good first air compressor

[blakes72x]

i'm looking to buy my first air compressor

going to need it for an impact, die grinder, air ratchet, painting, cut off wheel, da sander, and some small sand blasting jobs, and various other random tasks

so what would you guys suggest that won't break the bank and can handle all this?

would like something that is somewhat portable if not its fine just would be an added bonus and something that has a good warranty

thanks in advance,
blake

[Chevelle598bb]

For die grinder, da, painting and sand blasting you will need at least a 60 gallon unit. All of those tools take quite a bit of air to run.

I have a ingersol rand ss-3 60 gallon I have had for years which works great. The only thing I have replaced is the plastic air filter which melted and change the oil. It's a great unit for a good price. You can find then used also for good prices.

[5spd540]

I have a husky 60gallon 5hp and it works great for all those jobs

[astroracer]

Look at Sears, Tractor Supply Co., even Harbor Freight. Like was stated above you will need at least a 5 horse 60 gal to run any of those air tools efficiently.
Mark

[BBC71Nova]

I've been looking at upgrading my Craftsman 33g as well. It just can't keep up good with something like a cutoff wheel. Right now I'm leaning towards a Puma 60gallon. Either a 3hp or the 4.5hp. The 3hp is similar to the price you'd pay for a 60g at a big box store. The difference is the Puma comes with pre and post coolers and seems to be a little nicer than some of the latest gen Kobalt/Husky/etc. Prior to running across these Puma models I was looking hard at the IR 3hp 60g but recent reviews are mixed on that unit.

If you want to spend even more than look at the Quincy models. They seem to get really good reviews.

[6994lt1]

Iv have an ingersoll, 80 gal/5hp for about 9 years. Picked it up at tractor supply for about $750. Never a problem. 18 cfm at 90

[hag6888]

What size for paint guns?

[astroracer]

Depends on what you are spraying with and if you are doing a complete repaint. A complete repaint requires at least a 5 horse/60 gal but I would recommend a 7.5 horse/80 gal if you are doing a lot. My 7.5/80 keeps up with my HVLP guns with no problem.
On the other hand... I sprayed a lot of cars with my old Craftsman 2 horse/20 gal compressor and a siphon gun. If you aren't planning to do production work most anything will work for you. It just takes longer with a smaller machine.
Mark

[TRANSAMERICAN 79]

I was taught, if you think you need a 60 buy an 80 gallon.Well I got a Craftsman 60 gallon and fried it within two years, went to Tractor Supply and got an Ingersold Rand 7hp. 80 gallon. And it's a great tool. Long story short I should've listened.

[wayward]

Air volume is the true figure of Merit, compare scfm or another "cfm" that has been normalized for the test environment. You can mask a less expensive compressor with a larger tank for home use. Then you must be able to get the air to the tool 1/4" and lengthy 3/8" hose will be very limiting...

I would recommend a 80gallon tank (60 will do but a sandblaster will zap it w/o a great compressor), as large of a compressor you can afford. A two stage compressor will allow for lower heat transfer and higher psi.. And a larger I.D. Pipe (schedule 80 PVC is inexpensive and functional) solution to distribute the air with shorter 3/8" hose disconnects places randomly like power outlets.

The CFM is the amount of air replaced as the compressor is running.

[Thephranc]

Get a belt drive and the biggest one you can afford or fit in your space. The ones at Harbor Freight are actually pretty nice.

[Motorcitydak]

What he said! Get something belt driven and oiled. Oil free and direct driven compressors will be very loud and hard on the motor. A belt cushions the force from the pump. Also oiled/belt driven are very reliable and quiet. I can have a conversation standing rite next to my compressor when it is running. It is reliable so to that note, if you can find one used I would pick that up. As long as the tank is not rusty on the bottom, it may be the last compressor you will ever buy