87notch408

I have this one: Craftsman 33 gal. Air Compressor, 1.6 hp, Horizontal Tank, 150 Max PSI, SCFM Delivery At 40 psi: 6.3 SCFM SCFM Delivery At 90 psi: 4.9 SCFM
It is not nearly enough to run paint equipment. I run a medium duty impact, an air ratchet, a grease gun, a die grinder and a 3 inch cutoff wheel. It is barely enough, or actually not quite enough for some of these tools but at the time it was what I could afford. With the cut off wheel and die grinder I have to wait for it to catch up some times.
If I need some real power, I just go to the shop.

dagamore

could you get away with a smaller compressor if you had say 2 or 3 air tanks, say 25-40 gallon tanks linked in series?

AdderMk2

The problem with compressors isnt the number of tanks you have, or how large they are. Its how fast the air pump itself will FILL the tanks, and whether or not the pump can fill the tanks faster then you are emptying them.

If you are going to buy a compressor for automotive work... do it right the first time

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...3+985+10401016

rmodel65

if hes gonna do any painting thats too is way to small adder

i have this at the house http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...401+985+524403

80 gallon 2 stage

AdderMk2

actually, it would be fine if he's not trying to paint an entire car in one shot!

$1000 for a compressor is absurd. If he's doing small jobs (paint) the 60 gallon will be fine.

mjr46

for professional quality work the 2 stage is the way to go but for home use I can't stomach a 1000 beans.....In my case I just make the 40 min ride to work