Replies

1. 
   jc21 | Sep 16, 2002 04:10am | #1

   http://www.thomaspumps.com/ultra/renegade.html .......... 4.1 cfm @ 100psi, quiet, $369.99 at Tool Crib/Amazon ...seen it for less locally

1. 
   chuckdua | Sep 16, 2002 07:16pm | #6

   Thanks for your reply, I appreciate it.

    

   Sam

2. 
   RW | Sep 16, 2002 04:51am | #2

   Check out the CFM requirements of the tools you want it to run and go from there. Oil tends to last longer and run quieter than oil-less, but you have more maintenance. Some prefer oil-less for finishing (less chance of unwanted particles in air supply). I have a tiny little thing made by Puma which surprises the heck out of me. I paid all of $140 for it, it runs finish and brad guns all day long, and I'm told that in a pinch (probably the operative phrase) it will do roofing guns. I dont know what your wrench requires but suspect that's the determining factor. There's a slough of pancake and 4gal sized double torpedoes out there that would run the first two at least and all are fairly affordable. The only other consideration I would at least think about is the recharge rate. Slower = quieter, if that's truly an important issue. The little Puma recharges fast enough I can lay base all day, but if you hooked a framing gun to it you'd get about 5 shots and wait. But it's a slow recharge and I'm on the third convert now who started snickering and then listened to it and (coupled with me walking around holding it with one hand) changed their mind. If you have a local specialty compressor shop and youre really really swell they might let you borrow one for a short job. Or rent, or leave a deposit, or ... test drives are a great thing. If all else fails, rent one from a rental center. You spend ten bucks for knowing what you're getting.

1. 
   AlanRoberson | Sep 16, 2002 04:57am | #3

   Air wrenches take a tremendous amount of air compared to a nail gun. I doubt if you could even go very portable.

1. 
   jet | Sep 16, 2002 07:08am | #4

   I've got a 5 hp oil with a 20 gallon tank on wheels. For nailers it is too big as it isn't very portable, But for my impact it is just big enough. I have a 350 ft/lbs torque 1/2" drive bugger for all my car work. If it don't come off with that, cut it off.

   The compressor is still not big enough for a die grinder. Those suckers eat air like nobody's  buisness. I can blow out the water lines at the local pool for the winter with it, Can run a spray paint gun, can also use a small sand blaster.(I have to let the compressor catch up once in a while though).

   As has been said before, Look at your requirements now and what you might do in the future and base your decision on that vs portabillity.

3. 
   RobP22 | Sep 16, 2002 07:09am | #5

   Any Thomas or RolAir would be the best portable. Although, Thomas compressors are usually a bit quieter and run better on standard household current. I use a Thomas 2820. It puts out a lot of air!

4. 
   JAlden | Sep 17, 2002 10:33pm | #7

   I bought a Quincy from Harbor Freight. Nice machine.