DIY air compressor

911teo · 02-08-2008, 03:32 AM

I need suggestions...

Has to be small (fit in the car to take to track days), oil free (painting), have accessories (air guns, air wrenches etc) and solid/reliable.

Thank you!

MBAtarga · 02-08-2008, 05:38 AM

The required CFM for an air gun, air wrench, and paint gun can't be met by a small compressor.

not sharp · 02-08-2008, 05:42 AM

A ten pound CO2 tank!!!!

911teo · 02-08-2008, 05:46 AM

OK I don't know anything about these... so what is the smallest CFM I can get away with?

Rich76_911s · Rich76_911s's Garage

I knew a guy who used his AC compressor to inflate his tires (it was a jeep). I'm not sure how he did it though.

Rich

CarreraDan · 02-08-2008, 05:58 AM

Matteo,
I spent a lot of time deciding what air compressor to get and finally settled on a 30 gal 150psi unit from Sears with a horizontal tank. It just barely fits in the back of my Grand Cherokee and I can just barely pick it up to move it. I wanted a compressor that I could plug in to 120v and could run most all air tools. I have been very impressed with it as it had the highest CFM for its size. The only real drawback is how much noise it makes but you should wear ear plugs anyway.

From what I found, I think 30 gal is going to be the smallest size that can run most air tools. I would have loved an 80 gal but having something portable has been great working on two homes. Plus, I didn't really need that high of CFM's as I don't plan on running butterfly sanders etc.

MBAtarga · 02-08-2008, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich76_911s

I knew a guy who used his AC compressor to inflate his tires (it was a jeep). I'm not sure how he did it though.

Rich

There are kits/plans available that many 4WD'ers use to power an auxiliary compressor (usually a salvaged A/C compressor) off an engine drive belt. They deflate tires when 4WD'ing over rocks, etc. , then fill them back up to hit the road home.

71T Targa · 02-08-2008, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by not sharp

A ten pound CO2 tank!!!!

That sounds like a great idea if you can regulate it.

Don Plumley · Don Plumley's Garage

Use of a C02 tank is not that uncommon. Just takes a regulator. I've contemplated a N2 tank to fill tires and power air tools at the track. Here's a commercial setup.

Some air tools work fine from a small compressor. But continuous use tools or lots of continuous use will quickly deplete the air from the tank . Ditto for air guns. You can look at the SCFM rating for various tools and figure out based on the compressor rating and tank size how long you can run a tool. The Sears catalog had a decent matrix for this IIRC.

onewhippedpuppy · 02-08-2008, 07:19 AM

I have a double tank compressor, sometimes called a contractor model. It's heavy, but not so heavy that I can't carry it around. Compact, so it has a small footprint sitting in the garage. It will run an impact wrench or framing nailer without issue. Runs off of 120V, though it's not happy unless you're on a 20A circuit. The only time you need a compressor with a large tank is to run tools for an extended period of time at a constant pressure, such as a paint sprayer or air grinder.

RickM · RickM's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by 911teo

I need suggestions...

Has to be... oil free (painting)

Thank you!

Matteo, Oil free compressors have no advantage over a traditional piston/oil type compressor. In fact I'd look at the latter as quality, noise and longevity are typically higher.

FWIW, I used a 13 gallon 1.5 hp sears compressor for many, many years and did quite a bit of painting with it. While it's not ideal it did the job with some patience...and will fit in the trunk of a larger car.

onewhippedpuppy · 02-08-2008, 08:56 AM

Not sure if oil free really has anything to do with painting. I would think that anyone painting would utilize a good air filter/drier system.

David McLaughlin · David McLaughlin's Garage

I just bought (for a new company I work for) a DeWalt 15Gal compressor from Lowes. It cost $359. It will provide just enough air for my spray gun but barely. It's small, light, has wheels and is 120V. I'm sure it would be fine for most small projects but if you're painting something like a car it will not do. For small air tools it's perfect.

For another $40 we will probably exchange the DeWalt for a belt driven 60Gal. 208/480V compressor as it will be able to handle my painting better as well as run hand sanders and such for extended periods of time.

A CO2 tank will most likely not work. You will be using more CFM/ PSI than would make a CO2 rental worth while. For an Airbrush it's great.