shop air compressor
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
From: Boston Massachusetts
shop air compressor
Hi,
I don't have a huge garage, but would like to purchase an air compressor. What's the smallest HP that will run an impact wrench?
Any recommendations on brand?
Thanks,
Tom
I don't have a huge garage, but would like to purchase an air compressor. What's the smallest HP that will run an impact wrench?
Any recommendations on brand?
Thanks,
Tom
Racer
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 319
Likes: 3
From: santa clara ca
A impact gun would not be a big deal compared to a sander or grinder where the compressor cant keep up with the volume. The more horsepower the better but its all about volume. The bigger the tank the better. I have a craftsman 25 gal works great with impact tools but sanders or a die grinder is not the best.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: Hanover Pennsylvania
Not to hijack this thread, but I am also shopping for a compressor. I am interested in painting, bodywork sandblating and a beadblast cabinet. What is a reasonable size for a home hobbyist user? The sandblasting requires a lot of air.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 51
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From: Wayne NJ
My first compressor was 2hp 20gal oil pump type. Not the best for painting. The new one is a 6hp 33 gal oil free. Much better for painting. Eliminates oil vapor so all you need to worry about is moisture. IMHO oil free is the way to go. It works fine with pneumatic tools and HVLP spray guns.
Last edited by CORVETTEKARL; Feb 8, 2008 at 12:52 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
Do a search on this topic, there was a good thread within the last month. The simple answer is buy the biggest one you can afford so you can use it for everything later. Impact wrench does not use the volume of air that sandblasting does, but a 1/2" impact does use a good bit of air. I like Ingersoll Rand for both compressors and air tools. You can get the compressors at Home Depot and the tools at Northern Tool. I would not get an oilless comprerssor, and you get what you pay for in air tools. That being said, I have had a $7 Big Lots die grinder for 15 years now and it sounds like it has rocks inside, but it still works fine if you keep it oiled. It is an air hog though.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Redondo Beach, California
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
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From: Morrisonville Illinios
If you plan to do alot of work painting and body work you need to get at least a 5hp twin cylinder 2 stage compressor 220volt with at least a 80 gal tank it will give lots of CFM and pressure but be sure to use the same size lines comming out of the unit along with a good size regulator and water trap. Ours will keep up with our big blaster and it has forced air ducted fan cooling across the unit. I ordered it from MENARDS years ago and has not given us any trouble. If it wasn't so cold I would go out to see who it was made by, yea it is left out in an unheated garge all the time.
WRO87
WRO87
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Steve
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Tuttle OK
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
I think it's mostly about the CFM. 3.5 H, 60 gallon, 13.5CFM, $450 + tax at Harbor freight.
Maybe not a big name, but when you look closely, it uses most of the same components as one. Had it two years now. It'll run any air tool all day - even painted a trailer with it.
Maybe not a big name, but when you look closely, it uses most of the same components as one. Had it two years now. It'll run any air tool all day - even painted a trailer with it.
Drifting
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