Air Compressor purchase help

[redintex]

I am looking to buy an air compressor for my garage. It seems that there are 1,000 choices out there, and after doing some research both here and other sites, it is overwhelming! I know that a pancake style will take care of the routine stuff - airing up the occasional tire, etc. I also have a friend with a Bostitch pancake that runs his nail gun, etc. with very little waiting. I was really impressed with how much that small compressor would do. That being said, I am looking to fit my needs down the road as well. I am a home DIY'er, and would like the compressor to be able to run an impact gun, nail gun, etc. I do basic vehicle maintenance/repairs, and am starting to do some woodworking, so definitely want the impact/nail gun capability. I do not anticipate sandblasting.

I know that I don't need an 80 gallon or anything massive like that. It seems that 30 or below would suit my needs. I like to buy American whenever I can, and also have a $100 Sears gift card, which I have held on to somehow for the last couple of months! I definitely like to keep things within budget, but don't mind paying a little more for quality and to keep the $ here in the USA!

Any assistance/feedback/guidance would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks,
redintex

 

[mattmankow]

Get one size bigger than you think you will need. Impacts and air saws (whizzers) eat the air. Nail guns don't use much air. Bigger is better on this.

 

[Todd.Brock]

Buy once and be done, but don't over kill (too much) Don't anticipate some day you need to open a filling station, but plan for future use if possible. I had a 33 gallon craftsman for years. It always did the job. Ran impacts, nailers and filled tires. Whiz wheels were the exception. It can't keep up.
I bought a small cman 2gallon to finish my basement. I used a large framing nailer and that thing would go off every third or fourth stud it seemed like. Don't get me started on the fact it cycles while filling up a tire on the car or the wheel barrow. Don't think a pancake will serve your purpose. You will wish you bought bigger
I finally bought an 80gallon a few years ago. When I built my shed, I used a framing nailer. I bought a 100ft hose fromHF and would pound nails till the sun set. Every once in a while I would hear something chugging away in the distance. The wife never complains when it fills, unless I leave it on and the slow leak causes it to cycle on at 3 am. It's quiet but not that quiet...

My point is, find a 30 gallon upright to try and save some space. If you can get an indirect drive with a separate motor and pump, that will make your time in the garage more enjoyable. If you fin you need a bigger compressor , then upgrade. I am not sure if cman sells indirect drives in that size. I believe HF may. They probably are from the same factory. I don't know if the 20% off coupon would apply , but something to consider.

 

[Fixnair]

When looking for a compressor, ignore receiver size in gallons. Totally misleading! What you need to look for is capacity in CFM. All your tools consume a specific CFM so size your compressor to produce in CFM an amount equal or greater than your largest tool. Horsepower ratings given for big box store machines are a joke too. They are max HP. Measured while the motor is running at full speed and you applied a brake to the shaft instantly measuring the force required to stop it. The actual HP is about half of what's advertised. An industrial compressor will put out about 4.5 SCFM per HP. A Chinese machine will only do about 2.5 SCFM. Now you probably know more than you wanted.
Good luck on your purchase. Air tools are most efficient especially when you consider comfort.

Do not but an piles machine!

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

I am thinking about buying this.

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/SPEEDAIRE-Single-Stage-Compressor-4ME96?Pid=search

 

[Davefr]

You mainly need to worry about CFM for tools that will run continuously. (ex: DA sander or sandblasting gun)

For tools used in bursts like an impact wrench or nailer the tank will likely provide the burst capacity you need for most shade tree type projects.

Up to 30 gallon you also get portability which can come in very handy.

For what you describe I'd look at 30 gallon, cast iron and belt drive. There are lots to choose from. I would not buy a direct drive/oilless compressor.

 

[theoldwizard1]

You mainly need to worry about CFM for tools that will run continuously. (ex: DA sander or sandblasting gun)

Add into that list a cut off wheel.

For tools used in bursts like an impact wrench or nailer the tank will likely provide the burst capacity you need for most shade tree type projects.

Up to 30 gallon you also get portability which can come in very handy.

Portable ... well they usually have wheels.

Can one person put it in a pick up truck without a set of ramps ? NO !

My advice is buy a good portable (i.e. you can pick it up and put it in the trunk of a car). 1 hp, but make sure it runs on a 15A breaker. It is always nice to have one that you can take inside or carry over to a friends house.

Buy a dead compressor with a 20-30 gallon tank. Chuck the compressor head and plumb the tank that in to your garage.

 

[CNGsaves]

Need more info like:
a) Whether garage has capability for 240volt compressor? . . . or must be smaller 120 volt?
b) Size of garage and potential uses?
c) Planning to install air line system in garage with drops for various tools?
d) Consider having 2 compressors for various uses?

I'd recommend you narrow your choices based on above.

Smallest I would ever recommend is portable dual tank like a DeWalt or CH - - - these are portable yet reliable even though oil-less. Next step up would be vertical tank oil-less like 26 to 33 gallon - - but buy quality and CFM that will handle the job. Next jump is where you might look initially anyway . . . vertical 60 gallon oil splash cast iron compressor.

Lots of people eventually end up with 2 compressors (ie small portable and bigger permanent compressor). Watch Craigslist for deals on smaller dual tank in $100 to $150 range. Compromise to get "portable" vertical medium size might be:
NAPA vertical 26 gal / 2 HP / 115v / 7.1 CFM @ 90 psi
http://napaaircompressors.com/documents/Air-Boss-Spec-Sheet.pdf

Bigger compressor (ie permanent one) might be something like this:

Quincy vertical 60 gal / 3.5 HP / 230v / 12.4 CFM @ 100 psi
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...ci_sku=20358&gclid=CI_a4O_Cy7UCFQrpnAodozUA3A

 

[Lhorn]

Agree with what's been said. An ideal setup would be a big 60-80 gallon (buy for CFM not gallon tank size however) and a small one. I had to do some nailing of trim in the house and my 80 gallon in the garage was no good to me for that (not enough air hose) so I wheeled my 26 gallon Campbell Hausfeld into the house and got to work.

For a long time the 26 gallon was all I had. If you don't go too crazy, you can run a cutoff tool (not for extended periods), an impact wrench. I ported a set of aluminum heads with a die grinder with it. Not ideal and it worked a bit but got the job done. It can do a lot. I don't recommend doing it, but I even primed my car with it, taking my time a bit.

Get oiled for sure. I haven't run it much since I got the 80 gallon but I changed the oil in it yesterday and it put a smile on my face hearing that smooth, chugging sound. Pretty darn quiet really (for an air compressor).

 

[mlittle29]

This one is good. The quietest I've used. ~$400 amazon.

http://www.californiaairtools.com/quiet-air-compressors-ultra-quiet-oil-free/cat-4620a/

You tube:

 

[6-Speed]

This one is good. The quietest I've used. ~$400 amazon.

Hmmm ... quiet and oil-free?

 

[Sureshot]

Sounds like you need two compressors. A 220v for the shop to run impact and other continuous tools and a pancake for the nailer etc. A high cfm compressor is going to be 220v and not overly portable.
As others have mentioned cfm is much more important than gallons. Get the cfm you want and then you can add all the gallons you want and anywhere you want on a plumbed in system.

 

[redintex]

Need more info like:
a) Whether garage has capability for 240volt compressor? . . . or must be smaller 120 volt?
b) Size of garage and potential uses?
c) Planning to install air line system in garage with drops for various tools?
d) Consider having 2 compressors for various uses?

I'd recommend you narrow your choices based on above.

Smallest I would ever recommend is portable dual tank like a DeWalt or CH - - - these are portable yet reliable even though oil-less. Next step up would be vertical tank oil-less like 26 to 33 gallon - - but buy quality and CFM that will handle the job. Next jump is where you might look initially anyway . . . vertical 60 gallon oil splash cast iron compressor.

Lots of people eventually end up with 2 compressors (ie small portable and bigger permanent compressor). Watch Craigslist for deals on smaller dual tank in $100 to $150 range. Compromise to get "portable" vertical medium size might be:
NAPA vertical 26 gal / 2 HP / 115v / 7.1 CFM @ 90 psi
http://napaaircompressors.com/documents/Air-Boss-Spec-Sheet.pdf

Bigger compressor (ie permanent one) might be something like this:

Quincy vertical 60 gal / 3.5 HP / 230v / 12.4 CFM @ 100 psi
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...ci_sku=20358&gclid=CI_a4O_Cy7UCFQrpnAodozUA3A

Thanks everyone for the quick replies and information!

To answer the specific questions for more information:

a) Whether garage has capability for 240volt compressor? . . . or must be smaller 120 volt?
Garage does not have 240...yet. I am definitely looking for 120V to start. Breaker box is in garage and have space to add later.
b) Size of garage and potential uses?
Garage is roughly 22x24' - will need to have at LEAST one vehicle in, so space is certainly a premium at this point. Potential uses - vehicle maintenance and repair - general DIY stuff. No engine rebuilds in the immediate future! Getting slowly into woodworking.

c) Planning to install air line system in garage with drops for various tools?
Not at this time, but if I dive deeply into woodworking, that would certainly become more useful!

d) Consider having 2 compressors for various uses?
Definitely. No matter what size I get, later I will pick up a pancake or small type compressor for projects that need portability.

I hope this helps! Thanks again!

 

[dandan111]

I have had a pancake for a long time now. It's been great for the garage. I would start out with a makita big bore or dewalt if I were starting over. Ridgid makes a nice small compressor and if you want to scale down for now the bostitch like your buddy has would be great.
I would want the portable first then you can decide on going big or not. Go to amazon and read some reviews.

 

[theoldwizard1]

d) Consider having 2 compressors for various uses?
Definitely. No matter what size I get, later I will pick up a pancake or small type compressor for projects that need portability.

Start with a good quality small compressor, one that can do 4 CFM @ 90PSI and will run on a 15A breaker.

Put a 60+ gallon tank in the corner of the garage and plumb a quick connect line with a ball shut off valve to the compressor.

This one is good. The quietest I've used. ~$400 amazon.

http://www.californiaairtools.com/quiet-air-compressors-ultra-quiet-oil-free/cat-4620a/

You tube:

I sure wish I had more feedback on this model, as that is a lot of money for a small compressor, but it does have aluminum tanks. The specs looks good: 5.30 CFM @ 90 PSI and 14A.

The compressor looks like a Thomas compressor (very high end, mostly dental/medical) and uses a wobble piston (the piston is rubber and only flexes, so it does not rub on a cylinder so it stays cooler). Part of the reason it is so quiet is that it uses a 1680 RPM motor.

 

[mlittle29]

This one is good. The quietest I've used. ~$400 amazon.

Hmmm ... quiet and oil-free?

Watch the video. This thing is the real deal!

 

[CNGsaves]

Start with a good quality small compressor, one that can do 4 CFM @ 90PSI and will run on a 15A breaker.

Put a 60+ gallon tank in the corner of the garage and plumb a quick connect line with a ball shut off valve to the compressor.



I sure wish I had more feedback on this model, as that is a lot of money for a small compressor, but it does have aluminum tanks. The specs looks good: 5.30 CFM @ 90 PSI and 14A.

The compressor looks like a Thomas compressor (very high end, mostly dental/medical) and uses a wobble piston (the piston is rubber and only flexes, so it does not rub on a cylinder so it stays cooler). Part of the reason it is so quiet is that it uses a 1680 RPM motor.

Only 70 decibels is pretty darn quiet for nice portable 2 HP / 10 gallon / oil splash compressor that still puts out 3.5 CFM @ 90 psi. They are marked down from $220 to $198 on Home Depot website:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/t/203245...-1&storeId=10051&N=5yc1vZc2fhZ8te&R=203245208

This might be nice starter first compressor if you got the Moving Packet at Post Office for the 10% off coupon at Lowes that HD might honor. Out the door $180 looks pretty good.

 

[retrobuilder]

A. Ignore oil free unless for a little one for tires and nail guns or tiny spray guns
B. Minimum of 8 CFM- more is better
C. Spray painting? DA sander? 30 Gallon minimum tank capacity
D. 220 Volt to get best motor power with less amps from you panel- 1/2 load of 110/120 VAC.
E. Even better- 2 stage compressor- if affordable.
F. H.P. RATING can often be misleading --
G. Panel may need a :"slow start" rated breaker- to get the compressor working.
H. Minimum of 3/8 air line to a 1/2 to 1" condensate line (with drain valve)
I. add a decent regulator.

 

[retrobuilder]

Given some of the added info and with Sears being your store-

Smallest size- 5 cfm at 40 psi output like the Sears model 16913
Largest the 25 Gal. horizontal /27 Gal vertical 120/240v :"professional models"

Either oil free or not.

5 CFM or higher other wise a pancake will match most others with big tanks.