Hey Guys,

I am looking to get an air compressor for working on the two corvettes, C3 and C7. I am in the process of picking a lift too, 2 post vs 4, but want to get a head start on the air compressor. What is the right size needed to allow use with an impact wrench? I have several cars and tractor so doing everything by hand is getting tiresome.

Also, I don't really get the oilless vs not, so if this plays a big factor in a choice, please let me know.

Has anyone bought a compressor form harbor freight and regretted it?

Thanks.
​​​​​​NOTE: I forgot to mention, I would also like to do some sand blasting and painting parts as I restore my 1980.

 

Hey buddy I bought this one 15 years ago and its worked flawless. However it doesnt work very well with sanders. You need more power for that.

 

Yes. (Harbor Freight) Compressor ineffective

 

Hey Max, there is no link. Thanks for the thought though! lol

 

Sounds like there is a story there. Care to elaborate?

 

I attached a pic. Not sure why you cant see it. Its a Campell Hausfeld. 26 Gal. 6.5Cfm@40 psi and 5.1@90. 5hp.

 

Unless you have a dedicated need for air tools, I would recommend you look into cordless
lithium-ion powered impacts. This is what the guys use at the tire shop I go to. They only
use compressed air for the tire mounting machines and tire inflation.
You can find tool tests all over YouTube. Example :


I wouldn't recommend an oil-less air compressor as they are typically weak and noisy.
I would get a twin cylinder oiled compressor with a 20 to 30 gallon tank if you really want air.

 

couple of hints. A bigger tank helps with large draw items like impacts, ratchets, etc. If you are putting it a ways away from where you will have you normal use, I recommend a shutoff ball valve right outside of tank, that way a small leak in the system won't bleed down you tank and require long pump up to get back to usable pressure (larger tanks take longer to pump up). I have 3/4" hard piping running down side of garage with hose reals to pull out to reach stuff. Most hose reals leak, so the shut off help (just a 90 degree ball valve) Also most hose reals are 3/8" hose so they limit air flow, so a larger 25' is better than a smaller 50'. There may be a lot of opinions on this, but your impact will suffer from 3/8" hose. If garage has much temperature change install a drain valve out of bottom to get rid of condisation (may come with one) If not a use every day thing, be sure compressor has well built factory electrical on / off switch so it does not cycle when you are not home. Hope helps
Also remember compressors are noisey so bigger the CFM output the quicker they shut off

 

I forgot to mention, I would also like to do some sand blasting and painting parts as I restore my 1980. Does those work with a 30 gallon?

 

I've used a Sears 1hp for nearly 40 years. Unfortunately, no mo no can do. But, look around. I've not been in the market for a long time, but it's NOT a "tool" you want to buy cheaply, or you'll get exactly what you pay for. Check Northern Tools, perhaps...

Get something that will do a minimum 100psi at the highest rate available you can find. Check tank-size, getting the largest you can fit into your allotted space. You don't want the thing running all the time. Also, I prefer 220-volt since I specifically wired my shop for such when I built it. Runs far better than 110 (yeah, I know, I ran my compressor for a week on 110 before I had time to convert it) Btw, some come set-up for either voltage, as mine did, requiring a rather simple conversion of power-cords and not much else, as I recall now.

Get a good one and you'll spend the rest of your life wondering how you ever managed without it.

 

Not a chance.

Sand blasting, and painting require high volumes of air, a 30 gal tank will result in the compressor running all the time and you will kill the compressor. They are also MUCH louder

Your question about oil less compressors is a good one. Compressors that are oil less run hotter, and are more prone to heat induced failure. I killed a 25 gal Craftsman oil less compressor using an air DA sander. The thing just wasn't big enough with not enough SCFM to keep up. As a result, you have to wait while it comes back to pressure, and the compressor was running all the time, and it was LOUD... Then it broke a rod

I then bought a 80 gal IR oil cooled and lubricated two stage 25+ SCFM 220V 175psi, real compressor. I've had it for 15 years. No issues at all and it doesn't even notice tools. HVLP air sprayer, DA sanders, impacts, sand blasting..(easily the most air hog of tools. I've got a blast cabinet and it wats air. I'm not talking about a big one either... It's about 4x3x2? Made by Clarke, (From Tractor Supply) By far the most air usage.

Be realistic with what you are going to use it for. It's not exactly a cheap investment. Oil cooled/lubed, is quieter, and will last longer with proper maintenance. (I only change the oil about every 5 years based on my usage) Buy the biggest, most CFM, quality, unit you can afford. It will last a very long time. Vertical is better than horizontal for most things.

Buy a good outlet moisture separator, and filter, and pressure regulator. Yep you really need all three (I have my regulator set to about 100 psi installed on the downstream side of the isolation ball valve. (tank at 175 psi, outlet about 100)). You can increase or decrease with the regulator, not the compressor. Yes, ALL systems will leak a bit. With the ball valve there is zero leakage.

Figure out a way to drain the compressor tank cleanly. I installed a 1/4" ball valve and plumbed a copper line through the wall to discharge condensate outside. You'd be surprised how much moisture collects in the tank. (especially if you have high humidity) I also have drain valve on every vertical drop of piping. The last thing you want is a slug of water going to your tools or your paint gun, or sandblaster.

Consider plumbing your garage with Garage Pac or some other air system. Absolutely do not use cooper or cheap steel.

Keep your hose runs as short as possible, use big hose. Buy good air tools.

Again be realistic with what you are going to do. But for probably way less than $2000 you can outfit your garage to do almost anything (occasionally) If you are a body shop, you're gonna need a bigger boat...lol

 

I have a Sears Craftsman 5 HP 150 psi compressor and when I was doing painting hooked up a 80 gal tank next to it. The setup worked very well for a long time. I still have it.

I haven't used the compressor for years except to pump up tires and change valve springs.

A few years ago I purchased Milwaukee 18 volt tools and the air tools are sitting in the tool box. They are not the cheap ones , they are Ingersoll Rand.
The air lines are too much trouble to drag across the shop floor. It's more convent to just pop on a battery and go to work. No more dragging lines over the fenders and tripping over air lines.

With the new Milwaukee impacts that have torque settings and 1400 '/# of torque air tools are not needed.

Even sanders are starting to appear with batteries. Milwaukee announced a DA and a long board is coming soon.

If you are going to sandblast, you need a 220 volt oil compressor. It is more about the volume you need, not the pressure.

 

I've got a Craftsman 1HP, 12gal, 125psi compressor that works well w/my impact gun and for all of the other air powered tools that I own.

Bought it cheap on sale when OSH was going out of business and my local store was liquidating their inventory. One of the best (most useful) pieces of garage equipment that I've ever purchased.

 

For the kind of use your describing you need 220v 5 hp with at least 60 gallon tank and 80 gallon better. Stay away from ChiCom crap. Check out Northern Supply they have many and their tech guys are helpful.

 

American made 2 stage cast iron and never look back.
It'll take care of your present AND future needs.

 

Currently using a Campbell Hausfield 220V single stage with 60 gal tank. Works well & was under $400 15 plus years ago. While I would like a 2 stage compressor, I'll probably wait until this one dies. Previously had a Craftsman 110V or 220V(ran it on 220V) with 12 gal tank for 30 to 35 years until tank developed rust hole. Was excuse to give it to a friend & get the CH with 60 gal tank. Your call - 60 gallon tank reduces the amount the compressor runs.

 

I have a 5 HP 150 psi 30 gallon Kobalt compressor that I purchased from Lowes. I also have two Crafstman 19V impact wrenches with Lithium batteries. Between the 1000 inch pound 1/4 inch drive impact fitted with a 3/8 inch drive adapter and the 330 ft lb 1/2 inch drive impact I have pretty much stopped using my compressor. Every once in a while I run into a nut or bolt that requires use of my Ingersoll Rand half inch drive air impact and I use the compressor to vacuum bleed the cooling system on the Vette and to winterize the irrigation system.

It is just so much easier using battery powered tools that aren't dragging hoses behind them and causing tripping hazards in the garage.

Whatever you don't go oil less. I had a Craftsman Oil Less before I purchased the Kobalt. That sucker made a hell of a lot of noise any time it was running. I was sort of glad to see it fail after 12 years of listening to it. The compressor itself didn't fail the electrical control unit failed and it wasn't worth fixing.

Bill

 

Lots of good suggestions. Thank you. Do you guys know the benefits of a 2 stage vs single?

 

Probably more than you wanted to know. Quincy makes a quality product.
https://www.quincycompressor.com/pri...ession-cycles/

 

Max PSI isnt all that important. If you plan on sanding, you need to look at SCFM at what level is required for the tool.