Air compressor help

[johnasosajr]

I currently do not own my own home do all my own work on my vehicle looking to get a compressor to run maybe a 1/2 in drive impact 3/8 drive air ratchet and an attachment to fill tires im looking for something small that's not stationary would the 30 gallon husky oil free do what I need it to do I don't plan on sanding or painting with it

 

[American Locomotive]

I'd avoid anything oil free. They tend to always be direct drive, loud and short lived. I'd look for a smaller belt-drive compressor.

 

[jakemac]

30gal would be the smallest I'd want for that work. I used a 12gal for years and spent a lot of time waiting for the tank to recharge. If you won't be using it often, you might be able to live with a 20gal, but I'd still recomend bigger.

Whatever you get, make sure you have a dedicated circuit available. Preferably close to the breaker box. The shorter the electric line, the less likely of popping the breaker on startup or if the compressor runs continuously. A longer run of hoses can solve a multitude of electrical issues with a high amp compressor.

 

[gdocktor3]

I use an older 30 gallon 5 hp Craftsman and it does everything I need it to do. Impacts, air hammers, die grinders, etc. The 5 hp motor is powerful enough to run a die grinder even if tank is empty. If you're going to get a small compressor, get the most powerful motor you can. 2 hp isn't going to move a whole lot of air too quick.

 

[md21722]

I use an older 30 gallon 5 hp Craftsman and it does everything I need it to do. Impacts, air hammers, die grinders, etc. The 5 hp motor is powerful enough to run a die grinder even if tank is empty. If you're going to get a small compressor, get the most powerful motor you can. 2 hp isn't going to move a whole lot of air too quick.

I don't think its likely that you have a real 5 HP compressor on a 30 gallon tank. I think this is from the overrated era. What is voltage and amps on the motor? I suspect yours is more like a 3HP (230V, 15A) 10 CFM @ 90 PSI compressor.

Most 2 HP compressors sold today are 1.6-1.7 HP nominal, run fine on 120V 15A breakers, and put out 5-6 CFM @ 90 PSI. A true 2 HP requires a 120V 20A circuit but runs better on 240V and will put out about 8 CFM.

 

[johnasosajr]

Has anyone used one of the oil free compressors I know they are louder but for the price compared to a belt driven one I don't know how much of a difference performance wise it's going to be

 

[jakemac]

We used to use a 30gal 5hp in a large carpeted exhibit hall for nailers and staplers. It was used for a die grinder once. In a large sound dampened room it was annoying but tolerable, in a smaller space with a concrete floor I know I'd end up beating it to death with a baseball bat.

 

[Citation]

John,
I would say an air ratchet would be more than many 120V compressors could keep up with. However, it's also something that an electric impact/drill could stand in for.

I have a 1/2" impact (IR 231) that has never let me down while attached to a 4 cfm, 4 gallon compressor. With an impact I just rarely need full power. I can pull 4-5 lugnuts without the pump cycling. The hardest job I've asked this setup to do was pull an axle nut. I don't recall if the pump actually cycled during the removal. BTW, I currently have 3 compressors, the 4gal, 4 CFM hand carry, a California Air Tools 5510A (5.5 gal, 2.3 CFM, 35lbs thanks to the aluminum tank), a Westward 20 gallon, belt drive (Campell Hausfeld).

I mentioned all of this to basically say, you really don't need much to drive a 1/2" impact intermittently. A 30 gallon compressor will be nice but you can get away with less and still run the impact wrench.

If money is no object go for the 30 gallon, oil lubed, belt drive. However, if you expect to move keep weight in mind. Mine isn't too loud but it is very heavy. If you aren't going to use the thing all the time I would consider something like a California Air Tools compressor. The "1 hp" models are VERY quiet, reasonably affordable and I've found that my 5510A will run a compressor well enough to pull wheels. Like the 4 gallon unit there is enough air in the tank to pull the lugs. However, it takes 30+ seconds to refill vs 15. Still, it's really quite and at 35lbs easy to move around. It also doesn't put too much of a load on the questionable AC wiring of my garage. However, the CAT's low pressure cut in is really low.

If noise isn't a huge deal then I might consider something like the 8 gallon Harbor Freight cheap things. While oil free compressors have a reputation for being louder than oil lubed their is a lot of overlap between some of the quieter oil free models (the CAT compressor is oil free and VERY quiet) and the louder direct drive oil lubed models. Even some of the belt drives are pretty loud.

Depending on how much you think you will use it, a lower cost compressor might make more sense than a higher dollar one. Also consider how portable is important to you.

 

[bbrins]

I have a 21 gallon Blackmax(oil less) compressor at work, got it at Sam's Club if i remember it right, had it for about 12 years. I use it to run a 1/2 impact, die grinder(intermittently), nailers, grease gun, filling tires, and blow gun. The problem is, it is obnoxiously loud, I cannot stand it when I have to run it and work inside the shop at the same time. It gets really old really quick when i have to work inside the shop with it cycling on and off over and over. For the noise alone, I do not recommend an oil less compressor.

 

[johnasosajr]

Well guys I appreciate the help I was going to get a 30 gallon oil free husky for around 300 but I am thinking I'm going to go with the 30 gallon belt drive porter cable it will be plenty for what I need it for and down the road I will buy a 60 or 80 gallon and pass it down to my grandfather he also doesn't have a garage or compressor and this would be plenty for anything the old man could need it for the porter cable is more in price but can be put on layaway at my local tractor supply and not have to be paid up front I appreciate the help