Which (portable) air compressor for nailers, inflating tires

[Charles Spitzer]

you won't be ablet to blast or sand using a portable one, at least for longer than a few seconds or so. read the air requirement specs on the tools you want to use, and buy a compressor that will provide that.

Realistically, what else might I really want to use it for around the house? Sandblast my mower blades? Sand some drywall?

-Pat

I just want to be able to install trim/moulding, occasional 2x4 framing, fill up car/bike tires etc.

Prefer: quiet, portable (carry up/down stairs), reasonably priced, oiled.

I don't need to paint/grind etc.

Thanks in advance.

-Pat

Lots of good ones out there.

Just do yourself a favor and buy LARGER than you think you need right now. Once you get it you will find dozens more uses for it

AMUN

[barry]

There are all manner of air-powered tools available- hammers, sanders, cutters, wrenches, etc., etc.

For example:

HTH, J

[Charles Spitzer]

try using a leafblower. lots faster blowing the dust/sawdust outside. wear eye and dust protection

[Pat Coghlan]

I don't need to paint/grind etc.

Thanks in advance.

-Pat

[zxcvbob]

Get the largest you can carry. You will at least want to use it with a blow gun occasionally, and those take a lot of air.

Bob

[Amun]

Lots of good ones out there.

Just do yourself a favor and buy LARGER than you think you need right now. Once you get it you will find dozens more uses for it

AMUN

[Pat Coghlan]

Would I have to give up, say, portability to be more versatile?

Realistically, what else might I really want to use it for around the house? Sandblast my mower blades? Sand some drywall?

-Pat

Amun wrote:

[Pat Coghlan]

How much is "a lot"?

Something I can move easily from the garage to the basement...and work with a blow gun...seems ideal.

[SQLit]

Prefer: quiet, portable (carry up/down stairs), reasonably priced, oiled.

I don't need to paint/grind etc.

Thanks in advance.

-Pat

I think your concept of an oiled compressor is a mistake. Your not using this for production work. Wander through Sears.

[zxcvbob]

Don't forget the compressor's electrical requirements. If the compressor is big enough to need wheels, it might need a dedicated circuit, and that can mean a beefy extension cord even heavier than that long air hose.

-Bob

[No]

I agree that getting a large is othen worthwhile but a large unit can be a real pain in the back to move around. I have a largish Porter Cable. It handles everything I have thrown at it. I picked it up at an auction for $80, retail was over $300. I may, someday, get a small double hotdog or pancake for better portability.

A buddy has a senco oiled that is fairly portable that he has had good results with. Also , lok at some of the Bostich and Porter Cable kits for a fair value.

BTW - I never realized how useful a blow gun would be around the garage/shop till I had one.

[Tim Fischer]

oiled.

I don't need to paint/grind etc.

Thanks in advance.

-Pat

Lots of good ones out there.

Just do yourself a favor and buy LARGER than you think you need right now. Once you get it you will find dozens more uses for it

AMUN

[Tim Fischer]

I agree a blow gun is useful. BUT I used to use it in liu of a dust collector-- and that's a really bad idea. All that dust becomes airborn, goes into your lungs, etc. etc. Get a dust collector (they start at under $150, even under $100 if you get a very small one) and then just use the blow gun for detail cleaning-- let the vacuum system get the majority of the stuff.

You'll thank yourself in a few decades...

-Tim

[Tim Fischer]

If you need air in both places frequently, run an air line between the basement and garage and keep a larger compressor in one place or the other. If that's the only reason you need 'portability' you don't really need a portable compressor.

Get the largest you can carry. You will at least want to use it with a blow gun occasionally, and those take a lot of air.

How much is "a lot"?

Something I can move easily from the garage to the basement...and work with a blow gun...seems ideal.

[Tim Fischer]

I don't. Oilless compressors are LOUD and tend to not work as well, IMHO.

-Tim

[Edwin Pawlowski]

"Pat Coghlan" [e-mail]

Heftier power tools can use 7 to 10 cfm. Blow guns can use tons of air. Any compressor will have a resevoir to compensate so short intervals are not a problem. My PC pancake is about 2.7 cfm and handles all the light loads I've ever needed. Nail guns, tire fills, blow gun, but only for a few minutes at a time.

How portable does portable have to be? It may be easier to lug a 50' air line than a compressor, but a compressor on wheels is easier to move than

200' of air line. Your budget will be a factor also. Decide what is important to you and take a look at . for starters. Big range of $$$

[No]