Would this be ok for basic car work? Mainly just a socket wrench.
Maybe light painting (touch up).
It does say automotive air tools.
$179

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...atalogId=10053

The Husky 20 gallon portable vertical air compressor is ideal for powering automotive air tools and nail guns in the garage or around your home. Featuring a powerful 1.8 HP motor, High Output Oil-Free / Maintenance Free pump and 20 gallons of usable air storage, for maximum performance from a wider range of tools. Easy to operate controls with oversized gauges for quick reference. Push-Connect fittings allow single handed operation.

* 20 Gallon 1.8 HP, 155 PSI, 4.3 SCFM @90 PSI
* Oil-Free Pump / Maintenance -Free Pump
* Wide body vertical portable design for easy storage and stability
* No special wiring required
* 155 PSI max pressure 4.3 SCFM at 90 PSI allows for quick compressor recovery time
* 13.5 Amp motor allows the compressor to be run with an extension cord
* Welded tubular steel handle provides additional protection to the compressor
* MFG Brand Name : Husky
* MFG Model # : H1820F
* MFG Part # : H1820F

 

I say yes. My similar compressor will do what you are describing. mds...

 

Probably rather noisy, but should work OK for occasional use.

 

I have heard bad things about oil free pumps. Might want to do some more research.

I would find at least a 2HP portable with a cast iron pump and 20 gal tank. I've had mine for over 30 years and just used it yesterday.

 

I wouldn't have one with the oil free pump. They are inefficient and loud, especially in a small garage. I know that it's extra money but I would spring for a unit that has an oil lubricated compressor, about $170 more money. Take a look at Campbell Hausfeld, possible at Northern Tool.

Ray

 

Agree with the above. The oil free are noisy. I have had my 25 gallon 2 HP for 25 years now. It runs all my air tools just fine. A die grinder will run it down but not enough to justify a bigger compressor.

 

The SCFM is the key spec to look at. The air tools you intend to use should tell you the number of SCFM they require. Basically, 4.3 SCFM @90 PSI tells you that the compressor is capable of running tools that consume 4.3 SCFM at 90 PSI continuously. Sanders, sandblasters etc typically consume a lot of SCFM. You can still use them but the air pressure will drop and you will have to wait until the compressor recharges the tank with air. Paint sprayers typically use less than 90 PSI so even though they run for longer periods of time when in use, they don't consume as much air. I have painted several cars with my 20 gallon tank and never had a problem. However, I just checked my compressor and it is rated at 6.3 SCFM @ 90 PSI and 4.8 SCFM @ 60 PSI.

The problem with air compressors is that once you start to use it, you will want more and more air tools. I consider my 20 gallon compressor rated 6.3 SCFM @90 PSI adequate, but somewhat marginal. I had it for about 30 years before I bought my new one. It did everything I needed it to do, but it sometimes took a lot longer to do the job because I had to wait for it to catch up. I would recommend a trip to a store that sells good air tools and check out the requirements of all the tools I thought I might want to use in the future and buy an air compressor that can run them.

I hope this helps.

 

Get one that uses oil the oil free won't last

 

My next door neighbor went through two air compressors just like the one you are looking at in the matter of about 6 years. He didn't use it that much, and he takes pretty good care of his stuff. They WERE loud as heck just like others suggested. He's not that close and I could hear it like it was in my own garage. I used to comment to my wife how loud it was. After his last one gave up the ghost, he broke down and spent a little extra for a regular piston and oil compressor that was larger. It runs slower, much quieter and should last a fair amount of time longer. He can do more with it.

In contrast, my brother spent $675 for a 60 gallon upright single-stage compressor that is somewhere in the 9-10 cfm @90psi range. He's had it for a good 12 years now and painted numerous cars and done sand-blast jobs. He's got a car dealership and it gets used almost daily. So, if you went through (2) compressors that you can't do a whole lot with for $400 in a 5-7 year span, you'd almost be money ahead by spending a couple hundred more and buying a larger and more rugged compressor that will let you do projects that a small little guy won't be able to do. Just some food for thought. If budget doesn't allow, that one you are looking at will do tires and other small items. Buying a used compressor is also a good option. For a couple hundred bucks you can get a lot of compressor. I bought mine used from a guy (I knew) about 20 years ago. It's big and works great. Can sand blast all day long if I need. Painted a lot of cars with that old girl. Never had a problem. You see decent compressors on Craigs list generally.

Good luck,

Mark G

 

I've had a Craftsman oil-free compressor for over 5 years. I used it to sandblast my frame so it was running continously for ~6 hours a day, 2 days a week for 5 months. I have to call B.S. on oil-free compressors lacking durability. It is noisy but I don't care if the neighbors are annoyed during daylight hours.



Rick B.

 

My Craftsman is a 5 hp and (I think) 20 gallon tank. Got it on sale for $199. Absolutely no problems with it. It'll run on 220 or 110.

I've also got the little 1 hp portable I use for all kinds of things.

 

Did it really take you 5 months to sandblast your frame?

 

Here is a website with some information on buying air compressors

 

DON'T make the same mistake I did and listen to what most are saying here.

oil-less is bad. Loud as can be. I can almost not stand to be in the garage when mine fires up, not to mention it's in a closet with the door shut(I didn't care about hurting it as long as it made it quieter.)

20g will definitely run most air tools. Hell i would wager a 5g would run an impact gun if you wanted a quick/cheap intermediate while you gather up the money for an oiled pump.

I bought a 15g Dewalt and it works well, Super loud and was no use to me 2 months after I bought it. I bought it because it had the highest CFM rating in a cheap compressor(5.4cfm@90)Didn't have my corvette till 2 months after i bought it and now it's just not enough.

I can go about 1min sand blasting, wait 5 while it pumps again. Horrible. Even using an air tool and having to hear it fire up every half hour is horrible.

If you want small. Go to Rural king and get the 20g Ingersoll oiled compressor. If you want big pick yourself up bigger....and I would suggest 60g or 80g with at least 14cfm if you can find it in your price range.

 

I've run this Sears oil-free 20 gal compressor for about 6 years now:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...&blockType=G15

(Only mine is upright)

With the above, I've primed and painted three cars and run an angle grinder (which is very continuous) with paint removal pads to remove the paint down to the metal from two of those cars.

And of course I use it for tires, an impact, ratchets, as well as a sander, etc, all of which most any compressor could handle.

This compressor has never missed a beat and it runs on 110v; not 220v, which makes it very portable around the house. It's used almost every Saturday and Sunday.

As far as noise, I haven't noticed it's being any louder than the old 30 gal. Craftsman oil and belt unit it replaced.

FWIW

 

This is an old thread. What brought it back? What compressor did you end up buying and do you like it?

Mark G