Guest iskone Posted February 18, 2005 Share Posted February 18, 2005 I think I'm going to buy an air compressor. I need it for operating air tools such as automotive ones and nail guns. What size should I go with? No plans to do any painting, yet. Isk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Magnum Rockwilder Posted February 19, 2005 Share Posted February 19, 2005 Do you plan to use a cutoff wheel, die grinder, or air sanders? If so, get something with 10+ SCFM at 90psi. I prefer a 50-80 gallon tank for heavy duty air tools. If you're just using it for air ratchet, impact gun, and HVLP paint, you can get away with a 30g tank and a lower SCFM rating. Just check out the requirements on the tools you want, and find a compressor with at least that much output. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Workinprogress Posted February 20, 2005 Share Posted February 20, 2005 I bought a 26 gal compressor from the local Lowe's for 299. It came with an impact wrench, nailer, die grinder, air chisel, (cheap) spray gun and various fittings and hose. I am finding out the hard way that I should have went bigger. The grinder will run for 30 seconds before the compressor kicks on, then I have to moderate its use or I cant strip anything with it. I bought this size because I needed 120v instead of 220. That's the only good thing about this one, besides being portable. Go as big as you can afford. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pop N Wood Posted February 21, 2005 Share Posted February 21, 2005 Nail guns are best driven with a small, portable compressor. That way you can carry it to the job sight. Impacts, ratchets and many times even a chisel can be easily driven off a medium (3-4 HP) compressor because they usually run only in bursts. Continuous use stuff like griders or paint guns need at least a true 5 HP continuous run compressor. That means 220V. Many books actually recommend 6-7 HP min, but I have had good luck with my 5 HP compressor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim240z Posted February 21, 2005 Share Posted February 21, 2005 I just picked up a 7hp (max: 3.5 hp run) 60 gallon verticle, 135psi max Kobalt compressor from Lowes. 13cfm at 90psi. Should be a nice upgrade from my little 20 gallon 5hp (max) unit. I am totally tired from unloading it from my truck by myself!! Easy enough with the forklift at the store....at home was a completely different story!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMortensen Posted February 21, 2005 Share Posted February 21, 2005 Nobody has mentioned noise yet. The oilless pumps are really loud and annoyingly high pitched IME, and the oiled pumps are just loud, but IMO much less annoying. The best one I've seen as far as noise goes was the Ingersoll-Rand I think it was a 60 gal unit a friend of mine has. That's the only one I've seen where you can stand right next to it and feel no need to yell to have a conversation while it's pumping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest iskone Posted February 21, 2005 Share Posted February 21, 2005 I'd like to run it continously one day but just not now. For now I would use it for a couple of nail guns. I think I'll look at the price difference between a 60gal 6-7hp unit vs a little guy for a nailer. If the nailer is pretty cheap I'll just pick up the small one now and the big one when I need it, in like a year at this rate. Isk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnc Posted February 21, 2005 Share Posted February 21, 2005 A suggestion: Find a small independent air compressor servicing company and ask them if they have any rebuilt units for sale. Sometimes you can score a good deal on an older unit that will last for decades. I picked up a rebuilt mid-1950s Kellog 10hp two stage air compressor with a 120 gallon tank, new Baldor electric motor, and a large air dryer for $1,500. That price included free servicing for two years (4 oil changes) and a two year warranty on parts and labor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drax240z Posted February 21, 2005 Share Posted February 21, 2005 Noise wise the best I've seen is a Chicago Pneumatic... great output too. Expect to spend upwards of $3k for a compressor though. At full bore it's just a shade over 60dB. http://212.75.80.201/CPAutomotiveSite/Default.asp?cookie%5Ftest=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Magnum Rockwilder Posted February 21, 2005 Share Posted February 21, 2005 You can get a Campbell Hausfeld 60 gallon 7hp from Home Depot for $430, or a similar version with a different motor for $480. They both will keep up with ANYTHING you throw at them, and they have a 3 year warranty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest crazycustom240z Posted February 21, 2005 Share Posted February 21, 2005 I saw a 60gal unit at Costco this weekend for 300$. I know a guy who has one and he said it runs everything hes especially happy it runs his DA all day long. THe only prob though it was kinda noisy so he built a little enclosure outside for it. Now he can listen to his radio again while working. hope it helps jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruxGNZ Posted February 22, 2005 Share Posted February 22, 2005 Whatever happened to this? Click Here !M! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest crazycustom240z Posted February 22, 2005 Share Posted February 22, 2005 I read about that I thought that it fell through or something. Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.