What sized compressor do you need to run air tools?

[Emo]

I think I may have cleared out enough of a corner in the garage to squeeze in a compressor. I'd be using it to pump up tyres, run a rattle gun and perhaps an air drill. There seems to be some cheapies around 2hp. Is this big enough?

[j-top paj]

2hp should do the job only just

[ausyota]

All the cheapies are direct drive and tend to get hot very quick.
They are designed for pumping up bike tyres and footys with the ocasional car tyre.
It will be underpowered for air tools and will heat up if you use it for decent amount of time.
Also the cheapies only have very small tanks so dont have a lot of reserve air.

Better to get a belt driven compressor 12CFM absolute minimum (18CFM is the go) with a 50litre tank.

If you insist on a cheapy go for a 2.5HP and just be gentle on it.

[Shorti]

id say 12cfm

*edit* what ausyota said....

[Zute]

Whats the min for spay painting?

[ausyota]

Whats the min for spay painting?

You can get away with a 12CFM but sometimes you need to stop to let it catch up which can result in a dry edge in the paint.
Again bigger is better.

[ISUZUROVER]

Search around garage sales and machinery auctions for an old industrial compressor.

I bought one for $100 from a garage sale - used to belong to the railways. It has a HUGE air tank - must be 200+ Litres, and a twin-piston engine - 8cfm if I remember correctly - but given the size of the engine I think that may be a conservative rating.

[Ben]

Emo I picked up a great belt drive compressor, 50lt tank blah blah for about $500 from Just Tools in South Melbourne, really, really helpful bunch, great price and didn't point me in the more expensive route (for anything) once I explained what I wanted it for.

[90Mav]

I have a 15cfm 3hp which is good for spraying, but sanders ect kill it pretty quick..

[mrw82]

i have a kmart quality 2.5hp cheapie.
works fine for spray painting using a low pressure gun. keeps up fine.
if its something like an air sander that draws constantly you will need a bigger compressor but for a rattle gun, LP spray gun, blow gun, tyre inflator, and the occasional hole with a drill the cheapie 2.5 hp will be fine. just take a break occasionally to let it catch up. whats the hurry anyway.

[noelb1]

http://www.graysonline.com.au always got them from business closedowns usually get them cheap , I just picked up 2 x 3t presses for $15 pick up

[sniper]

I use a 17cfm

[chikoroll_]

2.2hp, 50Ltank rated up to 200 psi

test the compressor before you buy it, it should get up to 120PSI in less than 2 minutes if you want to use for a spraygun

it should cut off at around 130-140psi
make sure the tank has a tap at the bottom of it (for letting out moisture)

[Lux_89]

yup, i use my oldies one all the time for working on the truck, ratchets, rattle guns i brought a spray gun and air hammers ect ect and eben take it to work with me wen the bosses comp is out of order and we run two hoses with framing and finishing guns all day, this is with a 2.5 hp supercheap job, 40lt tank i think, yeh its direct drive but we just give it a breather wen it gets really hot and its all good, just treat them with care and they will do the same for you, if ya want a cheapie go to supercheap and get the yellow air power one 2.5 hp is good value if your gonna be doing what you described.. ahhhhhhh what a lot of text