Hey all. I am looking for advice on a compressor. I will probably buy HF earthquake air tools as they received good reviews here, and I like most of the stuff I have bought from HF. As far as a CFM rating on a tool and compressor is concerned, will the tool work very well if the CFM rating of the compressor is a little bit below the rating of the tool? I am looking at a 5.2 CFM compressor. I will use it for air ratchet, an impact for tire changes/suspension work, and maybe grinding if my electric dies. School me on this subject.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Compressor advice
- Thread starter mrpizza
- Start date
Shadowdog500
Well-known member
Unless you plan on using a bead blaster, DA sander or some other CFM hog that runs for longer periods of time you don't really need a big compressor. The the tank will give more than enough CFM for the short burst of the Impact or air ratchet no problem. I got by for decades with a 2 HP 25Gal Craftsman compressor and never really ran out of air until I got a bead blast cabinet and a sprinkler system that needed blowing out.
If you think you will eventually get a blast cabinet, HVLP paint gun, or DA sander, ETC get a really high CFM compressor, If not a 2HP 25 gallon tank will probably be fine.
Don't get an oilless unless you are deaf, because you will be after you use it for a while.
I love my Earthquake impact. I think my Craftman impact is retired for good now.
Chris
If you think you will eventually get a blast cabinet, HVLP paint gun, or DA sander, ETC get a really high CFM compressor, If not a 2HP 25 gallon tank will probably be fine.
Don't get an oilless unless you are deaf, because you will be after you use it for a while.
I love my Earthquake impact. I think my Craftman impact is retired for good now.
Chris
Last edited:
I am not much for painting, certainly not a car or anything of the sort. And I don't know what I would need a fancy sander for, my electric one works great. But what I WILL do is tell my wife I NEED the big one to make the tools work right. I always say "I need a new tool or two to do work on the car, it saves us money in the long run!" (while secretly amassing my tool supply!!!) Thanks for the heads up, I am looking at a few different compressors in the 25-35 gallon range, 5-6 cfm. I appreciate the information!
+1 to the above
As far as CFM requirements being a little low for the tool requirement, how happy you will be depends on what the type of tool you're working with.
A air grinder can outrun a compressor in a hurry, depending on how much grinding you have to do and how big of a grinder you're using.
As far as CFM requirements being a little low for the tool requirement, how happy you will be depends on what the type of tool you're working with.
A air grinder can outrun a compressor in a hurry, depending on how much grinding you have to do and how big of a grinder you're using.
BLACK DEATH
Well-known member
What's ur budget? That's the real question?
But what I WILL do is tell my wife I NEED the big one to make the tools work right. I always say "I need a new tool or two to do work on the car, it saves us money in the long run!" (while secretly amassing my tool supply!!!) Thanks for the heads up, I am looking at a few different compressors in the 25-35 gallon range, 5-6 cfm. I appreciate the information!
I more that you would not be the first to have used this reasoning.
Well played.
plinker
Well-known member
My budget would be MAX $400, maybe fifty bucks over that, but that's really it. I am looking all over craigslist for used.
If you can go 450$ and have the room for it, you could get a 3?hp 60gal Husky(campbell hausfeld) compresser at Home depot. They are decent and you'd have plenty of air.
If you can go 450$ and have the room for it, you could get a 3?hp 60gal Husky(campbell hausfeld) compresser at Home depot. They are decent and you'd have plenty of air.
I was looking at those last night actually. I am kind of drawn to the smaller 30 gallon husky, its an oil lubricated compressor and it outputs 6 @ 90 psi. It is also 350 right now at my local home depot, and I get 10% military discount on everything I buy there. I may go to Lowe's and check out the Kobalt compressors, unless those are junk?
And how about compressors from HF?
And how about compressors from HF?
Rumor is they are made by Bel-aire. That's all I got for you. Read the reviews on the hf site.