School me on Air Compressors - metal working

[nwoods]

I need a shop compressor for grinding and cutting things on the Jeep. Not sure what I need, but budget is extremely limited. Looking at CraigsList-Orange County listings, found a ton. Not sure what minimum tank size and horsepower ratings I should be looking for....

Help!

[NAILER341]

I'd get an oiled commercial industrial compressor if space and budget allows.
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/ant...082114233.html
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/tls/2092198258.html

Here are some examples.

For most metal working, I'd prefer corded toos or battery tools so I dont have to listen to a small compressor running all the time.

With a compressor for running air tools, you really need to get a good one that has a high capacity, and a nice quiet oiled motor/pump or it will drive you nuts.

I am currently using a "Dental" compressor from a dentist office. It is quiet, but has to run a lot.

[nwoods]

Corded tools seem pretty expensive, I already have some basic harbor frieght air tools, but I was surprised that I could not run them on my nail gun pancake compressor! I don't have much room, so would prefer an upright model. Would something like this be adequate?
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/tls/2095321926.html

[NAILER341]

it wil run and run and run... You'll want to drill a hole in your head with the air drill to make the noise from the oil-less compressor stop ringing in your head.

Steer away from harbor freight air tools.

I spent about 45 minuted grinding on my jeep truss with a harbor freight die grinder. It was like a kids sparkler. The damn thing was barely scraping the paint off of the metal.

Nathan, you cant cheap out on these things.

What tools do you need to run on this compressor?

[RAT]

Nathan,
you saw my A/C. It runs all the tools I can throw at it. It's a bit loud but it doesn't run all that much except on the big jobs. It was on sale at Homo Depot last year for $229.00. It comes wired for 115 vac but change it to 230 vac and wire your garage or you won't be happy.
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...atalogId=10053


If you can't afford that, look at these grinders at Harbor freight. I'm just as much a HF basher as the next guy but for the price these can't be beat. I bought two of them. One gets cut off wheels and the other gets grinding wheels. The 4.5 inch grinder with a cutoff wheel will burn through anything you want to cut faster than most air cut off wheels. The only time I use my air cut off is in very tight spots. Both of my grinders are over three years old and have literally hundreds and hundreds of hours of hard labor on them. They come with spare brushes which are simple to replace. So for the price of two of these and the consumables you don't really need a big air compressor.



Grinder
http://www.harborfreight.com/power-t...der-91223.html

Cutoff wheels for grinder
http://www.harborfreight.com/pack-of...tal-45430.html

Grining wheels for grinder
http://www.harborfreight.com/pack-of...etal-6674.html

[nwoods]

Erik, I hear you loud and clear, but I'm in a real financial bind. Gonna lose the house, probably have to sell the jeep as well. Just looking to clean up the bits and pieces kissed by rocks. Some basic grinding mostly, and a little bit of cutting on some the bent pieces. Trying to make her look presentable. Maybe I can find a rental.

The key seems to be 90psi and 8-10 scfm to drive the airtool, yes? I don't really know how horsepower and tank size equate to those minimum specs.

[FishPOET]

I'm going out of town from 12-21-10 through 1-4-11. You are more than welcome to borrow the compressor from my shop while I am gone. In fact I have a couple of electric grinders that you can borrow as well.

[nwoods]

Doug, that would be awesome! Once again you go over the top. Heck, I didnt even realize you live so close by!

[NAILER341]

Erik, I hear you loud and clear, but I'm in a real financial bind. Gonna lose the house, probably have to sell the jeep as well. Just looking to clean up the bits and pieces kissed by rocks. Some basic grinding mostly, and a little bit of cutting on some the bent pieces. Trying to make her look presentable. Maybe I can find a rental.

The key seems to be 90psi and 8-10 scfm to drive the airtool, yes? I don't really know how horsepower and tank size equate to those minimum specs.

You are welcome to come on by my place and use my tools if you like. I can help you in the evenings.
Let me know if you are interested.

[bails85]

most air pneumatic tools take a lot of air to push them. its not the size that matters its how fast u keep air coming. a 2 cylinder motor would be ideal. most compressors are very expensive. i bought a 26 gallon home depot compressor and it does not do the job. runiing a die grinder da sander and a air drill really make it work. im constantly waitng for the air pressure to recharge. if u can find a big commercial compressor motor on c.l. that would be the way to go. u can always link tanks or build your own.

[aw12345]

Same here Nathan, you are more than welcome to swing by and use my compressor and air tools