air compressor question.

[rnln]

Is this air compressor good enough for home use on cars repair and painting?
Thanks
Shop Campbell Hausfeld 2-Gallon Inflation and Fastening Air Compressor with Nailer and Accessory Kit at Lowes.com

[cabriobrad]

rnln...let me first say that what I am writing is not at all intended to be rude.

A little more research, and you can find out the answers, but hell why not ask here as there is always someone willing to help out...so here I go.

What you really need to look at is the SCFM rating of the compressor. The one you have posted is .36 SCFM @ 90PSI, which is pretty low. While alright for the nailer that comes with it, not really any good if you are trying to run an impact gun which are around 4SCFM, and paint guns are around the same. I have not look in to HVLP paint guns, but then if this compressor worked for those, it still would not keep up with and impact gun, a die grinder or the like.

What you really need although a bit more money would be like below.

Shop Kobalt 30-Gallon Cast Iron Oil Lubricated Air Compressor at Lowes.com

And this one would be right on the border line, but would probably be..."okay"

Shop Campbell Hausfeld 8-Gallon 150 PSI Electric Wall Mount Air Compressor System at Lowes.com

Yes it is a bit more, but you shouldn't have a problem running "most" tools off of those.

Of course, just my 0.0200095 cents(with the conversion of course).

[jamesjedi]

I have just bought a compressor. I needed one for leak down testing. I also wanted to do some painting with it. I have a friend who is professional motorcycle painter. He said that the minimum tank size is about 25 gallons. Also, the cost of a gun that paints can be expensive, meaning that you get what you pay for. A $29 dollar gun will more than likely create runs.

I have been looking at some of the used guns on EBay, one brand that has an a reputable name is Sata.

[wildcat077]

I have a rather large industrial shop compressor in my garage and i have to admit it's the heart of my setup...
It runs my sandblast cabinet,Blue point impact guns,all my air grinders and tools as well as being a good source of air for blowing things clean.

The problem with a small compressor is that it will heat up and cause a lot of moisture in your air which is not something you want if you plan on painting and you can have the best impact gun in the world but if you don't have the volume and pressure in your tank it will be useless ...

Cheers !
Phil

[na2ub]

I have a 26 gallon Husky, and I would not want anything smaller. It will run most stuff okay. You need to look up the SCFM for all the tools you might want, and get a compressor to handle them. The one you referenced is pretty much useless, except for what it was designed for - nailing.

[lindy 911]

Wildcat has it right, even though a small compressor might run the tools OK, if you're planning to paint the condensation created by the excessive heat of constant running will ruin your day. I tried it; it does not work.

For painting you will need a stand up tank with a top mounted compressor and drying equipment in the line to remove the condensation before it gets to the spray gun. Condensation will also kill your new tools in a hurry.

Lindy

[rick-l]

Originally Posted by jamesjedi

I also wanted to do some painting with it.

He said that the minimum tank size is about 25 gallons.

brand that has an a reputable name is Sata.

Tank size has nothing to do with the air requirements for painting. It is strictly cfm.

This gun SATAjetŪ 3000 K HVLP | SATA.COM
has an air consumption requirement of 560 Nl/min (19,8 cfm)

Home depot doesn't sell anything like that.

[rfuerst911sc]

If you are a tool guy then you should think of the compressor as a long term investment. Having said that here are my thoughts.

1.only buy a oil lubricated compressor. The oil less are noisy and get hot fast.
2.At a minimum get a 25 gallon tank or larger.
3.Depending on your situation a 220v vs. 110v will be cheaper to run.
4.You don't have to buy new, there are tons of deals out there on Ebay , Craigslist etc. if you just look.

I recently purchased a 60 gallon Ingersoll Rand 2 stage compressor for less than $500.00 and it will run forever. It has a 5hp 220v motor and quickly runs up to 175psi with LOTS of CFM volume it's the last compressor I'll buy. Some will say this is overkill for a DIY shop but I don't think so. I'm currently designing my shop and incorporating the compressor and the running of hard air lines is part of the process. Good luck in your search.

[rnln]

Thanks guys. Now I am having a headache. As usual, starting out at around a hundred bucks or so. Ended up 3 months salary.

[wildcat077]

Rfuerst has the right idea ... think of it as the last compressor you will need.
Trust me,the little compressors are good to fill up beach balls and blow/clean some small items but they will run constantly and not give you enough CFM's to run most air tools efficiently.

I ended up buying mine at an industrial supplier's and it was a rebuilt unit with a two year warranty,been going strong for the last ten years !

Now take two Tylenols and get yourself a real compressor ... lol


Cheers !
Phil

[mattC2993]

For painting and body working air tools you need 5 hp with an 80 gallon tank minimum. THis will be a 220 volt machine. I can spray small areas and run a DA sander for a few minutes on a 1.5 hp with 26 gallon tank.

[rick-l]

Originally Posted by mattC2993

For painting and body working air tools you need 5 hp with an 80 gallon tank minimum. THis will be a 220 volt machine. I can spray small areas and run a DA sander for a few minutes on a 1.5 hp with 26 gallon tank.

Again look at the gun you want and the cfm rating of the compresor. Some 110 volt units used to say 5 hp.

for a typical home shop I would get a portable 220 volt belt drive.

Are you really going to do some serious car painting? those HVLP guns are a killer. Maybe you could buy another cheap compressor off craiglist and hook them in parallel for paint.

I was told this one is barely adequate for a quality hvlp gun. When the tank is at 40 psi it sucks in 16.5 cubic feet of air. It also requires a 30 amp breaker. That pankake compressor you first mentioned does 0.5.

5 HP, 60 Gallon, 165 PSI Two Stage Air Compressor

[kodioneill]

This is a good size for a small shop. Bought used for $400.00. Make sure you don't get a 3 phase motor.