Compressor size question

[Jeff Michel]

Get as big as one as you can afford. Equipment operated by air uses more CFM than you would think, big tanks 60-80 gallon holds a bunch and if your running an impact or a DA sander not to mention a scat blast. The tools turn pretty doggy if you run low on air. Just my opinion, others will differ.

[Smoke4320]

the more CFM you can afford to get the better ...30 gallon tank or more if wanting to run an air grinder, die grinder, Torque wrench
Small sand blaster if you stop and wait for the compressor to catch up

[Mal Paso]

My first compressor was a Craftsman (Speedair) 2 HP that pulled a little over 11 amps x 240. Looks like it's almost 4 HP now. Nice to know somethings get more powerful with age.

When did one electric Horse Power get to be 745 watts?

If you notice all the Air Plumbing kits are Polyethylene. PVC exposed to light and air gets brittle over time and when it fails it breaks into jagged pieces..... Polyethylene just splits lengthwise.

[lightman]

Just look up the CFM requirement for the tool that uses the most air and compare to the capacity of the compressor.

This is what you need to do. You can get the air requirements out of a catalog or on line. Look at the requirements of the most demanding tool that you plan to use and decide if the cost is worth it to you.

Plumbing a shop for air is a good idea and I'm glad that I did mine. I plumbed my compressor where I could connect an air hose up to either regulated or unregulated air. I bought more compressor than most home shops need, but thats just me. Mine is a 2 stage commercial model that pumps around 17CFM and 175PSI, 5HP and an 80 gallon tank.

[clong]

<not sure what happened to the quote>

DO NOT DO THIS. PVC pipe under air pressure explodes with shrapnel when it fails. And it will. I have seen pieces of PVC pipe embedded an inch deep in a 2x4. Copper, black iron, or aluminum are good to go.

[AK Caster]

Thanks for the input. Seems most impact guns need around 5 CFM. So I will keep my eyes on for a decent compressor on sale that puts out about 6 CFM and 25-30 gallon.
Home Depot has a 30 gallon that delivers the CFM I need for $319 so will take a look at it my next visit to their store.

[starnbar]

I started out small first garage in the house I had was a one car ended up with a 2 car garage with a 10x25 back section walled of with a door to the rest of the garage I now have a 5 hp 30 gallon coleman that has run everyday for the past 15 years you can run a paint gun or a impact with no problem the compressor will keep up with it.

[MT Gianni]

Not true. Owners manual calls for 150 ft pounds for both.

Sorry I have never seen them spec over 125.

[xs11jack]

What ever you do, do not buy a diaphragm compressor, they are so loud they will give you headaches and damage your hearing. By a piston type with oil lubed crankshaft and is belt driven.
Ole Jack

[Bazoo]

I have a 30 gallon, i've had a 2 gallons, and at the work place had 2 80 gallon tanks hooked in unison. If you get a 30 gallon, you're going to be marginal really for an impact other than just a couple bolts. Then you'll have to let the tank fill.

What you might consider, if you dont want to get a 60 or 80 gallon compressor, which really is the way to go if you're not looking for portability, is to get a 30 gallon compressor, and then get an extra tank in 60 or 80 gallons and hook it up with hoses so the compressor fills both. . You wont get any more CFM out of your motor, but you'll get more run time and a lot more torque

[Mr_Sheesh]

I saw something smart once, guy I knew had built storage racks in his shop, full length, out of square steel tubing (May've been rectangular) for his shop - He drilled 1/4" holes (I think, it was some nice decent size) where the tubing was welded together, then plumbed his air compressor into that so it acted as a large tank & air distribution manifold. If he needed another tap, he'd just use the pneumatic drill to drill another hole, and screw in an air takeoff there. Smart idea, thinking of doing that when I move.

[Bazoo]

Shop we had, we used 1/2 steel iron pipe to run all over the building and then broke off from that with T fittings to soft line wherever we needed it.

[M-Tecs]

Stay away from the direct drive oil less. The are really noisy. I have a C-Aire portable. I don't believe they make portables anymore but it is the quietest compressor I have been around.

https://www.wikihow.com/Choose-an-Air-Compressor

Size chart here. https://www.compressorpros.com/air-c...reciprocating/

[AK Caster]

This is what I am leaning towards:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-30...303H/206532808

Thoughts?

[Elkins45]

What ever you do, do not buy a diaphragm compressor, they are so loud they will give you headaches and damage your hearing. By a piston type with oil lubed crankshaft and is belt driven.
Ole Jack

Not only are they loud, they wear out much quicker.

[Boolit_Head]

Get the biggest one you can afford. You will grow into it. After getting irritated with some smaller ones I went and got the biggest single stage I could find. Both Lowes and Home Depot sell the same compressor under different labels with a 60 gallon tank and getting anything bigger than that means jumping to a dual stage with a big jump in price.

This one is similar to what I got.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-60...602H/205389936

[mold maker]

Compressors are like safes. Once you have one it will quickly become too small.

[jcren]

This is what I am leaning towards:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-30...303H/206532808

Thoughts?

I wouldn't. That one is a direct drive oil-less. Tend to be noisey and the piston version use Teflon type piston rings which don't last long.

I got my dad one like this exept it had a 26 gal tank, same pump and motor, about 4 years ago for farm use. Pretty quiet and lots of air for impacts or blowing out mowers, baler, radiators, etc. Only thing I have done to it was tighten the belt once as it started slipping after break-in.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Powermat...-KIT/205795169

[Grmps]

My 2¢ worth.
I love my Makita 18 volt 1/2 inch impact driver for changing tires.
Air wrenches are going to take much more air than air guns

[mpkunz]

Just a FWIW, but my air reservoir is made from 11 old 20 lb. propane cylinders. I have a Home Depot air compressor that takes about 15 minutes to fill them all when there is no pressure. Once filled I can operate the shop all day and have the compressor only kick on twice. This is important to consider as duty time on the compressor will determine its lifespan. Mine has been in service since 1999. Oh, if you do this, be sure to install a moisture trap. I got mine at Grainger https://www.grainger.com/product/4ZL...180402220933:s