Kinda O/T but I need some opinions on air compressors

Im needing to buy a compressor just to do a little bit of cutting and grinding on sheet metal. Im thinking of getting a small 5 0r 8 hp compressor that i can move around easily. I know that there wont be much air capacity but i dont really want a 60 gallon tank right now. Anybody doing bodywork with one of these small twin tank deals?

 

You might want to take this question over to the Garage Journal. A more specialized website for equipment.

 

dont buy one without hearing it run.......some are too loud to work near

 

You want the biggest one you can afford. Personally I wouldn't get anything less than a 60gal. You need lots of capacity and a fast supply rate for body work. A diegrinder and a air sander use a lot of air. If the compressor can't catch up or doesn't have the volume it will run all the time and that is hard on them. Just my .02.Good luck.LB

 

Long term you want the biggest thing you can afford, but....

I did a ton of work with die grinders, sanders, sand blaster and a whole host of other air tools with a 5 hp 110V Campbell Hausfeld. I still have it too, 22 years later and it still works fine. The key to using one of these is small short bursts and then let it catch up. The older ones were made with cast iron cylinders and if you keep clean oil, a clean intake filter and drian the tank regularly they'll pretty much run forever. I just went thru mine, the piston and rings were as clean as new, I put new crank seals in it, re***embled it and it works perfectly.

Also, the cast iron cylinder commpressors are a lot quieter. Whatever you do, don't bother with an "oiless", they won't survive this kind of use and they're loud as hell!

 

If you don't mind waiting it will do the job. Me personally I hate running for a minute then waiting 3 mins for the compressor, but I dont have the money or space for 60 gal.

 

The problem with a small compressors is the same problem cordless tools; they die when your almost finished and need them most. Air tools require a large volume of air [ not just pressure ] witch the small 5 gallon models don't have, so you have to wait for them to recover. Shop around for deal on a larger model. I was able to buy a 60 gallon 208 volt [ cheaper to run ] from Sears for well under $300.

 

I've pretty much decided on this, I'm going to check it out in the morning. a 60 gal wont work for me because my shop is all the way accross the yard from my house and doesnt have power wired up yet. Plus, Honda motors are where it's at. Capitol F Fuk Briggs and ****on.