Air Compressor or Welder?!

[fordaholic495]

I do mostly automotive work on my own toys (78 Bronco, RZR, dirt bike, etc.) so I have more of a mechanic's setup. I have really been wanting a welder and a compressor, but don't want to skimp on either so I can only do one right now. I will most likely get the HF 60 Gal. compressor, or the Hobart 210MVP welder. Along with the compressor I am figuring in cost to wire it up and plumb air throughout the garage. With the welder, I would need to wire up the 220V as well and I would like to build a welding table and get some of the corresponding fabrication tools to work with it. (Clamps, squares, magnets, grinders, etc.)
I am in the middle of a suspension project on the Bronco and I have found myself wishing I had a welder often, but I don't need it so much when I'm not in the middle of a project like this. I'd really like to have a bigger compressor for die grinders and an air gun mostly and eventually paint. I have a portable compressor that works okay for tires and whatnot.

My question is, if you do the kind of work I do (or even if you don't), which do you find yourself using more often?

Thanks!

 

[maxpower_hd]

I use the compressor a LOT more often than the welder. The compressor was the first piece of equipment I bought when I built my garage.

But if you have one that you can get by with for now then the welder is a close second for me.

 

[n20junkie]

If your not doing a lot of body work, a welder for sure. I have gone for years with no air compressor and didn't miss it.

 

[maxpower_hd]

If your not doing a lot of body work, a welder for sure. I have gone for years with no air compressor and didn't miss it.

Funny. I am the exact opposite. I have gone a week without the compressor and was beside myself when I got it running again. I guess it really depends on what you do.

 

[ZipSnafu]

I use my compressor pretty much every day and my welder maybe once every other week. I value my air a lot.

 

[fordaholic495]

Yeah I knew it would depend on the work you do for sure. I have kind of found that since I got my 1/2" cordless impact I don't find myself wanting a compressor quite as much, but I am sure there are uses I'm not thinking of so I came here!

 

[SMKS]

Another vote for a compressor over a welder, but it depends what you do the most often.

 

[A**holes Garage]

Welder, no replacement. You can use electric tools to replace air tools, 4 1 /2" angle for cutting, grinding, sanding, die grinders, etc.

 

[Hghgrad]

i was without both of mine for a few months when I first bought this house and didn't have power to my shop yet. I found myself needing the compressor quite a bit, and the welder just a few times.

Of course, none of my projects were in any sort of shape where I needed to weld on them.

 

[Angry welder]

Welder for sure. Really the only thing I use air for anymore is for airing up tires, pool floats etc, or for running the air impact other than that its easier to use electric tools for what use to be air driven.

 

[dr_clyde]

If you already have a portable compressor, I'd get the welder first. I use both my compressor and welder often, usually in conjunction with one another. However, the air is usually for convenience and speed. If you can air up a tire and blow dust off stuff, a bigger compressor can wait.

 

[Scud67]

Compressor here - I have both, but I don't use the welder 1/10th as much as the air - I use air all the time. My 1/2" impact will way out perform any of the cordless stuff I have. Plus, I find uses for air (cleaning things off, etc.) that a welder could never do.... I also have an A/O set up for other stuff.....

 

[isb cornbinder]

You can probably afford to buy both pieces of equipment if you follow Craigslist. I am able to buy MADE IN USA or CANADA on Craigslist and avoid buying anything off-shore.

 

[Newell33]

Welders can be valuable at times, but I use my air compressor daily for all kinds of things. Actually, my welder has been in storage since I moved to a new home and shop in June of last year. To this day I still haven't needed it, but your situation may be different depending on your projects.

 

[lakeroadster]

Based on the description above I'd say a welder makes sense for you.

You already have a small compressor.

I use my compressor nearly every time I'm in my shop, the welder not nearly as often. But that's because I've invested in the tools to go with the compressor.

How about posting some pictures of your Bronco?

 

[LX-Markham]

Welder, no replacement. You can use electric tools to replace air tools, 4 1 /2" angle for cutting, grinding, sanding, die grinders, etc.

Yes, this is what I was thinking. I use my compressor more than my welder. But when I need a welder, there really is no other tool that will do it's job.

edit: treed by lakeroaster by a fraction of a second.

 

[ratdoggy]

Tough to fill a tire with a welder
But then again it's tough to join two pieces of metal with an air compressor..
As others have said it depends on what you do...How about a welder and a pancake compressor? I can run an impact with one. Sure you might need to wait for it to build pressure but they do come in handy. I have a 60gal vertical and a small pancake one

 

[taumac]

Yes, this is what I was thinking. I use my compressor more than my welder. But when I need a welder, there really is no other tool that will do it's job.

edit: treed by lakeroaster by a fraction of a second.

I 3rd this. Between hand tools and electric power tools I just use my compressor for my air impact, filling tires, and blowing out the garage. Even those can be replace with electric versions. A welder is something you might not use everyday but its invaluable when you need it. A welder is usually a one time big ticket that you're really don't want to cheap out on.

 

[Tonellin]

I'm really surprised by the answers so far. I have neither but have little desire to own a compressor and really really want a welder. All my hand tools have easily replaced what a large compressor does, but nothing can replace what a welder does.

 

[fordaholic495]

Wow! I am on quite a few forums, but none as active as this one. This is awesome, thanks for all the feedback! I am leaning more towards a welder as then I can fab up a lot of things that will make my life easier, and I do have the little 4 gallon compressor.

Based on the description above I'd say a welder makes sense for you.

You already have a small compressor.

I use my compressor nearly every time I'm in my shop, the welder not nearly as often. But that's because I've invested in the tools to go with the compressor.

How about posting some pictures of your Bronco?

You make a solid point here, I have a few electric tools that work okay for now but would be better with smaller air tools, but they do work.

The bronco is nothing special. I have this unnecessary and impossible to understand need to make this rusty 5k lb truck do 60 mph across the dunes. I have somewhat embraced the rusty body and focused on the performance, and now it has become a relatively well known rig in the Silver Lake Sand Dune scene here in Michigan. This truck is pretty much the whole reason I want a welder in the first place.

 

[fordaholic495]

I'm really surprised by the answers so far. I have neither but have little desire to own a compressor and really really want a welder. All my hand tools have easily replaced what a large compressor does, but nothing can replace what a welder does.

Same. I think if I didn't already have my cordless impact, it would be an even tougher choice.

 

[vettex2]

buy used and buy both

 

[Type_r_henry]

Compressor would be a good idea.

 

[Samgelinas]

Look for good deal on the used side...

I bought my 60gal compressor for 400$ (CAD money here) and it was almost new

I bought a welder for 350$ last week (lincoln mig pak 180)

You can do both if you look for good deal everywhere!

 

[LX-Markham]

After seeing those pics of the airborn Bronco .....I change my answer to: DEFINITELY THE WELDER!

 

[The Tool Tyrant]

buy used and buy both

^^ X2

 

[tjdux]

Buy the welder gor sure and if you can swing that cheap 15-20 gallon compressor from hf when its got a $100 coupon. Makes it easier to use an air tool or fill big tires and then you can probably resale it later for half what you got in it. Shoot ive seen them go for price of brand new at farm auctions where people don't know what they are.

As far as that goes if you evernhave auctions or estate sales used compressord either go super cheap or super high. You could come home with a medium sized one for $20 possibly.

Signiture; Check out my garage progress http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=352703

 

[77Mini]

I find I use my compressor way more than my welder. From what you have said I would think it is 50/50. I would start looking for a good deal on both and buy what you find first.

 

[Hghgrad]

Taking apart a Michigan truck probably requires equal parts air compressor and welder. A compressor to run a good impact to tear bolts out that have rusted in place. A welder to remove the bolts you break and patch holes

 

[roc_on_the_rocks]

Taking apart a Michigan truck probably requires equal parts air compressor and welder. A compressor to run a good impact to tear bolts out that have rusted in place. A welder to remove the bolts you break and patch holes

Haha, so true!

 

[bkibler]

Switch to cordless impact wrenches: not only does it eliminate the need for a 15cfm compressor to run them, but you can bring your 3/4" impact wrench to the dunes.

Take the $500 you'd spend on a good compressor, and get more batteries and a welder.

I've found 100's of unexpected and remote uses for cordless grinders and large impact wrenches, now that I'm not tied to shop air. But you need a brushless 18v grinder, and the 1/2 or 3/4 cordless impact guns, not the little 1/4 hex drivers.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

 

[lakeroadster]

Thanks for posting the photos fordaholic495.. the Bronco looks like a lot of fun.

 

[Streetbu]

You can borrow a welder, you can't borrow air though. Or at least I doubt you're going to find someone that would loan you a 60 gallon compressor....

 

[Scout3918]

I vote for welder since you got a somewhat good compressor. It do most what you need.

 

[crewchief888]

FWIW

My air compressor crapped out early summer last year.
I have a small pancake compressor I use for my air nailers, its just enough to run an impact, and to blow up the flat 35's on my mud truck. I may get around to fixing the compressor this year.
The welder on the other hand, has been used a lot since the compressor died. Did some work on my s10 blazer, boxing on the frame, winch mount, stinger, and mounts for the roller head. Didn't really miss the bigger compressor. As much as I use air tools at work, electric gets the nod in the garage.

 

[sberry]

The Weldpak 180 was a steal. It would leave a guy 750$ over a 211 to get air and wire up an outlet. The 180 is a very good machine.

 

[uscarry45]

compressor hands down!

 

[fordaholic495]

Guy at work has a Hobart 190 he says he hates and will sell me cheap. He hasn't even put a full spool of wire through it yet. I know that's not a bad welder so if I can get that for 4-500 I'll just do that and have plenty of money left over for a good welding setup.

 

[sberry]

The 190 is good. The guy doesn't know wtf he is doing with it.

 

[MagKarl]

AC stick welders on Craig's List go for $100 or less every day in my area, see what's available in yours. Do that and then at least you have both tools for minimal investment. Upgrade the one you want most when a good deal comes along later.