Air Compressors

[Munch]

I need something on the smaller side, not too incredibly noisy and cheap! I wont use it very often but I'd like it to work when I need it. I wont be painting with it, just for blowing things off, filling tires and an air ratchet or impact down the road. How many HP and what size tank is good?

What do you have and what do you recommend?

[DJ_Critterus]

I use similar to this and it works decent for painting small things, too.
http://toolmonger.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/01/post-pcac.jpg

Toolmonger » Blog Archive » Preview: Porter-Cable’s New Pancake Compressor w/Accessory Kit (http://toolmonger.com/2007/01/30/preview-porter-cables-new-pancake-compressor-waccessory-kit/)

[81.]

60 gallon minimum

I've been looking a little, but dont know what to get

[SnowDale]

I got a Craftsman one similar to the picture that DJ has above. I have used it so far to air up tires, blow up some air mattresses, knock some dirt off golf shoes, stuff like that. Here's a guide that Sears has to pick the best compressor for you. Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more (http://www.sears.com/shc/s/nb_10153_12605_NB_BuyingGuides+AirCompressor)

[mrvette]

5-6 horse, belt driven so you can exist in the same room with it, and 30 gallon crapassity is about minimum for air tools and much of any other use...the red small one pictured above maybe ok for framing nailers/etc...but no way good for air tools like impacts or worse yet...air ratchets.....

I used to have a 6? horse 80 gallon unit up north,...waste of effort/money.....

we not lifting 747 airplanes with this thing now, just working on cars....

not any compressor fitting any decent job/shop requirement needs to have a 30 amp 220 volt feed.....I just lazy and tapped off my electric clothes dryer box for using 10 ga wire to the comp......the box breaker is 30 amp, and never had a problem....

Lime most homes, the 'industrial end' is on one end....and the bedrooms on the other....makes wiring simple....

:)

[Rapid Roger]

Whatever you do....Don't get an oil less unit....The noise will drive you nuts and they don't last......I have a Sears 25 gal model I am very happy with...........:)

[mrvette]

Whatever you do....Don't get an oil less unit....The noise will drive you nuts and they don't last......I have a Sears 25 gal model I am very happy with...........:)

Roger, you RITE!!! them oilless thing will drive us outta THERE in a microsecond or less....

I greatly prefer belt driven iron cased piston .....

neighbor buddy across the street has a oilless thing....hear that thing from a 1/4 mile away......and I"m DEEF as a stone anymore...

[JRD77VET]

Here's what I have. It's 220VAC single phase and works pretty good.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v78/JRD77VET/DCP_1789.jpg

Guy I work with was liquidating, I got the compressor and the tools ( two shelving units too )below for $150

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v78/JRD77VET/DCP_1788.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v78/JRD77VET/DCP_1786.jpg

[ZipZap]

The difference between "just blowing things off" and "air ratchet" are pretty big. You can get a pancake compressor that works well for small jobs like tires and a bit of "blowing things off". If you really want to use air tools, then a small, inexpensive compressor is not a very good choice.

[DJ_Critterus]

Air ratchets don't work well with the compressor I posted, but I've never had problems with the impact guns.