Was gonna get one at HF was looking at their 21 10 and 8 gallon and their specs look pretty much all the same other than the capacity. Whats the take on these? Should I go with a different brand? Dewalt, Kobalt ect. Not wanting to spend a small fortune $300 tops. Give me some suggestions
Air compressor
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MrSurly
Well-known member
Tank volume is not a good metric to compare compressors. What is your usage? Airing up a few tires, blowing dust off the bench or running impacts, nailers or a blast cabinet?
How often do you think you'll use it? Will it be close by your work area?
Is noise a concern? The direct-drive units tend to be high RPM and loud. Some are brutally loud. Proximity might dictate the noise level you can deal with.
Usage should indicate the CFM you need.
A blast cabinet will need 7-10 CFM.
IMPACTS, NAILERS, 4-6.
In general, cheaper units are louder, put up less flow and cycle more often
Belt drive units are quieter, but also larger and more expensive.
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How often do you think you'll use it? Will it be close by your work area?
Is noise a concern? The direct-drive units tend to be high RPM and loud. Some are brutally loud. Proximity might dictate the noise level you can deal with.
Usage should indicate the CFM you need.
A blast cabinet will need 7-10 CFM.
IMPACTS, NAILERS, 4-6.
In general, cheaper units are louder, put up less flow and cycle more often
Belt drive units are quieter, but also larger and more expensive.
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joe_padavano
Well-known member
I'm not sure what "car detailing" means as far as air compressor requirements. Are you just blowing off dust and water? Inflating tires? I have a small Makita compressor that I use for my nailers. If I'm far from my big compressor, I've also used it to run an impact wrench. It has plenty of pressure to run the impact, but only enough volume to remove one or two lug nuts before I have to wait for it to pump back up. It works fine for blowing solvent off a carburetor or other parts out of the parts washer. I paid $30 for it at an auction. It's quiet and runs on 110V. Of course, I have my 24 SCFM, 80 gal compressor for real work.
Nailers are one of the lowest air users. Almost anything will run them.
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rijndael
Well-known member
For me, that's a pneumatic angle grinder/polisher. ~12 CFM.
I disagree (GJ "Travesty"). "Rightsizing" can be a better option as long as your compressors CFM can handle your highest CFM/high duty cycle air tool.
Overbuying can result in:
- Lack or portability
- Wasted space
- Need for dedicated 220VAC availability
- Cost
- Often higher noise
- Higher power consumption
- Etc
High CFM/high duty cycle air tools can often be replaced with electric or lithium.
For example this little guy's huge CFM needs will run a 5 HP/2 stage/80 gallon compressor almost continuously:
So why not use this instead.
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Blowing debris out of crevices and water out of the seams
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I totally agree with everything you said. I prefer lithium ion and corded tools over air personally. I just need the occasional bust of hard air to clear out fine dirt n whatever may be under the car seats.I disagree (GJ "Travesty"). "Rightsizing" can be a better option as long as your compressors CFM can handle your highest CFM/high duty cycle air tool.
Overbuying can result in:
- Lack or portability
- Wasted space
- Need for dedicated 220VAC availability
- Cost
- Often higher noise
- Higher power consumption
- Etc
High CFM/high duty cycle air tools can often be replaced with electric or lithium.
For example this little guy's huge CFM needs will run a 5 HP/2 stage/80 gallon compressor almost continuously:
So why not use this instead.
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joe_padavano
Well-known member
If that's all you want the compressor for, any small nail gun compressor will do that, run a nail gun, and even run an impact wrench. It will not operate any pneumatic rotary tools like a buffer, however.
Only thing about the small ones is it will keep running so in my particular case the capacity does matter. That's why I had narrowed it down to a HF one or possibly the Kobalt one
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Take a look at those 30 gallon compressors. Make sure it's cast iron pump, oil lubricated, belt driven. (Kobalt, HF, Husky, etc)
They're the sweet spot for what you describe. (portable, capable, dual voltage and quiet). The only thing they'll struggle with is high CFM AND high duty cycle.
I know the HF are oiled. I think the Kobalt may be oiless I have to look it up again. I figured with about $200 budget I should be able to get something in that sweet spot
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Only problem I've encountered with those is they will constantly run while using a blowgun
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Lelandwelds
Well-known member
There is a good bit of truth here. It would also be a true answer is the OP question was "Which will need replacing often enough to keep shiny paint in my garage?"
Post #9 is just wrong. Sounds like one of those been counters who advise reducing quality to the barest minimal acceptable level. If you need to haul stuff, get a truck. If you need gas mileage, buy something cute.
Its a blowgun, how long ya gonna use it maybe like 2 mins?
On a car for detailing you could do 2 mins or 20 mins
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