Best specs for an air compressor for general home and air tool use?

[evident]

Looking to pick up an electric air compressor since i'll be doing suspension work on my wife's car so i'll be needing to use an impact, blowing out my sprinkler lines and some other jobs around the house.


What's the minimum specs I need to get to have a competent compressor ? I don't expect to have any projects that require large periods of uninterrupted use, like a die grinder, it would be mostly in short bursts i believe. I've been trying to figure this out by searching but its rather confusing

edit: pretty much convinced myself that the [FONT=&quot]30gal 1.6hp 5.5cfm at 90psi 6.5 @ 40 psi[/FONT] is what will suit my needs, and that I can get a small pancake one in the future but probably won't be necessary.

edit: got a 7 year old Kobalt 30 Gallon compressor off craigslist for $200.. should be more than enough for anything i'll ever need in the house!

.

 

[NoTine42]

Gallons of air and CFM @90psi would be your main ones.
You need a compressor that can supply enough air for the tool(s) you buy
I think a sprinkler blowout requires a min 20 gallon air tank. By the time you get up to a 20 gal compressor, CFM's are usually good.

And then you need to figure out if your garage has or will have 220v electrical service.

 

[evident]

Gallons of air and CFM @90psi would be your main ones.
You need a compressor that can supply enough air for the tool(s) you buy
I think a sprinkler blowout requires a min 20 gallon air tank. By the time you get up to a 20 gal compressor, CFM's are usually good.

And then you need to figure out if your garage has or will have 220v electrical service.

Will not have 220. just standard electrical outlets. I've been looking at the Makita MAC2400 which seems to get great overall reviews. i started looking in the $100 range now i'm up to $300. doh.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I bought a 20 gallon Pro Air compressor almost 20 years ago from Home Depot and I paid $150 for it. I loaned it to a friend who broke the plastic air filter off it and I replaced the drain valve but other than that it hasn't ever failed to perform any task I've thrown at it from operating nailers to impact wrenches.

 

[NoTine42]

Will not have 220. just standard electrical outlets. I've been looking at the Makita MAC2400 which seems to get great overall reviews. i started looking in the $100 range now i'm up to $300. doh.

I like that it has oil lubrication, but ratchets need a lot of continious air. (Unlike an air nailer that builds up a "charge" then can "fire") and I'm not sure 4.3CFM would do the job unless you have a tool in mind that uses less.

 

[Mandres]

I always suggest a belt driven, cast-iron pump. The cheap direct-drive compressors aren't designed to last, and aren't easy to rebuild. If you can, look for an older unit like this style on Craigslist. These are perfect for home/garage use. Should expect to pay around $150-$200 for a good one:

If you decide to buy new this style is a good option. Home Depot/Lowe's/Tractor Supply all have their own version and they're basically the same.

 

[runzwithsizorz]

Looking to pick up an electric air compressor since i'll be doing suspension work on my wife's car so i'll be needing to use an impact, blowing out my sprinkler lines and some other jobs around the house.


What's the minimum specs I need to get to have a competent compressor ? I don't expect to have any projects that require large periods of uninterrupted use, like a die grinder, it would be mostly in short bursts i believe. I've been trying to figure this out by searching but its rather confusing


edit: i guess blowing out sprinkler lines requires a pretty big air compressor, so maybe not that job then...

I use a 6 gallon 1.1/2 horse to blow out my, and several of my neighbors sprinkler lines with no trouble at all. Where you really need the larger tanks is when you use pneumatic tools, and paint sprayers. I can only operate my grinder for about 10 seconds, then I have to wait for the tank to refill

 

[waggy]

I have a 20gallon cheap ass one from walmart i purchased for around $120 8 years ago. It has done all the work i have done around the house. from building me a shed, deck and chicken coup. to all the car work i need.

 

[twinrider1]

Around the house? The MAC2400 weighs 77lbs. And it's not like putting a 77lb bag over your shoulder. It's one hand, plus you're holding it out a little to keep it off your legs as you walk. Portable, yes, but it's not something I'd want to be carrying around very much.
I've had a MAC700 (it's 52lbs, $199, 3.3 @ 90) for years and am very happy with Makita. It's oil lubricated and low rpm like the MAC2400, should outlast me. It will easily maintain tires and run nail guns. The tank size is what it is; if I'm filling up a flat truck tire (31x10.5x15) I'll have to let it refill the tank once or twice. But it does it quick and it's not too noisy. I have used it to run a 1/2" impact on a rusty Durango and it did fine there too.

How much will you really be doing in the house? Do you have a hobby that will need air regularly? If not, an inexpensive oil-less pancake compressor will do everything you need under normal home use. Keep that in the house for now and then look for a 30 gallon vertical for the garage.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Grab a 30 gallon compressor at Lowe's or northern tool. Make sure it takes oil not the lube free kind.

 

[RagingBITCH]

Grab a 30 gallon compressor at Lowe's or northern tool. Make sure it takes oil not the lube free kind.

Of course you'd recommend one that takes oil

For what he plans to use it for, a decent 6 gallon would serve him well...not sure he needs more than that. 20 gallon for how little he'll use it is just overkill...like buying an extended bed F350 when a mid-size truck would do.

 

[BoomerD]

Yep...all these recommendations for a belt-driven, cast-iron head compressor are great...for someone who uses their compressor a lot...but for occasional, light-duty use, a simple "pancake compressor" will do the job just fine.

I have this kit:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Porter-C...r-Crown-Stapler-Combo-Kit-PCFP12234/203471431

And, yes, it's a piece of shit...that does the job I need it to do. I used it to build my garage...powered 2 framing nailers at the same time, has been used to power an impact gun, (sure, it has to recharge from time to time, but so what? I'm not a tire shop) and a pneumatic multi-tool.

Is it "contractor/professional grade? FUCK NO...but it's good enough for what I need.

 

[evident]

leaning toward one of those kobalt/husky/whatever brand 30 gallon that has caster wheels and can plug into a 110V standard wall socket.
they look to be all manufactured by the same company, whoever it may be... specs for all them are exactly [FONT=&quot]30gal 1.6hp 5.3cfm at 90psi, [/FONT]takes oil and seems to be the "best" without goint to a 220.

I can leave it in my garage and have a long air hose, and cart it around if i really need to. the room we're painting happens to be right next to the garage so it will be really easy. Found one on craigslist for $160.

my main things i'll be using this for is- replacing stuck bolts/ auto work, filling tires, blowing out sprinkler lines, replacing board on my deck, painting a room near the garage. Will eventually get into minor woodworking.

 

[shortylickens]

I have a Husky. 3 gallon, 1/2 horsepower. Its decent but not powerful enough for continuous use. Also its too weak to inflate my car tires fully.

 

[Aikouka]

This is what I use, and it works fairly well for me.

I have a Husky. 3 gallon, 1/2 horsepower. Its decent but not powerful enough for continuous use. Also its too weak to inflate my car tires fully.

Shouldn't that be pretty easy for it? Car tires are usually between 30-35 PSI, and most compressors will do between 90-120 PSI.

 

[shortylickens]

This is what I use, and it works fairly well for me.



Shouldn't that be pretty easy for it? Car tires are usually between 30-35 PSI, and most compressors will do between 90-120 PSI.

thats not how it works. The air pump doesnt have much power so the 120 PSI coming out of that tiny flimsy nozzle gets killed by a big heavy tire.

Pressure doesnt transfer equally like mass, or even volume of a liquid or solid.

 

[waggy]

I have a Husky. 3 gallon, 1/2 horsepower. Its decent but not powerful enough for continuous use. Also its too weak to inflate my car tires fully.

wow. that much must be total shit.

I got a cheap ass electric one for Christmas 5 years ago. it was under $30 and it does my car tires just fine.

 

[NoTine42]

Basically, and compressor can run a nailing/framing gun. Better ones let a pro shoot rapid-fire, 60 nails/minute all day, while cheaper ones might only support 5-10 nails/minute.

An air ratchet is useless on a cheap compressor.

 

[shortylickens]

wow. that much must be total shit.

I got a cheap ass electric one for Christmas 5 years ago. it was under $30 and it does my car tires just fine.

Husky is not the good brand it used to be. Now I know better.

 

[Mandres]

leaning toward one of those kobalt/husky/whatever brand 30 gallon that has caster wheels and can plug into a 110V standard wall socket.
they look to be all manufactured by the same company, whoever it may be... specs for all them are exactly [FONT=&quot]30gal 1.6hp 5.3cfm at 90psi, [/FONT]takes oil and seems to be the "best" without goint to a 220.

I can leave it in my garage and have a long air hose, and cart it around if i really need to. the room we're painting happens to be right next to the garage so it will be really easy. Found one on craigslist for $160.

my main things i'll be using this for is- replacing stuck bolts/ auto work, filling tires, blowing out sprinkler lines, replacing board on my deck, painting a room near the garage. Will eventually get into minor woodworking.

Yea, that's the smallest I would go if buying new. Once you have air available you'll use it all the time. I have a 220v 60gallon and it's very nice being able to run a grinder, air chisel, cutter, etc. Every home owner will need those tools at some point and it gets expensive buying electric motors over and over.

 

[Raizinman]

You might look at Harbor Freight Air Compressors. For home usage they are pretty darn good and cheap in price. Might also check Craigslist.

 

[Humpy]

thats not how it works. The air pump doesnt have much power so the 120 PSI coming out of that tiny flimsy nozzle gets killed by a big heavy tire.

Pressure doesnt transfer equally like mass, or even volume of a liquid or solid.

What? That doesn't make sense.

It can fill the air tank to 120psi but it can't fill a tire to 120psi?

 

[NoTine42]

What? That doesn't make sense.

It can fill the air tank to 120psi but it can't fill a tire to 120psi?

It does not make sense. (Unless they were talking about a super wimpy 12v car one)
A small compressor may not be able to force setting a new tire bead as that requires a large tank and/or really high CFM, but it should eventually pressurize a sealed tire.

Farmers use plain air tanks like this to fill tires away from the compressor in the barn
http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/big-red-7-gallon-portable-air-tank?cm_vc=IOPDP2

 

[WoodButcher]

Grab a 30 gallon compressor at Lowe's or northern tool. Make sure it takes oil not the lube free kind.

Of course you'd recommend one that takes oil

For what he plans to use it for, a decent 6 gallon would serve him well...not sure he needs more than that. 20 gallon for how little he'll use it is just overkill...like buying an extended bed F350 when a mid-size truck would do.

The trashman is right. If you expect to run an air wrench to break bolts or a die grinder, maybe a DA, any body working tools, blowing out sprinkler lines you need to have a good supply of air on hand and particularly if you are running a small 110 v compressor. Oil free compressors won't hold up to continuous usage and the piston will often seize from heat. Keep in mind when running the high CFM tools you want 3/8" or larger hoses.

While I have had several compressors from shop to portable I don't bother with the shop grade anymore. I don't use many air tools in the garage other than an air chisel or needle scaler as I prefer the electrics. I don't need air to break bolts and a 4" elec grinder will cut faster and longer than any air tool I've ever used. I have an old 4 gallon Dewalt oil lubricated compressor kept in a corner of the garage for shop use that's to heavy for this old man to cart around.
On the job I seldom have need for more than one nail gun so I've taken to buying compressors by weight, lighter more portable is better for me.
My current go to-
http://www.lowes.com/pd_57655-30449-0200382_1z10d76__?productId=4686711&pl=1
Cheap, light, quiet and a 2year in house warranty. If I need more air capacity like for clearing sprinklers I'll connect more hose or put my portable tank on a tee.

 

[WackyDan]

I have this one:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-15-Gal-Portable-Electric-Air-Compressor-D55168/100497924

I've owned it for over 5 years now... maybe 7. I use it near weekly for pretty much everything... Inflating shit, blowing out the plumbing in the trailer for winter, inflating kiddie pools, running framing nailer, etc.

I have an HVLP spray gun that I have used with it. Lots of air and to be honest even the 15 gallon isn't enough to spray for long. Definitely pushed the duty cycle on it. But it is still running perfect. Will run pretty much anything I want with reason. Dewalt service center near the house if it needs repair.

I don't think you'll be happy with anything less capacity if you are thinking about using impact tools and a vertical setup like this takes the same space as a smaller twin tank or pancake as well runs 110v.

Decent impact tools cost some coin. Don't cheap out on the compressor.