Air Compressor/Tools

[Wes Davis]

Thinking of a Christmas gift for my Stepdad. What is the size compressor I need for your average driveway mechanic? Maybe used to change an alternator, do a brake job and inflate a tire once a year. One big enough to power the average impact wrench. I am thinking of a pancake style but it looks like most are geared towards roofers and nail guns. Are these the same as mechanic compressors? How many gallons of air and psi do I need for the occasional driveway guy? I am looking at the el cheapos from Harbor Freight. I think they should be good enough since this thing might get used twice a year.

 

[Jeff C]

It's not the size of the tank but rather how many CFM the compressor can supply vs. how much air the tool uses. Advance Auto has a nice 4 gallon 2hp compressor for around $80 that will be enough for a driveway mechanic. They also carry an air tool set for $90 that has an impact wrench, air ratchet, die grinder, cut off wheel, hoses, and accessories. It's not something that a mechanic would use, but that's b/c they use them for hours a day every day, but for simple garage projects, they're great. I find myself using my tools once per week, and not always on my truck. I was putting in a new light in the kitchen yesterday, and the holes in the brackets were just a bit smaller than the bolts already there, so I fired up the compressor, got out the die grinder, and made the holes in the bracket a little bigger and it was good to go.

 

[CobraXP]

Easier to know what price range you are looking at.





And just so you know... Most parts on the HF compressors (General) are the same on Craftsman and most other labels. My 60 gallon from HF is the same one you buy from Sears for $100 more...

 

[A1cntrler]

Harbor freight will be good enough for the backyard mechanic. Check thier flyer on the way into the store, as once in a while there is a coupon for 10 or 15% off in there. You can even pick up a decent impact/air ratchet/angle grinder in there. I have a Kobalt Impact/ratchet set that I paid 50 bucks for, and came with a storage case, air tool oil and some impact sockets. I don't know how I went so long without Air Tools....

 

[EddieS'04]

I have the harbor freight 20 gallon upright. It does all I need for my impact and other air tools. If I run something like a die grinder continous, I have to let it recover. It does quickly. They ask $169 but they are always on sale for $129 to $149. Make sure they give you the 120volt. I had to exchange, they sent me out the door with the 220volt.

 

[Rich Stern]

For inflating tires, driving light nailers, dusting with an air nozzle, driving small impact wrenches and other light duty chores, Campbell Hausfeld makes a handy, wall mountable 2 gallon unit, and Sears has several nice 2 to 5 gallon units.



If more serious tools (particularly long running tools like chisels, drills, grinders, etc., go with a wheel-mounted unit with at least 15 gallons of capacity.