Just a couple of points. Most of the hot-dog or pancake oil-less compressor units should actually give you up about 125 psi. So if you need 100 psi for a truck tire, there will be no problem.

Do you need tha additional CFM? Only you know what tools you intend to run in the future. My hotdog compressor does most of what I've ever asked it to do. Its most frequent tasks are usually to blow the dust off me when I leave my shop and airing tires, but I consider it one of the most useful tools in my shop, which is fully plumbed for air.

A virtue of the oiled units is they are a bit quieter than the oil-less ones, if that is important to you. When the time comes for me to replace mine, I'll probably go for a bit larger unit, probably oiled for the noise factor.

John

Hot Dog and Pancake tank compressors fullfil the need to have short intervals of compressed air. Contractors use them for nail guns and staple guns. One of these compressors will easily provide enough air for one or even two such guns. You can even use an impact gun because that tool only needs air for short bursts while breaking loose or tightening a nut/bolt.

If you need compressed air for sustained periods, such as using tools for bodywork, then larger pumps with larger air receivers are needed because the tool is running constantly while sanding.

There are two issues. Pressure and volume. Air tools operate best at 90 pounds per square inch of air pressure. However, each air tool will consume X number of cubic feet of air per minute while operating at peak efficiency. If we were talking about electric tools, you would substitute 120 volts for the 90 PSI and the amperage draw of the tool for the cubic feet per minute.

In your case, the biggest sustained draw at a certain pressure will come from filling truck tires because these need pressures up to 110 PSI but 90 or 100 are common.

The larger the CFM of the pump on the compressor, the faster you will be able to fill a truck tire. If you are not concerned about the time factor, then go with a HotDog tanked unit from DeWalt. They bought out Emglo and Emglo was consideted by many to be the premier manufacturer of small portable compressors. Of course, they just had to screw with the line but the one below rates high. My Emglo shuts off at 120 PSI and has no problem to inflate a truck tire to 100 PSI. DeWalt rates theirs at 4CFM @ 100 PSI but it likely shuts off at a higher pressure.

Oilless compressors are moisier and have a shorter lifespan than oiled compressors so I don't really recommend them. Buying one of the DeWalt units will also buy you time to look around for a new receiver for your existing compressor.

Try to stay with the same gallonage tank that you have now or a tad smaller/larger. Going a lot larger is a big mistake because you will wait too long for air to build back to the shut off point. Going smaller will shorten the recharge time.

As for horizontal vs. vertical, to me it's all about space requirements. I like to stick my compressor as high as I can in my shop, so a horizontal is the hot ticket for that purpose. If you have to give up floor real estate, then the vertical is the way to go. Either way, they will both drain just fine IF...... you mount the horizontal....dead horizontal.

Do not buy a compressor based upon the bullcrap horsepower ratings. They mean nothing. Look at the pump rating and compare the CFM at the same PSI. And don't buy it on price, either..... unless it's a top model that's been deeply discounted. A compressor is a long-term tool. Spend the extra bucks now and you won't regret it down the road. Check and see if DeWalt has a Refurb store close to you. They have some excellent deals on units that were sent back to the factory due to a minor issue. It's one way to get a better unit for a cheaper price.

Here is a link that might be useful: Kompresser

If you decide you can get by with a smaller compressor, check out the Makita MAC700. I just bought one and it's an excellent unit. Quiet, light enough to carry around, and very quick to recharge the 2.5 gallon tank.

I bought and returned a PorterCable 6 gallon pancake compressor.

Happy shopping

Another concern is I do not have a heated garage and it is older wireing with fuses not breakers.I have had minimul problem with blowing fuses.However has happened when trying to start the oil compressor in cold weather.

That is something I like about the oiless models.They seem to have less draw at start up.However they claim there short life compared to a oil type.

While reading reviews on the oil models im considering.There seems to be always someone saying that theres trips there breaker.

As for truck tires I do not pump them up from 0 I just need to add air from time to time.

I would probably go with the Sears Craftsman if they hurry up and send me a 10%off coupon that they seen to send me often.Except when you need it.10%off of $379.99 would be tempting for that unit.But it does have reviews mentioning it trips there breaker.

Try switching to a synthetic oil of the same weight. Run a dedicated line from your fuse panel to the garage to take care of the compressor. If you don't have any spare circuits, then add a single circuit fuse or breaker box next to the panel. For the compressor you have chosen, you need to fuse it at 20 amps and use 12 guage wire because it draws a full 15 amps while running.
No fuse or breaker will stay unpopped for long with that load.

I have a similar Craftsman compressor. It's oiless with about a 20-25 gallon tank. I've had it for about 15 years and it still looks and works like it was new. I use it about once a month, sometimes more, sometimes less.

I use an impact wrench, ratchet drive, frame and finish nailers, small 4" cut-off wheel as well as inflation and blowing attachments.

It works fine but it's loud and it dims the lights briefly when it kicks on even though it's connected to a 20A circuit.

I sometimes wish I had a pancake style compressor just because of its smaller size.

Most selling true contractor units will know the start up amps so you can size to your need.
While oil less are not as durable as oil filled they serve a niche of homeowners who only fill tires and balls etc. Replacing a piston and cylinder is just part of maintenance for them. Most go to 125 psi and most pressure switches are adjustable up to about 15 psi.
As stated using the synthetic oil may help depending on the brand. But if it gets really cold we suggest changing to a 20 weight in winter or a pump heater. I have customers who use a heating pad for a while before starting. There are units (usually true contractor grade) that come with cold start valves so they start with no load until running full rpm. You can also open the drain for a few minutes unless you are having the hard start while at 0 psi.

Do you think the Porter Cable 6 gallon pan cake compressor would be fine for my needs then?I like the small portability it offers.My thoughts are less time to wait for it to charge and less air to dump when the job is complete.Can store it any place and less chance of the tank rusting out.Because I can store it up on a shelf rather then down on a damp garage floor.Plus I can store it any place other then the damp garage.Plus I could use it with a drop cord most any place.Also could run it off my 5500 watt generator at location there is not electricity.I would be afraid to plug the other type mentioned into my generator because of the draw at start up.

PC makes two pancake units that have 6 gallon tanks. Both put out a mere 2.6 SCFM compared to the 4 SCFM of the DeWalt. Of course, if money is the sole issue as opposed to performance and longevity, then the PC wins.

Most air receivers rust from the inside out, so storing it off the damp floor isn't going to influence anything. Surface rust is something that is readily visible and easy to eliminate but most of this stuff has durable powder coat paint on it.

Porter-Cable's posted horsepower ratings are pure fantasy and a furtherance of the manure that is spewed by the compressor industry. The real issue is the amperage the motor draws at a specific voltage because that is what will determine whether the compressor should be plugged into a 15 amp circuit or a 20 amp one.

If you don't want to worry about a breaker popping, then go with the PC pancake unit. The CPFAC2600P is a low hp model that won't challenge a 15 amp breaker.

As for your genset handling the inrush current of any of these compressors, I don't see that as a problem. Inrush current is a split second occurrance. The DeWalt unit draws 15 amps at 120 volts AC and that works out to 1800 watts. Your genset can handle three times that load continuously so even if the inrush is higher (up to ten times the FLA) than that, the genset should still be able to take it without popping its own breaker.

Where people go wrong with portable compressors is with the selection of the extension cord. At minimum, you should use a 12 gauge cord but even though a 10 guage is overkill, it makes the line loss much less, especially considering that these compressors cycle constantly.

If you don't mind wearing ear protection when using the Porter Cable pancake indoors, it might serve your needs well.

The 6 gallon tank does allow for the routine tweaking of (4) small truck tires or smaller.

If you want something that is very quiet, recharges it's 2.6 gallon tank very quickly, weighs in at around 50lbs, and will outlast the PC pancake, check out the Makita MAC700

http://www.toolmarts.com/media/Makita/mac700.jpg

Starting at around $150 + shipping, it's a excellent small compressor.

I totally agree with bytehoven.

That Makita 700 is a bargain at that price.

Cast iron oiled pump that spins at only 1720 rpm and produces 3.3 CFM at 90 PSI.

Many of these compressors use 3450 RPM motors that put double the wear rate on the pump. I don't know how you could go wrong for that kind of money, especially when you are talking Makita quality.

Here is a link that might be useful: MAC 700

Try this one.

Here is a link that might be useful: MAC700

Sears helped me make up my mind.There having a 20%off tools over $400.00 sale or 15% off tools over $300.00.Now thru the 10th.

I have it all on my check out and already checked to see if I can pick it up locally.Im going to go with the Sears 25 gallon 2hp horizonal #00919541000 and get a 50 ft HD hose all for $335.98 not bad for a $379.99 air compressor and a $39.99 air hose.

That sounds like a better choice than the small pancake style compressors. While less portable, it will allow you to expand uses later down the road. I have their 33 gallon vertical model (oil-less) which came with several impact tools and numerous accessories. After applying a coupon to a sale they were having, I picked it up for $265. + tax.

I got it home today.Set it up and it works great.Quite is what I like most about it so far.That and the air tires for easy to move around portability.