Air tool/compressor questions

[bens]

I would like to get a new compressor and a few air tools. I won't be running any heavy duty tools, just finish nailer and framing nailer.
I may eventually want to paint an old tractor, would I need a much bigger compressor?

How big of a compressor do I need?
Are some louder than others?
What is the difference between oil-less and oiled compressors?

Sorry for all the newbie questions.

 

[wythors]

I'm not a compressor guru, but I can tell you from recent personal experience that an oil-less unit is WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY louder than an oiled one. I just switched and the difference is pheonomenal.

 

[Wardrum]

How big of a compressor do I need?

I would recommend an oil-type compressor with about a 7 hp engine and 80 gallon tank that puts out about 175 psi. It is better to have a little more capacity than not enough and I think you will find more uses for air than just your nailers. It doesn't cost much more to get more capacity and I think the compressor will last longer if it doesn't have to run as much as a smaller one would.

 

[Jared]

I would definetly go with and oiled one in my opinion oil-less compressors are junk. And like wardrum said you will find many more uses ones you have one like impact wrench air ratchet die grinder ect. Depending on how much money you want to spend and whether or not you want to buya new one i would check eaton compressor



Jared

 

[cc_rider]

What you are likely to end up needing is TWO air compressors, so start small. Here's why:

A portable compressor is great for nailguns. And it's, uh, portable, so you can take it to the jobsite. Helpful tip: if you buy one that doesn't have wheels, buy an inexpensive dolly and bolt it on. Once you lug a compressor a couple times you'll understand. HD has a great plastic-framed dolly for about $30; I bolted my Porter Cable compressor to it and now it's EASY to move around. Portables start around $200, but get the biggest one you can afford; you'll be glad you did.

BUT: portable compressors don't generate anywhere CLOSE to enough CFM to run a paint sprayer, die grinder, or pretty much any 'continuous flow' air tool. So you'll eventually need a bigger compressor. A 7 Hp 80 gal model is a huge beast; I'd LOVE to have one but most folks don't have the room or the $$$ for such a monster. The most common 'larger' size is a 3 or 5 Hp, 60 gal tank. They start around $500, but price varies a lot due to different configurations (single-stage, dual stage, one/two/four cylinders) and quality levels. Retail stores like HD and Lowes carry 'residential' quality units; if you want a bad-axe-mother-fletcher compressor you'll have to find a shop that specializes in industrial-level gear. And check the repair places too. There's a place here that repairs compressors, and they sometimes have deals on used equipment. You can get a lot higher quality/capacity unit if you don't mind a few nicks and scrapes.

Happy Hunting!

c.

 

[kartracer55]

Check out the air compressor threads in the "thread directory" sticky up top.

I think a 7.5hp compressor might be just a LITTLE bit overkill for a nail gun. Granted, you will definetly be bitten by the air tool bug and wind up buying more and more, let me just include this...

I deal with two compressors on a regular basis... my 5hp 20cfm 60 gallon single stage eaton and a 7.5hp 120 gallon LeRoi. I have never been able to create a demand on the 5hp eaton which It couldnt handle. This include two die grinders at once, Air ratchet and die grinder, impact and ratchet etc. The only thing I havent tried is painting and blasting. Blasting im not sure about but im positive it could handle a paint gun.

Now as for the 7.5, this can keep up with a small blast cabinet no problem. Ive seen it run with the sand blaster AND die grinders/cutoff tools and ratchets. Ive also seen as many as 3 impacts or ratchets being used. I dont know of all the combinations but I have never once had to wait for air with that thing, even with multiple users.

If your going to be the only guy using high demand tools like sanders/grinders/blasters than I think you can get away with a high cfm 5hp unit. If your going to have more than one person using these tools on a regular basis, then Id look at a 7.5hp.

You can easily run a nailer on a small pancake compressor, or any other portable compressor. You can probably manage an impact on a small portable unit as well, but Im pretty sure the guys on here will tell you they hate them.

For the guys to really be able to help you you need to let usk now three things...

-budget
-tools you want to use
-any restrictions on power (IE no 220, Max 30 amps on 220 etc)
-Number of users (Ie mostly you, or frequently you and a buddy)
-space limitations

Go for a belt driven cast iron oiled compressor.

Jim

 

[bens]

Thanks guys. As you have suggested, I will probably get big by the air tool bug. So who knows where this will lead, but for now here are the answer to you above questions:

Budget: < $500
Tools: nailers. I doubt I find the need for sanders and grinders, but who knows...
Power: no restrictions
Users: just me
Space: no limit

How much CFM would be needed for say a paint sprayer?
Thanks.

 

[iiibdsiil]

http://www.autobodystore.com/devilbis.htm

Their lowest model is 9.9 CFM on that site, so that's probably a good place to start.

Keep in mind they run at a lower PSI, which means that the CFM is higher at lower PSI then at say 90, or 125 like most compressors would run.

Usually the compressors have CFM ratings in 2 different intervals.

If you are only using the nailer in the garage, I would recommend getting a larger unit then you probably need. But, if you are going to be installing base board, chair rail, yada yada yada at the house, then I would think a portable unit would be better.

Also, if you are doing something that requires you to be portable, you could get like a Paslode nailer.

Good luck with everything!