Air compressor guide?

[Chaznsc]

I'm getting rid of my 80 gallon 6 horse compressor. Just getting older and don't use it as much. Don't want to leave my wife with a mess of tools should I pass, so downsizing some. If I was to replace with a portable unit, what would good specs be? I do some grinding, tire inflating, cutting, take off a few car wheels, and some limited sanding. My current beast does it without issue but what would be a good replacement?

Thanks

 

[CompressorPros.com]

The grinding, sanding and cutting stuff is going to be pretty rough on most portable units, especially if you are looking at 110 volt units unless it is very light usage.

 

[PSYKO_Inc]

I had a Harbor Freight 21 gallon upright compressor for about 10 years. Would run out of steam quickly with a cutoff wheel or sander, but took all the abuse I could throw at it. Noisy as hell though.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Another one just like it... Good Compressor, torch, welder, and pet toolbox are the cornerstones of many garages.... Wouldn't want to see a post tellen Us that Your garage fell down

 

[Citation]

If you have two 15A circuits in your garage you might consider getting two compressors. Two compressors that deliver ~4cfm each with one having a 20+ gallon tank and the other smaller would probably give you both enough total CFM and tank capacity to run your tools. You would also have the advantage that you would have a portable compressor. Heck a pair of the HF 8 gallon units might to it while costing only a bit over $200 for the pair. Of course you will have to put up with the noise (making a good intake muffler would help).

 

[Schurkey]

Unless there's something wrong with the old compressor, KEEP IT. "Grinding" and "Cutting" take a lot of air. Don't get rid of a good old compressor in order to replace it with a crappy new one.