What is the best air compressor for automotive work? like using impact guns?

Question

My husband is a mechanic and I want to get him an air compressor for christmas so that he can use his impact tools. How many lbs should the air compressor be to have this capability and where can I find good ones at?

Answer 1

LQQK......Ive been a mechanic for 15 years,

Do you have 220voltage out in the garage he's using? otherwise your going to need that If you get him a 220volt unit.

get him a 60 gallon tank (5 hp)220volt compressor, of any nationally know brand name, sears is a fine place to start.

A 60 gallon unit will be about 5 ft tall and sit in an area of the garage using less space then a refrigerator,

most 110 units are too under powered, but you may find one that's nice, If you pay a decent price, but do not go out for a 120 gallon tank, that is OVER KILL, he doesn't want a unit that's big enough to run the dealership he works at.

Also make sure that what ever you buy is not one of the "new" and quite crappy "reed-valve" style, these are marketed as Quiet and are intended for little jobs and for the homeowner, there not a real compressor, a real compressor has a motor, drive belt, and compressor

P.S. be sure to buy the oil that the compressor uses, As they are shipped empty, he wont be able to go into the garage and play with it until he runs uptown and gets the oil for it.

And about the P.S.I. don't worry about that 90 or 110 oh oh oh stuff,
As a mechanic he will set it just where he wants it, and Cubic feet per minuet-C.F.M., don't worry about that ether as I said a 60 gallon tank.

Answer 2

Automotive Air Compressor

Answer 3

I have a 10HP- 220V- 2 stage- 175 PSI- 120 gal tank compressor with a starter in my shop and you can run anything you can plug into it! Be careful, because a lot of compressors won't keep up. Look on the air gun to find the "CFM" and make sure you go well beyond that for useful purposes. CFM- Cubic feet per minute! Impact wrenches are pretty high and require a fairly decent size compressor. Also, make sure it's "TWO STAGE" and don't let salesman convince you to buy a single stage because they are nothing but junk! Good to blow up the bicycle tire and that's about it!
One of the other authors mentions a 120V 12 CFM compressor! Never seen or heard of such an animal! Stick with 220V for maximum performance! And there are tons of 6-10 HP 220V compressors out there for sale for less than $450.00!

Answer 4

You need 90psi constantly to work with but a 100 to 110psi works better. Brand of air compressor is up to you but for at home work you need a minimum 10 gallon tank, in my opinion.

Answer 5

I have a Ridgid Air compressor that I use for this purpose and it works great. This is a link to their line of compressor products. (I bought the OF45150 model at Home Depot)
http://www.ridgid.com/Tools/Air-Compressors/index.htm

Answer 6

the best one is one that you can afford, and the one his wife gets him is the best in the world.
That said, things to consider are---
110 V vs 230 V. If he is going to use it casually (Not all the time, for a living) and you don't want to sacrifice your dryer plug, 110 V will do nicely.
Reserve -- at least 50 gallon capacity to avoid the need for the machine to always be running, and having to wait for recharge of air.
Volume of air -- Something > 12 CFM is really great, but for intermittent use, > 8 CFM will do most of the time.
Pressure -- Most machines you purchase at the DEPOT stores are down around 40 PSI, which is fine for body work and painting and carpenter's tools, but for automotive tools, an absolute minimum of 90 PSI is necessary and 130 PSI is eve better. Most professional shops have 150 to 175 PSI systems.
To get something that will do the job well, you should expect to pay around $450.00, but if you SHOP around you might find something for $300.00.
Try ------>

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/StoreCatalogDisplay/c-10101/s-10101

or

http://www.harborfreight.com/

or

http://www.northerntool.com/

Good Luck