Air Compressor for DIY Use

[BrandoJames]

I have an old portable air tank (12 gallon) that I fill up at the gas station, then use at home for inflating car tires, bike tires, etc. I recently noticed a barely readable date warning stamp near the bottom “Discard by 2008”. Before my tank blows, I’m thinking about trading up. Maybe a nice air compressor that I can plug into the wall. Or maybe…something bigger, so I can go to AIR TOOLS, lol.

That sounds like a ridiculous waste of money. But there’s not a big gap between a quality small compressor for tires ($35-$40) versus the low end compressors for air tools ($100). I have an ancient corded 1/2” impact wrench. Would also like a small footprint 3/8” impact. Just not sure if I should go with:

1) a small air compressor (just to air up tires) and switch over to cordless impacts. Or
2) big air compressor which can inflate tires and also drive air tools.

I’ve read that air tools tend to last much longer than cordless (and I hate the idea of charging batteries). Also read that big compressors can be *noisy* for a home garage. Thanks for any opinions.

 

[gearhead1]

To some degree it’s like a Ford vs. Chevy debate. Comes down to personal opinion.

I use my air compressor less since the advent of cordless tools. I’m ok charging batteries so I don’t have to deal with the air hose. The Lithium ion batteries hold charge longer and don’t degrade power as much over time.

I still keep a big (60 gallon) air compressor for the tire machine and some sand blasting. But without those tasks, I’d downsize the compressor. Even though I’m a DIYer, I do a lot of work with demolition derby cars, my own street cars, and keeping my own equipment running and I can get by with the cordless tools. Even Snap-on /Mac catering to the pros have cordless impacts and ratchets.

Comes down to personal preference. My vote is for cordless power tools and like a 30 gallon compressor.

 

[Crabman]

BJ,

If you decide on the bigger unit, do your homework on how much air you need to run the tools you want.

I think the 6 gallon ones are about $100 like this one:

https://www.cpooutlets.com/porter-c...cake-air-compressor/pcbnc2002,default,pd.html

I have never had a small one like that, hopefully others can say if it will run an impact gun, etc. I do think they use them for nailers.

Usually you will see one or more of these cheap around Black Friday. I think I saw either this PC unit or Bostich for like $59 or $69 last year, might have been "reconditioned" which are ok for home use.

I have one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000KL0QFI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

which is faster and easier than a broom when the leaves, etc. blow into the garage.

Good luck finding the right fit.

Bruce

 

[Bretny]

A 6gal pancake compressor is $99 and should more than suit your needs.

I cant believe theres someone on this forum that dosnt own an air compressor.

 

[RKA]

Once you get spoiled by the convenience of cordless, you will probably only want air for the tools that aren’t made in a cordless format or are ineffective in cordless. But for your purposes, not an issue. It will cost you more now and down the road to run cordless, so that’s your choice.

If you want air, a small 10 gal California air tools compressor than can push 5 cfm should work for your impact wrench and filling tires. It’s not as loud as the bigger compressors either. It’s more than enough to fill tires too.

If you want cordless, you can also get a tire inflator that’s works on the same battery platform as your impact. Dewalt makes a great inflator and wrench. I think ryobi also released a similar inflator and they should have a decent impact wrench too (all for less than you would spend on the dewalt).

I wouldn’t be too concerned about charging the batteries. It would probably take over a year for them to deplete sitting on a shelf, so top them off when you finish using them and they will be ready the next time you reach for it. As an example, I used the Dewalt inflator. I charged the battery back in early summer and I’ve been using the inflator since to top off summer tires I took out of storage in the spring and keep 3 cars properly inflated. The battery likely has 75% of its charge on it. My milwaukee impact wrench has probably removed 20-30 tires and it’s probably only 50% down.

 

[MattT]

I have never had a small one like that, hopefully others can say if it will run an impact gun, etc. I do think they use them for nailers.

Those small tanks aren't enough for impacts. They'll run one but the pressure drops off too fast to bust stubborn fasteners loose. I've added a 20 gallon aux tank to mine and that's made it tolerable. So I'd recommend the OP go with 20 gallon minimum and preferably 30.

Regards air vs. cordless it'll probably cost more up front for cordless at the DIY level. Then replacing batteries in ten years or maybe less. Then when the replacement batteries die it'll probably make more sense to buy new tools........

 

[PJNJ]

If you're going to get an air compressor, go with at least a 30 gallon oiled air compressor. It's large enough to run an impact, ratchet and blow gun plus a tire inflator. Oiled are much quieter than oil less compressors.

I currently have a 60 gallon oil less and it is loud but it gets the job done. I also have an old Sears 120/220 oiled 12 gallon compressor plus a small one for nail guns.

A good air 1/2 impact and a reactionless 3/8 ratchet are very good to have around. Here's the HF ratchet I have and recommend -
https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-impacting-air-ratchet-wrench-68426.html
Reactionless/Impacting keeps the ratchet from tweaking your wrists or banging your knuckles when they hit a stubborn fastener.

I also invested years ago in the Ryobi 18v and Milwaukee 12v cordless platforms. I picked up the 2nd gen Ryobi impact and it is good for taking tires off. I plan on getting the Milwaukee 3/8 ratchet (hopefully soon).

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

Compressor rating are full of hot air, much like the air in the tanks. 15 amps at 110 will only give you 5 CFM . The air tool that's a real must is the die grinder, the tool is cheap, but the carbide burrs aren't . Until you have used one, you have no idea. As for impacts, I feel sorry for guys using electric ones. I use my DeWalt 20 volt when camping to run jacks down on the travel trailer.

 

[scooterbum46]

I've got lots of air, cordless and corded tools in my shop. I've never seen a big replacement of my air tools with cordless, except for impacts and to tell you the truth, until I put the Dewalt 1/2" XR 20volt max into service, I've never had a cordless that was better than my 30 year old CP for general use (and the Dewalt is a heavy piece).

Die grinders, DAs, straight line, board and 1/2 sheet sanders, air filers, body saws and 3" cutoff - I'll stick with air. Cordless drills, impact driver, 7 1/2 " saw, hand vacs and flashlights I'm good with. The rest are still corded - orbital sanders, recip saw, routers, rotary impact, Dremel, multi tool, biscuit cutter, saber saw - I'm good with the "inconvenience" of a cord over the weight/handling of a battery..

 

[Parrothead]

I’ve got my popcorn...

By the end of this the OP will need an 80 gallon 2 stage Quincy or Speedaire.

One thing to keep in mind is the portability factor, and a $100 compressor isn’t gong to run much in the way of air tools. Personally I’m a much bigger fan of cordless tools, as I think they’re going to keep eating into the air tool market. Unless you’re painting I’d get a pancake compressor to inflate tires and get some good cordless tools, but that’s just me.

 

[GrayEngineer]

I'm a DIY'er myself, but I'm also a seasoned metal fabricator/ welder and new-ish engineer. I've had a 20 gallon oil-less compressor for several years, and while it served it's purpose over the years I've never been happy with it. Oil-less units are typically loud, but the tone and frequency is obnoxious to me. I was able to buy a 60 gallon oiled compressor recently and what a huge upgrade it has been. The 60 gallon fills up in 6 minutes to 155psi and recovers in 1.5 minutes, verses my old 20 gal that tool 10 minutes to fill to 150psi, and took 4.5 minutes to recover. The other big difference to me besides the massively increased performance is the noise/sound of the oiled pump. Both of the compressors have the same dB rating, but the 60 gallon is comfortable to be near while it's running unlike the oil-less compressor. The noise also doesn't seem to reverberate throughout my house like the oil-less compressor did as well.

I am working on making a baffled intake for my compressor to reduce the noise of the compressor, and so far from my tests, it reduces the sound signature quite a bit.

Long story short, buy more capacity/performance than you anticipate needing. Also, buy an oiled compressor, or if you need an oil-less get a CAT style that operates at a low rpm and dB.

I'd recommend a HF 29 gal oiled or a Kobalt quiet tech 26 gal if you are opting for a mid size compressor. If a 60+ gallon is in the cards, do it.

 

[zkling]

Air tools for long term investment and overall capability (show me a battery or electric die grinder that can match a pneumatic). Cordless for convinence. Something belt driven and ideally 220v for the compressor.

 

[Citation]

Those small tanks aren't enough for impacts. They'll run one but the pressure drops off too fast to bust stubborn fasteners loose. I've added a 20 gallon aux tank to mine and that's made it tolerable. So I'd recommend the OP go with 20 gallon minimum and preferably 30.

Regards air vs. cordless it'll probably cost more up front for cordless at the DIY level. Then replacing batteries in ten years or maybe less. Then when the replacement batteries die it'll probably make more sense to buy new tools........

I disagree that 6 gallon's isn't sufficient. For a while I was using a 4 gallon, 4 cfm compressor with my impact wrench. With a 3/8" hose it never slowed me down. Yes, pulling an axle nut was all I could do with one tank but it only takes 15 seconds to refill.

To the OP, if you are only doing an impact wrench, blow gun, tire inflation, then I think the $100 pancake is a decent option. However, they aren't that fast and for a bit more you can get a low noise compressor. Currently I've been using a 5.5 gallon California Air Tools 5510 compressor. It's flow rates are similar to the Porter Cable suggested above but it's MUCH quieter (and has less pressure). It's sufficient for use with my impact wrench. It's effectively has about half as much stored air given the lower peak pressure but it's just so nice to not deal with loud.
This is an example of a quiet compressor similar to the CAT model I have.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HHMFRGD/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Anyway, if an impact wrench, air gun and tire inflation is your objective then $100 buys a sufficient compressor. $150 may get you a quiet compressor with similar performance. It won't be good for cut off wheels, drills, painting etc.

 

[99LeCouch]

Impacts don't take air continuously. A smaller, quiet compressor and high-flow fittings on a short hose should run a good 1/2" impact. For typical car tires, compact impacts are a good choice. They have enough torque for most automotive fasteners, and can fit into some small spaces.

I have a 30 gallon oiled compressor. It does tires and impact stuff without breaking a sweat. It also does light-duty undercoating spraying just fine.

Other tools are a mishmash of corded electric and 12v li-ion stuff. A 12v impact driver with a socket adapter is great for small under-car fasteners up to about 10mm, and any small screws in the engine bay.

 

[Crabman]

Those small tanks aren't enough for impacts. They'll run one but the pressure drops off too fast to bust stubborn fasteners loose. I've added a 20 gallon aux tank to mine and that's made it tolerable.

The OP says he has a 12 gallon tank, maybe this would work with the pancake. I suggested the pancake because the OP said $100 so I assumed he was not looking at 30 gallon units.

Citation has an interesting post that supports the notion that the smaller pancake unit could work for the OP.

As suggested by Parrothead:

I’ve got my popcorn...

By the end of this the OP will need an 80 gallon 2 stage Quincy or Speedaire.

I think the OP needs to figure what he needs to run what he wants and then assess his budget.

I nice 30 gallon will outperform the pancake without a doubt, but it will cost 3 or 4 times as much.

Good luck to BJ the OP. Everyone has given him a lot to consider.

 

[banditbigdog]

Possibly out of your price range but Quincy makes a nice small single stage compressor rated at 7.4 cfm @100 psi

https://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/Quincy-Q12120PQ-Air-Compressor/p12332.html

I’ve had good luck with a similar Quincy QTS-3 for quite a while.

 

[MattT]

The OP says he has a 12 gallon tank, maybe this would work with the pancake. I suggested the pancake because the OP said $100 so I assumed he was not looking at 30 gallon units.

The OP said his aux tank has "expired" and that is why he's looking to replace it. That date may just be a D.O.T. thing though.

And yes a 30 gallon may be out of the OPs price range. I think 20 gallon units can be had for little more than framing nailer compressors though. That additional 15 gallons will be well worth a few extra bucks if the budget is tight.

 

[aaronrkelly]

For $189 you can get a basic decent sized air compressor.

https://www.harborfreight.com/air-t...-cast-iron-vertical-air-compressor-61454.html

It will do ALL the airing up things you want, run most air tools (atleast for occasional use) - should be fine for your use.

I spend ALOT of time in my garage. Working on everything from cars to tractors.

15 years ago I was broke, didnt have much and needed an air compressor. I went to Menards and bought a cheapo, 29 gallon, oil less air compressor. Think I paid $250.

My buddy BEGGED me not to waste my money - his words "those are junk".

Im STILL using it today. He wasnt wrong per se, they arent great air compressors.....but my needs are met by it easily.

......because these days with lithium batteries and these new cordless tools - air power isnt as important as it once was for ALOT of tasks.

My 1/2" impact, grease gun, powered ratchets etc are ALL cordless. That leaves me with basically the need to air up tires etc, occasionally run a air cut off tool etc.

I have the money to buy a GREAT air compressor......but now I dont need it.

 

[yamaha0343]

I have the Husky 30 gal ‘quiet’ oil free and it’s been fine for my needs. It’ll run a 1/2 impact well enough for tire rotations and such. Came in handy for painting the fence.

 

[BrandoJames]

15 years ago I was broke, didnt have much and needed an air compressor. I went to Menards and bought a cheapo, 29 gallon, oil less air compressor. Think I paid $250. My buddy BEGGED me not to waste my money - his words "those are junk". Im STILL using it today. I have the money to buy a GREAT air compressor......but now I dont need it.

Aaron, that's a great story. I hope your buddy is still around. Let him know that "junk" compressor is still working for you.

 

[Crabman]

Matt:

he OP said his aux tank has "expired" and that is why he's looking to replace it. That date may just be a D.O.T. thing though.

And yes a 30 gallon may be out of the OPs price range. I think 20 gallon units can be had for little more than framing nailer compressors though. That additional 15 gallons will be well worth a few extra bucks if the budget is tight.

Good point on the expired tank, I forgot about him saying that.

I agree with your point that buy as much bigger as he can afford, as the utility of a 20 or 30 gallon will be much greater than the pancake.

Bruce

 

[Citation]

Comment on the bigger tank.
A bigger tank is great when you are trying to use a high demand tool with a pump that can't really keep up. But the price is fill time. Not a big deal if you store the compressor aired up. However, if you drain it or it drains itself then a big tank means the initial fill takes longer. Something I liked about my 4 gallon roofing compressor was it went from empty to ready to use in just over a minute. So turn it on, grab the hose and by the time I get to the tire I can start filling. With my larger 20 gallon belt drive compressor that was more like 3 minutes. Sure, that's not huge but when you just want to top of a tire it matters. If my impact and airing tires were all I ever did I would actually prefer my more compact roofing compressor to the larger belt drive model. The belt drive is better for things like my blow guns and cut off wheel. The cut off tool was all but unusable with the 4 gallon tank.

Given the size of my current garage I should accept the small compressor tradeoff but I like having the extra air.

 

[Ohmthis]

My first compressor was a homemade deal with an old propane tank. It worked really well, I even painted a car with it. When the pump **** itself, I needed something pretty quickly. Money was a little tight so I grabbed a HF 8 gallon deal. That was in 2005, it is still going and it’s been put through hell. I’ve since gotten two much larger compressors (an 80 gallon 2 stage and a 30 gallon oiled), but I use the **** out of the little one. It does work my 1/2” impact fine. It really shines at filling tires, and my nail guns. Plus, I throw it in the truck and take it anywhere I want. I bought it when you could use the 20% coupons on anything. It cost me a simple $60 or so. I guess what I’m saying is, know what you need and buy accordingly. I need my big one for sand blasting and such. The middle one is great for blowing out pools and irrigation for winterizing.