mshaf23783

This issue may have been discussed before. I'm looking for suggestions on air compressor size and whether oil lubed or oilless. Any and all comments are appreciated. Thanks in advance.

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challagan

Well that really depends on what you want to do with it. Oil less simply won't last as long and are noisier than all get out. Small compressors like the hot dog and pancake compressors are usually oil less and made for tiny short bursts of air like required for the operation of air nailers and the like. Anything you want to use to that will required long blasts of air you need at least 15 gallons and up. I have a little pancake compressor and I can't even blow off my bench without emptying the tank. So.. if you want to run lots of tools and sustained bursts of air don't get one of the small oil less compressors. Avoid oil less period if you can and your budget allows it.... it will last longer. Hope this helps.

Corey

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Drugstore Cowboy

Ditto what Corey said -
I bought a little Firestorm kit a while back because I had always been curious about them and the price was right.
It came with a 16 gauge nailer -- and in all fairness -- it is GREAT for that use.
I love it for tacking on cabinet backs and zapping brads into trim.
But a friend gave me an air powered 'Dremel'-like tool and I got MAYBE 30 seconds of use at a time.
I'm not sorry I bought it because it meets my simple needs well.
But when it dies . . . . . .
Moral of the story -
You dont need a Hummer to run to the 7-11
But don't buy a MiniCooper if you need to haul cargo.

bobj3

Hi mshaf23783

Get the best one you can find and aford ,if you have many air tools like I do you will need it , the one I have is below and sometimes it's to small...


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Bj

Joe Lyddon

mshaf23783,

I got the Harbor Frt. one... the one with 2 tanks, 1 on top of the other... got it on sale for around $90... Has been working good for me... so far... I don't use a whole lot.

Their hose & accessories are reasonable too.

harrysin

It really does depend on what use you want to put it to. For most uses the oil type are just fine, the size will depend on it's proposed use, for tyre inflation, dusting and touch-up paint spraying a small 24lt. one like mine is fine. Notice the water drain and drier with pressure adjustment that I have fitted, this is necessary for paint spraying. This one is about seven years old and cost $AUS199.00 which was VERY cheap at that time, they can now be bought for as low as $AUS99.00. Have fun like I do.

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Harry

Mike

If you visit a store there is usually a chart showing the various air tools and how much delivery they require to work correctly. If you are only going to power brad, staple or nail guns, any small compressor will do the job. Most other tools require a higher volumn of air for operation. Impact guns and air sanders use the most and require the compressor to be larger. I own an older Craftsman model with a 5 HP motor and a 25 gallon tank. This powers my tools pretty well. I still run out of air if I am doing a good deal of sanding with a DA.(Dual Action sander) Your best bet is to get the largest tank you have room for. There is no substitute for capacity.

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Mike

bobj3

Hi mshaf23783

Get the best one you can find and can aford

NOTE***** I don't recommend getting one from HF.HD,any of the big box stores , take your time and find a compressor shop in your town that sells and also can do the service the compressor.
Many get in trade in's and you can find some great deals in a service shop
The one in the picture below is about 12 years old and I just put new head gaskets on it last year because it would not put out 90lbs. psi. wide open.

I got it at the right price 225.oo and it was used but in good shape...from a compressor shop...

It's true I have one from HF that cost 60.oo bucks but it's a toy, I can pull it around the yard if I need some air for a tool...or to fill a tire
But it's Not a shop compressor if you want to use one all the time and for a long time for many years.. get a good one
All air tools will tell you what they need to run ( on the box they came in)

Do your home work then put the dollar on the counter and say I will take it.


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Bj

challagan

Mine is a Porter Cable Pancake compressor at Home Depot that came with a 16 gauge Finish Nailer, 18 Brad Nailer and a Free PC 1 inch Stapler. Good deal for 279.00 as the guns cost nearly that much. But like I said, for anything needing much volume she empties in a heart beat when I blow off tools etc. But works beautifully as a nail gun air supply and that kind of work for which it was designed. I expect the guns will long out work the compressor. But I take care of it and empty it after use etc. What ever you get don't leave it aired up unless you have a moisture trap on it. That moisture is a killer of compressors, cheap, expensive or otherwise!

Corey

__________________
My Carving Website: The Iowa Woodcarver
http://iowacarver.tripod.com/

My Shop Website - Woodshop 51503
http://woodshop51503.tripod.com/

kp91

Make sure you check out your available power sources, I have a 'portable' air compressor that the manufacturer says is able to run on any 115v circuit, but the thing draws 15 amps. So, it's pretty much only portable near the 20a circuits in my garage. It's also got a 26 gallon tank, so that limits the whole 'portablility' feature as well. However, it NEVER runs out of air....

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Doug
1 John 1:9