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air/compressor solution for car tires?

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Ruahrc

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Joined
May 17, 2015
Messages
69
I will start by saying I do not own any pneumatic tools, and I do not intend to buy any pneumatic tools. To be honest I know very little about and have almost no experience with in-garage compressed air systems.

That being said, what I am looking for is some kind of air compressor/tank solution for my garage to primarily air up my car tires. A bonus would be bike tires (although I have a hand pump that works just fine for that) and to have a source of compressed air to blow out/clean things with.

Based on this, what is a good solution for me? Obviously I don't need a giant compressor and 80 gallon tank, honestly I am not even sure I need one of those little combo units with a compressor and pancake or hotdog tanks either.

What I want is something that is small and easy to carry around, so I can carry it to each of my four tires and hopefully not have to deal with long extension cords or long air hoses. I know a lot of people might recommend a 12v-powered compressor but I would rather have something that I can power with 120v AC as I don't want to have to pop the hood and wire into/drain my car battery every time I want to air up. And I intend to leave the compressor in the garage not stow it in my car.

What I have been thinking is to get some kind of standalone compressor, and then maybe one of those hand-carry 5-7 gallon air tanks? So I would just fill up the air tank, and then be able to carry that around to each of my tires and fill up as needed. The logic being that just carrying the air tank around itself is lighter than hauling the compressor along with it. Is this the right way to go? What kind of compressors are available that do not have integrated tanks?

Another thing I'm thinking with this type of set up is that I can take the air tank with me outside and have compressed air available to me outside in the yard or in the shed, etc. too if I need it. And since I'm only carrying the tank and not a tank + compressor it will be easier to manage. Also a 5-10 gallon air tank seems to be about the same size/weight as a smaller 1-3 gallon compressor+tank combo, so under this strategy I am devoting more weight to carrying compressed air around and not wasting effort on carrying a compressor around.

My dad has some kind of air compressor in his garage it does not have an attached storage tank. It runs off of 120v and is a little bit bigger than a shoebox. It puts out up to 100psi air I believe (unknown CFMs) and has a 5-6ft air hose on it. It works good except like I said it is annoying to have to get out and set up an extension cord every time (the built in cord is too short to use without an extension for airing up car tires) and then coil back up both the air hose and extension cord when you're done. I'm thinking if I had some kind of small air tank I could set up the compressor somewhere and then just fill the air tank when I need air and take with a short hose (2-3 feet) to fill the car tires.

What do you guys think, any advice? Like I said I don't have a lot of knowledge about compressed air so maybe I am overlooking some other kind of solution. The only thing I have ever used compressed air for in a garage is to air up tires (which I find VERY useful because then I don't have to go to a gas station to do it!).

Ruahrc
 
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wkndwarrior29

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Jan 19, 2015
Messages
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Location
NorthEast
I had something like this that was very handy - it could run the compressor without being plugged in or you could charge it 12v or 120v. It worked well until I tried airing up my road bike tires at 120psig which was above capacity.

This link is just an example, not sure if it has all of the same features... But it would seem to fit your description best.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002X6VXL4/?tag=atomicindus08-20
 
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Ilikeike

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Joined
Jan 8, 2015
Messages
2,452
Location
Northern Ca.
A compressor small enough to easily carry around would take forever to put a few psi in a car tire.
Taking time to fill a portable tank to use in your garage seems like a pain to me, I have one and use it when we have a flat out in the field.
I would go to Home Depot or lowes... And get a 15-20 gal tank 3hp with wheels,and a 25'-50' hose and be done. It will fit in a corner of the garage or under your bench. And you could roll it if you had to.
But a 50' air hose should air up all the tires in your garage without moving your little compressor.
 
Z

zkling

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Joined
Jan 23, 2007
Messages
16,939
What is your budget for this project? Compressed air is so handy around the house. Without seeing your layout and assuming you park right out front of the garage. I'd recommend a ~20gal belt driven compressor and a 50' spring return hose reel. In the long run it would be MUCH easier.
 
G

G_P

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Marc Benjamin

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Jun 22, 2014
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Napa California
I went through this last month. Kinda in the same situation as yours. Just wanted to fille up tires and other inflatables around the house and perhaps use a compressed air blower here and there.

Primary consideration was space and secondary was noise which I thought this was not an issue but it become one real fast.

(all craftsmen, good thing they have a very generous return policy)

1. I bought a 4 gallon pancake - Too loud, took it back

2. Then, bought that 3 gallon mini hotdog - not as loud as the pancake but man, pain in the *** cause it keeps running out of air. Heck the thing kicks in again even if it's just a few pounds for one tire. Then you have to stop and wait...

3. So upgraded to the 7 gallon "mini" hotdog and it kinda works. Though honestly I'm not that satisfied cause it's still rather loud and you can't even get through a thorough air filter cleaning without the darn thing kicking in. Also at 7 gallons, it takes about 2.5 mins (so far, will get longer with age) for the initial fill up. About 40 seconds for the auto top off after using air at 90psi for about the same time.

Now this is what I really want but alas, it's just to expensive:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00889ZYOW/?tag=atomicindus08-20
 
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C

Can I try?

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Joined
Mar 2, 2015
Messages
374
Location
SE PA
I have experience with a compressor exactly like the one you described your father having. It was a tankless 120v Campbell Hausfeld, a bit larger than a shoebox. I'd steer you away from that idea considering your intended use.

It was my first compressor, gifted to me as a young teen. I stll have it, and it works fine. I rarely use it anymore because of its limited applications. I checked the Campbell Hausfeld website. They no longer offer a model similar to it, if that says anything.

I first used it to air up bicycle and lawn tractor tires. It worked fine for that. I still used it when I moved up to motorcycles. Again, it was acceptable. Then when I moved up to cars I outgrew it. It's fine if the tires are just a couple pounds low, but anything more and you'll waste a lot of time waiting for the tires to fill. Also, being tankless it was useless when it came to blowing air. I tried getting a 5-gallon portable and filling that so that I'd have air to blow, but quickly abandoned that idea. When used for blowing, that five gallons doesn't get you very far. Finally, that little compressor is loud! It's oilless (loud!) and tankless (always running).
 
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CNGsaves

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Sep 26, 2012
Messages
13,233
Location
KS and OK
Marc Benjamin said:
I went through this last month, kinda in the same situation as yours. . . . . {clip} . .

Now this is what I really want but alas, it's just too expensive:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00889ZYOW/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Click to expand...

^ ^ That California Air 2 HP 10 gal OIL-LESS compressor is rare exception where an oil-less compressor is actually GOOD !! Those are very fine compressors and would make great small mobile compressor. Search prior GJ threads as there was direct purchase bargain a while back where you could get one for just over $200 or so.
 
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C

Can I try?

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Joined
Mar 2, 2015
Messages
374
Location
SE PA
The Makita MAC700 is what I'm using right now as I save funds to build a shop (and get a big compressor!).

http://www.amazon.com/Makita-MAC700-Big-Bore-Compressor/dp/B0001Q2VK0/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8

It's quiet, compact, and delivers a suprising amount of air considering its size. It's more than adequate for inflating, blowing dust, and running low-demand air tools such as nailers. The only downside is its weight. At 50+ pounds I don't think you'd want to be dragging it around everytime you want to air up the tires. You'd probably want to put a hose on it that's long enough to let you leave it in place.

As long as you don't mind the price I highly recommend this compressor for your situation.
 
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Bigblue&Goldie

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Mar 12, 2009
Messages
10,684
Location
AZ
I'd get a little hot dog compressor. Anything without a tank *****. I have a badass compressor for air tools, but find myself using a little hot dog compressor for filling tires. It's faster to move around than deal with waiting for the larger compressor to fill and unwind/wind a long hose. Also, if it doesn't have a tank you won't be using compressed air to blow stuff off. A decent hot dog compressor can be had for $100.
 
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