Harbor Freight Compressor Dilemma

[MajorLeeGassole]

I have $150 in HF gift cards and want a compressor for my garage. I'd LIKE to try my hand at auto body, so I'd need something that's going to provide enough continuous pressure for paint. I also only have 15 amp lines in the garage and I'm pretty sure none of them are dedicated to just one outlet.

They have 3 models that are almost identical listed as "21 gal. 2.5 HP 125 PSI Cast Iron Vertical Air Compressor." Is this overkill for what I want?

I don't care if I have to pay a little more than $150, but which one would you recommend for air tools and some amateur body work?

 

[c4cruiser]

Anything of that size you mentioned is simply not going to work for air tools that need large volumes of air. Grinders, sanders, and even paint guns will **** up the air in the tank in a minute or two.

Something like 50-60 gallon tank size and a pressure of up to 150 psi will be a much better choice. These will be 240v compressors so the garage will have to have a dedicated 240v circuit.

Welding may be something else you will be doing for body work. While some of the 120v welders will be fine for things like sheet metal or welding up to 3/16", anything else will need a 240v machine.

 

[Handyman163]

For paint, it looks like most paint guns use 30-40psi and ~6cfm. I believe this compressor would support that use, but it will run a lot. It would not be overkill for paint.

It's also very LOUD when running, so in a closed garage, while painting, you'll probably want ear protection.

I have mine plugged into a shared 15amp circuit, and it doesn't trip it - BUT it is on the first outlet in the circuit that other outlets are daisy-chained to. When I tried the outlet at the end of the chain, it did trip the breaker.

There's really nothing in the $150 range bigger or better than this in my opinion. Options only start to open up for nicer or bigger compressors in the $350+ range.

 

[MajorLeeGassole]

Thanks for the input!

 

[chops101]

For autobody it takes a lot of air. There is really nothing at HF that you can buy that will serve you in capacity and longevity, sorry.

Save up for a two stage 60 gal or higher compressor if you are serious.

 

[RickP]

I have $150 in HF gift cards and want a compressor for my garage. I'd LIKE to try my hand at auto body, so I'd need something that's going to provide enough continuous pressure for paint.

They have 3 models that are almost identical listed as "21 gal. 2.5 HP 125 PSI Cast Iron Vertical Air Compressor." Is this overkill for what I want?

I think you'll need more air flow than that compressor can provide. I bought the 240 volt HF compressor (#93274) but I realize that's a lot more than you want to spend ($799).

I'd recommend keeping your eye out for a good used compressor. You could use your HF gift cards for air tools or a hose reel:
Air hose reel

 

[stage20]

For autobody it takes a lot of air. There is really nothing at HF that you can buy that will serve you in capacity and longevity, sorry.

Save up for a two stage 60 gal or higher compressor if you are serious.

the 2 stage 60 gallon unit at HF is a belaire compressor, but even it is on the small side for using air hammers, air saws and a DA. need a minimum of 10cfm to run a DA i believe you dont want to be sanding and have to constantly stop to wait for a tank to fill up.. real world youll need a 13-15cfm compressor IMO

 

[CNGsaves]

There is no dilemma . . . . your "thinking" that $150 will get you "all you need compressor for body work" at Harbor Freight . . . . . ha, ha, ha, ha, ha !!! LOL

You're going to end up with 2 compressors (or more) in your lifetime.

Spend that $150 now on oil splash compressor (either belt-driven or direct) that is small enough to move around (ie still mobile). The Central Pneumatic at HF would be fine for that 1st compressor.

However . . . . long-term . . . . you WILL want a 60 gal 5 HP big compressor running 220volt as your workhorse compressor. For this one, begin watching CL like a hawk, and estate sales, and garage sales. Educate yourself on quality brands and you'll find one eventually. Thus, THIS will be your 2nd compressor.

 

[HMCFab9]

Sorry, but a 21 gal compressor isn't even a start for doing bodywork.
You need a 60 gal at Least. 80 gal / 30+cfm would be better.

 

[chris142]

I agree with everyone else. A 20something gallon compressor wont work for DA sanders, grinders etc. It's probly ok for paint as you mentioned.

Always buy more compressor than you need. That's going to involve adding 220v wiring to the garage like I had to do or putting the compressor on a porch near the 220 outlets.

 

[James-W]

I would just go with a larger compressor right away. Why waste money on a smaller one that you will not be happy with? I have always found it is better to bite the bullet and get the right stuff the first time instead of buying something too small and then having to turn around and buy what you should have bought in the first place.

 

[theoldwizard1]

For autobody it takes a lot of air. There is really nothing at HF that you can buy that will serve you in capacity and longevity, sorry.

Save up for a two stage 60 gal or higher compressor if you are serious.

Why do some people insist on OVERKILL !!

While the unit the OP is looking at might be a bit marginal for painting, he certainly does NOT need a 2 stage, 60 gallon compressor ! Sure, if you are running sander, grinders, sand blasters, you need that much.

The HF 29 gallon 2HP compressor would be better, but I am pretty certain it requires 240V.

 

[dave67fd]

Why do some people insist on OVERKILL !!

While the unit the OP is looking at might be a bit marginal for painting, he certainly does NOT need a 2 stage, 60 gallon compressor ! Sure, if you are running sander, grinders, sand blasters, you need that much.

The HF 29 gallon 2HP compressor would be better, but I am pretty certain it requires 240V.

I'd LIKE to try my hand at auto body
I'd need something that's going to provide enough continuous pressure for paint.
which one would you recommend for air tools and some amateur body work?

By the OP's description he wan'ts to do more than paint at some point.

To the OP, Purchase the $200 dollar compressor if all you are going to use it for is your sprayer or blowing up your tires. If you plan to do anything more than that your throwing your money away. A single stage 60 gal. would be your minimum starting point but I would advise going larger. My 11.5 cfm, 60 gal. compressor will run my DA or my sandblaster but it doesn't stop and just barely keeps up. When a compressor runs that long it creates lots of heat. That typically translates to moisture.

 

[RECox286]

Use your coupons for tools and such (air tools too) and

keep your eye out on the classifieds, Craig's' list, Flea-bay,

Amazon Women, Trader, news papers, etc for an older

used but "gigantic" machine that is 3 to 5 hp or at least

15cfm @ 90# for what you indicate is your intent. You

will be very disappointed with a $150 compressor from HF

from the git-go. Nothing wrong with HF compressors, but

will be too small for what you want it for. If you will be

checking and inflating tires, or using a blowgun occasionally,

I would say it would be OK. Listen to most of the Boo-ers

saying get a bigger machine, you won't be disappointed.

Uncle Bob

 

[ibedayank]

rather pull the 21gallon across the yard then try and move a 60 gallon cause my hose is to short.... I have a small 8gallon for tire duty as it will run at the end of a 100foot cord just fine. I have an airtank but when airing up 8 tires on a trailer refilling the airtank after each tire is a pain in the ***

 

[James-W]

Why do some people insist on OVERKILL !!

While the unit the OP is looking at might be a bit marginal for painting, he certainly does NOT need a 2 stage, 60 gallon compressor ! Sure, if you are running sander, grinders, sand blasters, you need that much.

The HF 29 gallon 2HP compressor would be better, but I am pretty certain it requires 240V.

I would agree that at times some of the members here, myself included, get a bit carried away and recommend a larger piece of equipment than what is really needed. But in this case I don't think that is what is happening.

In this particular case the opening poster says that he wants to do body work. Right now he specifically mentions painting, but body work is not just about painting. He will need to fix the rust problems and the dents and other damaged areas of the vehicle before painting it. To do that requires several tools and lots of prep work before he can do the actual painting.

Shops that do body work use mostly air tools and at least some of these tools use a rather large volume of air. If the opening poster buys a compressor that won't handle his needs he isn't going to be a happy camper and let's face it, trying to do something with equipment that isn't capable of handling the job isn't exactly the best way idea in the world.

The way I see it, if the opening poster buys a larger compressor than he needs, he won't have a problem other than he spent more money on a compressor than he really needed to spend. On the other hand, if he buys one that is too small, he will definitely have a problem and he will soon be out shopping for a larger compressor.

 

[Bib Overalls]

I have a 5 hp, 60 gallon IR. Last week a friend with an HVLP gun painted my Model A. Took him a couple of hours and the compressor was able to keep up. Probably the hardest work out it has ever had in the six or seven years that I have owned it. Certainly glad I had the capacity when I needed it.

 

[Showkey]

The biggest problem with the HF compressor ( besides being from HF) is the specs:

Flow rate 5.8 CFM @ 40 PSI, 4.4 CFM @ 90 PSI

That is just barely enough to run a small under sized paint gun.

2.5 HP and draws 14.2 amps at 120v. .........optomistic to say the least.
Flow rate.....hope those are not weasel words and are the output of the pump, giving HF the benefit of the doubt. The way it's worded I am suspect.
A real compressor pump is rated by CFM of the pump.
CFM and HP are often marketing advertising numbers.

 

[nationalminer84]

I used to work auto body I only have a 20 gallon oiless compressor from menards (Same deal as you except I had their "Rebate checks" to burn up) I do some side jobs and it works I can paint and it keeps up (runs alot) and produces a fair amount of water (use an inline separator) Sanding can be a challenge over longer periods of time but I have not had the need to buy another compressor. If you want to stay around your gift card amount they do have a 26 gallon for 200 that would give you a bit more capacity. Just be realistic about your needs, if you are going to need a 60 gallon I'd either put that 150 towards it or buy some air tools with it and get the compressor elsewhere. Nothing will be more frustrating than dealing with some thing that wont work the way you expect it to. I know what to expect out of my 20 gallon and adapt to it to get the results I want so I am happy with it. If I expected the kind of air I had at the body shop I would be disappointed good luck!

 

[MajorLeeGassole]

Thanks again to everyone for all your words of wisdom. I'm not buying the compressor. I have a few other things I could pick up instead and will look for a different compressor that will be more capable doing what I want.

 

[RickP]

the 2 stage 60 gallon unit at HF is a belaire compressor, but even it is on the small side for using air hammers, air saws and a DA. need a minimum of 10cfm to run a DA i believe you dont want to be sanding and have to constantly stop to wait for a tank to fill up.. real world youll need a 13-15cfm compressor IMO

The 240v unit from HF is rated for 15.8 cfm at 90 psi. Of course, they may be inflating those numbers slightly, but it's a 2-stage pump running at 1368 rpm. It would have plenty of air for what the OP needs.

It's a decent compressor. Obviously, it's not going to compare to a really nice Quincy or IR unit, but it's also half the cost of those when they're new. But for a casual user (like me) who's not going to run it for 8 hours every day, the HF unit is perfect. If the OP wants to get heavily into body work, then he might want to get a big used one. But with $150 to spend in gift cards, a refurbished unit from HF might be just the ticket, especially for only $490. (Item#55391: $640 less $150) That might be approximately the asking price for a big used one. HF's description says that the reconditioned unit is "factory perfect" but YMMV.

 

[ZRX61]

The 240v unit from HF is rated for 15.8 cfm at 90 psi. Of course, they may be inflating those numbers slightly, .

well, it is a compressor

 

[RickP]

well, it is a compressor

Ha, that's a good one