air compressor question

[long tall eta]

so guys, would a portor cable 6lb compressor be adiquit for use by a shade tree guy such as myself? i have the opertunity to pick a new one up on the cheap but if it won't do the jobs, i'll pass.

[ELVA164]

6lb or 6hp? We have a small shop, and our old compressor (that just gave up after like 28 years of service) was 5hp and 60 gallons, and was more than enough for the impact wrench/cutting tools/whatever else we used.

[89AlpineM3]

just returned the 1.5hp 20 gal craftsman oilless for a 2.5 hp 30 gal oiled.the 1.5 wouldnt do anything

[craiggroves91]

It'll blow air

What do you mean by 6lb?

[MoreMayhem]

Good thread. After about 8 years of service my home-made compressor threw in the towel. Rather than build another, I think I will go buy one.

just returned the 1.5hp 20 gal craftsman oilless for a 2.5 hp 30 gal oiled.the 1.5 wouldnt do anything

Did you stay with Craftsman for the new one? Despite the negative things I've read lately about their stuff, I've mostly been happy with Craftsman & they were going to be my first choice.

[mrsleeve]

dont get an oil-less 110v they are utterly useless for much outside of airing up tires. If they wont supply the rated CFM at 110 PIS your Impact wants at 90 psi. Move on.

Really I have learned this one the hard way. Save you money or look for a good used one that is 240v and Oiled. At the very least Oiled. I have a 110v oil-less 30gal Cman I got it to replace my dads 35+ year old Oiled 240v Cman 30 gallon. I wish I had just rebuilt that old noisy fucker rather than selling it to a friend that re-ringed it and now wont sell it back.

[long tall eta]

here is the advertisment. let me know what u think.



So many uses around your house and garage. This air compressor works on power tools, bike tires, pool toys and much more. Starts easy in cold weather, and there's an extension cord for backup.

• Use for power air tools, tires and inflatables
• Oil-free pump design for reliability and no maintenance
• Low-amp 120v motor starts easily in cold weather or with extension cord
• 6-gal. pancake style tank with water drain valve
• 150 psi - higher pressure for longer air tool performance
• Large, comfortable carry handle
• Console cover protects gauges and controls
• Weight: 34 lbs.
• 16"W x 16"D x 18 1/2"H
• Model number C2002-WK
• So many uses around your house and garage. This air compressor works on power tools, bike tires, pool toys and much more. Starts easy in cold weather, and there's an extension cord for backup.
  • Use for power air tools, tires and inflatables
  • Oil-free pump design for reliability and no maintenance
  • Low-amp 120v motor starts easily in cold weather or with extension cord
  • 6-gal. pancake style tank with water drain valve
  • 150 psi - higher pressure for longer air tool performance
  • Large, comfortable carry handle
  • Console cover protects gauges and controls
  • Weight: 34 lbs.
  • 16"W x 16"D x 18 1/2"H
  • Model number C2002-WK

[ELVA164]

I'm gonna agree with the others and say the thing sounds pretty gutless, especially if you're going to be using air tools. You really need the extra flow and volume of a larger (preferably oiled) compressor.

[flyboyx]

pretty much any electric tool made by craftsman is shit. the chrome is fine, but stay away from the rest.

also, as mentioned above, generally, oil less compressors are shit. i own a couple that i use to run nail guns and such when i do renovation work. they certainly won't run auto body tools and they won't last anywhere near as long as an oiled unit.

[kts]

Googling the model number it lists that is produces 2.6 SCFM @ 90 psi which is very low for a lot of air tools.

That won't really power most impact wrenches well and for any length of time. And forget using a cut off wheel or other tool that will use a lot of air.

I'd recommend going bigger as many others have said. You'll probably want something with at least 4.5 SCFM @ 90 psi to really power an impact.

[long tall eta]

all great info guys. but i would basically be getting it for free and was wondering if it would be adiquit for the ocasional e30 jobs that require air. probably would only get used 2 or 3 times a year.

[nando]

it'll work for a nail gun but not for an impact.

[ELVA164]

I can tell you that we're currently using a small 120V compressor until we get another appropriate one, and we can operate all of our tools but only in like 10-second bursts with fairly long periods of waiting in between. So you could technically make it work. And since you're only using it a couple of times a year, I guess the inconvenience would be minimal.

[bddog]

20 gallon is minimum for light spraying.

[M-technik-3]

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/category_air-compressors

Home use for air tools or bead blasting booth Volume is key. I got a used 60 gallon from Craigslist from a closing shop. I am having my electrican put me in a 220V line so I can run it. It will be outside in a dog house box attached to my current structure so I don't need to listen to the sucker run while working in the garage.