Air compressors?

[op3]

Hello.
Sorry for the OT post. I am planning on buying an air compressor, to make this 914 resto job alot easier. Sam's Club had one that was about 8 cfm, 5 hp and a 90g tank for 220$. will that be suitable for all around general shop use? sorry but I don't know much about air compressors..
Thanks
Chris

[campbellcj]

Turns out I've been looking for one too. In order to do bead blasting or paint spraying you need a fairly powerful one from what I've been reading. Something like 6-8 SCFM at 90psi. I don't plan to do much with air tools in the near future; mostly blasting and painting. I'm looking for a vertical portable model too, as the horizontal "wheelbarrow style" ones are not very storage-space efficient. Any advice appreciated!

[Germain]

I have a 5 gallon 4 hp Craftsman Air Compressor. I would like a little more powerful one so that I can run the sand blaster and power sprayer a bit longer, but it does everything I need. These are the tools I have no problems running

Impact Wrench
Paint Gun
Nail Gun (finishing and framing)
Impact Hammer
Grinder
Drammel
Stuff like filling tires and what not

These tools run okay, but could do better

Power washer
Sand Blaster (runs out of air too soon, so it takes a longer time)

This unit should cost around $200-$250 depending on where your at. If you have the money, I would suggest a little larger unit. Make sure you buy an oilless compressor, and that it can run up to 125 PSI. The Craftsman I have is great, I don't like those Camble/Housefields (I think thats right) they feel cheep.

The Yellow hose kit is a waste of money. Buy a flexable hose that is light weight. You don't want to battle with the hose when your working. Also, I have 2 hoses, a 25ft and a 50ft. I connect the 25ft to the compressor and if I need more hose I'll use the quick connect feature to add the 50 hose to it giving me 75ft of hose. This helps manage the hose because you only have to deal with the 25ft.

One other thing you might want to make sure you get enough quick disconnects, and teflon tape to seal the whole thing up well and be able to change tools. Make sure you have the correct size hose and fittings for the compressor you use.

Thats about enough from me, anything I miss?

[campbellcj]

Thanks...very helpful! I was looking at the 5hp Craftsmans, but for the larger ones the sticker is around $300+. Rather pay a little more though than get one that's too wimpy.

[jabb]

I have the Sears 30 gal 5.5 hp came
with an Impact gun, Hose, and some other
small attachments for 299. on Sale.

More than enough air flow for what I need

Joe A.

[op3]

Great.. Thanks for the help.. It looks like the Sam's club one should be sufficient for blasting then.. I probably was wrong about the capacity. its the smaller wheelbarrow type. I just need to make sure it will fit in the back of my GTI..they also have a package deal on tools for it for 80$. looks like total setup cost will be around 300$. I'll go look at Sears to see what they have to compare..
Many thanks..
Chris

[LHAYES]

I wouldn't be to quick to discount the "oil in the sump" type compressors. One manufacturer (can't remember who) stated that the oiless units last about half as long as the older type units. On the down side, if you are going to paint with it you would need to have an inline filter set up in case any oil got past the rings...
Personally I perfer the ca chug, ca chug to the buzzzzz.

[op3]

ok, I just got the lowdown...
Sam's has a 5hp, 8.2 scfm @ 40psi and 5.6 scfm @ 90psi, 27g, upright, 115v.. for 229$. 125 or 135psi max (forgot to ask)
Sear's most comparable one was 4.5 hp, 8.4scfm @ 40psi and 6.2scfm @ 90psi, 130psi max, 20g tank horizontal, for 259$.
thier equivalent Campbell Hausfield was 369$..
tell me that the Sam's Club one is OK, so i can pick it up tonight..
Thanks
Chris

[Germain]

Sams club would prob be ok.

As for oilless, these compressors should last 10 years easy. I see the tanks rust out before the engine dies.

BTW, mines a 20 gallon tank, not 5. Don't know why I typed that in.

Three things you might want to consider yet, warranty, and the high PSI scfm. 90 PSI and 6.2scfm is a hell of alot more then 5.6. My wrench won't work well on a 5.6scfm unit at 90 PSI (recomends 6.0 at a minimum). The thrid thing, a 27 gallon tank will hold alot more air, but weight alot more too. I would like a bigger tank on mine.

As far as storage, the uprights take up less room, but I find transporting them to be a chore compared to my current wheel barrow design. Its easy to get either of them up and down steps.

Tough call

If you want to know what I would do, I would go with the Sears because I can run all my tools on it.

Good luck

[op3]

Awe man....
You would have to go and make my decision a bit more difficult...
Perhaps I can put on a K&N and eek out another horse or so...

[campbellcj]

So far I agree, no flaming Sears/Craftsman debates PLEEEEASE but I have not seen other compressors yet that compare well price/spec wise. For occassional use their should be fine for what I need...if I did this for a living, I (my company) would be ponying up for a $1000+ monster pro two-stage 240V, oil-lubed rig, but that ain't the situation for most of us. Plus, I don't have the room...

I'll try to scope out Home Depot (LA) this weekend and post any interesting findings.

Chris C.

[Germain]

I think campbellcj hit it right on the head. These are only 200-300 bucks. If you really don't like the one you get, you can sell it and but a bigger better one. (done it already myself, twice)

I didn't know you guys had a HD in LA. I would imagine they have a good line of compressors, but I've never looked at them there.

Good luck people ( thats politically correct )

[op3]

Ok, Thanks again for the words of advise. I only want to do this once, so I am going to buy the one that will udoubtably do the job right. And to make it easier to decide, Sear's is having a big sale this weekend..
I'm putting down the plastic tomorrow.. and won't be seen for weeks...:P
Chris

[Curvie Roadlover]

Also remember that anything you buy from Sears comes with their "satisfaction guarranteed or your money back" policy. That has no small print or time restrictions. I used to work at Sears and I know. You should see the things people return and get their money back (light bulbs, flashlight batteries, etc.). All you have to do is remind them of their policy. Don't get suckered into any extended warranties. Buy from Sears and if it's not want you want once you get it home and try it out, they'll take it back and refund your money, even years later!!