Hobby compressor longevity???

My first one has lasted about 16 years and is still going, though it is now my outside compressor in the garage. I've had my latest Paashe for about three years.

Sounds to me that if you are losing compressors that fast you're not caring for them properly. The old adage "Pay me now or pay me later" applies with anything mechanical. Either you take proper care of it along the way or it will bite you later. Though compressors don't last forever, they should give you more than a dozen years of service easily.

Dirty inlet filters, water condensation, insufficient voltage (using them on an extension cord is a no no), leaving them run 24/7 when not painting....the list goes on.

Thanks for the reply.  The compressors I'm talking about are the small 1/6 - 1/10 horsepower compressors without a tank.

As a carpenter, I know about the importance of taking care of tools.  These compressors are "maintenance free" and "oiless".  There are no inlet filters, water condensation is not an issue due to no tank being installed, insufficient voltage is not an issue.  I don't run the compressor for more than a hour at time maybe twice a week.

My current compressor is a D200 from Paasche.  I've had it for two years.  Now it sounds like metal is clanging around inside of it.  I've taken it apart as much as I can and don't see any problems.  Now, I'm just waiting for the compressor to crap-out.

Maybe I just got a bad compressor.

-Jesse