You don't say what you actually need the compressor for. Is it blowing things off and filling tires, running impact wrenches and air hammers, or running die grinders and sanders? What you're going to hear on this forum is that an oilless compressor will only handle the first. You will hear that running air tools requires a higher flow compressor, high flow fittings, etc. Truthfully, you can occasionally run impacts, air ratchets, air hammers etc for short bursts on even a small pancake compressor. However, if you start to use these tools often, you will get tired of waiting on your compressor and the compressor will run constantly.
Running constant use tools like grinders and sanders simply requires too much air for a small oilless compressor. You will drain the tank quickly and it will never get a chance to fill back up to the point where it will provide the regulated pressure you're asking for. You will be disappointed if you try.
A 25 ft. 3/8" hose is great. As for fittings, since your compressor will limit you to tools that do not require massive flow, standard 1/4 npt industrial fittings are fine. If you wanted to run a big 3/4" impact or perhaps even one of the bigger 1/2" impacts, you would probably benefit from v-style high flow fittings but again, that doesn't seem like it's in the cards for the type of compressor you're contemplating. There's really nor harm in updrading fittings other than the cost.
Your compressor will probably come with a regulator built in based on the type it sounds like you're shopping for but a water trap/filter is a nice addition. Unfortunately, again, you will hear on this forum that you need an elaborate manifold of hard lines between your compressor and the filter to help cool and concense out the water in your air lines but that's also probably not in the cards based on what it sounds like you have in mind. If you simply want to filter out particulates and catch some water, it will work okay. I don't have any specific recommendations. As usual, they range from 10's to 100's of dollars based on what your goal is, however the really expensive setups have multiple stages for particulate, oil, and water filtration and really do require you cool the air sufficiently for them to work as intended. A "piggyback" filter regulator downstream of your compressor just before your hose is probably a good compromise for not too much money.
I guarantee you will have people recommending 5+ HP, 240 volt, 80 gallon compressors withing minutes, so be prepared for that. But think seriously about whether you really need to head down that path for what you want to achieve in your shop. It's kind of a slippery slope.
Good luck.
I should have shared more specifics on the intended automotive use (My apologies!). So basically, I already have a few cordless M18/M12 tools (1/2" impact, ratchet, stubby impact). The MAIN tool I absolutely need this compressor for is a air hammer. Unfortunately, there are no viable cordless options that are both powerful, and compact, for tight automotive spaces. There will be no painting, sanding, sand blasting, whatsoever. If a 30 gallon compressor can pull off using a die grinder, and cut-off tool (
Not sure??), then I can by those as pneumatic, but I really don't know if a 30 gallon can run those tools?
On a 30 gallon tank, stepping up to oil-less is not a major cost upgrade, so all good, I can go oil-less
For the air line filter, that's fine too, I can go with something in the ~$50 dollar range.... no sense in breaking the bank for a expensive air filter on this size compressor.
As for the fittings, I will have to Google the v-type you are referring to, as pneumatic tools are new to me. But, if the cost difference is minor, I'll be happy to make the step up to the v-style.
What are your thoughts on my tool lineup, and the tools I want to run off this compressor, please?
My first compressor was a little roll around oil lubed compressor that ran on 120 volts. It was a darn fine machine. I worn it out over 15 years of hard use.
I bought my dad a similar sized oilless unit. It is so noisey it makes you not want to use it.
I strongly recommend a oil lubed unit, far more pleasant to use.
It seems like on a 30 gallon tank, stepping up to oil-less is only about $200 more... if the difference in sound is that much, that's a no brainer at that point... I'll do oil-less. Thank you for sharing!
Your frequency of use sounds like mine. As mentioned above, It depends on what you want to do. I wanted a good 1/2“ impact and thought I needed a compressor. But a compressor big enough to run a powerful impact is $$$. In the end I got DeWalt’s biggest 1/2” cordless impact for much much less money. It’s strong enough to break things if you’re not careful, so it’s enough for my needs. So I saved like $1000 and I don’t have to maintain the compressor.
I was influenced by a number of threads on here where people said they hadn’t used their air tools at all or very seldom after getting cordless tools.
My apologies for not being more clear on the details... You are correct, simply saying "automotive" is very broad. I'll be using this for repairs and maintenance only. I already have a few cordless M18/M12 tools (1/2" impact, ratchet, stubby impact). The MAIN tool I absolutely need this compressor for is a air hammer. Unfortunately, there are no viable cordless options that are both powerful, and compact, for tight automotive spaces. There will be no painting, sanding, sand blasting, whatsoever. If a 30 gallon compressor can pull off using a die grinder, and cut-off tool (
Not sure??), then I can by those as pneumatic, but I really don't know if a 30 gallon can run those tools?
I have an old Craftsman compressor, probably 20 years old, it won't run high demand stuff for long, but it has served me well.
The only thing I have used it for in the last year was to raise and lower the motorcycle lift, my Milwaukee addiction has rendered most of my air tools obsolete in the home garage.
I have never had the need for a super nice compressor at home ( compressor type and tank size), the shop is a different story, when I ran a production floor with 20 techs using air tools it was a different world...
Figure what tool you will need the most SCFM for (DA sander? Sand Blaster? ) then increase it by 50%. Do the same for the tank size, some of this stuff can drain a tank in a minute.... die grinders, DA sanders, paint guns.... high flow long duty cycles.
Thankfully I have a M 18/M12 lineup (Impact wrench, ratchet, etc.) . There will be no sand blasting, DA sander, or painting..... at all actually. The main reason I'm getting the compressor is to run a air hammer.
The only worry with cheap oil less compressors is noise. Some of the newer and more expensive ones aren't bad.
Thanks for sharing! You are correct, and that seems to be what I've been hearing from everyone. At about $200 more for oil-less... I think I'll get the oil-less based on your, and others, advice. Thank you again!
