Lets talk air compressors...

[Adrian_Visser]

How many CFM does a small HVLP paint sprayer use? I have been milling around in my head whether or not I can realistically paint my engine bay before I do my swap. I have no air in the shop I will be using... Yet.

[StereoInstaller1]

The $400 job at Home Depot does great.

EDIT: this one:http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hardw...atalogId=10053




Make an extension cord from your stove or dryer for now, 240V is a necessity.

[evil_twin]

Hey with that Husky one, was there a 220v plug on the end of it? or did you have to wire one in?

[FredK]

^ You'll have to wire a plug in. It's not a huge deal to do so. If you plan on working on cars in this small garage for money, then definitely get the larger compressor. There are some costs associated with getting one of these larger compressors ready to go, however.

You will need:

• 220V wiring, which is pretty expensive when you get longer lengths.
• Filter / regulator, around $30 if you shop around (Ebay!)
• Some cast iron and brass fittings to plumb the tank from the outlet to the regulator, to an air drop.
• Feet / bolts to secure the compressor to the ground

My friend has the Craftsman Pro 25 gallon 175psi compressor. It comes ready to work out of the box with a 120V plug and regulator. The 175 psi working pressure makes the tank effectively "larger" between pump ups, since it pumps all the way to 175 and not 135 like smaller ones. It is also quiet, two-stage, and oil-lubed.

I updated my system with copper pipe and a dessicant dryer this past summer and it probably cost me an additional $120 or so to run a single drop.

[calz4m]

I have a Craftsman 33 gallon upright. 110V. Never had any problems running impacts, cutting wheel, air hammer/chisel, etc. Sure it cycles a little more than I would like under heavy use, but honestly...if you are just using this at home, how much impact gun time are you realistically putting in? I just took my E30 down to the shell and back up again over this winter and never once thought "I wish my compressor were larger". Just my $0.02 as I personally could find a lot better things to spend my hard earned car/garage dollars on than a big compressor.
All that being said if you go large and are spending the bucks...get a Quincy.

[StereoInstaller1]

Hey with that Husky one, was there a 220v plug on the end of it? or did you have to wire one in?

Yeah, you gotta wire your own in, but I just used the dryer plug, as they were cheapest and are overkill for the needs of this compressor.

I will say this: never ever buy an "oil free" compressor. Bigger is better than 2 stage, but a big 2 stage is the best.

If you have $1500 to spend, have at a Quincy or whatever, but all of them are made in China these days...Hell, Quincy is owned by the Chinese!

Those little 2 stage compressors are SO noisy, especially compared to that $400 Husky (sold under a dozen names, BTW.)

Looking in CL, I see people seem to think their 20 year old $300 compressor is worth $500 now...must be more E30 guys out there!

[evil_twin]

Yah, that $400 Husky one seems like it will do the job. It has a lot of good reviews and for what I am doing, I'm not going to be doing any kind of painting anytime soon.

[Gnarles]

I run this 25gal 150psi craftsman professional compressor. I've had it for a year and it handles my impact, ratchet, and rotary tools fine. I have 40 amp 110v in my garage and it runs fine off of that. The motor on it is also very quiet, I can easily hold a conversation standing next to it while it is running.

http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00919541000P?vName=Tools+%26+Equipment&cName=Equipment&sName=Compressors+%26+Air+Tools

[StereoInstaller1]

I run this 25gal 150psi craftsman professional compressor. I've had it for a year and it handles my impact, ratchet, and rotary tools fine. I have 40 amp 110v in my garage and it runs fine off of that. The motor on it is also very quiet, I can easily hold a conversation standing next to it while it is running.

http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_101...+%26+Air+Tools

half the CFM @ 90psi, smaller tank, and noisier...for more money?

No thanks.

[parkerbink]

half the CFM @ 90psi, smaller tank, and noisier...for more money?

No thanks.

& if you act now they'll throw in a stick in the eye!

[StereoInstaller1]

AAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAH!

[FredK]

Honestly, that Craftsman has plenty of SCFM at 90 psi to run an impact wrench, ratchet, and die grinder. It will not do well with air hogs like DA sanders, but it makes for a great homeowner-type unit. If you can get it on sale, that'd be best.

Remember. For $600, you could buy another E30, never mind an air compressor.

[Gnarles]

Didn't even notice the price, they sure have jacked it up in the last year. I got it for under $300.

[StereoInstaller1]

Yeah, likely was the consequence of the whole "BS HP rating class action lawsuit" that got swept under the rug...lawyers still get paid, y'know?

Read thusly: http://www.truetex.com/aircompressors.htm

[browntown]

srsly dont buy an oil-less

they are fucking loud and horrible

I've learned this lesson the hard way. 220v next time. Frankly I'd like my 115v 5hp crapsman 30 gallon to break so I have a better reason to upgrade.