Porter-Cable 6 HP, 25-Gallon Oilless Vertical Air Compressor CPL6025VP

Pros: Inexpensive, large capacity, small footprint
Cons: Noisy, direct drive oil-less compressors aren't as reliable as oiled compressors.

If you plan to use your compressor a few times every week, you really should look at getting an oil lubricated one. But if you only use it occasionally like most of us, one of the new direct drive oil-less models (such as this one) will probably be ...

Pros: Easy to move to and from job sites, Takes up little space.
Cons: Noisy. Slow buildup. Parts and Service backup is a JOKE !

I basically have liked this compressor. I bought it primarily to operate nail guns, which I don't do a whole lot of, when my trusty 30 year old Craftsman compressor had died to the point that repairs were going to be more than I felt it to be worth. ...

Pros: good price, well made, low maintenance, great power for a portable
Cons: none, really. Well...maybe getting it into the truck...

It took me about 30 seconds to realize that I needed a bigger compressor. I was staring at a bolt on my best friends brake system, and the little portable compressor we were using to run my impact wrench just didn't sustain the maximum ft-lb to break it...

Pros: Price
Cons: Motor is weak point, Plastic tires

After 2 years of minimal use (520 ft of dog-ear shadowbox fence), occasional brad nailing for small projects, and adding air to car tires, my compressor also died. Sounds alot like a car that won't start, then it trips the breaker. Porter Cable said, "It's probably the check valve." I disconnected the tube from the motor cylinder, so there was not back-pressure, and still the problem existed. He then suggested it was probably the starter capacitor, and I'd have to replace the motor (it's a GE model). Porter Cable sells them for ~$240, apparently the rest of the compressor is just thrown in. I'm looking at Craftsman or Campbell Hausfeld oil and belt models. If I can fix this with duct tape, I may hold on to it for a while longer. I thought Porter Cable was a reputable brand, but I guess not. Perhaps this is more of an issue with GE products, but Porter Cable decides whose parts they use...

Today I removed the starter capacitors from the back of the motor, and little pieces of broken plastic fell out. Looks like the parts that allows the extra startup boost to kick in disintegrated. Good job GE.