The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Air Compressor?

Hello, getting ready to get the tools together that we don't have and an air compressor is one of them.

I have been reading a lot about them and all of the cfm stuff and I am just wondering how big of a compressor do you use? I do know that you can get different tools with different cfm needs but what about the paint guns? Is more cfm for the gun something that is desirable??

Lots of sanding to do and all the other stuff that you all know about.

With this in mind we are doing a project together not opening a body and fender shop.

I don't want to short change the equipment but if one stage will get us by instead of two etc. etc.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

evilstepdad

evilstepdad:

Check in the "Tool Chest" section of the Forums. There is a lot of good information regarding compressors and the various applications for single stage vs. two stage, etc.

I recently purchased a 7hp/80gal compressor from Lowe's. It will produce 15.1cfm @ 90psi. I bought it primarily for sand blasting. It was the best piece of equipment for the purpose for me and it was in my price range. Best of luck with your pursuit of a compressor.

What ever you do, do not buy one of those oil- less models. They are very loud and wear out fast if you use it a lot. Like for sand blasting.

I use some funky HUSKEE air compressor I bought for $60 at a auction.. looks like a TSC Farm Store brand from the 60's.. but she works like a champ, and runs my air ratchet and drill like a champ!

Don't know what kind of power you'd need for a sand blaster, tho.. but i'd like to have one when it comes time to peel that surface rust off my '46!

I have a cheap compressor I bought at a yard sale for $50. It is just a 5hp old Craftsman with 20gal. tank. It works great for painting and will run my cut-off grinder. DA uses lots of air, so I can only go in short cycles. I tend to do a lot of manual sanding with a long body board, so this doesn't really bother me. I guess it depends on what you would use your compressor for.

I lucked onto an antique 5horse, 100gal rig from a gas station that was converted to a pump-yer-own convienience store and it works great for anything - runs steady when sand blasting, but that's to be expected, and they're all noisey if ya don't put'em off in a corner by themselves where noise doesn't get to ya

look around for decent used to start, and try to find 5horse w/ min 60gal tank - for the amount you'll use it, gotta decide what capital outlay is worth while

Bill

Thanks for the replies, I was thinking that sand blasting would be something I will need to do a lot of and I still might have to...

My daughters boyfriend just went to work for a place about 20 miles from my house that does sand blasting and powdercoating. If I can just find a way to keep him interested or make sure he still likes me if she drops him. LOL

I should get a real good deal from them as my wifes families business gives them a lot of work. Who know's though.

Funny thing about their business is their moto, "WE ARE NUMBER ONE IN THE NUMBER TWO BUSINESS" LOL. Check out Romtec.inc and you will see why.


evilstepdad