Air Compressors

L

LouisanaJeeper

New member
i need an air compressor for

cars - unbolting suspension components, taking off tires, etc

metal- grinder

wood- possible finish nailer

paint- possible paint sprayer



6HP, 30gal, single stage

will it do ok?
 
I would think so. I'll check what Dad's got in the garage. It's a big one (stands about chest high on me and I'm about 5'9 ) But I'm not sure what kind of motor it's got. It will do just about anything. I'd assume 6hp will be sufficient for most of /\ those tasks.
 
LouisanaJeeper said:
i need an air compressor for

cars - unbolting suspension components, taking off tires, etc

metal- grinder

wood- possible finish nailer

paint- possible paint sprayer



6HP, 30gal, single stage

will it do ok?
Click to expand...



Probably not. 6 hp on a paint sprayer (depending on what is it--HVLP or HPLV) require a fair amount of cfm. I'm assuming that you are planning on using a impact wrench, you need to find out what cfm you need. CFM not hp is what you want to look for. Find out your CFM requirement and match the compressor to fit those needs.
 
I would have to agree with OI812 that a compressor with those specs is probably borderline for an HPLV sprayer. You should be fine though for most typical air tools such as an impact wrench, air ratchets, air grinders and air nailers, etc...



I have the 33gal version of the following Craftsman Compressor and have been more than happy with it.

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...s&vertical=TOOL&pid=00916731000&bidsite=CRAFT



This compressor is capable of 8.6scfm at 40 psig and 6.4 scfm at 90 psig.



00916731000-dlv.jpg
 
SCFM Delivery At 40 psi 8.6 SCFM

SCFM Delivery At 90 psi 6.4 SCFM



impact wrenches i was looking at take 5cfm

the hvlp sprayer were like 20-50psi @ 9-14CFM, so that might be out unless i get a really expensive compressor
 
Maybe the way to go is a LVHP (low velocity high pressure) sprayer. That use to be the more common painting gun. Just an idea. On the subject of impact wrenches is that a 3/8" or 1/2" impact. Just don't sell yourself short on an AC. I know I own three of them know. I won't buy the next one until I have the room and can pay the price for it.



Oh yea I have looked at the sears one before. I thought it was a really nice unit.
 
yup that sear comp. is the one i am looking at

the impact is an IR thunder Gun, 1/2" drive, something like 600ft-lb strenght :D . might as well go with 1/2" since i can always use a 1/2->3/8" converter on it
 
For everything you have listed (save painting) that is fine. I would consider something else only if you wanted to paint, but few people are interested in it. After you purchase paint, body supplies, guns, breathing system, etc. the compressor is the cheap part heh.
 
Each to his own, but I would get an "oil" not "oil-less" compressor. They cost more but you will not regret it. The non-oil type are OK for light home use I guess, many people like them, but for the long haul I wouldn't advise it. The air tools you get with the Sears ones are OK but not quality. OK for the weekender I guess. Even the fittings, gauges, regulators are sometimes "cheap". Go to an air-hydrollics store and ask the Pros. Don't take my word for anything. I just have my experiences to go by.



I see some small 3-4 gallon oil type at Checkers with pretty good SCFM's, around $100 but who knows how good they are and the "Sears" $89 one is small, cheap, works OK for light stuff but lower SCFM's. (I use one for brad nailing, a butterfly ratchet, occasional lug removal...blowing off parts and dust,etc. Perfect for light duty, despite the low SCFM's. Voulmn and your pressure regulator have more to do with effective use in a "small" hobby way. You can always add a 12 gallon second tank to a small one (rig it with valves to be detachable and portable; I did.) to increase your volumn stored on these small ones, and if your not a shop or constanly running it, it will work out OK. Does for me. Its a low priced option for a small oiled unit. But...get a bigger one if your really serious about having one and plan to use it a lot.

Get a nice not so portable oiled one from HD. They are pretty big, maybe 50-60 gallons. In the high $300's, I think, but worth every penny. Don't quote me on price/size as its been awhile since I looked at them. Do yourself a favor and at least look at them and ask guys that use compressors a lot for a living. Oil ones will probably outlast three or four "oil-less" ones. Pay once or many times over the years. Just check things out before you buy a "bargin".



I believe the oil-less ones use a leather sleeve or something in them. (Ever smelled and watched the smoke as a small portable car unit "burns up" because you were airing up too many tires and getting it too hot? I have.) I think the dust wears them out faster too. Not good in really dry dusty areas I am told.



No doubt a bunch of people are going to tell you they have no problems with their oil-less ones from Sears. And that's OK. It's your nickle. Just ask some professionals before you buy so you have all the facts. I don't claim to know them all.
 
If you are just using it as a weekend type thing...the Sears one should do you fine...the paint gun and a grinder use up some serious air...so i think those would be out. Impacts and stuff...you should be fine.



As MartyGrant said above..look at Home Depot. I got a stand up one from them for Xmas last year...was I HAPPY!! Pretty big...comes bolted to a pallet...so its not portable!!



But..its like a 60 gallon, 220v compressor....can handle anything I want to do with it and more. I do alittle painting....so it works great. If you wanted to paint whole cars, etc..I would have to get a bigger one. But..It was like $399.00 at HD.



Of course..if you got his route, then you have to have your garage wired for 220v...so that another thing to consider!! But..its an oil filled compresser (Mobil 1 synthetic)...so I hope to have it with me for a long time!!



If you can wait....I would buy a bigger model....always better to have too much, then to have to turn around and buy another compresser when you have outgrown the one you thought would be good for you.



But...like I said..it all depends on what you want/ plan to do with it.



MIKE
 
Yes it will do the trick. Did you check around to see if there isn't something alittle cheaper? Oh, don't forget just because it says Sears/Craftsman doesn't mean it has a lifetime guarantee.
 
Lowes has a pretty nice little Porter-Cable pancake compressor on sale for $149. PC makes nice stuff (as most of us know), and it will be able to handle not only tire inflation but a few air tools. It won't run an impact wrench though, so don't plan on that.
 
Make sure you plug the compressor into a nearby socket and use extra air hose to reach your needs and not an electric extension cord to move the compressor closer. The extension cord will eventually overheat and trip a circuit. A longer iar hose actually just gives you more room all around.
 
az57chevy said:
Make sure you plug the compressor into a nearby socket and use extra air hose to reach your needs and not an electric extension cord to move the compressor closer. The extension cord will eventually overheat and trip a circuit. A longer iar hose actually just gives you more room all around.
Click to expand...



You'd be lucky to blow a circuit breaker. The bigger risk is burning down your house or electrocuting yourself.



I wouldn't say you CAN'T use an extension cord. It depends on the extension cord. If you try to put a little 18 or 20 gauge extension cord on an air compresser, watch out. Most of them pull some serious amps. I have a couple of 12 and 14 gauge extension cords I made for things like that.
 
bah, i use 12 or 10 gage cord all the time on just like power tools



for something like this im going to use a 10 gage extension till i can get an outlet wired next to the compressor.

hopefully this summer i can wire in more 120v outlets to my garage as well as 220v. need to get my electrician freind over here to help me not burn down the garage
 
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