Richard,
Thank You for sending the link. I have also had the experience of finding something from HF that I might use, then seeing it in the store and deciding maybe not what I really wanted. However, sometimes HF does provide a product that fits a need at the price and one goes with it anyway.
I have been through many compressors over the years and what I end up buying is a middle-range unit that should fit a hobbiest user. The thing that kills them for me is eventual detioration of the tank, in spite of draining, maintenance, and all the stuff that should be done. Mr Pete has a few videos about his experience with compressors, including one where he puts a small camera inside the tank and decides to condemn that compressor.
The other thing that I can mention is that whatever the design, they are usually top-heavy and an attempt to move one other than a little bit can easily get scary: The unit you show would seem to be easily tip-able.
There is a possible solution to your space issue in the use of additional tanks plumbed into a distribution system you might build. The other side of that is that suitable industrial tanks are pricy. You also need to size piping to allow for airflow at a fast enough rate to keep the auxiliary tank full. In a past life, I had a 2-HP compressor in a remote boiler room feeding a 30-gal tank in the ceiling above the work area. That part of the system was at the pressure that the compressor could produce and the output of the aux. tank had a regulator and filter right before the user's connection.
I think the capacity of the unit you show maybe just barely meets your actual needs. I am not sure that 1.5HP can keep going at 4CFM: perhaps that is a best-case peak rating. With the tank shown and bursts of use it might work OK.
Back to Shopping: Is there an industrial or servicing dealer for compressors in your area? I have a source near me that sells industrial units, but can also sell me parts for brands bought elsewhere: The counter guy can be very helpful on a slow day and sometimes smaller units are on sale if I can pick one up with my truck at his store: they don't do delivery or support to homeowners but will sell if you know what you want.
The last time I bought a compressor for my garage/shop, I looked at Ingersoll-Rand at Northern, Quincy online, Dewalt at Home Depot, and Craftsman all over (Now that Sears is gone, you can buy that brand everywhere.) That was pre-pandemic, at least 4 years back. I ended up with a Sanborn 3.xx HP, 60-gal 220V unit on sale with a hefty rebate at a Menard's store. I chose that unit because I am now old enough that I think it may be the last large compressor I buy and I don't restore cars any more so I don't think I'll be pushing it hard. As I said previously, I have the HF hotdog compressor when I need to blow dust or inflate tires and that one is portable.
My wife and I are contemplating an eventual downsize, and if I continue hobby shop operations, I may be looking at one of the "quiet" compressors.
--ShopShoe
