Do You Still Use Your Shop Air Compressor?

[turbowoodworker]

All the time with nail guns and staplers.
Oh and seems I’m always airing up the kid’s bike or a basketball.

 

[anndel]

At least once per month with air impacts or a brake bleeder just to keep the compressor and impacts lubricated.

 

[wxm]

As OP stated, I still use the compressor to winterize the sprinkler system, blow dry the part etc. I have been switch to cordless tool in many occasion, however for suspension and axle work, I still prefer air tool. When it gets too messy, it is really difficult and time consuming to clean the battery power tool. Can't beat the metal body where you can just wipe it clean easily.

 

[Slednut]

DAs, die grinders, spraying cars and parts, mini belt sander, punch/flange tool, air chisel, cut off tool, straight line sander, blasting cabinet, media blasting, and all the nail guns.

I guess it matters what you do in your shop.

 

[Alfisti]

My compressor is the first thing that gets turned on and the last thing to be switched off. My few cordless tools sit there gathering dust, when cordless tools can match the size and power of my air tools I'll have another look at them.

 

[lastgoodusername]

Almost daily

 

[Hack Fabrication]

I've had this IR 7.5 80 gallon model for a lot of years. Bought it at Home Depot when they had free delivery:

I ran black iron piping through the wall and into my basement where I have two drops. It gets used down there for running air nailers/staplers. In the garage it's hooked to my blast cabinet, and sees duty running various air tools. Also indispensable for airing up tires, blowing off dust/dirt, and drying things out.

I have a smaller HF 30 gallon at my lake house, which is a pretty decent little compressor for the money (I got it on sale).

The drawback to my main house setup is forgetting to turn the compressor on when I'm in the basement. I've assembled some 3-way switches and a solenoid valve, which will allow me to turn the air on from either the garage or the basement. Just haven't decided whether or not to wire it in.

I may just head over to HF and pick up a Fortress Ultra Quiet 2 gallon for the basement. They're on sale this weekend and with the 15% off everything coupon, it's hard to resist.

 

[nerraw117]

I could not get rid of mine but use it very little. I have a 80 gallon twin stage 25ish cfm. There is no replacement for blow nozzles, air hammer, airing up tires etc.

 

[mrjaw14]

Use my shop 33 gallon compressor pretty much daily for:
1. Compressed air blower
2. Tire inflation
3. Air Hammers
4. Die Grinders (getting Milwaukee M12 die grinders for Christmas, but will continue to use air for short tasks)
5. Impact Wrenches (I don't have M18 platform (yet) for good electric impacts)
6. Air ratchet (I have the M12 ratchet also)
7. Venturi vacuum extractors/fillers

I don't keep my batteries in the shop all the time, so I get them for projects as necessary. If I'm actively working on something I'll 100% go electric if I can. if I'm doing something quick, I still like my air tools. When I wear out my 33 gallon compressor, I'd like to get a 60 gallon.

Use a pancake compressor less frequently for:
Air nailers
Palm nailer (seriously these are awesome)

 

[sberry]

2, only one on though, the blue is backup/demand.

 

[pepi]

Not only do I still use my air compressor but I need it to build more air compressors.

Interesting picture, I like it, 2 stage ?

While the boys are charging and running back and forth for a fresh battery. Like the energizer bunny we be knocking out the work at hand.

I'll bet there is 30% on average time wasted for battery roulette .

To answer the posted question, yes a compressor has it place.

 

[strutaeng]

Yeah, I use mine frequently. I've got a 7.5HP that only gets powered when doing spraying. Been using an electric sander for light body work, but really need to get a good DA for this type of work.

My little 2HP has been my go-to lately. Airing tires, needle scaler, impact, die grinder, etc.

I've got Husky with that diaphragm pump that I only use for pneumatic guns.

I did buy a cordless finish nailer and cordless impact recently and it's nice not having cords. But for fabrication and body work, I think air is essential.

 

[Stedlin]

Interesting picture, I like it, 2 stage ?

Can be either 1 or 2.
Single stage is incredibly quite as synchronized opposed pistons cancel sound and vibration.
Two stage is much louder but produces much higher pressure of course.

 

[mcspeed]

Yep use my 17 year old 60 gal IR regularly. 2 cars, 2 trailers. 7 bikes. Mostly just cleaning or airing up tires. I have Milwaukee m18 everything as well as m12. When working on suspension, gotta have have pneumatic 1,000+ ft lbs to break bolts loose.

Also just sand blasted some steel furniture too. It is overkill for most things I do but the sandblasting ran it hard.

Seems to take a long time to get to full pressure now. Any way to test? Are they rebuildable?


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[Crazyjake8493]

Pretty much never now. I have a 26 gallon, and I think I may have run it once or twice this entire year. All my air tools have been replaced by battery models (impact wrench, nail guns). I plan on bringing all my air tools over to my buddy's house for him to use with his 60 gallon compressor.

The only reason I've held on to my compressor this long is that I'll need to re-roof my garage within the next 5 years, after that I don't foresee needing it at all. Hell, they even make battery powered roofing nailers now, and I can't lay a roof fast enough to outrun my battery chargers.

 

[dsimatt]

Yes i love having my 30 gallon sitting there ready for whenever i need it. Will be using it later to pump up my tires on our vehicles.

 

[matt_i]

Definitely need it.

The spindle on the machining center has an air purge/air seal to keep coolant out.

I was painting like mad in fall, HF purple spray gun.

I have some automation that uses air cylinders...

There's definitely incentive to go electric because of the high cost of the compressed air but I don't think I could ever do without it.

 

[Van Johnson112]

This definitely comes down to your projects/hobbies. I just refurbed a 80 gallon tank with a new 5hp motor and new compressor head from Eaton to replace my smaller 40gal compressor. I fire up the air probably 9 times out of 10 when I go in the shop. But I also sand blast with it occasionally, do metal surface prep, blow guns for my mill and lathe, and my air lift motorcycle table. I’m actually looking at getting more air tools.

Like it was said above air tools are cheaper and more reliable than battery tools. The initial start up cost for one air hog tool maybe be high. But once you bite the bullet on a good air supply the tools don’t seem so bad.


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[Vancharger]

Yes, because it's hard to inflate tires with a cordless drill

 

[CentenIJ]

Yes, because it's hard to inflate tires with a cordless drill

https://images.homedepot-static.com...b4/svn/milwaukee-inflators-2475-20-64_600.jpg

 

[M635_Guy]

I'll bet there is 30% on average time wasted for battery roulette.

What tools are they using that they have to swap batteries so much???

 

[Renegade1LI]

It's ironic I was just thinking I really did't need one & now I need a bigger one, you can't win. I just picked up a arbor press which needs refinishing & all the new paint stripper is useless, so moving forward I need to set up a blasting cabinet, which I have & possibly an out door blast booth. Both of which will require a larger compressor & might as well pipe it all out in steel, so it looks like a compressor is here to stay.

 

[dwcon1431]

A few years ago I went to the trouble of making a cabinet for mine, and later running hose for a reel, so I think I'll keep mine for a while. Now it would be too expensive to go to battery tech.

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[pepi]

What tools are they using that they have to swap batteries so much???

As the batteries degrade the run time does also. The heavier the load applied the shorter the run time.

2 instances for ya

Corded or air supplied tools never have that problem.

 

[M635_Guy]

As the batteries degrade the run time does also. The heavier the load applied the shorter the run time.

2 instances for ya

If you're smart, there are things you can do that dramatically extend the lifespan of batteries/reduce degradation.

Corded or air supplied tools never have that problem.

You didn't answer my question: what tools are they using that they're jumping around so much for batteries?

My impacts and ratchets have extremely good runtime. Even with the smaller batteries you're likely to be able to get a full day on those.

The only battery I find myself changing during a day of wrenching is the hood light, mainly because I tend to put my smallest batteries in it. But I've got a couple chargers on the wall a few steps from where I work, and I'm quite sure I spend less time managing batteries than I did when I was dragging hoses around, connecting lines, etc. Hoses were a PITA. If I had a need for a lot of die grinder time, a blast cabinet, etc. I guess I would have kept my old compressor, but I don't miss it and I don't miss hoses (or the noise for that matter - I now have a small 4.2 gal. CAT super-quiet compressor for nailers, filling tires, cleanup, etc. and that's it. I doubt I'll ever have a big compressor again.

 

[Renegade1LI]

The tool that seems to eat up batteries the most is the grinder, so for serious grinding the corded is used most. I keep one cordless with a flap wheel for clean up, the ratchets & impact last a long time, so nice with no cord. I have found the right charger is key, I got the dewalt 6 pack that charges all batteries simultaneously, big upgrade, now I need to get the Milwaukee rapid charger.

 

[JKinAK]

And... with a 48" long blow gun, it's a great tool for cleaning all types of debris from rain gutters and downspouts.

 

[DeeKay]

Aside from the obvious; airing tires, spray guns, blasting etc. Can't seem to beat air for stuff like die grinders, cordless seem to be pretty battery hungry and the corded die grinders are stupid expensive and sometimes just too big.
I've also never found battery powered angle grinders to be super useful unless I'm in a pinch out in the field and don't have power.

 

[vanapplebomb]

Yeah, the cordless die grinders out there eat batteries when worked like a real die grinder. Plus, they are a lot bigger. The corded die grinders are even bigger still...basically an angle grinder without the angle head. Definitely not a one hand tool like an air die grinder. I don’t see electric motors matching the power of air motors for any given size anytime soon. For the foreseeable future, electric tools like die grinders, angle grinders, etc, will always be larger than air tools. Even most 1hp air die grinders are still considerably more compact than the 1/3hp Milwaukee cordless die grinder.

My compressor is something I turn on daily. Big jobs are a lot easier with air. I have been testing a new angle grinder. I previously used an IR 4-1/2” grinder, but just got an M7 4-1/2” grinder. That thing is awesome. Loads of power, and it is tiny! Rated at 1.3hp, it dumps air, but you can’t get an electric angle grinder that small or that powerful from a 115V 15A circuit.

 

[NUTTSGT]

60 gallon compressor here. I never thought I wanted hose reel till I got one. I grab it for the most part. I still have drops and hoses, depending what I'm doing.

I think I have 6 drops total and two different reels. One on each side of the garage. Once the addition gets interior work, it'll probably get another drop and reel on that side.


I think you need easy access for the air to be convienent.

 

[pepi]

If you're smart, there are things you can do that dramatically extend the lifespan of batteries/reduce degradation.



You didn't answer my question: what tools are they using that they're jumping around so much for batteries?

My impacts and ratchets have extremely good runtime. Even with the smaller batteries you're likely to be able to get a full day on those.

The only battery I find myself changing during a day of wrenching is the hood light, mainly because I tend to put my smallest batteries in it. But I've got a couple chargers on the wall a few steps from where I work, and I'm quite sure I spend less time managing batteries than I did when I was dragging hoses around, connecting lines, etc. Hoses were a PITA. If I had a need for a lot of die grinder time, a blast cabinet, etc. I guess I would have kept my old compressor, but I don't miss it and I don't miss hoses (or the noise for that matter - I now have a small 4.2 gal. CAT super-quiet compressor for nailers, filling tires, cleanup, etc. and that's it. I doubt I'll ever have a big compressor again.

Oh I'm smart alright no noise compressor is outside, what a concept .

One hose in each garage. Can walk and chew gum at the same time so not tripping over them.

What I do not have are batteries, chargers, piled all over the place. Or nursing tools to extend the operating time or life.

I do have one battery tool, 3/8 drill good quality brand. And I will be damned, I can always count on it stopping in the middle of a job.

Ya know, I've never had that happen with any of my other power tools, ever .

Can you say that, and who did you say was smart ? I know one of us is...

Cheers,

 

[CentenIJ]

Since this has turned into a ******* contest on cordless electric vs air tools, I think some reason must be brought to the table.

Air is essential to any shop. In what amounts will depend on the type of shop. Im my opinion there’s really two school of thoughts. Have a small air compressor that can plug in to a wall outlet (2 gal to 30 gallon) for the home shop to air up tires, clear workbench, run some tools intermittently, etc. or go all out with a 240V (60+ gallon) air compressor to run blast cabinets, sanders, paint guns, etc. It really comes down to the user/application but compressed air is definitely essential for any shop.

Cordless power has made a name for it self and is here to stay. No doubt about it. The pros and cons have been stated over and over so it comes down to preference, once again. That being said, a shop can go without cordless tools at the expense of having to deal with the mild inconvenience of finding an air or electricity source and be tethered to it.

 

[vanapplebomb]

Well said. It is a preference thing, for sure. Some like one kind of tool, others like a different kind of tool. Some need one kind of tool, some need the other. It all depends what your doing.

If I were just changing a tire or driving screws, I would have kept my cordless tools. They are perfect for that sort of thing. Heavier duty jobs or jobs in bad environments put a different kind of strain on those tools, and over prolonged use they won’t hold up.

Different strokes for different folks.

 

[nadogail]

IMHO, Both Cordless tools and Pneumatics have a place in my shop.

 

[Mr_B]

IMHO, Both Cordless tools and Pneumatics have a place in my shop.

Pretty much this.
You ideally want be using best tool for the job at hand and sometimes it air and sometimes it Battery .
A day without air in my auto repair business would be a sucky day lol, to the point my air system purposely designed with 2 compressors to reduce a no air scenario .
tyre bay be out, smoke diagnosis be out, no plasma cutting, no blaster, no air hammer, the best impacts be out of use and so forth .
Battery tools are liked as well and 12v milwaukee nice for cabin work and lighter duty engine bay work and so forth .
When on suspensions and brakes I still like air as impacts smaller, hit better, have more control and are far far more durable .
I always got a hose at the bay and it never really in the way if layout and organization been taken care of .
Any professional who can't setup an air system and work with an air hose without ******* and moaning about it ain't the sort of person I want in a shop, you got way more trip hazard issues in a pro shop than 1 rubber hose lol .
Working in the yard, down the pull-a-part or doing a job on a customers driveway suddenly far far nicer task thanks to some battery tools .

The point here is make most of both, no point using battery to the point you struggling from it just as hell bent not touching an air hose and no point being down pull-a-part and wrestling with a breaker bar or swinging a ratchet for 20 minutes when can pack couple useful battery tools .
Both are useful but most useful thing is individuals brain to choose best tools for job or best tools from what he got available to him and working smart safe and organised .

 

[Renegade1LI]

Pretty much this.
You ideally want be using best tool for the job at hand and sometimes it air and sometimes it Battery .
A day without air in my auto repair business would be a sucky day lol, to the point my air system purposely designed with 2 compressors to reduce a no air scenario .
tyre bay be out, smoke diagnosis be out, no plasma cutting, no blaster, no air hammer, the best impacts be out of use and so forth .
Battery tools are liked as well and 12v milwaukee nice for cabin work and lighter duty engine bay work and so forth .
When on suspensions and brakes I still like air as impacts smaller, hit better, have more control and are far far more durable .
I always got a hose at the bay and it never really in the way if layout and organization been taken care of .
Any professional who can't setup an air system and work with an air hose without ******* and moaning about it ain't the sort of person I want in a shop, you got way more trip hazard issues in a pro shop than 1 rubber hose lol .
Working in the yard, down the pull-a-part or doing a job on a customers driveway suddenly far far nicer task thanks to some battery tools .

The point here is make most of both, no point using battery to the point you struggling from it just as hell bent not touching an air hose and no point being down pull-a-part and wrestling with a breaker bar or swinging a ratchet for 20 minutes when can pack couple useful battery tools .
Both are useful but most useful thing is individuals brain to choose best tools for job or best tools from what he got available to him and working smart safe and organised .

We’ll put, totally agree

 

[PhantomEB]

Lucky for me I had 44’ on two sections of air hose on hand, more up in the cupboard and perimeter system ran to the man door, was able to use 110 psi to blow out the dishwasher drain hose yesterday.

Told the girlfriend once I get that corner set up I want to put an air reel there too. She goes why not! You can run hose anywhere in the yard then too.

 

[username2]

.

Air is essential to any shop. In what amounts will depend on the type of shop. Im my opinion there’s really two school of thoughts. Have a small air compressor that can plug in to a wall outlet (2 gal to 30 gallon) for the home shop to air up tires, clear workbench, run some tools intermittently, etc. or go all out with a 240V (60+ gallon) air compressor to run blast cabinets, sanders, paint guns, etc. It really comes down to the user/application but compressed air is definitely essential for any shop.
.

Your first choice describes me. Small, quiet Rolair (plus hose reel) for tires and staple guns/small nailers, electric otherwise.

I do wish that corded tools had bigger ecosystems. Honestly, I'd rather own the corded equivalent of a stubby M12 impact than the battery one, there's something to be said for buying once per lifetime as opposed to once per generation of battery technology (having gotten burned on that one several times). Perhaps there's some reason that batteries can exceed 1800 watts and can outperform a wall plug.

Given electric tools and HVLP, I wonder if there's any reason for an amateur getting into car painting to ever require a big compressor and it's accoutrements.

 

[Sweetcorn]

I use both a lot.

I'm often surprised to read about some people's low opinions of battery tools on this site. They must have or have used some really low-end, garbage tools. There's great battery stuff and great pneumatic tools that all fit certain needs.

I have air drops all over and multiple hose reels. They are there if I want or need them, but I'll use whatever is the most efficient for the task at hand. Am I using an air hammer? If so, then I'll obviously use the compressor. Gotta cut one thing off real quick with a cutoff wheel? Probably going to be M18 right angle grinder that lives with cutoff wheels on it.

There are times and places where pneumatic and battery tools overlap and places where one mops the floor with the other. Life's short, get both.

 

[sberry]

I got to agree, all the worry about batteries is a drop in the bucket. They pay for themselves. I about hurt myself and my helper trying to limp by, I finally spend a grand on new batteries so we can use the right tools vs some other alternative.