Air compressor basics for the noobie

[Beercan321]

My wife got me a Craftsman Professional 27gal. single-stage portable compressor for Christmas. I am in the market for a motorcycle lift table so I wanted a compressor. The one that she got me is more than I need for a bike table so I started thinking about other things I can do with it. I do my own wrenching on my car so I was thinking about a couple of air tools.

I’ve never owned a compressor before. I see there are air-line dryers and other attachments for compressors. What attachments or accessories do I need in order to make the compressor and air tools work efficiently and last a long time?

Also, the owner’s manual states that I should drain the compressor after each use. I assumed I could leave air in the tank all the time. Is draining the tank after each use really necessary?

Thanks for any advice / suggestions!

 

[Shadowdog500]

I have had air in mine for years without draining it all the way. If you use it on a given day just crack the valve on the bottom for a few seconds to let any water that pooled at the bottom out.

For a compressor that size, I just put a hose on it and use it for impact wrenches, air ratchets and other low CFM tools. I put some oil in my tools before each use and never really worried about moisture because changing 4 wheels on the car with an impact every now and again isn't going to work that compressor enough to generate any significant amounts of water IMHO. also a water separator don't do much when it is hooked up right to the compressor anyway.

Ive been doing it that way with a small compressor since the mid 80s with no problem.

Get the earthquake impact from HF, it has tons of torque for the money. I retired my Crafstman impact after getting the earthquake. Just get a regular air ratchet because high torque air ratchets are mostly good for pinching fingers IMHO. you use it like a regular ratchet to break it loose or tighten and use he air just to spin the bolt in or out to save a lot of ratcheting.


Chris

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I have had air in mine for years without draining it all the way. If you use it on a given day just crack the valve on the bottom for a few seconds to let any water that pooled at the bottom out.

For a compressor that size, I just put a hose on it and use it for impact wrenches, air ratchets and other low CFM tools. I put some oil in my tools before each use and never really worried about moisture because changing 4 wheels on the car with an impact every now and again isn't going to work that compressor enough to generate any significant amounts of water IMHO. also a water separator don't do much when it is hooked up right to the compressor anyway.

Ive been doing it that way with a small compressor since the mid 80s with no problem.

Get the earthquake impact from HF, it has tons of torque for the money. I retired my Crafstman impact after getting the earthquake. Just get a regular air ratchet because high torque air ratchets are mostly good for pinching fingers IMHO. you use it like a regular ratchet to break it loose or tighten and use he air just to spin the bolt in or out to save a lot of ratcheting.


Chris

^^^This man offers a good common sense approach that works^^^

Charles

 

[kywildcat]

I got the same compressor waiting for to pick up at Sears. These are Oiled compressors, and my question is can I lay it down in my wifes SUV to bring home? I assume I can just stand it up for a couple days before using........any thoughts on this?

 

[wornoutoldman]

Have you already purchased your lift table? This months Motorcyclist and Cycle magazine both have the HF coupon for the "new" $599 lift for $299 limit three good till 4/12. They don't use air but are a good inexpensive lift when you catch them on sale with the super coupon.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Oiled Compressor Pump = Loud, Longer life, usually more CFM and PSI
Oil-less Compressor Pump = Louder, Shorter life

Air line filter and dryer will be necessary if you want to spay paint. For air tools that only get occasional use, get some air tool oil and add a few drops in the inlet before each use. (Be prepared for some oil to come out the exhaust.)

PVC air hose is a pain in cold weather.

 

[larry_g]

I got the same compressor waiting for to pick up at Sears. These are Oiled compressors, and my question is can I lay it down in my wifes SUV to bring home? I assume I can just stand it up for a couple days before using........any thoughts on this?

Treat it as you would a small single cylinder engine. You can lay it over IF you pay attention to where the crankcase vent is so you don't drain the crankcase oil into your trunk. Once set up check the oil level and if good go for it, its not a compressed gas cylinder that you have to wait on. If it is brand new it might not even have oil in it yet and then you have no problem.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[kywildcat]

Thanks Larry......I'm hoping they come with NO oil in them. I'll find out in a hour or two!!

 

[John in OH]

I have had air in mine for years without draining it all the way. If you use it on a given day just crack the valve on the bottom for a few seconds to let any water that pooled at the bottom out.

+1 The condensate that collects in the tank is a mortal enemy of the tank as it can result in tank corrosion. Do as Shadowdog suggests ... drain the water out of the tank each evening of use before you close up your garage for the evening. This doesn't mean you have to blow out all the air ... just the moisture.

For a compressor that size, I just put a hose on it and use it for impact wrenches, air ratchets and other low CFM tools. I put some oil in my tools before each use and never really worried about moisture because changing 4 wheels on the car with an impact every now and again isn't going to work that compressor enough to generate any significant amounts of water IMHO. also a water separator don't do much when it is hooked up right to the compressor anyway.

+1 again. But you will definitely need a water separator if you do any spray painting since you obviously don't want moisture on your sprayed surface! And you should also use a water separator if you do any sandblasting otherwise the moisture in the air will gum up the blast media and result in gun pluggage.

If you really want to get fancy and install some permanent air piping then you may want to consider some additional features such as regulators and fixed water separators, but the subject of air piping has been discussed in many other GJ threads so go search them out for more suggestions.

 

[Shadowdog500]

+1 on needing a water separator for bead blasting or painting!

But, your compressor isn't well suited for bead blasting or painting unless you put the small 4 CFM tip on your blaster and use a small detail paint gun.

Even if you have a water separator, put one of these little red disposable water separators from HF on your paint gun as one last chance to catch the water. (Shown below on inlet of paint gun)

I painted my bike with my small compressor only using this throw away water separator on the gun . Not pro quality, but i was happy with it!

 

[socapots]

+1 on needing a water separator for bead blasting or painting!

Add plasma cutting to this list.. They dont like water so much.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

I had always done what Shadowdog said above and like him, it worked fine for my 30 gallon oilless compressor for 15 years cause I only used it very sporadically for my nail gun, etc. BUT....then it died on me and I bought a used HF 60 gallon I intend to use for some blasting and some primer painting so I need to buy a water separator.

SO....guys, not to hijack but which water separator do you recommend? Is there such a thing as a combo regulator/water separator and if there is do you recommend them? Of course I WOULD use one of those small gun mounted water separators too for the primer painting.

 

[subarub4]

Sorry to bump this but I was searching on google and I saw this thread, will be doing my car this year and I was wondering about the oil/water separator.. I picked up the husky one that looks like this here

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v75/Dusstbuster/OilFillter.jpg

is that just a water filter or oil/water? And as for placement mine is right now right after the regulator on the compressor.. is that ok?