We'll it is time to add another item to my work area. I would like to get a small air compressor for my work area. What are some of the different brand air compressors folks are using. What size should I be looking for? What else should I look at getting in conjunction with the compressor?
Small Air Compressor
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I use a craftsman air compressor twin tank it is 2.5 gal with on wheels with a handle .. It was $99.99 now they have a single tank same price.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/c_10153_12605_Tools_Air+Compressors+&+Air+Tools?sbf=Brand&sbv=Craftsman&sid=ISx20070515x00001d&psid=21x2589237&knshCrid=1747292976&k_clickID=16154034-3b48-e389-53af-0000378967fe
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/c_10153_12605_Tools_Air+Compressors+&+Air+Tools?sbf=Brand&sbv=Craftsman&sid=ISx20070515x00001d&psid=21x2589237&knshCrid=1747292976&k_clickID=16154034-3b48-e389-53af-0000378967fe
I have a 100 psi, 3 gal. oil-less pancake from Harbor Freight I picked up for $39 with coupon. Really compact and very portable. In addition to the blowgun attachment, make sure to get an inline air filter and/or dessicant. Otherwise you're blowing moist (on a humid day) dusty air into your bores. It's been working well for me; my only complaint is the compressor's really noisy when it kicks on.
In my profession I use an air compressor on a daily basis. What I can tell you is to look at the CFM. If you intend on using air tools much that is very important. I like a vein type of compressor. I know that sears had a nice vein compressor as far as affordability, but I have not heard much good about Harbor Freight stuff...but again I use air tools daily and an air compressor on a professional level...Quicktime should have something good to say about this???
Don't go Harbor Freight on compressors. They are QC rejects. I bought one that lasted one week. I took it back and had a hard time getting a replacement because I did't get their insurance, but I finally prevailed and added insurance on the second one. It lasted two months. Got a replacement and gave it to a friend and paid 200 at home depot for one with 175 psi. It is still working great after one year.
Chips,
Don't waste your cash at Harbor Freight
Blew up with in a month. I went with a Ridged twin tank wheelbarrow style, 110v. Chief is right on the CFM thing the small compressors will not recover quickly and can't keep up, they are constantly running and usually noisy. Spend the extra cash and you will have a good tool forever for any task. My 2 cents
Don't waste your cash at Harbor Freight
I got the Campbell hausfeld 2 gallon twin tank. It's very loud for such a small compressor. Bye the time I blow out 1 bore it clicks back on, very annoying. In retrospect I would have gotten 1 with a larger tank and not that brand.
I do all my prep work in a motel room so using a compressor is not an option. I use cans of air for dusting computers but at 10 dollars for two cans it gets a little expensive. Any thoughts on something different?
ZZ-get a 5 gallon tank and fill it at the gas station or with any compressor. Also i would get a high quality hose and fittings so your air doesnt leak out.
+1 you can buy the tire inflater tanks for pretty cheap. All you would have to do is change out the nozzle.
I only work on pwd cars at home so I bought a used pancake craftsman for $20. Loud but works for what I need.
down4derby said:
I only work on pwd cars at home so I bought a used pancake craftsman for $20. Loud but works for what I need.
Canned air for pwd workshops got prohibitively expen$ive, so decided to bite the bullet and bought a cheap compressor. Not knowing any better I got the HF one mentioned earlier which has lasted a couple workshops, personal pwd home use, and a few odd jobs and still going. Guess I just got lucky. My next purchase though will be a Porter Cable based on recommendations. Accessories from HF purchase transferable.
Ickabod --- Thanks for that sight..
I was going to pick up another Pasche this summer, but after your post I will look into this one.. I see this site also carries HOK paint.. I tried there Plastic Model paint a few years back it did not work like I had hoped it would and needless to say I have to try this one they show.... I can ignore my Sears model when it kicks on and off that is not a bother dragging the big hose and reducing it down to my air brush is the trick...
My motto-- I will work with what I have until I can go better .. Hmmmm ... Wonder what the wife says .. Here he goes again!!! LOL ... /images/boards/smilies/crazy.gif
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I was going to pick up another Pasche this summer, but after your post I will look into this one.. I see this site also carries HOK paint.. I tried there Plastic Model paint a few years back it did not work like I had hoped it would and needless to say I have to try this one they show.... I can ignore my Sears model when it kicks on and off that is not a bother dragging the big hose and reducing it down to my air brush is the trick...
My motto-- I will work with what I have until I can go better .. Hmmmm ... Wonder what the wife says .. Here he goes again!!! LOL ... /images/boards/smilies/crazy.gif
| Ickabod PBT Registered: 12/14/12 Posts: 3 |
[tr][td]For painting or delicate work I use a TC-20T compressor (.92 gallon tank)http://www.tcpglobal.com/airbrushdepot/compress.aspx#abd_tc20t For running tools or major air pressure, I have a 30 gallon craftsman compressor I picked up from a friend for $100. __________________ HF6 Racing |
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ZZ Racing - I understand your situation not wanting to tote around a compressor of large size... When I was in the Military in the Barracks I painted 1/10 scale RC car bodies in my room. I had a Pasche 500 air brush compressor very small and light weight and it was not as noisy as the big ones. I could play my stereo or tv and you could not here the compressor .. everyone could smell my paint... LOL .. I got the entire floor huffing my fumes on Fri/Sat nights... lol
This post that Ickabod shared about this sight might work for you For painting or delicate work I use a TC-20T compressor (.92 gallon tank)http://www.tcpglobal.com/airbrushdepot/compress.aspx#abd_tc20t
.. I know I never had a complaint from any one even when I walked outside my room with it running you could not hear it outside the closed door.... This one you would have to check with him to see just how loud it is...
V
This post that Ickabod shared about this sight might work for you For painting or delicate work I use a TC-20T compressor (.92 gallon tank)http://www.tcpglobal.com/airbrushdepot/compress.aspx#abd_tc20t
.. I know I never had a complaint from any one even when I walked outside my room with it running you could not hear it outside the closed door.... This one you would have to check with him to see just how loud it is...
V
Not sure what your budget is for an air compressor but some of these compressors can be had for less than $200 and they are super quiet.
http://www.youtube.com/user/californiaairtools/videos
http://www.youtube.com/user/californiaairtools/videos
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