What type of air tools to purchase?

[red20]

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]

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]

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]

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

[strick]

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

[riman625]

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

[NoBones]

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

[riman625]

that is still good, i have a ingersoll 80 gal that is 24 cfm@175 psi.i dont even plug it in unless i am using a sander or something that needs continous air.you can hear the power company jumping up and down when it comes on.i have a 30 gal 6 cfm that i use for everything else.it is a crftsman that i have had about ten years.best 289 i ever spent.

[Spidercrab]

Yeah, it was a little late when I posted, the brain
was not working at a 100%... [img]/forum/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]
Thanks, Ken

u aint a bad guy mr ken. u caint help yerself sumtimes we all luv ya
sam

[NoBones]

Ugh, OK Sam, thanks for the vote of confidence...
We love you to man.

See ya, Ken