I need to paint a quarter panel on my daily driver and instead of paying somebody to paint it I want to get a compressor... some time down the road I want to get the Corvette painted so it's well spent money...

Home Depot has this Husky 60 gallon compressor for $429. Will this be good enough for most paint guns/air tools ??

From their website (link didn't work):

A solid CAST IRON, twin cylinder compressor pump for extreme durability. Offers 135 PSI maximum pressure and air delivery 11.7/10.3 SCFM @ 40/90 PSI. It also has a space saving vertical design that is perfect for your home garage or work shop. The compressor also includes an efficient Solberg style intake filter, pre-plumbed globe valve, pressure switch, and tank pressure gauge.

• Up to 5,000 hours of extended life
• A CAST IRON oil-lubricated pump with traditional design that is quieter and longer lasting
• 60 Gallon vertical, space saving tank design
• Powerful, 7.0-peak horsepower motor provides significant air to multiple power tools
• Automotive style changeable air filter
• Protective belt guard
• High quality oversized gauges
• 1070 Pump RPM
• Three-year limited warranty
• Over 35 percent quieter and 60 degrees cooler than aluminum pumps with cast iron sleeves

 

That will be just fine.........more than fine unless you plan on using a DA sander or some tools like that.

I would add this though. I was thinking the exact same thing earlier this year, and I had a 25gal Sears for 20yrs.......and I do use paint guns, air tools galore...etc, finally said "its time".

I went with their 80Gal 2-Stage ........ put it in the basement and ran 3/4" pipe thru there with some outlets, then up into the garage with 2 filters for painting and such. WOW........what a machine.

Just wanted to say (YES) to your original question, but wanted to add the quality was very nice on the unit (they are made by CH anyway). But, if you think this may be something you'd use alot in the future, an 80Gal would be great.

 

Looks like a good choice for the money. Stay away from the oil-free pump styles, they are noisy and they run hot, which is not good for painting. The old twin cylinder style is good. This one has plenty of cfm for a D-A and small impacts.

I also have had my compressor in the basement for over 30 years, runs cool with less moisture build up. Keeps the garage quiet.

 

I have the Black Max version of that unit, had it for about 12 yrs and run all kinds of air gear on it and never a problem. For that price its a deal.

 

That will be a great compressor. Wish I had one. I'm still using the old 5HP single stage Craftsman. I never thought I would, but I have definately outgrown it.

 

Me two. I bought a Craftsman 5HP horizontal ten years ago. Never missed a beat, still works great. But that is my complaint, it never broke, and I want the new verticle style on wheels. Takes up less space,and is much easier to move around. But I can't justify spending that kind of money on a new one when the old one works perfectly. Honey, the old one is red, the new ones are black and gold and much, much, mo betta.

 

you will buy this once.....so make up your mind now if you want to buy/use a sand blast cabinet inthe future. if so that does not have scfm that you will require. i think that unit is just on the verge of being what you need as opposed to being perfect. mine is huge it produces 175 psi and something ridiculous like 17cfm at 125psi and my sandblaster wants everybit of it

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He is absolutely correct.
If you are planning to paint a complete car then that is minimal.
Compressors are a science all to themselves.

The marketing is misleading from stores like Home depot, Sears, Lowes etc.
7hp peak really means that the motor is probably 5hp or less.
1074 rpm is not low rpm. Better compressors run at 750rpm max.

A real 7.5hp 220v 2cyl 2stage v-pump puts out aprox 24cfm@175psi. and only runs at 600rpm. This translates into longer life and dryer air. Big difference. I paid over $600.00 for a refrigerant type dryer alone to extract water. Air tools require a lot of cfm, with, as bobs77vet said, blasting has the most demand. I wouldn't consider trying to use more than a small blast cabinet with a 7.5 hp.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking the home depot deal, I'm just annoyed with the misleading advertising. If you think it will suit your needs and budget, then be happy with it, just educate yourself first. Stop by any body shop and ask. You'll get good answers.

A good used industrial compressor may be an option. eBay has industrials for good prices both used and new. Also consider resale when you buy.

Good luck.

 

I just got the craftsman 5 galloner a few months ago for my birthday. Is this not a good compressor to paint with? I haven't opened it out of the box yet (been busy with school n work). Should I take it back and get a better one?

 

It might be to small. I have a Sanborn 25 gallon or so with like 10 cfm @ 90 or something and I can run whatever I need. Besides the air grinder that sucker needs 17 cfm @ 90 so I can only use it intermitently.

 

Did you mean 25 gallon? A 5 gallon unit will not keep up with the cfm requirements of a paint gun.

 

If you have the extra money, definitely get a 2 stage. Spraying paint and sanding will make a compressor run quite a bit. If you plan on using die grinders, you will definitely want a 2 stage.

 

Yeah its a little 5 gal. I when I got it I was just going to use it for household stuff. Wasnt planning on using it for painting, I wasnt even planning on buying my vette at the time. I just read the post and I thought I would give it a shot. Guess I'll be taking it back. Glad I got the reciept.

thanks

 

ok guys..... I am not planning on turning my garage into a professional paint shop or use sandblast cabinets 24/7....

Here's the deal:
somebody backed out of a parking spot into my DD... rear quarter panel is dented and his insurance wrote me a check for almost $900

I figure that a $400 compressor plus $100 hose kit and a $100 paint gun and $50 dryer plus $150 for the paint will get this taken care of.... I also want to paint the Corvette some time in the future.....

I have a welder to weld some studs on the panel and pull the dent out, Bondo and sandpaper is only $20

This Husky compressor is the best I could find with the convinience of a local store where I can just pay and get the thing home... no order, damaged parts/missing parts or such.....

It seems that it will get the job done - I may even sell it once the Corvette is painted.

I thought it's way more than I really need but from your replies it seems to be a perfect match
... well... better than paying somebody $800 for the repair

 

Once you own a compressor, and become dependent on it, you will always have a compressor. Wait till you use it for home improvement projects. A nail gun and a brad gun will make you handy and a Home Depot regular.

 

Should be fine, especially if you're using an HVLP gun. Run some serious air tools (heavy duty impact wrench, DA sander, sandblaster) and it'll wimp out.

I speak from experience, having a 5 hp Craftsman that's at LEAST 30 years old in the garage...I can use it for small parts in our blasting cabinet, but it's about 2 min. MAXIMUM at 90psi before the compressor kicks in and I lose serious pressure...

 

hvlp guns can require the most scfm of all? a regular gun would be no problem

 

I think you misunderstood. He doesn't have a 5HP compressor. It has a 5 GALLON tank. No way it would keep up with any paint gun.