Air compressors.

[MGregoir]

I am looking for an air compressor to have the ability to run air tools, mainly 1/2" impact (something like an IR 231C/2135Ti), air ratchet and maybe a sprayer.

It wouldn't see that much use but it would be very nice to have between working on vehicles and farm equipment.

Any suggestions? If I could budget it, I would just buy an Ingersoll-Rand Garage Mate but that is probably overkill.

 

[tuckman]

how many cfm @90psi does each tool use and are you planning on setting up a fixed piping system in a garage or want portability?

 

[MGregoir]

Portability is a benefit because running fixed piping would be a lot of work for how often it is used, it would basically be wheeled one bay to the other in the shop or maybe outside to work on the tractor.

The impact uses 4.2 cfm at 90 psi, the air ratchet uses 4 cfm, and they would not be used at the same time. Intermittent duty.

 

[dave123]

The impact or rachet would not be the problem it is when you want to use a spray gun you need good clean water free air. When looking for compressor the pump is the whole deal how much air continuous duty it will provide that said a true 5hp 16 to 19 cfm at 90 psi should be adequate for general use. People make big mistake when they buy to small if they are going to paint, sandblast or run a DA. they never listen they buy and are never happy because they want to do more but they just run out of air.

btw I do paint alot at home and sandblast I said years ago going to buy one compressor in my life buy it big enough for what ever I am going to do a true 7.5hp 26cfm at 175psi and it has all it can do to keep up when you really get the sandblaster cranked up at 100psi for long duration, your just running staight off the pump.

 

[bepperb]

I have a 2hp Porter Cable 6 gallon pancake. It's done a garage roof and a hardwood floor (two guns both times) and runs my impact wrench pretty nicely for brakes and tire rotations. It certainly keeps up for any of those tasks.

But, there's no way it could run a sprayer, especially an HVLP conversion gun, or a sandblaster.

But, 100 bucks with an 18 gauge nailer it's hard to go wrong.

I have to lug mine to my basement woodworking shop up to my detatched garage so smaller is nicer. I also am replacing windows and trim so it gets around quite a bit. I personally wouldn't go big unless you need it.

 

[oilboy123]

Looks like Sears carrys all kinds of brands. I bought a single stage 5HP 30 Gallon years ago that holds up pretty well.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/s_10153_12605...20070515x00001a

 

[sierrascout]

dave123 is correct, many people under buy. People will not listen, save your money and buy one that will do what you want not what you think might get you buy. One other thing, think of what you might run 1 year, 5 years and 10 years down the road. Do this and you should make the right choice. I believe as dave123 said 16 to 19 cfm will fit your needs. Farm equipment can be brutal on compressors.

 

[dave123]

+1 to that people have me spray or come to thir place to do work the story is the same all the time. I say do you have air ya ya it's like 30 gallon no problem I say uha this ought to be fun 10 min. into the prodject water dripping off the back of the spray gun rag now wraped around it and no volume of air for the gun and water being sprayed onto the job. seen it a hundred times if I seen it once.

 

[oilboy123]

If you have the money buy a two stage. I would have liked to have bought one but had to settle for a single stage.

But when I get a real shop that is my goal. I agree if you got the $$$$$ get the two stage.

It looks like closer to $1000 for a decent 2 stage or about half for a decent single stage. At least when I have priced them over the years.

 

[benjamming]

What about this BelAire Compressor Single Stage Portable?

 

[sierrascout]

For the price if that compressor one could get twice the unit. That is actually a 2hp compressor not 5hp as listed. It is a nice looking unit, overpriced but nice. Still it will be too small for what he wants to do.

 

[dave123]

bit overpriced for what you get would run impact,ratchet and other shop tools with short bursts of air. The cfm is way to low to run most spray guns like I said most will do the above listed it is when people always say and mabey some painting it won't perform.

 

[Steve S]

Get the biggest compressor you can afford. When it comes to compressors bigger is better. You want 2 of 3 X more psi and cfm than the tool is rated to use.

 

[benjamming]

The IR impact that the OP listed uses ~ 5 cfm but at full load uses 24 cfm @ 90 psi. You will not achieve their advertised torque rating w/o a much larger compressor. A 7.5 HP two-stage is where ~ 24 cfm @ 90 psi begins. That is what I bought - Champion Advantage Series with 80-gal tank ($50 more than a 60-gal tank).

 

[dave123]

People have to learn cfm vs psi and size of tank the above compressor will run the impact the psi and cfm will be enough for short bursts you won't pound a nut for one minute and empty the tank. What would scare me more is the 1/4 inch air end outlet 3/8 to 1/2 inch min. that is where most people mess up and neck down their air tools with 1/4 inch inlet fitting and run 1/4 inch hose and starve the tool.

 

[firemachine69]

My thirty-gallon 1.5 "HP" Coleman is inadequate for my HVLP paint gun, short of very light and mediocre work.

 

[kaboom10]

I have a husky 2 hp that puts out 5.5 scfm@90 psi. It runs all the air tools with no problem and has wheels on it for mobility. The 26 gallon vertical tank fits nice in my small garage.