Air Tool Question

[Jsmall1]

I am considering buying an air compressor and impact wrench to use at home. I have never owned either before and am looking for advice/input from any of you guys who know more about them.



I am planning on using it to rotate my tires, inflate my tires, and basic light mechanical work. I am considering a 30-33 gallon craftsman compressor with a 6 hp motor. Will this compressor run air tools efficiently enough for my purpose, or should I get a bigger one? I would like to be able to stay with the 33 gallon as the cost just about doubles to go to the next size up, which is a 60 gallon stationary tank with a 7 hp motor.



Any input would be greatly appreciated.



Justin

 

[Philip]

The line of compressors your looking at are classed as throw aways. Look for something 2 stage.



Right now you are thinking of your needs right now. But as you get used to an air compressor you will get more items needing air. You will out grow a small single stage pretty fast.



I started with a Sears 5 hp single stage. I now use a 5 HP Ingersol Rand 2 stage. It is quiter and will last a lot longer than anything Sears sells.



When it comes to a compressor think large tank, 2 stage. It will out last you and most likely your kids.

 

[JoeBioDiesel]

Justin, There is definitely some truth to what Philip says but you should consider a few things. Yes, many of the small single stage compressors are not repairable, but many of them will ast a very long time with intermittent usage. What kills many compressors is extended run periods. If you just plan to run impact guns and air wrenches then a compressor that small is fine for home use. If you think you'd ever get an air sander, or a glass bead cabinet or other similar high CFM tools then you'd better make the investement of a large 2 stage compressor.

Also, the larger comressors require 220V, of which you are less likely to have handy and may need to have an outlet installed.

High quality can be quieter than the cheaper brands... not always, but mostly. Some of them will shake the whole house. If you do a lot of work at night, that might be a problem even if the air tool noise isn't.

Maybe you could watch the swap sheets and wait for a good deal on a good used 2 stage, if you're not in a hurry to buy. A good used one will certainly outlast a cheaper single stage.

Joe

 

[DieselTweaker]

I have a Campbell Hausfeld 30g upright with a cast head which is one of the better ones it can be rebuilt and it will run my air tools with no problems just have to listen to it run.



As far as air tools dont go cheap buy good ones, I highly recommend IR for Impacts, Mac for Air ratchets, I use the everyday being a mechanic I put them to the test my 3/8's gun dosent stop all day long and I use it like a 1/2 but i also oil and grease them every day too. .

 

[MLeppen]

Oiless compessors are LOUD can't stand to hear one running VERY annoying. A two stage oil compressor 60-80 gal. with a filter/regulator is the ticket. IR is a good choice as is Dayton. Any thing Craftsman is junk.

Here's what I did but certainly is overkill,installed 60 gal. upright IR in shed behind garage piped it into garage with 1/2" black pipe at entry in garage water/debris seperator then filter/regulator. Then the pipe continues around the perimeter walls and every 8 feet theres a "T" with a female coupler and a dump valve at the end to flush line. Air is always on and never hear it running. Now i need an exterior coupler at the front of the garage and maybe a reel/winder to make tire inflation a snap.

 

[Philip]

Most if not all of the Sears compressor line is made by Camble Hausfield. So look around and you can get a better price on that line from the discount houses. But you might not get parts for them. Sears you can get parts for anything they sell.



When I had my 5 HP single stage I had to keep a set of new reed valves and a head in the garage. About once a year it would break a valve. These reed valves are held in with a 4/40 screw. They do not come out after a year of use. They twist off. So it was keep $100 in parts on hand at all times.



The main thing is think about your needs and what you might want to do later after you get air. Mine was the same thoughts you have right now. All I need to run is impacts and air rachets. Then I got some body sanders and a blast cabinet. OOOPPPPSSSS compressor got too small fast.

 

[Hvy-DCZ]

Justin,



I agree with Philip, pretty much. Two stage is nice, but not in everyone's budget, not mine anyway. I got the smallest Ingersoll-Rand they make. It's a 3 hp, single stage 60 gallon upright. I love it! Max pressure is ~135 psi. It's rated at 100% continuous duty, and 5000 hours (it's rebuildable).



When I was in the market, I wrestled w/ the same questions you posed. Home Depot carried the unit I wanted, but was too much. I think it was $500. They had a price guarantee of beating any advertised price by 10%. I had a Northern Tool catalog that had it listed for $450. HD sold it to me for ~$404. What a deal. Even at $500, it's better than buying 2 or more half-a**ed compressors that don't hold up or meet your needs. There's something about buying a good quality tool. You never seem to regret it. I do go cheap once in a while. I have to admit, I bought Harbor Freight's knockoff of IR's Earthquake impact gun. It's not too bad for a counterfeit. Saved about $100.



Just my experience, and . 02.



Best wishes,

Hvy

 

[BarryG]

I just recently purchased one of the sears 6hp,30gal compressors with i think it is 6. 5cfm @90psi. I looked at the 220v models but the cost and the fact that I would have to run a 220 to the garage which was not going to be cheap or easy I ended up passing on those models. I also wanted portability. As Phillip noted it really depends on the intended use do look at the future. If it is going to be used a lot and with high cfm tools go bigger. That being said the one I purchased does what I need it to do. It provides enough air to remove my lugnuts with ease and everything else I have asked it to do. However it is not being used for extended periods or with real high cfm tools.



I have found out that the tools themselves can make a huge difference. I had an impact wrench that I assumed was fine. It would not take the lugnuts off the truck so I figured the compressor was not big enough. Well after posting a question on here a few months ago about it. I was told to look at a new wrench. I did and what a difference. After doing research and comparing specs I ended up getting an Ingersoll Rand 2135 (sears does carry that as an order item but I got mine from maxtool it was cheaper from them). That thing just plain rocks. My original wrench was just very ineffecient. It was one of those ones that come with a free bonus pack of tools included with the compressor (it was not from sears but they also offer a similar deal). The tools are junk and not worth the space they take up in the garage. I mean how can you give away a few hundred dollars worth of tools with a compressor that only cost a few hundred dollars and expect the tools to be good, they arent.

 

[Jsmall1]

Thanks for all the input, guys. I'm not sure if I can spring for more than a 30 gallon Sears unit (or similiar) right now and am also concerned about having to run 220 to my garage. I will keep looking around and consider what I want to use it for, and what I will want to use it for in the furure.



I really think that it will just be used for the occasional tire rotation and other light use when tinkering with my truck, but as Philip sugests, who knows down the road.



Thanks again for all the advice.



Justin

 

[mberry]

Jsmall1,



If you have an electric clothes dryer, you could run an extension cord to the compressor. My dad did that for his welder when I was a kid.