What kind of compressor do i need

[2003TRD]

What kind of power and size resevoir do i need to use air tools and auto painting equipment?
As you can tell I am new to pneumatic tools, would like something cheap and reliable for home use. I may be painting some bike fairings and such so I dont want something that isnt going to hold enough pressure to get the job done, so midway through it doesnt peter-out and cause clumps in the paint job.

Thanks

 

[Ugly3]

It is not possible to answer your question.

Spray guns can use anywhere from .5 to 18 CFM depending on the gun.

The typical air tool can use anywhere from a few CFM for a ratchet to 30 CFM for some air driven saws.

The best set up I have seen recently is an 18 CFM Ingersall Rand with a 60 gallon tank for about $900. This was a vertical set up and not too loud. Took 30 amps at 220 to operate so we had to provide dedicated wiring for the unit. We ran several 3/4" impact wrenches at the same time and the pump did not even work hard.

Good luck!

 

[Steve S]

Bigger is better! From my experience the minimum would be a 6.5 horse power they run around 400 dollars . More cfm would be better.

 

[TooManyWheels]

Your need is to have adequate CFM at the required operating pressures for the tools you will be using.

For example, my 4 HP belt driven compressor delivers 9.3 CFM@40 PSI, and 7.7 CFM@90 PSI. This will supply a conventional spray gun (not an HVLP, high-volume, low pressure), and can run some air tools for short bursts (an impact wrench being the perfect example). This is adequate for my automotive needs, but I wouldn't go smaller.

Reasons to go bigger would be if you wanted to use HVLP, which would require more compressor produced volume (not induced by the pressure regulator), or if the air tools you had in mind were continuous-use oriented like sanders, or if several people would be using air tools at once.

Something you should consider is where the compressor will be in relation to where you paint. I am very nervous about having an electric motor starting and running amongst paint fumes, so I always arrange things so the compressor is well ventilated. In my case, this means running the compressor outside the garage, while I paint inside. Since my compressor is 220V, that then requires a heavy duty extension cord. If you had a large upright unit, which would easily meet your air suplly needs, you would have to paint elsewhere. Because of all this, I have my eye on the HVLP setups which have their own supply turbines.

[ October 10, 2004, 01:32 PM: Message edited by: TooManyWheels ]

 

[JTH]

Stay away from those 6.5 horsepower compressor units from sears or any other place.First of all there is no such thing as a 6.5 horspower motor and second you won't be able to hear yourself think with one they are very high speed look for lower speed they don't wearout as fast and alot less noise.If you want a stationary unit check out the auction houses for a good cast iron pump unit(quincy,devibis,Older I.R. saylorbeal and kellog american)make sure it is single phase 220volt motor and it should last forever.Goodluck