Air Compressor

[russellhartzell]

I am not sure if this is the right place to post this question but here it goes: How powerful of an compressor do I need to operate a paint gun and/or Air tools?

[Truth]

Depends on the tool. Rule of thumb I go by is to get a compressor that puts out double the scfm that my tool requires. That way I get the full power out of my tools without the compressor running all day.

My impact requires about 5 cfm, while my 60 gallon compressor puts out 10.2 I believe. Having a lot of PSI is good, but not as important as SCFM.

[bobthebiker88]

Personally, I feel a compressor putting out somewhere around 15-20SCFM and 125-150psi is plenty. having a tank sufficiently sized to bottle up enough air to not require the pump running all the time helps though.

Really it varies from tool to tool. some require high pressure, and volume, some require just one of the two.

[Nessism]

Depends on what kind of air tools you are going to use. For things like an impact gun and touch up spray gun painting a motorcycle, a 110 V, 15 A compressor with a 20 gallon tank will do the job. For running a blast cabinet, you need more power - 220 V for sure and a 60+ gallon tank - the bigger the better.

Understand that not all compressors are created equal. The type noted as "oil less" are scroll compressors that are noisier and not as durable as the old fashion piston compressors that use a cast iron cylinder. If you want something durable I suggest something like a Campbell Hausfeld at min. Some of the "name brand" compressors like Sear's Craftsman or "Husky" don't make their own tools and some are good and some are cheap scroll compressors so do your homework before purchasing one of these. Purchasing used is a good idea since many people under use tools like this so you can sometimes come up with a good deal.

Good luck and hope this helps.

[Nessism]

Personally, I feel a compressor putting out somewhere around 15-20SCFM and 125-150psi is plenty. having a tank sufficiently sized to bottle up enough air to not require the pump running all the time helps though.

Really it varies from tool to tool. some require high pressure, and volume, some require just one of the two.

A compressor capable of supplying 15 - 20 CFM will cost $1000 - $2000. Not your typical garage compressor that's for sure.

[Truth]

My "inexpensive" husky compressor is made by campbell hausfeld. I was comparing compressors when I noticed it. The badged 220v, 60 gallon campbell hausfeld version was almost $1,000 when the exact same model with a husky sticker on it was half the price. I don't know who the current manufacturer of the husky brand is though.

I would definitely recommend against an oil-less unless noise doesn't bother you, or your neighbors.

[rustybronco]

For day to day use, I use one exactly like this. http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/tls/1908467716.html 6.9 scfm and runs my hvlp and impact just fine.
you can't go wrong with the old cast iron 2 stage compressors.

$50 and all it needs is to repair the check valve threaded in the top of the tank (fixed the one my 2HP 220v) and two new wheels.