Recommendations for Air Compressor to Run Impact Wrenches, etc.
 

Looking for recommendations on a good quality, high output air compressor sufficient to run impact wrenches in my home garage. Prefer an electric pump for less noise/fumes.

Not going to do any automotive painting.

Just need something with enough guts to do suspension work, etc.

Suggestions?

TIA!

Don't buy this piece of garbage: https://www.harborfreight.com/air-tools-compressors/air-compressors-tanks/21-gallon-25-hp-125-psi-cast-iron-vertical-air-compressor-61454.html
-Oil level is impossible to read.
-Doesn't start below freezing.
-Louder than the sun. Ear crushing.
-Fill cycle stops at whatever regulator is set to (90psi)
It's going to turn into a holding tank as soon as the motor fails.

I still have a 20yo 1-stage craftsman which has seen a lot of use.

I bought a Ingersoll-Rand at Tractor supply when I moved here and it works great.

Dave

60 gallon Ingersoll Rand will do nicely that's what I have . Two cylinder two stage will run anything. Great build quality and all parts are available if needed . I bought mine used.

Look at what your impact requires and get one that provides air in excess of those requirements. Make sure your hose is large enough also.

If you must... Ingersoll Rand. That is what we used as fleet mechanics and it was nearly flawless.

Make sure you really want to go this route though. It is pretty rare to hear an air tool in most modern Porsche shops these days. Nearly everyone is using cordless tools because they are quiet, powerful, light weight, and reliable. I have a drawer full of air tools that just never come out. Cordless tools are just so good and the air tools are so 1960s era, unless you work in a tire shop you rarely hear them. I can't imagine ever going back.

YMMV

I was going to suggest that but assumed he had the air tools. Then again, going cordless may not cost as much.

Great inputs guys. @Cajundaddy been thinking this route as well for expense, noise, and all the reasons you mention. Recommendations?

I am a Makita guy and have several different size tools depending on need. My small lightweight driver gets used 70% of the time, medium size gets used 20% of the time, and the big gun 10% of the time. With 2 batteries for each you never have to stop work. Angle grinders, impact drivers, saws, sanders, drills... everything you need. There are other quality brands but I have been with Makita cordless tools for 30 years now and they just keep getting better.

Once or twice a year I'll find something that is too much for my cordless impact but a 24" breaker bar and 6' helper make short work of nearly anything. I prefer to finish all critical bolts with a hand torque wrench so cordless are primarily for speed and convenience.

https://www.makitatools.com/

When my dad passed away, I brought his old air compressor home. It was very rare that I used the air compressor for anything on a car. The only thing that I can think of would be to remove the lug nuts, but then who wants to start the thing up and fill it just for that?

I did get a fair amount of use out of it though using it for finish nailers and staple guns and something else that escapes my mind right now. If however you use a compressor for nails, absolutely 100% of the time use safety goggles. I had a nail go into some baseboard moulding, follow the wood grain, curve around and come back out and smack me in the cheek about 1" from my eye. I think it was one of the first 3 nails out of the gun. From then on, no work without eye protection.

That's impressive. I guess when I move back into a house, I'll go that route. Cranking up a compressor and filling a tank to remove lug nuts is a huge pain, so it was pretty rare for me to do. Electric would be much better. I had a couple smaller cordless tools, including a Makita and some Milwaulkee and had great luck with them.

Ok, sold on the cordless tools now. So much more versatility in tools these days...and, had no idea they were as powerful as they are in currently available options.

This one got my vote
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/1049342-bought-dewalt-battery-powered-1-2-impact.html

I've heard the Milwaukee 1/2 impact is a real beast. I can't imagine it being much stronger than the Dewalt I bought but my nephew said it out specs my Dewalt.

If you need high torque for frequent suspension work this thing is a beast. 1180 ft lbs of breakaway torque will match my old air impact driver and it is much more convenient to use. This rarely comes out of the drawer for me though because it is big and heavy.
https://www.amazon.com/Makita-XWT08Z-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-Cordless/dp/B01MXO5P40?th=1

My standard 1/2" 18v impact makes light work of lug bolts up to 150 ft lbs and weighs 1/2 as much. For most of my fasteners, the small 3/8 drive 12v is good for about 80 ft lbs and weighs 1/2 as much again. This is my favorite speed tool. I can use it all day without fatigue.

None. Go electric/battery on the impact wrench and drivers and never look back.

I have not picked up my air driven impact in years since getting a Dewalt 20v impact. It works better than any of my IR air impacts ever did.

My 80 gallon 220v compressor gets much less use but I am still glad I have it.

Buy a kit that has several tools and batteries.

I have a 200 psi DeWalt compressor that works well.

However, for impact wrench, My Millwalke 18v Battery works the best.

Tell me more about the DeWalt compressor. Is it 220V? Man, 200psi would be sweet. My pal has a smaller DeWalt that works fine. A portable one but bigger than the pancake type. Not sure of the PSI, though.

I have my little shop and use a Harbor Freight 110V 30 gallon tank. 140psi. If I have to DA paint off of a fender, I make sure to bring my lunch.

I have had it for six-seven years and it's has served me well. It was about $325. I changed the compressor oil once.

This one would be fine for OP's needs.

I'm old school and have not crossed over into battery powered yet except for little zip guns. Not saying I shouldn't.

Bob,
FWIW, it's not PSI that matters for the most part. It's CFM. I have a 500 gallon propane tank as a storage tank and a compressor and motor I bought from Eaton compressors years ago. I only run about 125 PSI. IIRC, my compressor took about 35 minutes to fill the 500 gallon storage tank from empty to 125 PSI. I can run an impact all day for the most part and my setup never kicks in but that's due to the HUGE storage tank. When it does kick in it normally takes about 10 minutes of run time to come up to pressure. Match your CFM to the CFM of the tool you're using or get close to it and you won't have to wait all day.

WRT the impact wrench...given it's small size how hard is it to control the torque? Mind you my wrists are kinda weak.