How much cfm do I really need out of a compressor?

[Rockaholic555]

I will be moving into a new 2 car garage in a few weeks (and plan and getting some pictures of the new space for you guys) and with the new space it's time to get a compressor. I'll be using it for mostly tools that seem to stay under 10 cfm; impact gun, angle grinder, air hammer, etc. Question is, although more power is always better, how much do I actually need to sustain a decent set of automotive tools and not feel like the compressor is lacking?

I'm a first time home buyer here so forgive my ignorance.

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

10 cfm should be more than plenty for anything you need, especially if that's coming from a 60 gallon tank. My first compressor was a 33 gallon Craftsman that put out 4.9 at 90 and it ran everything I used but a sandblaster with ease.

If you can afford it I would say get a 60 or 80 gallon oil lubed from Ingersoll.

 

[35mastr]

More is better. If you already have air tools. You will probably end up getting higher CFM tools in the future. As I have said many times and also done yself is buy the biggest machine that your wallet can afford and you will never regret it. But if you do it in reverse order. You will regret it later on down the road.

 

[iandh]

For a home user there's two models I would recommend. I'm a big fan of IR compressors...they have the garage mate at 5.5cfm, amd if you want a beefier, 220v compressor, there is the SS5L5 at 18cfm. They are around $500 and $900 respectively.

The garage mate will have no problem with most mechanic's air tools, is easy to move,relatively inexpensive, and runs on a standard outlet.

The SS5L5 can hold its own running anything, including a blast cabinet. It is at home in an industrial setting just as much a garage, yet the price is still in hobby range. It is a permanent install compressor, and you can feel it move the concrete when it comes on.

I've personally used both for years without a hiccup.

 

[dellwas]

Agreed. I just bought a Speedaire that puts out 31CFM. Could I have gotten by with something smaller. Yup, but I'm thinking ahead...

More is better. If you already have air tools. You will probably end up getting higher CFM tools in the future. As I have said many times and also done yself is buy the biggest machine that your wallet can afford and you will never regret it. But if you do it in reverse order. You will regret it later on down the road.

 

[Shadowdog500]

My 10 CFM compressor worked for me over the years for common air tools like impacts ratchets, air hammers etc. Now that I have a bead blast cabinet, 10 CFM really is not good enough. I wind up spending most of my time waiting for the compressor to recover. When I bought a HVLP paint gun last year, I had to get the smaller detail brush model because my compressor would not continually drive enough CFM to paint with a regular gun.


If you just plan on using impacts, ratchets etc the smaller one should be fine, if you think you may ever paint, bead blast etc, go for more.

Hope this helps,

Chris

 

[Bigpigdave]

Buy as much compressor as you can afford and make it name brand, you will not regret it. We have a big 7.5hp/ 80 gal. model at the farm shop and have never regretted it. A good compressor that is maintained regularly should be a one-time investment. If you figure the cost over 30-50 years it doesn't amount to much per year. My dad always told me to by at least double what I think I need now and I should be covered for my lifetime. Hope this helps.

 

[Rockaholic555]

Thanks guys. Been looking at getting an IR and have yet to really budget things out. We got the house for about $15k less than list so I'm hoping my ol' lady will let me use some of it for stuff like this.

Now I've just gotta figure out how to convince her air is worth money.

 

[mdbeck1]

Thanks guys. Been looking at getting an IR and have yet to really budget things out. We got the house for about $15k less than list so I'm hoping my ol' lady will let me use some of it for stuff like this.

Now I've just gotta figure out how to convince her air is worth money.

My current compressor is a portable 2 gallon HF special. I use it ALL the time and my wife loves it because I don't spend as much time doing a LOT of the things that need to be done. Cases in point (from my wife):
1. We had someone else build a woodworking shop on the back of the property. I added nails to better secure the floor and to build a 8X16 storage deck inside. That was done in one weekend. It would have taken much longer with conventional tools (I had bought a framing nailer for the job that she didn't agree with until I finished).
2. I'm always airing up the kid's bicycle tire (and all of his friends), the wheelbarrow tire, and occasionally her car tire with it.
3. Automotive repairs are MUCH faster with air tools.
4. Framing on the bathroom remodel.
5. Trim work on the bathroom remodel.
6. Roofing on the house.
7. Cleaning up metal parts (like metal lawn chairs for the back patio)
8. Painting (like the house or the metal lawn chairs for the back patio)
9. Running the air stapler for re-upholstering the dining room chairs (works MUCH better than a hand stapler).

My wife says that this is one power tool that she won't sell for $0.10 when I die.

If she doesn't think that you need a compressor go buy a HF special ($100-150) with a HF air stapler ($20-50). You'll use it for SOOOO much stuff that she will begin to agree with you. ...and you can use the portable for things that you do at her girlfriend's place.

BTW: Thanks... My wife is now on the path to authorizing MY purchase of a permanently installed compressor....

 

[rodm1]

Get a minimum 5HP 60gallon oiled machine.

 

[Rockaholic555]

After talking with her further it's looking like she'd prefer for me to get one compressor that I could live with for a while and upgrade later. Any chance that a semi portable compressor has enough power to run my automotive tools?

 

[rodm1]

After talking with her further it's looking like she'd prefer for me to get one compressor that I could live with for a while and upgrade later. Any chance that a semi portable compressor has enough power to run my automotive tools?

NO! Let her run the house you run the Garage.

 

[e-tek]

After talking with her further it's looking like she'd prefer for me to get one compressor that I could live with for a while and upgrade later. Any chance that a semi portable compressor has enough power to run my automotive tools?

Some thoughts:

$300 for a loud machine that may suffice.....or $900 for a machine that'll do it all and last a lifetime....hmmmm....

The little ones will run a lot of tools that you may use (staplers, nailers, air chucks, impact wrench), but won't run blast cabinets, die grinders or spray guns.

Unfortunately though, the big ones need 220V.

15cfm and above will be good for everything but a cabinet....18.5 and bigger will do it all.

 

[Rockaholic555]

The only part she's giving me **** about is if I mount a compressor in the garage she's worried I won't be using it for other projects because I can't move it. I think she's just starting to feel the stress of home buying, she's never asked questions about the garage I have now lol.

 

[Danglerb]

After talking with her further it's looking like she'd prefer for me to get one compressor that I could live with for a while and upgrade later. Any chance that a semi portable compressor has enough power to run my automotive tools?

Air compressors don't make power, they make pressure. Size of the tank combined with the capacity of the pump decides how long the pressure lasts when you are using tools. Most air tools require the pressure to be less than 90 to 120 lbs, so anything that makes at least that pressure will have the same power at the air tool, be it 1 hp or 10 hp. The higher HP will fill the tank and shut off more quickly, and keep the pressure up longer when demand is high.

Ratchets, nailers, and many other air tools use air is short bursts. This is why its common for pro's like carpenters to run more than one nail gun off a tiny tank compressor.

Grinders, blast cabinets, and similar tools use continuous or long periods of time, so places like body shops need a huge tank and high capacity compressor.

Commercial users also need to consider duty cycle (percent of time the compressor is running). Reliable compressors are more expensive when a high duty cycle is required, so a cheaper solution is higher capacity compressor that quickly fills the tank and shuts off, which is why many shops have compressors far exceeding normal capacity requirements. Not an issue for any normal home user.

I would think hard about how important it is to have a big compressor. How often you would be using a blast cabinet etc. and how much it would bother you to wait for the compressor to recover pressure between uses.

For myself I have a small very cheesy no tank compressor, and added a new Craftsman 33 gal oil less a couple years ago. Oil-less is noisy, but on sale for $170 with a typical accessory kit with 1/2 impact etc it has done the job for me just fine. I much prefer having $300 more tools, than spending more on the compressor.

 

[evintho]

As most everyone has said here...........bigger is better!! Had a 2 hp 20 gal Craftsman for years. Constantly waiting for it to build up! 5 years ago I bought an IR 5hp 80gal and haven't looked back! Runs everything, including sandblaster. Don't even bother with something small to save a couple of bucks. BUY THE BIGGEST YOU CAN AFFORD!! I guarantee, you won't regret it!

As far as the wife worrying you can't move it for other projects...........Get a longer air hose! Also, 220v is easy to run and connect.

 

[moparmuscle88]

emglo or ingersoll rand twin 8 gallon tank wheelbarrow compressor with a gas powered honda engine

best compressor weve ever used for work

 

[biscuit141]

After talking with her further it's looking like she'd prefer for me to get one compressor that I could live with for a while and upgrade later. Any chance that a semi portable compressor has enough power to run my automotive tools?

Unlike most people on this site, I'm not made of money, so it's difficult for me to spend $500 plus on a compressor even if its what I will need in the future. I went to route your wife has suggested. I picked up an older CH 3hp 20 gal model in great shape but needed a pressure switch. All in with a fresh oil change I have $100 in it. It runs everything I need for now, and I know down the road when I have (hopefully) have more income I can upgrade to something larger and sell mine for close to what I have in it.

Buying a new home, be prepared for expenses that you might not anticipate, that extra couple hundred could come in really handy for other home improvement projects. Good luck.

 

[mjozefow]

Unlike most people on this site, I'm not made of money, so it's difficult for me to spend $500 plus on a compressor even if its what I will need in the future. I went to route your wife has suggested. I picked up an older CH 3hp 20 gal model in great shape but needed a pressure switch. All in with a fresh oil change I have $100 in it. It runs everything I need for now, and I know down the road when I have (hopefully) have more income I can upgrade to something larger and sell mine for close to what I have in it.

Buying a new home, be prepared for expenses that you might not anticipate, that extra couple hundred could come in really handy for other home improvement projects. Good luck.

I'm not made of money, but I got a pretty decent used 3hp 60gallon compressor off CL for 100 bucks. CH and made in USA. It is pretty good, and runs my stuff. Puts out 10cfm roughly. Once you have a big compressor, you will be spoiled. They are AWESOME!

 

[930dreamer]

$99 Champion 5 hp 80 gal tank 20 CFM.

 

[Motofixxer]

Ask her if she is ok spending $100 for a washer dryer set, or a refrig. Bet she will say no way. Ask her why not. They will work just fine. She will say because you can only get cheap junk, used stuff for that price. Then you say exactly my point. Thats why I need to spend 5-1000 for a decent compressor, which I guarantee will outlast any home appliance with minimal maintenance. If you can find a good used one for less great, CL is great for that.
Once you have one you will find all kinds of tools and uses. Air chuck for blowing and cleaning stuff, filling tires, tools it goes on and on.

 

[biscuit141]

Hey I'm all for finding a great deal on a large compressor. I'm on craigslist all the time watching for a 60 gal for a great price. I'm just saying, for me at least, that's the way to go. I cant spend $500-$1000 anytime soon on a compressor, so I had to work with my budget, and so far I have yet to come across any too good to be true deals, whether it be a compressor, tool box or tools. I have seen some guys on here get unbelievable deals on stuff. I hope my time comes. Good luck.

 

[930dreamer]

Hey I'm all for finding a great deal on a large compressor. I'm on craigslist all the time watching for a 60 gal for a great price. I'm just saying, for me at least, that's the way to go. I cant spend $500-$1000 anytime soon on a compressor, so I had to work with my budget, and so far I have yet to come across any too good to be true deals, whether it be a compressor, tool box or tools. I have seen some guys on here get unbelievable deals on stuff. I hope my time comes. Good luck.

Where are you located?

 

[e-tek]

$99 Champion 5 hp 80 gal tank 20 CFM.

Lucky ******* Award!!!

 

[nate379]

Not going to read all the posts, but I have been using my 33 gal compressor for a while since I stuck my 60 gal in the woods till I build a shed for it.

Other than die grinders, it's actually been enough compressor for me. If I run a die grinder for a while though I have to give it time to pump up.

 

[Justanoldguy]

My wife is now on the path to authorizing MY purchase of a permanently installed compressor....

I just go and buy it first.
Easier to get forgiveness than permission in my house.
She never asks me when she goes shopping.

 

[78Bird]

The 18cfm IR is the best deal in hobbyist comrpessors... You have to spend a lot more on a pretty big 2-stage to get more useable CFM that one does.

For lots of tool use and some mild to moderate blasting (a small cabinet and maybe a small pot blaster for outside stuff someday) you are hard pressed to get more bang for the buck.

 

[sberry]

The 18 cfm ones are great, thats enough air to get some stuff done and will run a sander or grinder well as some limited blasting. My main shop air comp, 3 hp making 12 works about 95% of the time, yesterday with some fairly continuous grinding the secondary came on quite a bit.
I keep the primary behind the blanket, really cuts on the noise.

 

[Tom2]

10CFM is fine if you don't plan on much sandblasting. Otherwise, go big or go home.

Mine is 12.6 2 stage 80 gallon 4HP. Should have went bigger... But it blasts decent.

I would never consider something under 10CFM for a garage. Unless it's to just run a nailer or something. I've had oilless 5cfm 30/gal units. Complete waste.

Home Depot and tractor Supply have the 60gallon 10cfm Husky/Campbell compressors for $400. That should be plenty unless you plan on sandblasting. Probably the best deal for the money. Seen 'em on Craigslist for around $300. Also, some Home Depots will take 20% off HF coupons. So you're talking a lot of compressor for cheap.

 

[lipadj46]

Most here may not like this idea but I understand the whole buy something small now and upgrade later compromise with the wife. Some times its best to choose your battles that is where HF comes in handy sometimes. There is that 21 gallon 3HP 120 volt compressor you can get for $160. the 2 year extended warranty will be $35. Sure it only goes up to 125 psi and the CFM rating is pretty weak but it will run impacts and ratchets just fine. In the mean time save your money for a permanent installed compressor. You can still keep the HF model as a portable compressor which is good because they don't really sell used unless they are priced around $50.

 

[z28snksknr]

I have a 35 gal, 5.5 CFM @ 90 compressor at home that runs on 110V. It keeps up with all the tools you listed without issue. I even have a hand-held sandblaster that I run off it (As long as you have a little patience for the tank to recover, it works just fine). Oh, mine is on wheels (awesome for a small 2 car garage that is shared with lawn equipment) and cost me <$400.

 

[Adam McLaughlin]

I have a 33 gallon 120 V Craftsman Oil Less Compressor that I bought off of a friend for $300 a couple of years back. I think it delivers something like 6 cfm at 90 psi? Anyway, I use it for air tools and painting my cars. While it does run continuously with the HVLP paint guns, it has never let me down and I have been very satisfied with its performance.

I also enjoy its portability; the wheels and the handle are a very nice touch and are also very convenient. While it is not a 80 gallon upright oiled compressor, it does do the job very well and without complaint.

I don't sandblast, or really ever intend too. I think that HVLP is about as demanding as I will go.

Adam

 

[Rockaholic555]

I guess I'm still hoping for the IR while I'm watching my local CL. Really would like to get that IR but I'm thinking it's going to take some time and energy with the girl. Has anyone build a shed outside just for the compressor? I was thinking of mounting it in the yard and running my lines into the garage. That way it's more quite inside and I can still use it outside for the house stuff. Although I might go the lazy way and mount it in the garge, lol.

+1 to telling her she needs to buy a fridge for $100. I believe she's wanting a new stove which should make the argument better. I'll have to dig up a link for a used stove that she'll hate and tell her to get it.