Looking to get a air compressor and air tools...need help.

[hawk45]

I am staring to do some general maintenance on my old Blazer and new truck. I wanted to get a compressor and some air tools to make the job a bit easier. This is for home use and will not be used more than a few times a month. I want something that will work a nibbler, cutter, impact wrench, sprayer...

I don't know much about them or what to look for... I want to keep price for compressor around $200 or less if possible but don't really want junk either.

Also, what should I stay away from?

Would this be good? http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00916644000&tab=spe#tab

Thanks,
Hawk (noob)

[JB]

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_SessionID=@@@@0746545153.1124820752@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccicaddfhhmefgdcegecegjdghldgfi.0&vertical=TOOL&pid=00916644000&bidsite=CRAFT

[Chrispycj8]

i wouldnt buy it.

i would recommend at LEAST 5HP, 30 gallons.

a while back, there was a big hoodoo about 'max horsepower' being listed as an unattainable number so most manufacturers will state on the compressor if the HP numbers are max, or average... you want ~5hp average.

if i were buying a craftsman, this would be it..

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00916734000&subcat=Air+Compressors+%26+Inflators

however, after owning a couple 'oilless' models, ive found that the 'oiled' ones are MUCH easier to live with, and are about half the noise level.. believe me, work with it in a garage a while adn you will wish you had a QUIET compressor.

ive also found that if you can find a model wiht at least 150psi, your better off than one with 115/130psi.. more air in less volume.

anyway, you can get some nice compressors between $299-$350... and its an investment that will help you for years to come.

[Chrispycj8]

just saw this on sale for $449..

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00918419000&tab=des#tab

a very nice unit.. probably more than what you need, but, when it comes to tools, you cant have a good enough compressor.

[Joe]

Would this be good? http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00916644000&tab=spe#tab

Thanks,
Hawk (noob)
That one will probably kick on alot making lots of noise :aniteef:
I run the Craftsman 5.5hp 25 gallon upright and mine kicks in too much IMO. But the price was right and it beats hand wrenchin' sometimes :cool:

Get one at least 5HP and 25 gallons as posted above :D

[Chrispycj8]

im gonna get shot for saying this, especially by the "professionals" online.. but, when it comes to air tools, check out www.harborfreight.com.. never buy anything from them unless its a 'sale item'....

i own a full set of snap on air tools (die grinder, 3/8" impact, 1/2" impact, 2 different 3/8" air wratchets, nibbler, etc..).. and i bought some "cheap" harbor freight chicago pneumatic tools to keep in my Jeep with on board air.. i find myself using the cheapies more often then the "pro" tools, they have lasted several years now, with nothing more than an oiling or 2, have been completely underwater, etc.. and work great. if i could do it all over again, i would have bought the Chicago pneumatic "junk" rather than spending what i did on snap on stuff...

also, Harbor freight sells 2 good impact socket sets CHEAP when they go on sale.. you can get a whole set for what craftsman or snapon sells a single socket for... they are not as good, but, i havent destroyed one yet... pretty tuff stuff.. HF does sell some complete crap tho.. so be aware what your buying. it helps if you have a local HF store to visit often..

[GMCjamie]

If you're not set on Craftsman, check out this one:

http://www.grizzly.com/products/item.cfm?itemnumber=H4519

It's small, but it's oiled, runs on 220v and produces high CFM numbers for something of its size. I run one with an impact wrench, ratchet, etc. without much trouble at all.

Oh ya, and it's SOOO much quieter than even the smallest oilless model.

[Joe]

When it comes to tools, buy them at harbor freight and consider them disposable.

They get the job done sometimes and are that cheap for a reason :cool:

I frequent the store less then 1 mile from my house.

[DSZ71]

anyway, you can get some nice compressors between $299-$350...
Can you list a few links to which compressors are reasonable size and quality in that price range you listed above mane? Thank you

[JB]

if i were buying a craftsman, this would be it..

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00916734000&subcat=Air+Compressors+%26+Inflators




Thats the one I have, 150psi :D

I didnt suggest that because it was out of his price range :read:

[hawk45]

This is great info guys. I have a Harbor Freight less than half a mile from my house. Never been in there though...

So far I should look for:
- oiled
- 5 hp min.

What about tank size? Are they all electic powered?

[BobMs89shorty]

Craftsman are nice. My wife got me the Home Depot Husky 25gallo upright with tools. I think it was 299.00 and came with an impact, 8 sockets, 3/8 air ratchet, grinder with 3 bits and a sprayer and air sprayer thingy.

[Bullwinkle]

When you're buying a compressor, you need to look at CFM (cubic feet per minute), not horsepower, and tank size.

Your air tools should have the minimum CFM rating listed in thier manuals.

Check out Northern, Grainger, Home Depot..... They all have good stuff.

[riche]

Being on my second Sears oil free compressor. I recomend trying to find the quietest one...
I you wish you hear yourself think!!!! Those suckers are loud!!!!

[sierrascout]

O.K. here we go. I sold compressors for over six years. oiless will not do what you want, although easy and cheap to rebuild, they just don't do it. You will need at least 5.7 cfm@90psi at the smallest. Sears compressors are made by Devillbiss in Jackson Tenn. Oil lubricated recover much faster and last longer(if you change the oil), mine has been going for 5 years and all I have done is change the oil and 1 belt. Campbell hausfield is another very good compressor as well as Puma, also labeled as cummings.
Those will be the cheapest.

[kmkalf]

i have a craftsman 33gallon compressor and when just taking off the wheels you have to let it fill up after the first tire or so... i got it for about $300 when it was on sale last year and it came with some basic air tools to get by... if you can wait a bit they ususally go on sale around the holiday time

[Chrispycj8]

When you're buying a compressor, you need to look at CFM (cubic feet per minute), not horsepower, and tank size.


oiless will not do what you want, although easy and cheap to rebuild, they just don't do it. You will need at least 5.7 cfm@90psi at the smallest.


the above statements are true... very much so.. but remember, the vast majority of folks buy a oil-less craftsman or similar home compressor, and use it for quite a while, complaining all the time about how loud it is, or how slow it is... but htey use it.

i had a very nice ingnersol rand 3 cylinder 120 gallon in my shop(20+cfm@90psi or some such).. ran 2 lifts and 4 bays off it. (240 volt 3 phase), and when it kicked on, it was silent (behind a closed door).. the lights dimmed, but, you couldnt hear the compressor. of course, at home, i had my 5hp/29 gallon craftsman. i complained every time i used it, and it was slower than molassas..and couldnt keep up wiht my impact wrench unless the tank was FULL, or my sandblaster.. but.. i must have used it 2-3 nights a week, for 7+ years. it simply worked. didnt work well, but worked.

if you have time to find the RIGHT compressor, search based on the information givin in the previous messages. do NOT be afraid of a USED compressor.. a good oiled one will last for 50 years, and motors are fairly cheap... as long as the compressor head is good.

but, if you just want to start working, the craftsman will run air tools and stuff, and youll be able to go to work.. youll HATE it within minutes of getting it home, but it WILL work... and be much better than hand wrenching.

[DSZ71]

Harbour Freight sell PUMA compressors, for cheap too...

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=34884

[BRZ71]

If you are not running a shop, a oilless one would do. Try to get the largest tank size and most cfm you can get. Also your tools will say how many psi and at what cfm rate the require. Just make sure it will power them at that psi and cfm rate. I have a 15 gallon 5 HP Porter Cable. Yes it does come on alot, and impacts run it down quick, but I am never constantly runnig the impact. Most of the time I do a tire, move the tire out of the way, and go to the next. It recovers by then.
Also the quality of the air tools make a difference too. I have 250 dollar impact gun that kicks a$$, it removes stuff faster and wastes less air than the cheapo one I keep in my truck toolbox. Most of the stuff I do I use the air ratchet, it seems to require less than the impact.

No matter what you get when you are done let all the air out, and drain the tank of condensation. When air is compressed the water falls out of it!!! It will rust out the bottom of the tank. Trust me, I have first hand experience with that one.

I have had mine for three years, I use it every day. We blow out computers with it all day long. It is loud, but we put it in a storage room. When I work on my truck I just stick it on the other side of the garage and I don't really hear it.