage sale. When I went back to pick up the $35 pump the fellow insisted that I buy about $300 worth of sanders and paint guns for $10! I acquiesced to his request! I got another 1/2 hp single piston compressor for $15. All good old American stuff.

The older belt drive compressors are made of good old American Cast Iron or Cast Aluminum with Iron (or steel sleeves). They practically never wear out.

A good place to look is Craigslist.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/tls/1656329301.html

If this one was "local" to me, I'd buy it in a heartbeat to use as breathing air for my sandblaster (you don't wanna breath air from an oil compressor unless you filter it at HIGH pressure and with EXPENSIVE filters).

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/tls/1658510575.html

You're probably asking what I do with them all. I bought the $150 one for a friend who has it on standby in case his primary compressor fails. The other two I set aside for my two boyz when they set up shop.

Suzy's money goes much further when I I buy second hand. Also, they don't make em like they used to.

Cheers,

Gus

[asianflava]

Ran into the same problem when I bought my table saw. There were a couple available that were made in USA, but they were out of my price range and out of my league.

I could have looked for a used one, but generally, people don't take credit cards. Interest free financing makes it worthwhile.

[Dean in Eureka, CA]

Dayton Speed Aire is a gud'n...

[eamarquardt]

Dayton Speed Aire is a gud'n... :thumbsup:

Yup, but they're a lot more expensive than some of the "amateur" stuff that's sold nowadaze

Cheers,

Gus

[caseydog]

Gus, there are some things I don't like to buy used. Even if I could have bought a used compressor that was exactly what I wanted, it would not have a warranty, and I wouldn't know for sure if it had been misused.

CD

[eamarquardt]

If you're happy with your purchase, I'm happy. Just pointing out that there are options to buying new. Buying anything is a risk. My wife/son bought a $3,500 Sony TV (and that was cheap as my son worked at Best Buy and employees get a huge discount). The tv whistled like a teapot occasionly. I even found reports on the internet of others doing the same thing. As it wouldn't whistle when the technicians were here, Sony and BB would do NOTHING. Even though I had a recording of it whistling! I finally decided to schedule a service call each week until they fixed it. I also "suggested" to the last technician which circuit board needing replacing and explained my logic. Upon replacing that board, the problem disappeared.

Me I'm comfortable taking the occasional risk on used things. I factor the potential failure into the purchase price. I can usually fix just about anything so that also enters into the equation.

Wasn't criticizing, just pointing out options. A fellow just posted he was thrilled with the used table saw he got on Craigslist. It needed a new $6 switch, but he still figures he got a good deal.

The phrase "I want it now price" was borrowed from Chris (teardropfocus) who used it to describe his purchase of a lantern off of Craigslist. We (together) have LAUGHED at HIS "I want it now".

I buy a lot of new stuff after considering the options. Craigslist is a rather new service. 30 years ago it didn't exist and I bought a new $2500 tig machine and a $10000 lathe (that IS the correct number of zeros). Nowadaze I'd buy those items on EBay or Craigslist and save a LOT of money. I've been "burned" a couple of times but overall I come out way ahead buying used. The owners did not disclose everything and I'm sure (in retrospect based upon their behavior that I didn't recognize) they knew of the problem. Only in electronic items though. Did I get pissed? Nah, crooks will get theirs, but not from me, ha. Life itself is a risk (saw that on tv last night, till then I hadn't a clue, ha).

I agree that a warranty is sometimes important. Particularly when it's "Made in China". Too bad the Chinese drywall didn't have a warranty.

By the way, I reread your post and saw you sold your big heavy compressor. Why, big and heavy (IMHO) is more betterer! I can lower my 5 HP out of the rafters in garage with a dedicated block and tackle in just a couple of minutes, put it in my trailer, and take it anywhere I want. I do, however, appreicate the value of a pancake compressor and have one of those for use with nail guns and staplers. It isn't big enough to drive my paint guns, die grinders, and impact wrenches.

Cheers,

Gus

[WesGrimes]

I buy all of my tools from Harbor Freight, because nothing is more American than Harbors and Freight. Right?

No tomatoes please. I was just kidding!