compressor suggestions...

[soonercrew]

im looking to get a compressor for my home... i dont plant to do any final body painting with it. i would like to be able to use it for primer, chassis painting, parts painting and even some air tool use (nothing real serious)... i have no idea where to start... any suggestions or help will be appreciated! also, what type of gun would you suggest for this type of painting... with your suggestions, i could even go with something used (craigslist) in my local area???

[Tom Welch]

home depot, lowes, sears, harbor freight, pepboys....

[MonzaRacer]

look for 5hp 220volt,as large of tank as you can afford,remember this you cant make 5hp on 110v,sooooo plan on 220v.
mine is roll around 15 gallon and in can paint some.
also look for oil lubricated, i havent seen an oil less yet i trust, get 2 good pressure reducer/regulator,also have twin tie in but seperate from each other and put air tool oiler in one side so you can use it for work tools and other for painting.
I bought a moisture separator that has a screw on filter with desiccant inside.
As for paint gun I have had great success with Campbell/Hausefield 6500,around $50 and lays it down great. Also Astro Pneumatic has several gravity fed HVLP units and they dont require special compressors.
If ya wanna pick my brain more give me shout.
Lee

[Jim Nilsen]

I really like my Sears proffesional series 175 psi with the 25 gallon standup tank. It is oiless and some people don't like them but they are reasonably priced and can also be found as a Porter cable, Porter makes them for Sears.

I always use electric tools like die grinders,drills,saws,and several other tools that many would use air tools to do. The cost of compressing air to do the same job is a lot more and when the compressor goes low so does your tool torque. If you buy the right electric tools they will be better than air.

Air has its place for things like spray guns,filling tires, and a few body tools that just don't come in electric and sometimes the air tools are smaller and can get in to places the electrics can't.

I started with a Sanborn 3hp 15gal. compressor that did 75% or my car and then when I went to paint I needed to go to the Sears Proffesional to be able to not run out of air 3/4 thru the paint cup.

I have been very pleased with the Sears. If you really think you are going to do a lot with your compressor go bigger and oil but it doesn't sound like you need more than the one I have.

Right now is a good time to find used ones really cheap and then if you are lucky you can get a bigger one than you will ever need for almost 1/2 of a cheaper new one.