should i get an air compressor and tools?
- Thread starter moron88
- Start date
I don't think a compressor is a must have for DIY but it certainly is nice to have. I have all (well I suppose most but certainly more than the average DIYer) the normal mechanics air tools but find reaching for them most often for woodworking/construction. Bought a needle scaler last year that has been a great tool for restoration projects, etc. Beyond obvious uses, they can also be used around the house, e.g., blowing out sprinkler systems, etc. I have three compressors: a pancake, 30 gallon portable and 60 gallon fixed and each of them get used all the time.
ddawg16
Well-known member
An air compressor is one of those things you 'can' get by without.....
But once you have one, you start finding a lot more uses.
I do wood working....it's great for blowing off dust.
Sand blasting.....great way to clean up rusty ****.
Got kids and an inflatable pool? My wife used my compressor all the time for this.
I'm the second most popular guy on the street...inflating kids bike tires. John up the street is the most popular....fridge full of beer.
But once you have one, you start finding a lot more uses.
I do wood working....it's great for blowing off dust.
Sand blasting.....great way to clean up rusty ****.
Got kids and an inflatable pool? My wife used my compressor all the time for this.
I'm the second most popular guy on the street...inflating kids bike tires. John up the street is the most popular....fridge full of beer.
crewchief888
Well-known member
sorta common in florida as well.
my house in orlando was built in '87, HVAC and hot water were in the garage, garage entrance into the house had a small room that had washer and dryer (220v) as well as natural gas plumbed hookups.
breaker box was also in the garage.
my current house was built in '64, breaker box is in the basement, as well as the laundry hookups.
lakeroadster
Well-known member
Hammer1963
Well-known member
Yes!
If you own your own house and have kids, a small compressor that can handle nail guns is awfully nice. As a DIY car guy, not so much. I use mine almost exclusively for tires and the blow gun. Let me put it another way, I just bought a battery powered impact wrench for working on the car. My pneumatic one, and all my other air tools, are in an old tool box collecting dust, and have been for years.
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A compressor (5hp 30gal) and an impact wrench (IR 231) was the best thing I ever bought to work on cars. So many things that were a struggle were no more. Being in MI, I'm sure you've seen your share of rusty bolts. Couldn't imagine front end work without it. Haven't tried any of these new cordless impacts with the exception of a 1/4 driver, but other than that I have a hard time believing they're better than their air counterparts. I do haven an air ratchet, but rarely use it. Good for running down bolts, but not enough torque for anything else. Cordless would be a good substitute for that.
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it's my grandpa's house, my mom and i live here for free in exchange for care and assistance. i'm 23 and my nephews have convinced me i'm no where near ready for kids, neither in patience nor cash.
already have kobalt versions and just bought into the makita ecosystem this evening (bro-in-law called asking if i had a cordless vac he could borrow to **** a mouse nest out of the blower fan in my sister's buick. i've been looking at them recently so pulled the trigger on one along with a compact drill/driver and impact driver combo set). if i feel the need for more power i'll buy the makita versions. i kind of wonder, at what point air tools become cheaper than cordless when you factor in a sufficiently large compressor and all the bits and bobs?
i must say, i was expecting a lot more consistency and even possible chanting "get a compressor you *****!". i'm a little surprised at the amount of people saying "go/stick with electric". pretty sure that had i asked this question a decade ago i would have been told something along the lines of "batteries are for remotes and kids' toys". thanks to all for the honest opinions. you've given my a lot to think about.
I prefer my air tools for any kind of endurance work. When we built my porch I used a Ryobi cordless impact and always had to have a battery "at the ready" which means you'll need multiple batteries. I have a few wimpy cordless tools that do OK for quick away from the garage work. I'm weird though, I use my compressor as a leaf blower! 80 gallon 2 stage.