Do You Still Use Your Shop Air Compressor?

[rider]

I use regularly use battery operated tools when I'm out of the range of my air compressor, but air has a central place in my shop. I think of the number of top-tier battery platforms that I've used and had to abandon over the years as the batteries have been discontinued and rebuilding becomes uneconomical or impossible. Makita - Japan, Bosch - Switzerland, Fein - Germany, etc., etc... A $2000 compressor will last for 50 years in a home or small production shop environment, and air tools themselves are quite powerful with unsurpassed longevity if properly taken care of.

While the cost of replacing batteries might be annoying, I also greatly dislike the massive waste that's associated with maintaining battery operated tools - discarding the old battery packs / cells, throwing away perfectly good tools simply because replacement batteries aren't available, etc...

There's no doubt that the thermodynamic efficiency of a pneumatic system is much worse than that of an A/C or battery operated tool system, but, with a properly sized compressor, there is never a question of whether a project can be completed without waiting for batteries to charge.

Beyond that, many shop tools are inherently linked to air, such as blasters, or perform dramatically better (and/or more ergonomically) like HVLP painting, than their motorized counterparts.

A light user of tools may never find the limitations of their M12 tools, but when you're in the middle of a serious project, it's nice to have a corded or pneumatic tool available so you know you can finish the job.

On a side note, it's been at least 10 years since I've used corded or pneumatic drills or small impacts other than in very special circumstances, but for many other types of tools it's the complete opposite.

I know people who use cordless angle grinders, die grinders, circular saws, etc., but honestly it takes them forever to get anything done, they need half a dozen batteries to get through half a day of light work, and repowering or repurchasing the tools every few years costs thousands of dollars and generates a ridiculous amount of waste.

So, while I really appreciate the convenience of batteries and the power of air, I think it simply makes sense to choose each tool based upon your actual needs and preferences, and stay out of the religious wars...

 

[Renegade1LI]

I still use my compressor a lot especially when using nail guns. However, I am finding myself in more situations where I wish that I had a battery powered nail gun. It would be so convenient. Still trying to figure out if the cost is worth it.

I bought the dewalt cordless framing nailer & with a 5amp battery it works really well, however there is a learning curve. You really need to leave it spooled as it uses a flywheel, but once you get used to it there's no issues. It's not an air nailer & there's a selector switch with depth adjustment for high & low power, also use good quality nails & you'll be happy.

 

[Renegade1LI]

Kinda funny I started this thread really thinking the compressor wasn't needed, now I can't believe I don't have it set up yet?

 

[Renegade1LI]

This makes it official, now I have to hook up the air compressor, lol it was an air file that made the difference. Just did some rearranging and found a good spot for now, just have to wire up a switch and some plumbing.

 

[Renegade1LI]

Of course I set it up & it doesn't shut off, just keeps running at about 110psi, so I pull it all apart, clean the reed plates & flappers. Pumps up shuts off twice, third time one of the silicone tube seals blows out, my question does it pay to put money into a 25 year old craftsman compressor? Or just bite the bullet & buy new? 150$ in parts isn't too bad if the tank is still good, motor runs good or just put the 150$ towards a new one?

 

[Tas biker]

At one time I tried to use my 33 gallon craftsman and never really kept up with my needs.....just air die grinder, smaller hand tools. Unless you have a nice big one I'm finding I can get away with cordless, electric tools, or a pancake compressor.

The things I would/could do with one of those BIG 2 stage compressors would be endless if only I had the money and space.

 

[Renegade1LI]

At one time I tried to use my 33 gallon craftsman and never really kept up with my needs.....just air die grinder, smaller hand tools. Unless you have a nice big one I'm finding I can get away with cordless, electric tools, or a pancake compressor.

The things I would/could do with one of those BIG 2 stage compressors would be endless if only I had the money and space.

That was my original question, do I need it? For me battery tools almost replace air tools, but I want to set up a blast cabinet, blaster & sprayer so I still need one & now probably a bigger one, oh well time to start looking.

 

[Jlarson]

Mainly for the plasma's and air hammer, I'm so used to using cordless on the service truck I just go for them otherwise.

 

[coljar]

Yes I do. Probably every other day on the average. Wouldn't know what to do without it.

 

[Tas biker]

That was my original question, do I need it? For me battery tools almost replace air tools, but I want to set up a blast cabinet, blaster & sprayer so I still need one & now probably a bigger one, oh well time to start looking.

My current compressor is like the one pictured in your post. I liked the vertical one I had before I got this one.....smaller space usage.

Plus I’d have to wire for 240v for a nice compressor..

I really need to have a garage sale to sell off some of those air tools and most likely that craftsman compressor just because of space and not really using any of it.

Good luck working out your setup.

 

[PhantomEB]

Yes but I got to stop putting clutter around it as it’s an eyepiece of my shop. Soon it will be displayed in the corner with my 30T press.

 

[Farmer888]

I mostly use cordless but air for the die grinder and air hammer etc. I mostly use cordless impacts and cordless grinder, and for real grinding I use a corded grinder.
I use a air impact a bit, and it is lighter and smaller than a battery one, but I don't always like having to be tied to a hose.
I hate air angle grinders and drills, In my opinion corded ones are vastly superior. I find air very weak in that regard and uses so much energy to compress air.


If only batteries were a standard connection they'd be more useful to pick and choose brands for their best tools.

 

[vanapplebomb]

It all depends what you are using drills for, and what drill you have. If you want something easy to control speed, electric is the way to go as speed control can be rather clunky with air. That said, the air drills I have used have better running power than most electric drills, and because the air motors are constant torque they don’t break your wrist when you bind up a hole saw while slugging our metal. If it involves a hole saw, I always reach for my air drill.

As for grinders, I always use a corded one for on the road, and it works just fine, but my 1.3hp 4-1/2” air grinder Is a beast, light, and a lot smaller than my electric. It’s sounds annoying, but externally powerful. I can cut through steel about 50% faster with my air grinder than my 11amp (3/4hp at best) electric grinder. Granted, I go through cutting disks and flap wheels twice as fast. You can even get 2+ hp 4-1/2 angle grinder, but they are insanely air hungry, and needlessly powerful in my opinion.

 

[Renegade1LI]

I think if you go back 10 plus years we didn't have the options we have today, it was air and corded electric. Today there are so many specialised cordless tools and of course we have to have them all, lol it takes a minute to think of the correct tool. It really was simple years ago, drill, impact, grinder, sander, air hammer, die grinder,maybe a ratchet. Corded was a drill, grinder or saw all. Now forget it, do I want an m12 or m18 drill? Impact driver? Right angle? Installer kit? Pretty much have ruled out corded, but we definitely have way more choices and options today and seems like we have to have them all. Like I hear all the time around here, you can't have too many tools! Just need more tool storage.

 

[gtsgarage]

Just junked my 15 year old craftsman compressor. Worked fine but I didn’t take good care of the tank and no longer felt safe using it.

With a massive m12 collection not sure I’ll need air again but we’ll see.

 

[Iron Beaver]

It all depends what you are using drills for, and what drill you have. If you want something easy to control speed, electric is the way to go as speed control can be rather clunky with air. That said, the air drills I have used have better running power than most electric drills, and because the air motors are constant torque they don’t break your wrist when you bind up a hole saw while slugging our metal. If it involves a hole saw, I always reach for my air drill.

An exception would be governed air drills; those have good speed control and if something catches the governer opens and dumps air into the motor, breaking either the drill bit or your wrist

 

[WJD]

Use air all the time....no replacement for displacement.
My cordless tools are All ryobi. Always available, good warranty, Cheap too
I like the blend of having both. Portability and ease of cordless, the Power of air.

 

[Renegade1LI]

well now that a lot of people here made a convincing argument for air it pushed me to fix up my comp. It's a 6hp 20gal sears oilless, it needed new reed valves, gaskets & orings, now it works great, has been holding pressure & should hold me over till I find a deal on one.

 

[seagullplayer]

I still find myself using it on lots of projects. My "best" impact is still air.
I still blow stuff off, I still air up tires.
I even have a HF spark plug cleaner that works OK.

My compressor is cheap, but oil filled. If it goes belly up I would replace it.

 

[98ssuck]

No. Haven’t bothered to wire it up in the new garage. It’s going back to my dads. A small compressor will replace it for filling tires and brad nailers. No need for a 50 gallon compressor for just those jobs. Unless I need to sandblast something I’ll never own more than a 2 gallon compressor again.

 

[dodge610]

Every other day I use my compressor for one job or another. Might be old skool but would rather use it and not have to keep changing batterys on my cordless tools.


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[Jagmandave]

I can see advantages for both, but I needed to do some port work on a cylinder head yesterday, having my new 60 gal, big enough compressor to be able to keep ahead of my old die grinder (which is an air hog) was nice. I easily finished the job in only an hour or so and the compressor was able to not only keep up but to cycle on and off. My old 20 gallon would be running flat out the whole time and I would have to stop and wait for it after only a minute of work.

I don't know if they make powerful enough electric die grinders or not, but this worked a treat.

Yes, dragging the hose out (I have a reel) and swapping tools can be a PITA, but the ability to get the job done no matter what is important too.

 

[Renegade1LI]

I can see advantages for both, but I needed to do some port work on a cylinder head yesterday, having my new 60 gal, big enough compressor to be able to keep ahead of my old die grinder (which is an air hog) was nice. I easily finished the job in only an hour or so and the compressor was able to not only keep up but to cycle on and off. My old 20 gallon would be running flat out the whole time and I would have to stop and wait for it after only a minute of work.

I don't know if they make powerful enough electric die grinders or not, but this worked a treat.

Yes, dragging the hose out (I have a reel) and swapping tools can be a PITA, but the ability to get the job done no matter what is important too.

If you don't mind me asking, what compressor did you get? I think this will be my next upgrade, thanks.

 

[Renegade1LI]

As luck would have it, since I have been trying to convince myself I don't need a compressor it seems like I need one more. Mainly need it for sand blasting & my 30 year old craftsman is not up to the job so now I am on the hunt for a new one. I'm thinking 7.5 HP 80 gal tank, 100% duty cycle, want to get close to 20 cfm, & the real problem of where to install it. I'm thinking separate compressor shed with climate control? I know I need clean dry air for blasting & painting so I want to set it up correctly.

 

[Lucid Moments]

I really got some use out of mine the other day. Port matching an aluminum intake manifold to a throttle body. Ran a die grinder for about 30 minutes continuously. Don't know how I would have gotten the job done without it.

 

[Zebu Fellenz]

I use the compressor MUCH less now than I did 5-10 years ago. But I can't see being without a compressor all together. My last three uses for the compressor were leak checking the high pressure oil system on a Ford 6.0 diesel, pumping up a tractor tire, and running an air hammer to remove so rust seized parts. All of this would have been pretty well impossible without compressed air.

On the other hand I can't remember the last time I used a pneumatic impact, ratchet, grinder, sander, etc.

The big 80 gallon, 2 stage electric compressor is leaving and I doubt I'll really miss it. A small portable compressor will fit 95% of my needs and I have a 13hp gas 30 gallon 2 stage for the rare occasion I need a lot of air.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I have an Ingersoll T30. I have cordless Milwaukee tools also. I am not prepared to give up my air tools.

 

[jblnut]

Hard to run the plasma torch without a big air compressor unless you want to buy tanks of air all too often. It sees daily use blowing shoes clean and dust off pants/shirts and gets to stretch it's legs on days we change tires around. It's mostly there for the "after support" since the cans of ether to the heavy lifting

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

Yesterday I used my die grinder, dd a nice job. An electric would be far too clumsy.

 

[Hal]

Compressor runs any time I am in the shop. The waste oil burner uses air, I have an air operated lift, with an airbag auxiliary jack, use a die grinder/cutoff tool regularly, prefer an air ratchet for a lot of assembly work, air chisel, blow gun, tire inflation, spray gun, and some things I probably haven't thought of.

 

[Bmxkelowna]

The only air tool I use these days is my air hammer (here's looking at you Milwaukee) some times I'll my air die grinders but typically the M12 right angle one does the trick.
Oher than that my air compressor is only use for my tire machine and filling car tires

 

[quickfarms]

I use my compressors regularly

Just purchased some new 1/2” air hoses

battery tools are great for certain things but air, corded and gas still has there place

 

[beemerphile]

The compressor is needed for my tire changer and a shop press and motorcycle lift with air-over-hydraulic power. As long as it's there, it gets used for air tools, blowing off, and various other tasks. Battery tools have supplemented, but not replaced, the air tools. I don't see it as either/or. When given a choice, take both.

 

[demarpaint]

I use mine and don't see battery powered tools replacing my air tools any time soon. Both battery and air tools have their place, but if I'm working in the garage I go for the air tools first.

 

[nicks78camaro]

Just for air hammer and filling tires, occasional grinder if I don't use my electric

 

[Ton ton]

I feel handicapped without a compressor.

 

[Renegade1LI]

I told my wife just for blasting all the outdoor cast aluminum furniture we have makes it worthwhile. I plan on setting up a 10 foot shipping container for a blasting room try and keep it under control, maybe screen and reuse the media. Starting the search today for a new compressor, will look at used first and see what it there.

 

[oldwino]

My com[pressor died this week. Had a replacement up and running a few hours later. I use the **** out of battery powered Milwaulkee tools but sometimes air is the way.

 

[welder4956]

I mainly use mine to inflate tires, and for sandblasting, die grinder and body saw. I do have other battery and corded tools, but still use the air compressor regularly. The shop air is a 60 gallon 3.5 HP Kobalt and has no trouble keeping up with my needs. I also have a portable electric compressor that is mainly used for the stapler and nail gun.

 

[Renegade1LI]

There is no doubt that the battery tools & air compressor will live & work side by side, once I get a new compressor I will set up a nice piping layout to make it convenient. I have a ton of leftover 3/4" propress fittings, valves & pipes that will make for a fast install.