air compressor/spray gun questions

[steveo2155]

I am going to be purchasing an air compressor soon. I am still deciding what size of one to get. A 6 gallon pancake compressor would be the smallest I am considering and a 33 gallon being the absolute biggest I would want. The 6 gallon is a porter cable and the 33 is a Craftsman. I have been mainly looking at Craftsman but would be open to other brands, but I don't want to spend more than $300. I would also prefer an oil less one, despite the noise factor. It would be for general use - blowing off parts, filling tires, occasionally rotating tires and possibly someday for painting use. I just had a couple of questions...

1. Is there any compressor anybody would recommend that fits this description? Also, can the smaller ones (the 6 - 10 gallon range) run an impact and some paint guns? I know they would be running more than one that has a bigger tank, but I am just wondering if the smaller ones are capable of some of these tasks?

2. Does anybody here use spray guns with compressors here? I was just thinking it would be nice to have that option if I ever decided to use it to paint walls or house or smaller things like bumper or grille on my truck, patio furniture, etc - smaller stuff like that. Just wondering if anybody uses their compressor for that and if spray guns are recommended for things like that and if they are easy enough to use? Also, what do you all need to paint with a compressor besides the spray gun? And what are air brushes usually used for?

Thanks.

 

[Terra Nova]

You can run a spray gun intermittently with a 33 gallon depending on the SCFM at your required pressure but I wouldn't want to try painting a whole car or house with it. It'll be OK for panel work. If you use on old school pressure feed gun you might get away with it. I have a Husky 30 gallon and am pleased with it but it has its limitations. If you search, someone started a thread with an excellent comparison of the most common 30 gallon class compressors. I think the Craftsman in that comparison came out on top.

6 gallon pancake you can forget about painting. It'll run an impact for changing tires though.

 

[Doc]

My old compressor was a 5hp/60 gal single stage and it worked to keep up with alot of spraying. Most air tools run best with great volume with minimal pressure drop so just watch out what you buy for tools.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Check out the CFM ratings for the tools you would like to use and the CFM ratings for the compressors.
The 6 gallon will probably be good for nail guns, staplers (tools that use a short bust of air). It will work for topping off the air in tires. Impacts or air ratchets will probably be pushing it, (you will be waiting on the compressor to recharge after a few bolts).
The 33 gallon will be better for filling tires and impacts. Also can run grinders, drills (these "air hungry" tools will have you waiting for the compressor to recharge).

For painting you will probably want a bigger tank and compressor. Also a filter and dryer. A steady supply of clean dry air is important to getting good results.
The 33 gallon may get you by on small jobs.

Air brushes are very small spray guns. Most work from a small tankless compressor.
Used for fine lines and artistic work. Not good for even coating on large surfaces.

As far as painting, for walls and houses you would want a different type of set-up. Either airless or HVLP (High Volume Low Pressure).

 

[steveo2155]

From what I have been gathering painting with a compressor comes with a lot of prep work and time and I doubt I would even usr it for that so I will probably go with a 6 gallon oil less pancake porter cable or a 10 gallon oil lube craftsman vertical. I think both are 3.7 cfm at 90 psi and 2.4 at 40 psi. Any thoughts on these two?

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Here is a list of approximate CFM for a variety of tools.
http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/air-consumption-tools-d_847.html

 

[Terra Nova]

From what I have been gathering painting with a compressor comes with a lot of prep work and time and I doubt I would even usr it for that so I will probably go with a 6 gallon oil less pancake porter cable or a 10 gallon oil lube craftsman vertical. I think both are 3.7 cfm at 90 psi and 2.4 at 40 psi. Any thoughts on these two?

Oil less are, in general, MUCH louder than their oiled counterpart. Given two identical spec machines I would take the oiled for that reason alone.

 

[retrobuilder]

Basics- 6 gallon will be fine for impact or nail guns but will not be any good with a spray gun setup.

Two reasons- CFM- You need around 2x the CFM flow than the pancake compressoe + you need capacity.

Sprayguns- Devilbiss Finishline or Sharpe Finex are great for most casual users. You will get lots of opinions on spray setups. The low cost guns literally **** more air- again higher CFM demand.

What are you painting A detail gun uses less air than say a panel gun. Detail guns can cover a great 9" pattern as long as the tip is sized for the viscocity of the finish. Primer guns- almost any gun will suffice or any cost range- Just make sure you have a larger tip size for the "thicker primer/sealers.

Find a used Binks 9 spray gun or other pro gun.as long as it is not clogged or pins bent. I prefer a gravity feed for smaller tasks. You can go HVLP but make sure you have more air delivery. Using epoxies- or urethanes- invest in a good 3M face mask. and clean those spray guns when finished- Lots of great options- just the compressor is the heart of the system. Find a good oil lubed compressor- quieter and longer lasting add a filter/regulator to clean air.

Good luck