I've got a 2-gal one slung under my kitchen table with bungee cords, partially supported by a big foam rubber block. Of course, I'm a bachelor, so there's no question of someone objecting to that "ugly noisy thing" in her kitchen. Meaning the compressor, not me.
It pumps up to about 105 psi and I regulate it down to about 65 psi for most operations.
It's so handy for cleaning and drying things it's unbelievable. I even use it for dusting things around the house, like the fins on the baseboard hot water heating, scope lenses, etc. Things too numerous to mention, and I think I'm going to start learning some air brush art, to boot.
With the dry climate around here, I rarely have any more than a couple of drops of water to drain out. However, since the partial pressure of oxygen in the tank is about 20-25 psi, it accelerates the oxidation/rusting process inside the tank, so any moisture in the tank at all is undesirable.
But I've never had condensation occur on blowing stuff off with it --again, I thank the general low humidity around here. (Presently 20%.)
I suspect, but cannot prove*, that a lot of the condensation on the part being blown off is due to the blast of air, which is cold(er) than the surrounding air** entraining humid air from around the nozzle, and that it is this moisture condensing from the ambient air causing the wetness on the part.
The only problem with mine is that I have to run it down to about 50 psi before the compressor starts again, so if I don't run it down to that pressure, it remains only partially pressurized. One of these days I'm going to get into it and add a lever or button or something so I can get it to start again to refill the tank even though it hasn't been run down to start-up pressure.
I agree that I don't understand how anyone can get along without one.
Two hints:
(1) Wear goggles.
(2) Blow off solvents outdoors.
Terry, 230RN
* Due to the fact that it's usually so dry around here.
** Due to adiabatic cooling