Keep my compressor or go cordless...

[byoungblood]

In the next 12 months, I will be making a move from NW Mississippi to N Virginia for work. Because it will be a 800+ mile move, I am going to try to downsize my larger tools as much as possible.

Right now, I have a 60 gallon Husky air compressor that is about 14 years old (it is a CH rebrand). When I bought it, I used a die grinder fairly regularly, but now I've probably hauled out that tool maybe once or twice in the past 10 years. Outside of that, I periodically use a 1/2" impact, 3/8" air ratchet, airbrush, 18 ga nailer. In short, I don't really do anything that requires that large of a tank 90% of the time.

My thought is to sell the larger compressor, go with M18 1/2 impact and M12 ratchet, then get a smaller ~30 gallon compressor after I make the move to use with the nailer, airbrush, clean off stuff, etc..

I'm sure there are plenty here who have made a similar change, I'm interested in hearing about your experiences, either good, bad, or indifferent.

 

[VinceG]

I have a small compressor and electric impacts 1/2, 3,8, 1/4 a electric ratchet. I still occasionally use my compressor for a air cut off wheel and sometimes my air impacts just to use them to keep them working. I dont miss my big compressor and I like rolling my little one outside to cut down on noise wen I do use it.

 

[md21722]

14 years old... was the tank properly drained? Also, will you have 240V in your new location? They are not too bad to move, two guys can move them pretty easy. If selling choose the market where you will get more money for it. In our area something like that will not sell for more than $250 realistically. I would go with cordless air ratchets regardless as they are MUCH quieter than air ratchets!

 

[Citation]

If you take the pump, motor etc off the tank then they aren't bad at all and you can pack things more efficiently. My brother moved an 80 gallon compressor himself by taking it apart. At that point the tank was the only difficult part to move but even then you could put it on its side.

I'm not sure about going from a 3hp 60 gal to a 30 gallon makes much sense unless you just know you won't have 240V available in the new place. Otherwise I would suggest looking at a smaller 120V unit. I think the air ratchet was the only item on your list that needs a larger, more powerful compressor. The rest could be done with a sub 20 gallon compressor

 

[WhoWhatNow]

How much do you use the nailer? Most manufacturers make cordless nailers.

I am in the process of getting rid of my air tools. I have the Milwaukee impacts, inflators, sander/polisher (for weld prep), ratchet, circular saw and grinder. This eliminates most of the air tools I used in the past (impacts, airing up tires, die grinder) as well as some corded ones. I am just a hobbyist so I don’t need tools that run all day long. The only things I still need air for is the brad nailer, sand blast cabinet and painting. If I used the nailer more I would get the cordless version.

I am actually thinking about picking up a small gas powered compressor to run the blast cabinet and for painting. I could put it out behind the shed and wouldn’t have to hear it the rare times I would use it. Then I could sell the Quincy 325 I have in the basement.

 

[milwaukeephil]

Do you use an air hammer? I use mine a LOT, and haven't found a corded or cordless replacement.

 

[mbshop]

Im retired and have a small work place for tinkering. Cant imagine not having a compressor.

 

[Voi]

I am actually thinking about picking up a small gas powered compressor to run the blast cabinet and for painting. I could put it out behind the shed and wouldn’t have to hear it the rare times I would use it. Then I could sell the Quincy 325 I have in the basement.

Just curious but what is the advantage of getting the gas compressor vs just putting the Quincy in the shed? Running the electric? Or is the space savings of a gas compressor that can run a blast cabinet that significant?

I have an 80 gallon two stage sitting at a friend's shop but I don't really have room for it & a blast cabinet. If we don't start building a new shop anytime soon I might just sell it & run gas. I hadn't even thought about that.

 

[ftb]

I couldn't do any metalwork without my compressor. I'd say keep it, you never know what you might need to run on it.

 

[Wamsutta]

Sell the Husky and then pick up a screw drive compressor when you get to N Virginia. Enjoy the quietness.

 

[Professional Tool User]

Keep the compressor if it works. There's stuff like brake bleeding tools, vacuum coolant fillers, and all sorts of shop equipment that run on air besides your typical air tools, blow guns, and air chucks. I'll take my MG725 any day over thosse bulky full sized Milwaukee 1/2 impacts if I have a big compressor. If you're going with cordless, you've got to be switching over more than 2 tools to make it worth it.

 

[WhoWhatNow]

Just curious but what is the advantage of getting the gas compressor vs just putting the Quincy in the shed? Running the electric? Or is the space savings of a gas compressor that can run a blast cabinet that significant?

I have an 80 gallon two stage sitting at a friend's shop but I don't really have room for it & a blast cabinet. If we don't start building a new shop anytime soon I might just sell it & run gas. I hadn't even thought about that.

A few things:

More air (18 vs ~52 CFM)
No power line to the shed. A 40AMP line ~80 feet to the shed would be a PIA
I am less concerned about an engine sitting under a canopy during winter vs. and electric motor
And the most important - it would be a project! (https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32377)

Actually, even if I didn’t want the gas compressor I would still move away from air. Air lines, maintenance on the compressor, the leaking fittings, split air lines, air coolers, oil filters, oiling the tools....I’m done. I have spent way more on the air system than I ever will on batteries not to mention tripping over the f-ing air line in my small shop. Nothing worse than getting in position under a vehicle then realizing you are laying on top of the air line and can’t move to tool where you need it. I realize most of these complaints are minor but when you compare them to the freedom of cordless it makes the decision easy for me.

An example: this weekend I was making a weight bracket for my tractor. I need to cut some 3/8” plate, chamfer the edges, and remove the mill scale. Instead of doing all that cutting and grinding in my shop where my air tools are I took the grinder and sander back to the shed. No grit in my shop, no fire risk, and no strange looks from my neighbors.

Again, as a hobbyist, I don’t need battery tools to last for 8+ hours. Also, the real world performance of the Milwaukee tools is great. I was worried that the sander would not be able to replace my Dotco angle die grinders for weld prep. It did fine. And no ******** air line.

 

[kctyphoon]

Cordless

 

[byoungblood]

Thanks for all the input.

I'll still have a compressor one way or the other, but as I mentioned, I very seldom do anything with my current one that really requires that much air. I still want a compressor for tires, nailer, and painting at a minimum.

Another thing that got me thinking about it is that I seldom use some of my air tools because I have to drag the hose around. Unless I'm removing a LOT of fasteners, I end up grabbing a regular ratchet for small jobs simply because I don't have to haul the air hose out and reel it back up afterward. I think I'd be more inclined to use said tools if they were more portable and didn't have to take the work to the tool like I do now.

 

[Ign]

Yep I've said for years now if you're transient/move around a lot/rent etc cordless has opened up a whole new world.

An impact and M18 batteries fit in the trunk of a car far better than a compressor.

Look for the nailers on sale too and you can get rid of air there if you want. Buy the Ryobi adapter and you can power Ryobi's less expensive nailers w M18 batteries

 

[theoldwizard1]

The only reason for an air compressor in a home shop is to run sand blasters and spray guns. Make sure you have a couple of spare batteries. With some tools a lighter battery might be better even though it would have a shorter life.

An M12 Fuel 3/8" drill with a 2 Ah battery is a very nice "second" drill to have as is either of the M12 Fuel 3/8" impacts.

 

[cvairwerks]

The only reason for an air compressor in a home shop is to run sand blasters and spray guns.

Add air drills, die grinders, high speed trimming routers, rivet guns, rivet squeezers, draw bar collet closers, strut pumps and other stuff......

 

[joe_pinehill1]

I use battery for mechanics tools, but have too much invested in nailers to give up a compressor.