Air Compressors and Tools

[The Mazz]

OK, I have been doing research on this for a year now. I have my eye on a 26 gallon air compressor at Lowes. It is 155 psi and 6.0/4.0 cfm @ 40/90 psi. It comes with a tool kit including a nailer, impact wrench, tire gauge, spray gun, rotary tool, air hammer and 25' hose. It also is an oil free motor.



I plan on doing some auto work like tire changing, some dremmil, and light sanding work as well as using the nailer for wood trim and crown molding. I would also use the paint sprayer for a picket fence. None of these tasks would be full time but would certainly help in the Honey Do list area.



Question is??? - Is this the right machine?? I like the idea of the tank and tools in a kit but can I get away with a smaller tank and buying tools separately??? I recently saw other kits at Wal-Mart but the tank is not oil free.



Any help from people who have used this Kobalt tank I am looking at, or any other brands, style etc etc, Please respond. Thanks all.:wacko:

 

[user 64117]

I would think it depends on the price. Sounds a little excessive, but you may get your moneys worth out of it if you do what you plan with it.

 

[Travis Munday]

Depends on the price, really. And how much you'll use it.



Don't forget you'll need a water/air separator, particularly if you want to spray paint. It's just good for the tools as well. Those aren't expensive, but add it to your list. Some good air tool oil is a must as well.



If you want to do painting, be sure the motor has a high duty-cycle.



I've got a 60 gallon 220V Craftsman unit, oil free motor as well I believe. I've heard some people complain about oil-free motors, saying they are unrebuildable, so when it goes out, you have to replace the whole unit. Then I've heard other saying oil-free is the oil way to go...so who knows.

 

[The Mazz]

The cost of the maching/kit I like is $300.00, sometimes on sale for $269.99,. I also have a gift card for $100.00 for Lowes which is why I am leaning toward them.

 

[mookie]

Look for a higher cfm (cubic feet per minute) rather than high psi (pounds per square inch).



A 1/2" impact wrench may use 5 cfm @ 90 psi.

A 3/8" drive rachet may use 6 cfm.

A spray gun may use 6 cfm.



What happens if you don't have the air volume the tool will slow down or lose power.



I would say look at a model other than that one.

 

[A1cntrler]

You have a Harbour Freight nearby?? Check there. They carry some pretty good inexpensive compressors, along with budget airtools that are plenty good for the backyard mechanic for occasional use...

 

[EddieS'04]

what A1 said...

 

[Bill Cooksley]

If it is a oilless typ DONT get it there not worth a tinkers damn. Sams and the others sell 6 or 7 horse typ for about 500.00 that work good at home. Good luck. Bill

 

[Dingo]

I've got a shop and I use a 32 Gallon oil-free Craftsman for the whole shop.

 

[Richard L]

The size sounds good for general home/shop use, although regarless of the size you get, you will wish you bought a larger unit.



You can always add a water separator or filter later, however if you ever plan on spray painting a car, you will really need a 2 piston compressor. Single pistons compressors cannot keep up with professional quality paint gun, however the new HVLP guns will work fins on the singel piston compressors.



All of that is assuming you are getting a piston style compressor not a rotary style.



I have had my 20 gallon compressor for nearly 20 years now and it kips on pumping away, and I use it a lot in making my LeverLift/EZLift kits. Mine is a two piston unit and will produce a little more air a 40/90 PSI than the one you are looking at and I have run out of air using some tools. I ported and polished some heads for a race engine and it took me 3-4 times as long since the high-speed die grinder relly sucked kup the air. That's why I say, no matter how big you go, you always wish you had a little more.:lol:



...Rich

 

[Jeffksf B]

I would spend the money on a good air compressor and buy cheaper airtools at Harbor frieght, buy them as you need them. for the little I use them it was the better choice. I got a Craftsman oil unit professional series it is on sale for $379 usually. My dad has the oilless unit and it is loud but it has been around for quite a while with no issues.

 

[CobraXP]

Another vote for Harbor Freight...



If you were going to be running a business, I might suggest using higer name tools, but for working around the house and every now and then things, I would definitely get the HF stuff. I bought my new 60 gallon 220V compressor there this summer. If you look at it and a Craftman 60 gallon - the only thing you will notice is the HF compressor says General on it instead of Craftman. Everything else is the same - same tank, engine, controllers, etc. The only other difference was the price tag ($100 more for the Craftman).



Don't get me wrong as all of my other tools are Craftman. I love them, but all of my pneumatic tools came from HF. Reason being is they are usually half the price and are actually better than average tools. I've only had to replace one tool from them before.