I want to start using pnuematic tools and am interested in buying an air compressor. I do small projects from time to time (basements, decks, etc.), and want to know what size compressor I should get. Should it be oil or oil-free? How much HP, etc.?
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hi RKTEX. This is the first post I do on this here forum. I just registerd so I don't have the slidest idea how bad this new upgrade to this forum is...Anyway I want to tell you that, I started building this new home about 2 1/2 years ago using a craftman 25gal. aircompressor. I tell you I have had it for 2 years now and have gotten no complaints from it. I did all the decking, roofing, overhand (eve), modifications to walls, painting, installed doors and windows, moldings, Airblown dust, Cut tile with small grinder, cut rebar and chipped concrete to expose pluming. I know I forgot some things I've done with it but you get the idea. You don't need a monster of an aircompressor to achieve the same results. I spent $118.00 on it and it was well invested. A small compressor will do...
Edited 3/22/02 12:56:40 AM ET by hoofhearted
From a personal standpoint, I will never again buy an oilless compressor. The ones that I have purchased and seen purchased by others have not been worth the money, and worse yet..the hassles caused by a junker going south on you in the middle of a job, cost way more than the extra couple of bucks you would have spent in the first place. My advice...buy one from a reputable manufacture that has not re-packaged someone elses equipment. DON'T, DON'T, DON'T, go to Home Depot, they won't back up the warranty as well as you think.
Yes you allway get what you pay for, but The craftmans little 25gal. I bought at sears was the first compressor I have ever owned and to this day it has helped me to built This house. It has very well payed itself over with the amount of no hassle and reliabilty. I guess I have no bitc%% when it comes to simple craftmans tools...118.00 dollars or so very well spent. Look at what it has helped me with..
http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/gasper1111/lst?&.dir=/The+House+I%27m+building..&.src=ph&.begin=9999&.view=t&.order=&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/gasper1111/lst%3f%26.dir=/The%2bHouse%2bI%2527m%2bbuilding..%26.src=ph%26.view=t
I bought a crafstman 4 hp pancake compressor about 6 houses ago- - best darn compressor i ever had.
I personally use an Emglo 4 gal. air compressor. Does everything I need it to do and runs any air nailer/stapler I hook up to it. Now Dewalt has bought them out it may be worth looking into.It's also easy to get in and out of my truck. Good luck. Ken
FHB has run articles on AC's with cfm, noise, convenience all rated. If you work slow, anything will work. But if you are are nailing off plywood or roofing shingles, you need enough cfm to keep up with your tool. (A rule of thumb: you get 3 cfm out of every horsepower).
I'd stay away from overhyped models. The most power you can get from a 120-volt outlet is 120 volts x 20 amps = 2400 watts. 2400 watts = 3.2 horsepower. Yes there are "5-hp" units for sale that plug into 120 volts. That is BS, like Sears reporting "maximum developed horsepower" on shops and such. If a horsepower doesn't pull at least 6 amps from the wall, it is not a real horsepower.
Emglo makes a number of contractor-grade machines. There's better stuff as well - shop-grade than can run continiously. But it sounds like you're doing DIY work so any oiled, 1 to 1.5 hp compressor with a 15 to 25 gallon tank would cover most everything but still be reasonable to move around.
If you want sturdy stuff, look at what the rental yards use. Their stuff gets more use than a homeowner's ever will and needs to keep going, be serviceable, etc.
David Thomas Overlooking Cook Inlet in Kenai, Alaska
Edited 3/21/2002 6:07:46 PM ET by David Thomas
Yep, what the other Thomas said. You'll probably be fine with a portable oil, or oiless compressor. Oil, or oilless, it doesn't matter much. Thomas makes great oiless compressors, Emglo (DeWalt) and Rol-Air make great oil lubricated ones. I have a Dewalt/Emglow.
David-
Thank you very much for the input. You have made my decision making very easy.
and your decision is?
Based on everyone's input, I decided to go with the Craftsman 3 hp, 15 gallon oilless unit. Haven't put it to the test yet, as I am waiting for my Porter Cable framing nailer to be delivered.
For what it's worth... I'm a "weekend warrior" renovator/remodeler and recently had the same questions as you. I have a Campbell Hausfeld Extreme Duty 25gal. portable that seems to suit most of my needs. I guess the big question is, what kind of nailers are you going to use? I have the Porter Cable FR350 framing nailer and believe me - you want a compressor that can keep up. A small pancake type is certainly convenient and works fine with trim/finish nailers but will get worked to death w/ a large framer like mine. So, I've decided to use the CH on the big jobs and get a Porter Cable "side-stack" for the small jobs. One other thing - if you go w/ a larger unit like the CH, get one that has a belt driven pump vs. direct drive. I've heard from pro's that the direct drive wears out the pump prematurely.
Good luck!
I just ordered the FR350 myself. I'm waiting for it to come in. I am a "weekend warrior" too. I take on small projects from time to time, and figured pneumatics would save me some time.
Thanks for the input!
Ditto Mongo's comments re Thomas compressors. Been shopping around and i think i'll go the with the Thomas Renegade. Local dealer, good air output and amazingly quiet plus it should run fine on a 15 amp circuit.
First, define your use of the compressor. What tools will you be using? A nailgun? Pneumatic attachments? Spray painting?
Each tool has a certain CFM and PSI requirement. Each compressor has a certain rated output...so many CFM at a certain PSI.
Connect the dots, add a little buffer, and you're on your way.
Thomas makes great compressors. Oilless, which is good for part-time users. Zero maintenance. No "accidents." Thomas just overhauled their line, they now have a "Renegade" line. Good output, good value. If you're looking for a very basic compressor that can handle simple needs, look at Thomas' pancake compressor. VERY quiet.
If you are in a cold climate, an oiless compressor will start easier when it is cold. Don't believe what some say about all oiless being junk. There are good and bad in both types.
Others have made valid points re: cfm required. I have a small CH pancake style. Works well, but starts to lag behind in air production when nailing a whole sheet of sheathing down (what is that, about 48 nails at 1 every 1 or 2 seconds?)
I am building a shop now and am trying to figure out how I will mount this little guy in the shop when I am done. My biggest complaint is poor design on the condensate drain. No wings on it, just knurling-but it is so well painted the knuring is useless. I have given over to using pliers to loosen it. I am hoping I will be able to attach a small ball valve in its place.
Good luck in your search.
Edited 3/22/2002 6:13:03 AM ET by Jim