School me on air compressors and air compressor tools

[Mr. Burns]

Come spring I'm going to be upgrading my garage a little bit.

I've looked around at local Home Depot's and Lowes etc, but i'm kind of stumped as to what I need in terms of air tools.

I want something that a weekend warrior/DIY'er can rely on, and that will be maintenance free.

what I to know tho, is what to look for in terms of specs.

I know I want a 10-20 gallon tank, but what else?
What about the 3/8's and 1/2 inch drive gun?

I want something strong enough to unseize big bolts, but something that won't break the bank.

Thanks!

[LJ851]

Get the biggest tank you can afford/fit in your space.

[TopOfTheLine89]

Anything that runs on 110 sucks, get a compressor that runs on 220. I have a 60 gallon crapsman 120 volts compressor and if your using tools it runs constantly and hardly keeps up.

[keine30]

it really depends on what tools you want to run. things like paint guns actually take very little pressure to run, with the most demanding tools being something that runs constantly, such as cut-off wheel or the like.

really, any compressor that runs off 220 will be good. look for middle of the run pressure. you really don't need a large tank for something like an impact gun or air ratchet, since the only situation in which you're likely to use the tool for a long period of time is when you're taking off/putting on your wheels. i've actually heard pretty good reviews about the top of the line harbor freight compressors, maybe look into those a bit.

and as far as the tools themselves go, honestly, buy the most expensive impact gun you can afford. with spending more money, you get things like reliability, low maintenance, high strength and torque, etc. matco and eaton make good tools, and snap on is always a great option if you can afford it.

1/2" drive is actually the way to go. you can get impact sets that go all the way down to about 8mm in 1/2", and you'll never lack the torque to get those rough bolts off. the only thing to worry about with a 1/2" drive gun is getting it in awkward places, but a good set of impact-rated swivels and extensions pretty much fix that trouble.

you'll love having air tools, and will never understand how you worked on your car without them, believe me.

[Aleman]

Yeah be careful about the power required. I bought a small Husky compressor off a guy on Craigslist. Come to find out my friggin garage can only support 15 amps, and the compressor requires 20A. Whenever I ran my compressor at full load plugged in at the workbench in the garage, the breaker switches kept tripping. I finally located a single 20A outlet in my house, and now I have to run a big fat $100 50-foot extension cord to my kitchen when I need to use the compressor. Also have to use a 50-foot air hose to reach the garage.

But, you know what? I have no other tool that can do what that thing does, and even though it's a PITA for me to be able to use it, it really comes though when I need it. I use the impact wrench for stuck lug bolts, subframe bolts, and brake caliper bolts mostly. It's nice to know that I have the option to do a little air gun painting whenever the mood strikes me.

Long story short, determine the electric supply requirements before you buy. Most manufacturers have the specs on their website, in the support section in the owners manual pdf. Take a look at your breaker panel, and you'll see the amp ratings for each circuit stamped on the breaker switches. My kitchen was the only one stamped with a '20' or higher.

[efficient]

My gf bought me a husky 20 gallon works good for auto use.
Came out to like 150

[henryki]

After using my friends air tools I've been wanting some for my own garage ever since. Thanks for all the info about air tools fellas, I appreciate it!

[Mr. Burns]

This is awesome info thanks a lot fellas

[Shangsta]

Also dont go with oiless. They dont do as well in the long run.

[avery0829]

I run Ingersoll Rand tools and love em.

[keine30]

ingersoll rand makes fantastic tools. they also make the first (only?) 90 degree impact gun, which is ridiculously handy, especially on a farm.

[jpw]

I would recommend at least a 5hp with a 60gal tank --- that will handle most air ratchets & impact guns but if your using air driven sanders, cut-off wheels, etc. it's marginal. You want an air compressor with a high enough CFM rating @90psi to operate your tools. The tools CFM requirements should be listed in on the tool.

[Mr. Burns]

So if I'm looking at a system with a max output of 125psi this should do the truck?
I don't have the room for a 60 gal tank.


The usage would be strictly mechanical. I don't to body work. At all.

Running 220 would be a pain as I'd need to run it from the basement to the garage, plus the adapter is quite costly no?

[Andy.B]

I use a craftsman 110 volt, 125 psi compressor, and like others said, it works fine with an impact gun and air ratchet's, but can't keep up with a cutoff tool or sander.

For an impact gun, IR is good. I personally like the titanium line (you can get them at sears). I used one professionally for several years and never had a problem with it.

I would recommend a 3/8ths impact wrench as well. You will constantly break hardware if you take a 1/2 inch impact to everything. 3/8ths are smaller, lighter, appropriately powerful for removing medium to light range hardware, and can be turned down low enough to avoid breaking things.

If your removing a 13mm bolt, and 3/8ths can't do it, you need
heat and penetrating catalyst. More power will just snap it off.

With any garage set up for car work, I would recommend a torch set as well (oxy-mapp is under $80).

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[TC Baur MD]

I put a used 60 gal, 220 volt Quincy compressor in my basement and ran air hoses up through the wall into my garage. One of the best investments I ever made. Mounting retractable hose reels on the walls works good to.

I use a Mac 1200 ft/lbs of Max breakaway torque, 1/2 inch impact wrench. I've yet to find a nut or bolt it couldn't take off. Matco and Snap-on also make some of the best impacts. Depends what you want to spend.

BelAire compressors has gotten some good ratings and is one of the best values. See link below.

http://www.belairecompressors.com/p_piston-1stage-electric.html