I've been thinking of investing in an air compressor so I can use air tools to work on my cars. any recommendations for size/power a weekend mechanic should look for when selecting an air compressor. I've looked at a few craftsman models ranging in size/pwr (i.e. 15 gal/150 psi and 30 gal/150psi). I don't won't to purchase one that's so fancy/powerful that I won't really need it. as you can see, I know nothing about air compressors. thanks for the tips.

 

I am also in the market for one. what are the advantages of finding on that has an oiler?

 

i opperate a 30 gallon 5hp craftsman upright. I have attached to it a water seperateor. I like it alot. ONly complaint is it takes alittle long to refill. I would probably rather have had like the 25 gal. with the same HP motor in order to have quicker fill ups. I run an impact gun, ratchet, and paint gun off of this unit and everything works fine. crafstmans work quite well. i operate mine probably 3-4 times aweek for a few hours at a time doing side work. However i have gone a week without unsing it as well as using it everyday all day, no problems. Owned it approx. 2 years.

hope this helps.

 

what does a water seperator do?

 

thanks for the replies. what's the smallest unit a weekend mechanic could get by with? i have no idea what a water seperator is. does it have to do w/the fact that these units need to be cleaned periodically to avoid moisture that leads to rust???

 

a water seperator is a smal fliter that trys and seperates moisture or water in the compressed air. IT is fitted in line with teh air output going to the tools. This is important because moisture in the air and water is what will cause the air tools to rust and fail. You want to oil the tools prior to use everyday as well as after you are done before putting them away. Craftsman air tools are mostly IR (ingrosoll rand) tools with a craftsman name, so its good stuff.

 

Many air tools (drills, sanders, body saws, etc) have very high air consumption rates, and need a big CFM capacity compressor to keep up.

Most home mechanic tools, though, like 1/4", 3/8" and even 1/2" socket wrenches and guns are prettly light on air usage. For occasional use, it is also really no hassle at all to add a drop of oil or two the the tools once in a while. As for a water seperator, maybe in Georgia, but not needed in Colorado.

I picked up an inexpensive harbor freight unit that has so far served me well...

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Disp...temnumber=40400

 

well, around here, Charleston SC, right on the water, its important.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by jjanari
I've been thinking of investing in an air compressor so I can use air tools to work on my cars.

 

I have a 21 gal, 6hp upright made by Coleman. I bought it from Sam's Club and it came with a full set of tools. Be aware that the "oil-less" compressors are quite loud compared to the pumps that use oil. The higher the compression, the better. Mine is a couple of years old and it is rated at 125 psi, some of the newer ones are 150 - 175 psi.

I have found more uses for this tool than I could have imagined. I have used it to repair the kitchen sink, blow the water off of my car after a wash and I use it to clean my wife's van. I open all of the doors and blow everything out of the van, works great. Also blows up the inflatable air mattress, keeps the tires inflated, cleans out the garage very quickly, etc.

I also found it necessary to install a water separator. It gets humid here and the compressor gets a lot of water in the air line with out the separator.

This is a great tool. I should have bought one years ago.