recommend a good air compressor

[tvruwink]

Hi -
Looking to upgrade my pancake compressor (DeWalt) to something a bit bigger/better/quieter. Really, that's one of my top requirements, is not to be deafened anytime I run the compressor.

As I am setting up my garage "shop" (mostly wood working) I am thinking about getting a midsized compressor (oiled/oil free?) to be permanently mounted somewhere, and just run tubing to where I'll run my nailers etc.

What are some good brands to look at? I was looking at California air tools - as they seem to be on the quiet end. Being a newbie - I don't really know what's important/recommended....

Down the road, I might want to try driving a 1/2 ratchet, sander and or maybe a paint gun?. Mostly I want something I can let run, and not deafen myself when it recharges, something that be more permanently affixed somewhere (auto drain line?)


Thanks!

 

[cvairwerks]

Find the biggest air tool you want in the reasonably near future, look up it’s air consumption at worst case. Multiply that consumption by 1.25 and start looking for compressors that will output at least the same level. Unless you like getting your brain scrambled by irritating noise, forget an oilless unit.

 

[CGT80]

Do a search on air compressors on this forum. These threads get started multiple times per week and it is the same old info that gets repeated over and over. The above post is great. Come back with questions not answered by the other threads.

California air tools are small machines and are expensive for their bigger machines. Cast iron oil lubed compressors that turn slow are good and relatively quiet. Compressed air is not cheap. Look for about 17 cfm and 60+ gallons with a real 5hp motor for big projects with lots of spraying or air sanding. For limited air impact, ratchet, or spraying a 10 cfm at 90 psi compressor would work.

Often times an older used cast iron compressor is better than a new cheap one.

Look up two stage vs. Single stage and cfm vs pressure and how tank volume works vs. Pump volume.



Sent from my SM-G955U using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[roblouvasz]

Find a good used Quincy with the 325 pressure lubed pump with the oil filter.

 

[RKA]

Your use cases kinda run from small to large. The nailers require very little air, so a small 2-4 gallon CAT compressor would work fine. An added benefit is you could skip running air lines around the shop and just drop the compressor where you need it or move it as required. If you already have to run electrical and dust collection along your walls for woodworking machines, maybe adding air lines to the mix is a low priority?

That 1/2" impact wrench will need a little more air, so maybe a "medium" sized compressor. It will be a little more noisy (still reasonable), but it will have a higher CFM. 10-20 gallon capacity should be more than adequate and it will still run on a 110v circuit.

Sanders are air hogs, you'll want something large that runs on a 220v circuit. Even the "quiet" ones will create a fair bit of noise. And with a tool drawing a high volume of air, even a large tank will drain quickly requiring the pump to cycle often. These aren't going to be portable, so now you're running air lines around the shop or a long hose and reel if you don't mind stepping over the line. Given that you can get good electric sanders for woodworking, I would rethink an air powered sander.

Painting, like sanding, requires a lot of air...and dry air. Same 220v requirement, same issue with noise and portability. There are other options for paint guns as well. Turbine systems, airless, pressure pot.

So prioritize your needs and options for the needs that will not be met with the compressor. You can go small, large or something in between, but it seems like quiet is high on your list, in which case I would lean to the medium sized CAT compressor for the nailers and impact wrench and find another solution for the paint and sanding.

 

[Marctrees]

If you want 16cfm 60 gal definitely do Advanced search to read more about this unit...

NOT chinese.

Marc

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=361437&highlight=harbor+freight+compressor