Cheapest air compressor known to man

[Suareezay]

Im doing a PST front end rebuild kit this weekend (torsion bars and rear springs as well) and I need an air compressor. I was planning on doing it at a friends house but hes busy this weekend and works all other weekends.

What is the cheapest air compressor out there?

[mudpuppy]

probably the ones you plug into your ac addaptor...

[bigcfromcinci]

you'll need something more powerful than that.probably the ones you plug into your ac addaptor.

check out walmart..probably as cheap as you'll find.

[oldred95]

I've seen one that had a half gallon tank, i think, at Atwoods farm supply store and they wanted 50 bucks for it. You would be better off taking a deep breath then blowing into the impact or whatever air tool your gonna use if you get one that small. I'm sure you can get one of those annoying as hell electric pancake comressors that would do the job if you like waiting for it to rebuild pressure after every bolt you take out.

[TITANIUM]

probably the ones you plug into your ac addaptor...
THat is what I was thinking also.

[Butch 02 Denali]

Sears usually has sales on their small compressors.

[CKTA]

A cheap/small compressor won't even run a impact. Buy a decent one, or don't buy one at all.

[Suareezay]

what about electric impacts....are they any good?

[BC Rod and Custom]

what about electric impacts....are they any good?


An electric is far better than a cheap/small compressor and air powered impact.

[Suareezay]

something like this? i figure even if it breaks, as long as i get a few good uses out of it for $40 its worth it:dunno:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=632&item=4322193160&rd=1

[lowryder99]

why don't you just rent one?

[rjwms]

A cheap/small compressor won't even run a impact. Buy a decent one, or don't buy one at all.

He's 100% correct. Like with anything, you get what you pay for. Sams Club has a good one for about $250. I got mine about a year ago and I'm sorry I don't have the spects on it. Any case, I love it and it has NEVER given me any problems.

[CKTA]

something like this? i figure even if it breaks, as long as i get a few good uses out of it for $40 its worth it:dunno:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=632&item=4322193160&rd=1


JUNK! Good ones go for 200 to 300+ dollars. For that much you may as well buy a decent compressor on sale at Sears.

[rjwms]

Do a search for Compressors and you'll be amazed at what you find.

[TITANIUM]

JUNK! Good ones go for 200 to 300+ dollars. For that much you may as well buy a decent compressor on sale at Sears.

I agree 100%. You get what you pay for in electric tools. That impact will cause you more problems than what it is worth.

[jebx]

Im doing a PST front end rebuild kit this weekend (torsion bars and rear springs as well) and I need an air compressor. I was planning on doing it at a friends house but hes busy this weekend and works all other weekends.

What is the cheapest air compressor out there?

Walmart had a compressor for $150 w/ 1/2 impact, 3/8 air ratchet, hose, fittings, etc. It was a campbell hausfeld. Oil free, and loud. But cheap. My buddy bought one, and it seems OK. I like my belaire much better, but it works. It sure beats the hell out of using a ratchet. We used it working on his delorean.

[Suareezay]

alright, thanks for all the help guys. I saw a kit for a few hundred at lowes the other day with the compressor, 5 air tools, hoses, all sorts of stuff.

[oldred95]

Alot of pawn shops usually have a variety of air tools at decent prices. You might check there or I think renting something would be an even better idea if you are only gonna need for one little job.

[Suareezay]

where would i rent one from?

[oldred95]

Auto parts store maybe?? I know oreillys rents specialty type tools but I don't know about electric impacts or compressors.

[CKTA]

Doug's rule of thumb......if you're going to use a tool once that you don't have....buy it.....you'll need it again someday.

Tools are an investment in my book.

[yt500pmd]

you can do the entire front end with hand tools. just use LOOONG breaker bars. and be prepared to spend a FULL day working. I know, i did it with out power tools. now i have a good craftsman compressor and an assortment of good air tools.

[Ray from NJ]

Picked up a Porter Cable side by side compressor on an Amazon closeout for $135.
Great specs from a small unit, 135 psi and 6 cfm. That's a mimimum requirement IMO.

Got a 19 piece Campbell Hausfeld air tool kit from http://www.jackssmallengines.com/ch_air_toolkits.cfm for $66.
Impact is 250 ftlbs, ratchet is 50 ftlbs

Great combo for the DIY garage.

[454 suburban]

farm auction???

[jebx]

......if you're going to use a tool once that you don't have....buy it.....you'll need it again someday.

Tools are an investment in my book.

Amen.

[jebx]

Picked up a Porter Cable side by side compressor on an Amazon closeout for $135.
Great specs from a small unit, 135 psi and 6 cfm. That's a mimimum requirement IMO.


6CFM @ 90 PSI for $135?? I have my doubts a small unit pushing that much air. If that is true, you got a really good deal.

[Jokeman]

Doug's rule of thumb......if you're going to use a tool once that you don't have....buy it.....you'll need it again someday.

Tools are an investment in my book.

:word: If I need it I buy it. :aniteef:

[98K25004x4]

Just picked one up at Homedepot for $299. SKU # 559202
Even came with tools.
www.homedepot.com



HTH

[Cavalry]

If you want the ultimate in portable...

I have a york AC compressor I put on one of my trucks. It has more CFM than most peoples shop compressors. With a tank it can run a impact with ease. Total cost $115. sure you have to run a truck to get some air....but think of how cool you will be when you pull out your diegrinder in McDonalds parking lot :D

[oldred95]

A cast iron york is the only way to go if you want it to last a long time.

[Cavalry]

A cast iron york is the only way to go if you want it to last a long time.


what would go bad in a aluminum one vs the really old cast ones? Other than a seal failing and loosing oll I have never heard of a york internal failure. They used them for decades as AC compressors.

[oldred95]

They also use them on tractors and other farm machinery and they never last. The cast iron yorks seem to be built better and last longer then the aluminum ones. An aluminum york would probably last forever and a day as an air compressor but out in the real world they aren't really worth a crap as an A/C compressor.

[n00b]

I just bought a nice 2hp(6max) sears compressor for about $350 on sale. It's got a 30 gallon tank, and runs my new impact wrench which I got on sale for $120. Bad boy puts of 625ft lbs of breaking torque. not bad for $120.