What size air compressor to buy?

[93ChevyTBI]

I'm trying to start outfitting my shop and firstly need an air tank for using an impact wrench and also to keep air in my mowers' tires. I just left Lowe's and I can get a 60 gal Kobalt for $500. Do I need one that big? Those smaller 20 gallons would probably serve my purpose just for taking off lugs and changing mower blades but how do they hold up to extended use like a die grinder or whatever else I may use in the future? I want one that's maintenance-free, where I don't have to add oil.

What do you say guys?

[Stratosman]

Well, continous air tools like sanders, grinders, and drills require better compressors. Depends on how much of that you'll be doing. You don't want it to be running constantly trying to keep up, and that's what happens when you have air continuously moving and only a 20 gallon tank with a small compressor. I just have a small one (for stuff like you said, mechanic tools, not body tools), but that's because all the heavy duty stuff on the car we do at Dad's with his big 80 gal one (sandblasting), and even that can't keep up for more than 15 minutes at a time.
Also, from my experience, the smaller they are, the louder they are.

[rmodel65]

2 stage 80 gallon you can run anything and even paint a car

[nick613]

If you have 240 volt available and space isnt an issue I'd go with atleast a 60 gallon. I have a 30 gallon in my garage but I didn't want to wire up 240 volt and even the 30 gallon tank takes up too much space. Gets the job done for everything I need it for though.

[93ChevyTBI]

If you have 240 volt available and space isnt an issue I'd go with atleast a 60 gallon. I have a 30 gallon in my garage but I didn't want to wire up 240 volt and even the 30 gallon tank takes up too much space. Gets the job done for everything I need it for though.

When my shop was wired, I had 3 places set up for 220 (stove, welder/air tank, walk in cooler) and it's 40x60 so space is not an issue. I'm mainly considering cost.

[sierrascout]

Buy the most cfm you can afford.

[xch3no2]

Buy the most cfm you can afford.

Amen to that, it's all about cfm. Check your tool requirements, consider no less than 90, get 120+ if you can afford to.

[8u115hi7]

as long as you arent running impacts for an extended time or angle grinders, 30 gallon + should do the trick
also, make sure the compressor has an oiled pump

[LloydToo]

ABSOLUTELY do not get a "maintenance free" or "oiless" compressor! They are very loud, do not last as long, heat up more (I believe) and are best used where the compressor can't sit on a level spot such as construction.

Look at the CFM ratings for the tools you think you'll use and howq long and often you'll use them. Waiting for a tank to fill up suck BUT if you only have to do it once-in-a-while you can save money by not wiring for 220V.

[Jmac72]

Amen to that, it's all about cfm. Check your tool requirements, consider no less than 90, get 120+ if you can afford to.

I have one of these.Bought about 8yrs ago.Works great.Quiet,and never lacks air,no matter what I do.It runs die grinders or cutters,as long as you like.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200350475_200350475
A good compressor should last for many yrs.May dad has Quincy compressor that is 30+ yrs old and still working.

[HD4Mud]

I've been running a 33 gal. 6hp Craftsmen for almost 10 years. It's oilless and I just rebuilt it for the second time last year. The upside is that it's 110v and rebuild kits are $50. I beat the hell out of it (run it almost continuously for hours on projects bigger than it was built for) and it worked great except for wiping out the cylinder twice. On the downside it is much louder than the Saylor-Beale unit I just came across and it likely used more electricity. The Saylor-Beale needs a rebuild and that kit is $160 and will take a lot longer than the hour it takes to rebuild the Craftsman. However, it puts out 17-23cfm at 175psi which is more than one guy can use IMO. Hindsight considered, I would recommed a two stage oil unit as long as you have the power and space for it. When it comes to cost, you need to consider accessories as well, like hoses, dryers, oilers, and auto-drain valve. You will not want to have a nice, high end compressor and crap accessories as it defeats the purpose.

[geterdone1ton]

I run a 21 gallon in my garage and now that ive been using it for a whilr I wish I would have went bigger. Its great for my impact, ratchet and hammer but things like continuously drilling or long cuts with my cut off tools I sometimes find my self stopping completely to let the compressor build up. I would go at least 30 gal with a big motor like stated above. Just my personal experience though

[kyviabama]

Have an IR 60 gallon in the garage. It has been perfect for our needs, and we use it regularly. We only ran out of air once, on a big paint job. Also, have a 33 gallon husky, it didn't have enough air for us. However, it's cheaper and good for smaller jobs. Parts are easy to find, and we've had ours for more than 5 years, it's been beat!

[kencoc]

I have a 20 gallon, but it cannot run an impact or grinder. Just not enough air for. Even if your garage is big, I would build a little shed outside to put it in. Then you will not have to listen to it.