What dores an air compressor allow you to do with tools that 115v doesn't? why s pend the $ for an air set up over just using electric tools?

What size compressor are you using, is it enough?

 

Although all tools like impact wrenches and grinders are available in both electric and air, the air tools are generally much smaller and lighter. I also use my compressor to paint and to run my blast cabinet. Once you have a blast cabinet you'll wonder how you could have ever lived without one, I use mine alot. My compressor is Quincy 17cfm at 175psi with an 80 gallon tank. It's rated 100% duty cycle.

I had a 5hp (um yea right I believe that spec) 10 gallon craftsman, it was not enough. I lived with it for 20 years but since upgrading to the Quincy I never run out of air no matter what I'm doing.

I should also note that I am a tool junky. I will always buy a tool vs renting and I'll usually buy the best I can afford.

 

air tools can be cheaper too.I bought a bunch for under 10 bucks from harbor freight like a air body saw,grinder,air file. But most of the tools are under 30 bucks.

 

Basically you can do just about anything electric or cordless just fine apart from blasting and painting except there is no GOOD electric alternative to a D/A sander or air file.

I have air impact tools that I use often, but frankly I dig my cordless 3/8" impact better than the air powered units.

I guess it comes down to doing sanding/bodywork without air would pretty much suck...... other than that you don't NEED much air.

 

What flow rate would be needed for painting without stop and go action waiting for the compressor?

 

when I was looking for air compressors I quickly learned there are two kind, the 110 volt and the 220 volt, there are pros and cons to each, the 110 is usually smaller 30 gallons max lets say and it may be on wheels, which means it is protable, use it in the garage, use it in the back yard, throw it in the back of your truck or SUV and use it at your friends house, the 110's usually have grossly exagerated Horse Power numbers given that a standard house circuit is 15 AMP which would yield you 2.2 HP, but I digress

the 220 is bigger and may be bolted down into place in your garage, it requires an additional 220 circuit to be run to your garage, if you have a washer and dryer in the garage those may use different plugs, as I found out, there are maybe half a dozen different 220 plugs according to the AMPS they serve up, even if the plugs match unplugging the appliance to plug in your compressor gets old fast, just ask the wife

all compressors rust on the inside, so when it comes to painting, you will need inline filters, those range from $20 dinkers to $150 wall units, something to keep in mind

some pro painters run two compressors linked up together to give them a steady paint stream

what flow rate you need will greatly depend on your gun and the material (ie paint) being applied, conditions play a factor too, are you painting in the winter below 60 F or in the summer above 90 lets say, is it humid, blah, blah, blah

I think if you want to do some media blasting you would need a 220 volt 60 gallon bad boy

hope this helps, if I was you I would buy a used (but brand new looking) 30 gallon 110 volt compressor on craigslist and then graduate to a bigger one later, you can find them just be patient and don't buy the first one you see, there are guys out there who use it once for a project, and keep it in the back of their garage

oh one more thing, there are two kinds of air tool attachments the kind that auto mechanics use and some other kind, so sometimes it's a pain to marry a hose to an air chisel type a thing, so pay attention when you buy things

 

http://www.eatoncompressor.com/page/page/504747.htm

Before you buy from a home center store check out this link. There IS a difference in compressors, spend wisely!

I run my whole shop on this compressor, every once in a blue moon (it has been months) I will need to start the "backup compressor" to keep the pressure over 100, but rarely....

http://www.eatoncompressor.com/catal...47/1710568.htm

This is a big *** compressor for the money, in the specs it weighs in at nearly 1,000 lbs and makes 26 cfm at 175 psi.., most will advertise their cfm at 90 psi. (it has gone up in price a bit since I bought mine, but I would buy another one at this price.)

There are smaller compressors in their lineup that I would buy way before I bought a home center compressor.

 

Very nice, but I'm looking for a hobbist only, single tool at a time machine.

What are some good suggestions?

 

http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_101...=1303737622542

This is the style of compressor I would be looking for if I were in your shoes...

1. Uses OIL in the crankcase.

2. Slow turning, much quieter, less annoying, and longer lasting than today's typical high speed units.

3. I remember having similar compressors that lasted for years....

It will be marginal for paint and body, you need a min of 5 hp to paint and sand WELL (without stopping), none the less I got by on one like this before I got spoiled..

 

That is the compressor I had (although I think I had a smaller tank), naturally mine was an older model but same head and motor just red paint. If you're going to paint, expect a lot of moisture unless you build an elaborate filtration system including many lengths of copper pipe to cool the air before you try and filter it. With my HVLP gun the tank would get hot enough that you almost couldn't touch it. Forget about using a small media blast cabinet. When everything gets that hot you start finding oil in the air as well. Don't get me wrong, its a nice "homeowner" piece but don't expect much from it.

But like JMD, I'm now spoiled and kick myself for not doing this sooner.

If you really want a compressor watch craigslist in your area, there are a lot of "commercial" units appearing all the time and if you take your time you can find one for the same price as a "homeowner" unit. I pulled this off of cl for only $200 more than the sears piece, there were some that were the same price as a sears unit but this one was brand new, never wired.