What size compressor do I really need?

[gcan]

I need some advise please - I know nothing about compressors and have never used air tools but through my search saw some compressors as big as the MG I'm restoring.

What size would you really sugggest I need to meet my needs which are to chisel lite sheet metal, grind, and have a general purpose impact wrench. I would also prefer it be portable in case I need to move it to my attached garage. I do understand it should be oiled for the noise level.

I don't need a unit to work with full time and since my brother in law doesn't have one I don't need to out do anybody

Experienced input is greatly appreciated
Greg

 

[bmwpower]

There are several options. There are a lot of resources on here, but unfortunately the search function is acting up so I can't find everything I'd like to find for you, but we'll give it a try.

120V or 240V? Most, if not all, are 120v. 120v makes it easier to move from place to place.
I will assume you want an upright since they take up the least amount of space.
Get the largest compressor (CFM output, tank size) that you can afford.
Look for a cast iron pump, oil lubed pump.

Belaire:
http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/BEL-5026VP.html

Kobalt:
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=215921-71025-KLA1883054&lpage=none

CH:
http://www.nextag.com/Campbell-Hausfeld-Maxus-EX8200-76096595/prices-html

http://www.nextag.com/Campbell-Hausfeld-5-Hp-66267181/prices-html

IR:
http://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=2_206_68&products_id=683

Puma:
http://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=590&source=other

...just to name a few. Husky made or makes one too, I just can't find it at the moment. Maybe some users who have any of the above compressors could chime in on their experiences with them.

 

[Bill K]

Hi Greg All right another MG guy. What are you restoring A, B, C,Midget or T series? I have a few myself great car with more fun per mile than any other car I have owned.
As to your compressor size I would go for one of the upright 5-6 hp 60 gal units from lowes Home Depot etc. Provided you have enough room. The only drawback is it isn't portable, but, extra hose and an air tank can slove a lot of those problems. Anything smaller will be hard to use with air tools that consume a lot of cfm. ie sanders, grinders, sprayers.
I have had my unit for about 6 years now and it has been a work horse. 6 hp 60 gal upright. Seems like I paid only 369.00 back then. Used it on several restoration jobs over the years.
Safety Fast
Bill

 

[PAToyota]

Basically, look at the cfm requirements of the tools you'll be using, look at the cfm requirements of any tools you might consider you'll be using a couple years down the road, factor in an extra margin of "safety" room, and then start looking at compressors that will handle that. Chances are that currently the impact wrench will be your determining factor. If you're considering a sandblaster down the road, those use quite a bit of air. 220V will definitely give you more capacity, but will also limit portability.

 

[gcan]

Bill - I have two 74MGB's currently one with a good body and one with good engine and ******. I had hoped to merge the two over the winter but I waited late to start it and then rain, slowed up getting the foundation in and now it looks like the temp may hold the concrete for the slab. Of course as usual my contractor is working three jobs at once so that hasn't helped.

I have a little body work to do the usual sills and pans so beyond that I'm not sure what I need the compressor for since I have gotten along without one so far. But may find out what I have been missing and use it more than I think. Just with the new garage just starting to be built I just want to be sure I don't over spend.

I would like to keep it 120 and portable as I also do a lot of remodeling around the house and the new garage is detached.

 

[z28toz06]

Bill - I have two 74MGB's currently one with a good body and one with good engine and ******. I had hoped to merge the two over the winter but I waited late to start it and then rain, slowed up getting the foundation in and now it looks like the temp may hold the concrete for the slab. Of course as usual my contractor is working three jobs at once so that hasn't helped.

I have a little body work to do the usual sills and pans so beyond that I'm not sure what I need the compressor for since I have gotten along without one so far. But may find out what I have been missing and use it more than I think. Just with the new garage just starting to be built I just want to be sure I don't over spend.

I would like to keep it 120 and portable as I also do a lot of remodeling around the house and the new garage is detached.

You will find what you have been missing! Its better to use a few lengths of air hose I think than buy a smaller less capable unit than you can afford.

 

[Hurricane]

for what you are going to be doing. dont even consider anything 120. the smallest you will need is a 60 gallon. any of the small 120 units will not run a DA(sander),die grinder (cutoff wheel), or blast cabinet for more than 2 minutes. all 3 are essential for a vehicle restoration. dont buy a compressor that suits your needs now, buy one that suits your needs 5 years from now and youll be much better off.

i recently bought an 80 gallon, 17cfm compressor. its #3 in 5 years. if i had taken my own advice 5 years ago, i would have saved enough money to pay for half the compressor i bought. you think youll only really need the impact, but when you have an endless supply of air youll end up reaching for the air tools far more often
________
maryjane

 

[Charles (in GA)]

As big as you can....................

(1) Afford
(2) Have room to install.
(3) Have electricity (amperage capacity) to operate.

Charles

 

[ron in sc]

Check out the compressor in the ad in the link, for information about psi and cfm. It has been sold but I can tell you it was a very nice compressor for air tools and painting.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6411

It was not adequate for sandblasting or running a die grinder.

Go with Charles (in GA) advise.

I would have purchased a larger compressor than I did if I could have obtained 3 phase service.

 

[kartracer55]

As big as you can....................

(1) Afford
(2) Have room to install.
(3) Have electricity (amperage capacity) to operate.

Charles

I think Charles nailed it

 

[rockwithjason]

I'm with Charles too. For any sort of auto work I would use a 5ph with a 60 gallon tank minimum

 

[bmwpower]

I'm with Charles too. For any sort of auto work I would use a 5ph with a 60 gallon tank minimum

Unfortunately, if he wants it portable, he's not going to find one like this.

If he throws portability out the door, then the sky is the limit.

You can still run all the tools he has suggested with a smaller compressor. I have, and still continue to do just that. I have a small 33 gallon Craftsman that will run all the tools he needs. For some tools it will run at a good pace for a while, but as long as you don't push it, it will work just fine.

 

[Hurricane]

sorry, but thats bs. i had the craftsman pro 33 gallon 120, with any decent die grinder you would get about 1 minute of full power cutting out of it and then it would dwindle to nothing. didnt make enough air to keep up with any major tools much less fill the tank up and shut off for a few minutes. it would be running constantly. dont expect one to last very long running non stop either.
________
mexicocity hotel

 

[bmwpower]

sorry, but thats bs. i had the craftsman pro 33 gallon 120, with any decent die grinder you would get about 1 minute of full power cutting out of it and then it would dwindle to nothing. didnt make enough air to keep up with any major tools much less fill the tank up and shut off for a few minutes. it would be running constantly. dont expect one to last very long running non stop either.

Mine has lasted over 4 years now with no adverse affects. Sure, you should wait for the compressor to pump up when it gets really low and/or after a long run. The original poster never said anything about his need to run the compressor non stop. Are you going to be able to run a die grinder straight for 1 hour? No, but if you take breaks in between for pump up and cool down, you can do it.

I'm the first one to say get a stationary, but the poster deems certain things important it doesn't make sense to tell him to get something different.

 

[Hurricane]

hes not going to be able to have his cake and eat it too. short of a gas powered compressor, youre not going to get something portable AND something big enough to do the work he said hes going to be doing.
________
Honda Wiki

 

[Ed and Sandra]

You folk may need a good laugh – so here it is. We think we killed our compressor today (R.I.P.). Was it one of the sturdy, large capacity types recommended in this thread or anything approaching that? Nope, it was a Task Force 2 gallon from Lowes bought primarily to inflate the tires on our electric garden truck.

It served that purpose well. However, it would seem we may have over challenged it today. We were sanding a six panel solid wood door and using the compressor constantly to blow the dust away. After a good while it stopped “compressing”. We could hear the fan running, but nothing else happening. A quick read of the manual indicated the unit shouldn’t be operated more than 20 minutes / hour which we considerably exceeded.

Oh well, looks like we’ll be off to Lowes again tomorrow for something at least a little bit larger this time.

Happy compressing to all.

Ed and Sandra