Compressor Choice for power tools

[RD350]

Hi all:

I am no qualified engineer or have any experience with the above.
I have garage that can accommodate one big car. In the garage I have a 6ft x 4ft metal work table. In the garage I plan on working on my motorcycle, splitting crankcases, replacing car tires etc etc. for this these sort of jobs, which would be the most ideal air compressor to buy? I want something that will be worthwhile and not too light duty and at the same time not really heavy duty. Certainly, I will want to use air power tools as that would be the primary reason for buying an air compressor.

Having said this, which would be the most ideal configuration (How many Gallons, PSI, CFM etc. ??) to look for while buying a machine for the the above set-up? I've seen some machines listed as oil machines. Are they better than non-oil machines?
Thank you kindly.

Regards,

Daryl

 

[JohnnyK8]

I also am no an expert but do feel than a 60 gallon compressor with a 5 hp motor will suit your needs. Now I will not get into which brand etc but will say that my harbor freight 60 has been very good to me. It puts out about 16 cfm and my tools have yet to outrun it with exception of my DA sander. But I certainly can manage.

Brand name aside I feel this is a good set of parameters to target. They come from many brands pick your poison. With 60 gallons and 5 hp or about you will no need to upgrade later and will have plenty of scrote to bust loose lugs and suspension parts.

Check Craigslist and hunt or just go out and grab one at a store.

Two stage is best but costs more.

Don't forget the air drier and accessories to get it running. Electrical, most larger ones require 220.

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

 

[BuffettFan]

Hey Daryl,
The main considerations are the max CFM and at what PSI will be your biggest consumer of air requires.
I agree with JohnnyK8 that 5hp and 60 gal will most likely do everything you need.
Mine is a 2 stage, 5 hp, 80 gallon that does everything I need. Painting and sandblasting something large, like a whole car, taxes it, but I don't do that here anymore. As for oil vs oiless, my personal preference would be for oil.
I bought the best compressor I could afford in 1988, and I'm still using it.
Terry

 

[rburke65]

Well if ya want to buy it once and not regret it, then by a 2 stage, 5 hp. 60 gallon tank and be apply. And NO.......NOT an oilless ....... ever......

 

[Kaizen]

OP do you have 220 volt in the garage?
You need to id what tools you will want to run. an impact can do fine on a smaller 110 unit. I have a 60 gallon but max at 11cfm. runs my tools for about ten minutes. price about 500.
The above is spot on and if you have the money buy the biggest you can that will fit and run. Really a huge market with all kinds of price points.

 

[Ben1967]

If your running just air tools, get a single stage, 50 gallon, 3hp. If you really want to go all out, and you run other things such as a sandblaster, buy a 8hp, 2 stage, 80 gallon, and that puppy will give your air tools a run for your money!

 

[Citation]

How much space and what electrical power do you have available? Are you willing to buy used? What is your budget? Do you want to run plumbing? Remember that most larger compressors, say 60 gallon and larger, don't have regulators or connectors included.

If space and power aren't an issue I would look for a deal on a used 80 gallon ~5hp compressor. I'm not saying you need that but on the used market those seem to be a good value. Smaller 3hp, 60 gallon models seem to run $300+ and cost $400-500 new. Used 80 gallon models seem to come in at similar used prices when looking at 'pro-sumer' models.

At the same time one or two 120v compressors may be plenty for your needs and can be had for $100 or less used. I got a cheap 8 gallon husky in good shape for $40. It was able to barely power my air cutoff tool. No issue with intermittent impact work. At $40 it's nearly a throwaway tool.

 

[crewchief888]

define "air power tool" ?

i use electric for most grinding, cutting, sanding, deburring. very occasional use of a die grinder or a 3" cutoff tool.

primary air use is for a 1/2" dr impact, (tire removal), and blowing up tires.


certainly a big compressor will impress the neighborhood car and tool guys,

but if all you need is enough air to inflate a tire, or take off a couple lug nuts, nearly any compressor will suffice.

i have the same CM oilless compressor i bought in '87...


i have a lot of air tools that are real "air hogs", most are in my service truck, (a few stay in the garage due to non use), and really dont get used that often. my most used power tool is a 18v milwaukee fuel 3/8" dr impact..

i'm a field mechanic at a const eq dealership.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I have been a "shade tree mechanic" and DIY guy for over 50 years. For about 40 of those years, I have used a Craftsman 2HP, 20 gallon, 240V compressor. Works fine on my CP 1/2" impact wrench and on my long barrel CP air hammer. Seems to work fine with my Astro die grinders. It will NOT keep up with my cheap Chinese cut off wheel, so when the compressor kick on, I wait.

I never tried it with any sanders or blasters because I know I would not like the results.

40 years ago, I wish I had the money to buy the 3HP, 30 gallon compressor.

My son has the California Air Tools "2HP" portable with twin aluminum tanks. Maximum 125 PSI, and 5.3 CFM at 90 PSI. Very light, quiet and runs on 120V. He really hasn't given it a hard work out, but he has a big job this weekend. That should be enough for the tools you mentioned, plus it is light enough you can take inside and use it with trim/finish nailers and not go deaf.

 

[Cyberbear]

Personally, I suggest buying a name brand unit that has a service and parts department you can access when needed. I have an 80 gallon unit, 7.5 hp, 2 stage that pumps to 175 PSI. This means using 220 volt as the power supply. Even with all this, the recommended duty cycle is only 50%, but this is a home garage unit, not an industrial installation. Better to have a little too much than a little less than your needs.

 

[bczygan]

Just like garages, bigger is better.

Bill

 

[Codejack]

As others have said, what tools, exactly, are you planning on using? Each has a CFM rating that your compressor really needs to match if you are going to use it for more than an impact wrench for rotating tires.

I used to run my impact wrench and air hammer off of a 1.5hp, 5CFM 20 gallon unit, which did just fine.

I am rapidly switching over to electric tools, though....

 

[sberry]

Well if ya want to buy it once and not regret it, then by a 2 stage, 5 hp. 60 gallon tank and be apply. And NO.......NOT an oilless ....... ever......

This is really simple solid advice. If you can live with the upfront investment you will likely be done with it in one shot. It really takes 5 hp to run a DA well, operator skill has a lot to do with it but if a fair amount of auto body is in the works then its worth it. You could fall back and make a living from one. They used to make a 3 hp called a mechanics compressor but they are not as popular anymore although some of the smaller 2 stage are this. Great for most air tools except for steady sanding.

 

[CompressorPros.com]

I put together a general sizing guide, there will always be variances, but this might help.

Compressor Sizing Guide

 

[Tennessee Cattleman]

I put together a general sizing guide, there will always be variances, but this might help.

Compressor Sizing Guide

Good Compressor guide. Thanks.

 

[stevengarage]

My first compressor was only 20 gallon/4hp and it didn't have enough power, it would come on soon as you started using a tool. Finally it ran so much it locked up one I was running a impact wrench. I replaced it with a 60 gallon 6hp compressor and I have been pleased. I rotated tires on my car couple nights ago and compressor only come on once and built up quickly and cut right off. I wouldn't get anything smaller.

 

[rbgearz]

I recently replaced my 5hp 80gal IR with a 7.5hp 80gal Air Maxx w/silent air compressor. Great compressor and quiet.

 

[Schurkey]

http://www.ebay.com/gds/Air-compressors-electric-for-home-shops-A-primer-/10000000002309894/g.html

 

[rburke65]

Thanks sberry!

 

[CraigStu]

My 4 horse 30 gal has been kind of OK. I have to wait on a die grinder some times. Air file or DA I have to wait a lot but I don't use them much anymore. If I need to replace it I may step up to a 5hp and bigger tank, or I may not bother.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I put together a general sizing guide, there will always be variances, but this might help.

Compressor Sizing Guide

I think you have over estimated the CFM requirements of a lot of those tools ! Especially the "tire bead breaker". 12 CFM !!! Most tire machines have some kind of bead seater built in BUT they typically also have a surge tank. Also anyone who does a lot of tires would like have one of those portable bead seater tanks.

Missing from your list are inline sanders, cut off wheels, and sand blasters (very wide range).

 

[James-W]

I have a Craftsman 220 volt 4HP single stage compressor with a 20 gallon tank. I bought it probably 30 years ago and it still works just fine. It works great for everything I do with the exception of the sandblaster. I can only sand blast for about 2 minutes, then I need to stop and wait a minute while the compressor catches up. But since I only do small items, like lawn mower blades, it isn't a big deal.

 

[rburke65]

There ya go.....it works ok...but I have to wait....works ok but only for a minute at a time. Take the advise here and buy once.

 

[James-W]

There ya go.....it works ok...but I have to wait....works ok but only for a minute at a time. Take the advise here and buy once.

When I bought the compressor I have, I didn't have a sandblaster so the compressor was more than adequate for my needs. I only bought the sandblaster a few months ago, for the past 30 years the compressor has been served me well, and still does, except for an occasional minor inconvenience. I guess my question is, why would I want to buy a new compressor for something that I do only occasionally and then only for a few minutes at a time?

 

[Musicinabottle]

Well if ya want to buy it once and not regret it, then by a 2 stage, 5 hp. 60 gallon tank and be apply. And NO.......NOT an oilless ....... ever......

Oil less must serve some advantage but I've never found it yet. I've seen two oil less compressors, both Craftsman with plastic jugs pistons and all blow sky high so I'm not impressed at all with them. I have a 60 gallon 6.5 hp single stage that has served me well for years and years and does all I need. I also have a 1 horse 4 gallon that won't run a paint gun for long, nor a rattle gun (impact) but it runs my nail guns and I have spot painted and impacted with it before.

 

[James-W]

Oil less must serve some advantage but I've never found it yet. I've seen two oil less compressors, both Craftsman with plastic jugs pistons and all blow sky high so I'm not impressed at all with them. I have a 60 gallon 6.5 hp single stage that has served me well for years and years and does all I need. I also have a 1 horse 4 gallon that won't run a paint gun for long, nor a rattle gun (impact) but it runs my nail guns and I have spot painted and impacted with it before.

Just guessing here, but maybe the advantage is that it is cheaper to manufacture.

 

[Schurkey]

Just guessing here, but maybe the advantage is that it is cheaper to manufacture.

...and they don't last long.

That way, they can sell junk to people who don't know any better, and in two years, (if they haven't learned better) they can sell junk to them again. It's the perfect cycle...if you can accept screwing your customers as a business plan.

 

[Lelandwelds]

Impressing your buddies? Saylor-Beale, Champion , or Castair

Otherwise? Whatever good used deal you run into. You can mostly make shortcomings up with extra storage volume.

Want to will it to grandchildren? Get cast iron 500 to 800 rpm pump and 1800 rpm motor. Think volume instead of psi.

 

[Lelandwelds]

It's pretty cheap to replace a plastic jug. The California Air tools compressors are more durable. Oilless compressors are made to be carried. And used upside down if needed.

Ever pick up a 5 hp 80 gal compressor?

 

[James-W]

To be fair about it, if you only rarely use a compressor to pump up a tire or blow the dust out of something, a cheap compressor will probably no doubt last a very long time.

 

[The Tool Tyrant]

Everyone on GJ is an expert on something! Ask your question!

 

[nadogail]

When I asked my Cabinet Maker about what brand of small compressor would be best for powering a nail gun, he said; "They are all ****, just get the cheapest one". I did, and about 20 years later I am still using it.

 

[PoorUB]

An impact does not use much air volume. An air drill, sander or grinder uses a bunch of air.

I ran a two man small engine shop with a 3/4 HP compressor for a couple years. We just used small impacts and air nozzles.

I bought a 60 gallon 3 HP and it was fine for years although it barely kept up with a DA sander. I ran across a used 5 HP 80 gallon two stage a while back and it more then keeps up with what I need.

 

[Jagmandave]

I've had my Campbell Hausfeld 2hp 20 gal 120V compressor for over 30 years, still works fine. I've done everything but paint with it, but some things were painfully slow waiting for it to catch up.

About a year ago I found a great deal on a new compressor from Harbor Freight and it has been fantastic - 5 hp, 60 gal, 16cfm @ 90 psi 2 stage and it keeps up easily with everything I want to do including sand blasting. I did have to run a dedicated 240V supply to it and it is louder than my little compressor.

So, like all the other guys have written, it depends on your needs, a smaller compressor may do everything you want now, but if you want something that will last and do everything you need for pretty much ever - get a 5hp 60 gal and you'll be good to go. But if it's going to be located in your small garage, be aware of the noise (oiless compressors are noisy as hell!) you can buy a quieter one, but you usually either loose performance or pay a lot more.

You can find good used compressors on Craigs or FB Marketplace, but make sure they run it for you - preferable up till it shuts off to make sure it will make pressure. Then check the tank carefully for any damage.

Good luck in your quest!

 

[mcbane]

Oil less must serve some advantage but I've never found it yet.

Only advantageous when exceptional air quality is needed and you're willing to pay for it. I used to work on industrial coatings jobs where oil less was required for all sandblasting work. Even tiny amounts of oil making it past an oil trap would compromise coatings that were intended for immersion service.

Those compressors were enormous and I'm sure were very, very expensive.

 

[Citation]

Did some spam posts get removed from this thread? It's really old then came back.

 

[Glemon]

I have been a "shade tree mechanic" and DIY guy for over 50 years. For about 40 of those years, I have used a Craftsman 2HP, 20 gallon, 240V compressor. Works fine on my CP 1/2" impact wrench and on my long barrel CP air hammer. Seems to work fine with my Astro die grinders. It will NOT keep up with my cheap Chinese cut off wheel, so when the compressor kick on, I wait.

I never tried it with any sanders or blasters because I know I would not like the results.

40 years ago, I wish I had the money to buy the 3HP, 30 gallon compressor.

My son has the California Air Tools "2HP" portable with twin aluminum tanks. Maximum 125 PSI, and 5.3 CFM at 90 PSI. Very light, quiet and runs on 120V. He really hasn't given it a hard work out, but he has a big job this weekend. That should be enough for the tools you mentioned, plus it is light enough you can take inside and use it with trim/finish nailers and not go deaf.

 

[Glemon]

I had an oiless compressor, Craftsman upright I think it was 30 gallon. It actually lasted me 10-12 years before I sold it, but I only used to to air up tires and occasionally tools or painting a car or panel.

One of the reasons I didn't use it much was because it was so damn noisy.

I would not get an oiless. If you have space get a big tank, if you have 220 or easy access to get it wired get a 220volt compressor.

That being said I just have a little pancake compressor now and for nail guns and occasional air tool use it if fine.

 

[Schurkey]

Everyone on GJ is an expert on something! Ask your question!

Did some spam posts get removed from this thread? It's really old then came back.

Yes. A dirtbag spammed the thread, with the spam link in his signature. Therefore, the main body of his post was useless drivel, asking about who here was an expert on compressors.

I flagged his post yesterday.

 

[u2slow]

A 3hp/10cfm 20-gal portable has served me well nearly 25 years working on vehicles. That said, I don't do any real body work or sandblast.