What type of air tools to purchase?

red20 · #1 09-12-2009, 03:44 PM

I have always wanted to get an air compressor / tool set up. Since I have a 20' MA project on the horizon I want to get the right stuff to assist in my project. It will also help in many of my other home projects.

1.What size air compressor should I get? Gallon, HP, CFM etc.
2.What type of spray gun? I am thinking of spraying the boat myself. I have a small 10' tender I am building with my kids that I want to practice painting.
3. I also want to run an impact wrench, nail gun etc.

I am in the research phase and am trying to learn what is the best.

Thanks

DonV · #2 09-12-2009, 08:08 PM

Hummmm.....good question. You have to ask things like, do I need a portable or can I use a stand alone, satationary unit with lots of hose. In any case bigger and more volume is better. What about water issues? I'm in a high humidity area and water in the tank is a problem...you may need a dryer. In any case when you decide don't go too cheap on the tools and when you have made a decision shop "apples to apples" on ebay, I've saved quite a bit doing that as long as it's free shipping. Can be large savings, plus with the building industry in a down mode pawn shops have a lot of these type items for sale. For the easy stuff that's made in China anyway, like air hose, quick release fittings, etc. check out a place like Harbor Freight. I'm in the process of rebuilding my transom, center console, etc. and I don't know how you can live without air die grinders, sanders.....things like that.

BigLew · #3 09-12-2009, 08:59 PM

I've had a 26 gal. Husky from Home Depot for 5 yrs and love it. It is an oil lubricated compressor with a 5 HP peak motor. Runs everything I've asked of it. I've not sprayed paint, but will be doing so soon. It might run a little slower than continous, but wait a second at the end of a pass and it will recover quick enough.

I use it to drive nail guns and brad guns, torque wrenches and grinders, etc. Never a problem. The smaller the capacity, the more you have to sit and wait for it to recover. A lot depends on what you will be driving for continous periods and what that tool's air consumption is and the drive pressure required. Sections of 50 ft. guick connect hose makes for a lot of range from the compressor itself. I have a couple of wheels on mine so if I wanted to move it for a particular large job, I could.

Good luck, you'll love it. Turn it on Saturday morning and off Sunday night- 'it's a good thing!"

NoBones · #4 09-12-2009, 10:47 PM

In my little play house (man cave)
There is a 7.5HP 80 gallon Speedaire compressor.
CFM is what you will be concerned with.
90 CFM should be the minimum for your choice.
Running a DA will chew up alot of air FAST !!!
Recovery is essential. Your choice of air tools IMO
should be a good finish gun IE: Binks or Devilbiss.
You need a "BS" gun for primer or PVA, Harbor Freight
quality would be just fine for that gun. A "whiz wheel"
as I call it for cutting up decking or any thing else that gets in its way is a must as well.
Be sure to get a water seperating filter as well.
Blowing the compressor off of all water in the tank is a must.
Check Craigs List and other sources for deals that are a plenty every where today.

See ya, Ken

riman625 · #5 09-13-2009, 10:33 AM

ken, i hope you meant 90 psi.90 cfm is a little far fetched of a number for a stand up compressor.

NoBones · #6 09-13-2009, 11:28 AM

Quote:

ken, i hope you meant 90 psi.90 cfm is a little far fetched of a number for a stand up compressor.

Yeah, it was a little late when I posted, the brain
was not working at a 100%... [img]/forum/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]
90 PSI is what I meant.
Mine produces 25.1 SCFM @ 175 psi.

Thanks, Ken

strick · #7 09-13-2009, 01:54 AM

I got a little 30 gallon compressor (Husky) that I have used for 6-7 years. It's OK but I will be buying a much bigger compressor (different brand) at some point. The compressor will be housed out side the shop for noise reduction. Most of my sanding tools are electric. I use the compressor for nail guns, impact and spray guns etc. If you are going to be using sanding tools with a compressor you should get a big one like Ken has showed in the picture. Harbor freight makes a good cheap spray gun that everyone has been using on the boat sites. Works great for awlgrip

strick

MasterBaiter · #8 09-14-2009, 10:39 AM

Quality tools are a great investment if they are cared for. No matter the price tag tools will break if they are not. A buddy of mine doesn't take care of his tools and considers them disposable. That being said, I personally feel the quality depends on the ammount of use the tool will get. An impact that will see 10 lug nuts a year for bearing maintenance does not have to be top of the line. Same for the compressor. Spraying takes a lot of air and a brad nailer does not, so you have to compromise depending on your use.

Unless of course your wallet is too heavy........

red20 · #9 09-14-2009, 08:29 PM

Thanks for all the input. I even got a visit from Sam

. I am looking for the right tools for the certain job(s) in a fair price range. I don't (and will not) buy a complete set to start, not in that much of a rush. I think I want to start with the compressor first and add the tools as needed or as they become avail. I'm not afraid of used stuff but at the same time not a fan of used tools. Used tools usually are very used.

I took a look on my local craigs list and saw a ton of stuff but none of it jumped out at me.

I'll keep reading the input provided by CSC and research some of the name brands mentioned. Right now these brand names are like telling me brand names of golf equipment (haven't a clue.)

As stated in an above reply - some tools will get little use per year and don't need to be top of the line but others like spray guns should be.

Thanks again.

Ryank · #10 09-14-2009, 09:33 PM

I was told by some pros to never use a HVLP (high volume low pressure) spray gun. I purchased a $30. gravity feed regular gun at Walmart (Yeah I know I know) and it works great.I think most of the cheap guns spray good it is all in how you use it.I do have an old Devilbiss that is great for heavy stuff and primer, but not Urethanes, and acrylics. I purchased a Craftsman 20 gal compressor about 18 years ago and it works great to this day, and has seen extensive use over the years. For painting I did put a water seperator and a drier on it (again very cheap at northern or HF) with a regulator valve in addition to the reg on the spray gun.