Is a 1 gal compressor useful for small tasks or will it struggle?

[stickshift]

I'm in the market for a mid-range (~20gal, 4 CFM) compressor, and was browsing used compressors and found a 1gal Campbell Hausfeld for $40.

This model:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Campbell-Hausfeld-1-Gal-Air-Compressor-with-Basic-Inflation-Kit-FP2028/202581673

Obviously it won't meet the needs I had in mind for a larger compressor (in particular, blowing out sprinkler lines), but thought it might be useful in the interim for inflating car tires, blowing sawdust off, brad nailing. Or are even those tasks asking too much of a 1gal 1/2 SCFM @ 40 PSI compressor?

Nice thing is it includes a hose and small accessory kit (including shrader valve chuck), so I could inflate tires right away, and then just add a blow gun and brad nailer and put it into service right away.

But if it's going to struggle with even light duty tasks (like fully driving brads into pine, or if I have to wait a few minutes between topping off each tire), screw it, I'll hold off until I find a good deal on a mid-range compressor.

 

[mrjaw14]

it's light duty. May run a brad or finish nailer. You could use it for light blowing with an air nozzle too. Framing nailer would struggle. I think you're being reasonable about it's capabilities.

 

[Parrothead]

For what your describing, it would be just fine and easily portable. How old is your brad nailer? Some of the older guns need more air. I’m pretty sure my Ridgid would be just fine on that little compressor. Now, you’re not going to be able to do many at a time, but it should do them.

 

[lis2323]

It would be really handy and an excellent choice for blowing up balloons at children’s birthday parties or even perhaps inflatable mattresses.

Go for it. [emoji106]

 

[fasteddie]

I have a Harbor Freight 3 gal. It works fine for a brad nailer and stapler. It's portable and I prefer it for that rather than dragging out 100' of hose from my larger compressor. It will fill up tires but not without running to catch up, same with dust blowing. The HF 3 gal is $40 with coupon. It's loud when it runs.

 

[Robinson1]

I kept a compressor that size on my truck before I bought cordless nail guns. Its was a godsend for small trim jobs. I do alot of replacement doors and windows. Sure beat pulling a hundred feet (or more) of air hose from my gas compressor (mounted on truck).

I will say they are pretty much useless for anything but trim nailers. You'll get one good burst of air from a blowgun before the compressor kicks in and you're waiting for it to catch up. Never tried to inflate a tire with one that small but assume it would be about like using a blow gun

 

[Zrexxer]

Awhile back I bought a Ridgid 1 gallon compressor that runs off of the Ridgid 18V cordless system batteries.


I have an 80 gallon two-stage vertical Champion, 30 gallon Champion gasoline-driven compressor with a 12 hp Kohler engine, and a twin tank Rol-Air oil-lube compressor for nailguns etc.


And the one I use the most hands-down is the little cordless Ridgid. Every time I need to air up a bicycle tire, clean out a carburetor, blow out the AC condensate line, I grab the little portable. It does 90%+ of my compressed air jobs.

 

[M6erfan]

Totally handy for what you need it for. I bought a Porter Cable CMB15 about 15 years ago and use it all the time.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

It would be really handy and an excellent choice for blowing up balloons at children’s birthday parties or even perhaps inflatable mattresses.

Go for it. [emoji106]

Very handy size for a portable compressor.

Perfect size for finish nailer, even a framing nailer if you don't have much to do or are measuring and cutting as you go.
Ok for topping off car tires. Good for bicycles, sports equipment.
OK with a blow gun for light cleaning. Also good to pressurize piping to test for leaks.
I've even used mine with an impact for lug nuts or an air hammer to set a few rivets.
It might do balloons (I've never tried it). Would take a long time to fill up an air mattress.

IMO $40 is a fair price if it's in OK used condition. (You won't often find a working compressor cheaper and I wouldn't pay much more than that unless it was new).

 

[Basswrangler]

If it requires any volume it will get hot and burn up very light work only