Air Compressors

David Fermani

David Fermani

Forza Auto Salon
I'm looking for an air compressor for my garage. I don't want a huge, heavy unit and I would like it to be somewhat mobile(with wheels). I'm only planning on using it for blowing out interiors and inflating tires. What's the minimum size tank I should consider?
 
You should be able to find you a "pancake" in some brand..P-C, Bostick, Campbell on sale at different times. Home Depot, Lowes, Northern Tool.

Small enough to one-hand, normally a 5.5 gallon tank.

Tank is round like pancake..motor sits on top.
 
The pancake is a really good compressor. There are ups and downs to it. Its very small and has a HUGE motor on top to give it power for nail guns etc. The main problem, you don't have much tank room and they cose $300. I bought my dad the coolest air compressor at sears for Christmas. It's a 12 gallon tank, 125 peak psi, and stands vertically. It takes up no room in the garage, has plenty of tank and power especially for the uses you will have. PLUS, it was $179! Can't beat that! Give it a looksy! My 2 cents!



Jeremy
 
ya know dave ill be honest with you, this may sound really lame but here it goes . .



we have had a craftsman compressor for almost 8 years now, and it still fires up strong and maintains pressure (no leakes whatsoever) its a 5hp 30 gallon with wheels. a shite big to make portable.....



i think they may make a good compressor for the price, plus you can add a protection warranty, which will extend your coverage in the event of a product failure for i think up to 4 years . . .



there are many other brands , some might just be better . . . just my .02
 
What are the minimum continuous CFM/psi needed to consider compressor usable for blowing out the water, dirt and leaves out of the crevices?
 
for mobile, I would look in the direction of a air nailer compressor. they are made to be used all day everyday professional to put roofs on, try Lowes, Home Depot or contractor supply houses for a high quality one. a craftsman compressor is just a DYI occasional use compressor. I have a 30 gallon craftsman and wish I bought better, not that I have had problems with it mechanically, its just not enough power/capacity to what I am used to in an automotive repair shop
 
Thanks guys - I think I'll look into the ones on wheels. I think it will be perfect for what I'm looking for. Danase & fdizzle - Does yours operate smoothly when used for detailing? does it hold enough air to blow out an interior/use for 5 minutes? Will it catch up with itself?
 
Oil air compresses will not start up in freezing temperatures w/o being heated.... My dad owns a construction company and he just bought an oil less compressor
 
A 3hp/15 gal will be plenty big for what you are talking about, that is the size I have. It is a Craftsman from 4 years ago for like $180 at the time.
 
David Fermani said:
Thanks guys - I think I'll look into the ones on wheels. I think it will be perfect for what I'm looking for. Danase & fdizzle - Does yours operate smoothly when used for detailing? does it hold enough air to blow out an interior/use for 5 minutes? Will it catch up with itself?
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Yeah, mine runs fine for blowing out interiors. I actually run the Tornator Cleaning Tool with mine with no troubles. It kicks on when the air gets low and it seems to do a really good job at keeping up. I wanted an oil compressor because they are much quiter. Like it was said though, they are a little hard to start in freezing/colder temps...but I don't think you have to worry about that now. ;)



Also, I should add that this compressor is fairly light. I wanted to be able to take it anywhere I may need it without the help of another person to load it into the truck.
 
David Fermani said:
........does it hold enough air to blow out an interior/use for 5 minutes? Will it catch up with itself?
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I have a Craftsman 5.5 hp/25 gallon vertical compressor that I bought several years ago that works fine for what I use it for as a DYIer; blowing stuff off, inflating tires, shooting paint (HVLP gun), air tools, the new Tornador Cleaning Tool, etc.. You could blow out an interior easily with it, and while it might kick back on before your 5 minutes are up, it catches up fairly quickly.



Like the compressor fdizzle has this is also on wheels, but I wouldn't consider it portable enough to take around to mobile jobs. They came out with the 30 gallon model right after I bought mine or that is what I would have picked up. If I do a lot of work with it like using a die grinder for extended periods I'll sometimes have to wait for it to catch up. I think the vertical models takes up a bit less space than a similar sized horizontal version.



Like Danase mentions these aren't as quiet as an oil compressor, in fact they are pretty loud. Not enough that it really bothers me, but you sure don't have a problem knowing when it kicks on!
 
I have one similiar to the one on top. Have owned it for a few years at least, and it has been a wonderful peice of equipment which has paid for itself over and over again. Mine is a little larger then the one pic'd, and also has wheels.....

I got it during a sale at a local Kragen Auto, when there was a typo in the add. Regularly $229.00, I got it for $99.00.....
 
MattPersman said:
for mobile, I would look in the direction of a air nailer compressor. they are made to be used all day everyday professional to put roofs on, try Lowes, Home Depot or contractor supply houses for a high quality one. a craftsman compressor is just a DYI occasional use compressor. I have a 30 gallon craftsman and wish I bought better, not that I have had problems with it mechanically, its just not enough power/capacity to what I am used to in an automotive repair shop
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I'm gonna have to kindly disagree, I have had a 3 horse, 25 gallon Craftsman for almost 10 years and it works very nicely! I think Craftsman is far and away NOT the best, but for value, service, and a GOOD compressor, I would go with it in the future. On a different note, a larger tank helps with noise! If you have more air stored up it won't run as much and I think I speak with everyone here that an air compressor is not the most beautiful noise in the world! haha!
 
fdizzle said:
ya know dave ill be honest with you, this may sound really lame but here it goes . .



we have had a craftsman compressor for almost 8 years now, and it still fires up strong and maintains pressure (no leakes whatsoever) its a 5hp 30 gallon with wheels. a shite big to make portable.....



i think they may make a good compressor for the price, plus you can add a protection warranty, which will extend your coverage in the event of a product failure for i think up to 4 years . . .



there are many other brands , some might just be better . . . just my .02
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I also have a Craftsman compressor. Actually, I have two. A Very large one for paint and a smaller one for carrying around. Pumping up tires. Spraying things off. I must say, neither one of them have given me a single problem. The small one is perfect for what you are describing.
 
@ Home Depot I picked up a 29 gallon, 5 hp Husky for $200. I have used it all year with no problems. I think they now make one that stands up for the same price. It also has a built in regulator.
 
David Fermani said:
Thanks guys - I think I'll look into the ones on wheels. I think it will be perfect for what I'm looking for. Danase & fdizzle - Does yours operate smoothly when used for detailing? does it hold enough air to blow out an interior/use for 5 minutes? Will it catch up with itself?
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absolutly . . . in fact, it actually takes a minute or two to cycle even when using the compressor at full psi bursts and contonious flow for blowing water out of crack and crevices, engine or vehicle drying and dusting . . . .



i have never had mine have air flow problems. however, just remember ( i use air tools every day where i work, and sometimes our 200 gallon 10hp 220v compresor has a tough time keeping up with me) the longer you use it the longer the motor will stay running.



the only complaint i have about my craftsman is that it extreamly loud. i would also suggest getting one that is oil free . . . also install a small h2o inline filter and pressure regulator so that when using it on interiors or even paint . . you dont get any moisture in the lines . . . beleive me . . . draining the tank every time is optimum, but sometimes i forget, and water will still get in your lines here and there . . . filters are worth it, especially since their cheap (at least at sears . .)



godo luck!!
 
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Is this a little overkill? It's about $350. I would look really nice in my garage but it's seems a little too much. I can't justify spending $250 more just for looks? Plus it matches my rotary!!
 
David Fermani said:
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Is this a little overkill? It's about $350. I would look really nice in my garage but it's seems a little too much. I can't justify spending $250 more just for looks? Plus it matches my rotary!!
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For that money you could get more even more of a compressor I would think. And if you ever want to take that one someone it might be a little too big but if you just plan on rolling it around the garage it will be fine.
 
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