how large of a compressor
- Thread starter Ronus
- Start date
czeto
Active member
You can figure this one really easy. Each tool consumes ** cfm. What tools you use equals the size of the compressor. Remember, bigger is better.
Oldtymeflyr
Well-known member
The die grinders, air sanders generally use the most air. Some use almost double of what the most efficient ones will use. Buy for the less efficient tools.
Buy bigger. My next compressor will be about close to 15 cfm at 90 psi. I am tired of my present one playing catchup.
Buy bigger. My next compressor will be about close to 15 cfm at 90 psi. I am tired of my present one playing catchup.
Lou's Garage
Well-known member
VERY generally, if you're going to use air tools, you will need to look for 10cfm or so at about 90 psi. But, you will still be a little underpowered for continuous use of an air grinder or sander as Oldtymeflyr suggests. I have an old Craftsman (circa 1986) with a big compressor (4hp, about 10-12cfm) and a small tank (20 gal) and it does just fine until I break out the sanders. Then I have to take the occasional break to let it catch up.
Lou
Lou
Most air tools are not used continuously. If you are look g for a home owner use compressor for now and then DIY type a good sized 120 V plug in compressor works just fine and is far less money and work to deal with. They tend to have a 20 to 30 gallon tank and wheels to move them around. The only tool you listed that is a constant draw tool is paint spraying.
Look at the CFM at 90 PSI not HP or gallons amp draw or shoe size or whatever. If at a later date you find that you are more into it you can sell the one you have and go bigger.
Oil bath compressors tend to be quieter than oil less.
Look at the CFM at 90 PSI not HP or gallons amp draw or shoe size or whatever. If at a later date you find that you are more into it you can sell the one you have and go bigger.
Oil bath compressors tend to be quieter than oil less.
Generally, the biggest and most powerful one you can afford ($$ and power and space-wise).
Regarding HP and CFM and whatnot, the CFM ratings are usually a 'better' way to evaluate air tools and air compressors, but even there you have to know a bit about how they 'rate' the tools.
Tools that are used on an 'intermittent' basis are usually rated based on that intermittent basis. So a tool that actually uses a full 20 CFM@90 psi while it is actually in use will get rated as ~4 CFM@90 psi based on a supposed intermittent usage pattern and a duty-cycle of about 20-25%.
So that air impact wrench that really does **** down air at 20+ CFM@90 psi while it is being used under load gets rated at 5 CFM @90 psi because they figure you just use the tool in 'spurts' to break a fastener loose. If you have a sufficiently large air tank (and the right sized air hoses and fittings and so forth to supply the air flow to the tool at the PSI needed) and do actually use the tool in such an intermittent basis, things generally work out OK.
But if you are trying to use something like a air sander or air die-grinder where you will be using the tool for longer than say 15 seconds at a time and then waiting for a full minute or so before using it again, you need enough air compressor to supply enough air so that you are not waiting for the tank to refill before you can use the tool again.
Same thing with other air tools that are used on a continuous basis (paint sprayer, sand/media blaster, etc).
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Forget HP rating (said before). You can "get by" with 4 CFM @ 90 PSI and a 12 gallon or larger tank for a decent 1/2 impact and a decent chisel (cheaper tools seem to require more air).
You can NOT run sanders or grinders. Even a simple cut off wheel will quickly "run out of air".
You can NOT run sanders or grinders. Even a simple cut off wheel will quickly "run out of air".
Lots of good points already mentioned. Consider the receiver to be like a battery. You can use a very high consumption air tool for a short period or an air tool with a low consumption for a long period. Any tool which uses less air than the compressor's CFM rating can be run continuously.
One of the biggest air demands you list is a spray gun. Although, HVLP guns have cut down on the air requirements substantially. However, it's not a big deal to run out of air when you're running a die grinder. It's a very big deal if you run out of air while painting a car!
My current compressor is a IR SS3L, 3HP, about 11 CFM more or less and a 60 gallon receiver. This is sufficient to paint a car, sandblast, run a small die grinder or air ratchet continuously, etc. I think the SS3L is about the smallest compressor I would consider for a shop environment.
One of the biggest air demands you list is a spray gun. Although, HVLP guns have cut down on the air requirements substantially. However, it's not a big deal to run out of air when you're running a die grinder. It's a very big deal if you run out of air while painting a car!
My current compressor is a IR SS3L, 3HP, about 11 CFM more or less and a 60 gallon receiver. This is sufficient to paint a car, sandblast, run a small die grinder or air ratchet continuously, etc. I think the SS3L is about the smallest compressor I would consider for a shop environment.
Torque1st
MEMBER EMERITUS
When you have to take a break to let the compressor catch up think of it as a chance to talk to a buddy, catch a smoke, spin a wrench, post on GJ, or get a beer, etc. Unless you have a commercial use where 'time is money' almost any compressor can be used.
TOOL MASTER
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2011
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- 458
get as big as you can afford.........and not an oil-less..get a two or three piston...they last
89GLH
Well-known member
This is why we need a compressor sub-forum, with a HUGE sticky at the top.
I have an ingersol 3hp 60 gallon compressor and it allows me to do anything I want and never stop and wait. The only thing that makes it run alot is an air sander, as far as painting, I have painted several cars with it and have had no problems at all, it keeps up just fine for me. It would not work if 2 people were trying to run air tools at the same time but for a 1 man shop it is great... Think it is the ss3 model? $599 new, best cash I've spent in awhile.