Air Compressor DA's?

[C. Charles Hahn]

Hmm.... well for $250 or less your best bet might actually end up being to watch Craigslist for something used. I was going to suggest something more along the lines of this:

Craftsman

Typically if you want to get into painting larger parts or body panels you will want no smaller than about a 60 gallon air tank and a compressor that can keep up with filling it -- but for what you're talking about using it for a 33-gal. tank would probably be alright.

The other option you have is to buy a lesser compressor now, then adding a second compressor later and tying them together in your air system to both run at once.

Don't forget to budget in at least 25' of hard line (copper or black iron) and a water trap/filter and regulator -- the rule of thumb is that a water trap any closer than 25' of line away from the compressor outlet isn't going to do its job effectively. For a filter/regulator all you really need is something basic like this:

Ingersoll Rand Combination Air System Accessories — 1/2in., Filter, Regulator, Model# P39344600VS | Filters, Lubricators + Regulators | Northern Tool + Equipment

Sadly I've found that getting into painting and using pneumatic tools is not a cheap venture.

 

[feslope]

Yeah good point...unfortunately this wont really be for a 'shop' since i dont have one lol...more of at home and i have no room in the garage for it...3 car garage...3 cars..no space :-...so will be stored outside somewhere (shaded of course). I was looking at this one..what are your thoughts ? Vertical Air Compressor - 2.5 HP, 21 Gallon, 120 Volt, 125 PSI

This one has very poor capabilities for running air tools and none for painting. This compressor MIGHT run a touch up gun or an air brush. It might run the McGuaire 3" rotary tool for 20 or 30 seconds and then need a minute or two to recover. It will run a pneumatic stapler or riviter. If you want to run rotary tools you should have a 2 stage piston compressor with a minimum 60 gallon tank at 175 psi. The Craftsman compressor shown in a previous post might work out for you with this tool and a touch up gun.

I've wasted money on some of these small cheap compressors, you get what you pay for. The Griot 3" polisher also comes with a lifetime warranty.

This is my experience, yours may vary.

Not with small compressor ->:buffing:

 

[Wills.WindowsAndWheels]

Hmm.... well for $250 or less your best bet might actually end up being to watch Craigslist for something used. I was going to suggest something more along the lines of this:

Craftsman

Typically if you want to get into painting larger parts or body panels you will want no smaller than about a 60 gallon air tank and a compressor that can keep up with filling it -- but for what you're talking about using it for a 33-gal. tank would probably be alright.

The other option you have is to buy a lesser compressor now, then adding a second compressor later and tying them together in your air system to both run at once.

Don't forget to budget in at least 25' of hard line (copper or black iron) and a water trap/filter and regulator -- the rule of thumb is that a water trap any closer than 25' of line away from the compressor outlet isn't going to do its job effectively. For a filter/regulator all you really need is something basic like this:

Ingersoll Rand Combination Air System Accessories — 1/2in., Filter, Regulator, Model# P39344600VS | Filters, Lubricators + Regulators | Northern Tool + Equipment

Sadly I've found that getting into painting and using pneumatic tools is not a cheap venture.

Thanks again for the info...this is a new area for me so... i want to learn all i can about it. I got my little ryobi today...havent unpacked it yet...but got a feeling it will be going back...just gotta decide what to get. The craftsman you showed looks nice...little on the pricey side....but the craigslist idea is a good idea too. Ive bought a good amount of things from there and so far have had no problems. *knocks on wood* and has also saved me literally over a thousand dollars easily on things i bought 2nd hand and have worked like new.

If you have any other suggestions of good compressors i'll search craigslist for one and see if i can get lucky. Any 'bare minimum' specs would be nice too so i know what ones not to even bother with.

I found a couple i was curious about...what do you think DeWALT 55146 Compressor - 4.5 Gal and 22 gallon 2HP Air Compressor ***NEW**** 160 OBO and CRAFTSMAN AIR COMPRESSOR ...thats just from a quick look...if it can save me a couple hundred bucks it would be worth a wait for me, since i dont need it NOW.

This one has very poor capabilities for running air tools and none for painting. This compressor MIGHT run a touch up gun or an air brush. It might run the McGuaire 3" rotary tool for 20 or 30 seconds and then need a minute or two to recover. It will run a pneumatic stapler or riviter. If you want to run rotary tools you should have a 2 stage piston compressor with a minimum 60 gallon tank at 175 psi. The Craftsman compressor shown in a previous post might work out for you with this tool and a touch up gun.

I've wasted money on some of these small cheap compressors, you get what you pay for. The Griot 3" polisher also comes with a lifetime warranty.

This is my experience, yours may vary.

Not with small compressor ->:buffing:

lol love the end of your post . griots 3" would be ok...but its just i think the investment put into a compressor at this point would be money better spent...thats why im thinkin i might have to spend a little more than i WANT to, but would be smart in the long run.