bdruggan10r Posted May 28, 2009 Report Share Posted May 28, 2009 As the title of the thread says, looking at an air compressor. Don't want anything large. Looking at a store called Harbor Freight USA that sells them. They have stores all over. Can someone tell me if a 115 PSI is going to be enough to run air tools, remove those damn impacted and stuck bolts, etc...Heck, the oilless pancacke compresser is 100 PSI and is $39.99. What else do I need to look for. What is the gallons? Is that fuel or air?Would it be easier to ask what the limitations of such a compressor would be?Here is a link.http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/itemdisplay/displayCatItemList.do?category=AIR+COMPRESSORS+AND+ACCESSORIES&subcategory=Air+Compressors&search.subcatid=521 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magley64 Posted May 28, 2009 Report Share Posted May 28, 2009 Typically the "gallons" they reference is the volume of the compressed air tank.If you just want to run an impact, and fill tires, you're probably fine with the lil compressor.Some of the larger volume tools (air sander, paint gun...etc) you would want more capacity. I have a 8 gal craftsman, and if I'm trying to paint i have issues with the compressor keeping up with the volume of air i'm shooting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
that dude Posted May 28, 2009 Report Share Posted May 28, 2009 As the title of the thread says, looking at an air compressor. Don't want anything large. Looking at a store called Harbor Freight USA that sells them. They have stores all over. Can someone tell me if a 115 PSI is going to be enough to run air tools, remove those damn impacted and stuck bolts, etc...Heck, the oilless pancacke compresser is 100 PSI and is $39.99. What else do I need to look for. What is the gallons? Is that fuel or air?Would it be easier to ask what the limitations of such a compressor would be?Here is a link.http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/itemdisplay/displayCatItemList.do?category=AIR+COMPRESSORS+AND+ACCESSORIES&subcategory=Air+Compressors&search.subcatid=521that will work fine..but dont buy shit from harbor freight unless its a one time tool, then dispose of it. buy a nice ridgid or senco Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flounder Posted May 28, 2009 Report Share Posted May 28, 2009 dont forget about flow rate.. that is the biggest issue with running air tools. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shittygsxr Posted May 28, 2009 Report Share Posted May 28, 2009 Typically the "gallons" they reference is the volume of the compressed air tank.If you just want to run an impact, and fill tires, you're probably fine with the lil compressor.Some of the larger volume tools (air sander, paint gun...etc) you would want more capacity. I have a 8 gal craftsman, and if I'm trying to paint i have issues with the compressor keeping up with the volume of air i'm shooting.good post. 2 stage compressors are best for lots of volume ie sandblasting for impact wreches and even running an air nailer that small one should be fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdruggan10r Posted May 28, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 28, 2009 dont forget about flow rate.. that is the biggest issue with running air tools.Flow rate? I obviously know nothing about Air Compressors. What is flow rate. How do you check it, is it rated? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kip Drordy Posted May 28, 2009 Report Share Posted May 28, 2009 good post. 2 stage compressors are best for lots of volume ie sandblasting for impact wreches and even running an air nailer that small one should be fineWhat's that? Is there a minimum size for 2 stage compressors? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
that dude Posted May 28, 2009 Report Share Posted May 28, 2009 flow rate- how fast the air is delivereddo yourself a favor and go buy the ridgid twinstack from the depot for around 3-340 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casper Posted May 28, 2009 Report Share Posted May 28, 2009 dont forget about flow rate.. that is the biggest issue with running air tools.Flow rate? I obviously know nothing about Air Compressors. What is flow rate. How do you check it, is it rated? I'm pretty sure there is no flow rating for air compressors. You could calculate it yourself if you know the velocity:0.25 x 3.14 x (hose diameter)^2 x velocity Anyways, I wouldn't recommend buying a harbor freight air compressor. Get a small Craftsman. It'll do you just fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdruggan10r Posted May 28, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 28, 2009 flow rate- how fast the air is delivereddo yourself a favor and go buy the ridgid twinstack from the depot for around 3-340I'm not saying I would never spend $340.00 on a compressor, but when I could get one for 39.00, why? That is a serious question. This would be used for occassional bike work and odd garage jobs. A few times a year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casper Posted May 28, 2009 Report Share Posted May 28, 2009 I'm not saying I would never spend $340.00 on a compressor, but when I could get one for 39.00, why? That is a serious question. This would be used for occassional bike work and odd garage jobs. A few times a year.Because it'll probably break after just a few times.I have this one:http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00915215000P?vName=Tools+%26+Equipment&cName=Equipment&sName=Compressors+%26+Air+Tools&filter=Product+Type|Air+compressors+%26+inflatorsIt is on sale for $99 and will last you a lot, lot longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magley64 Posted May 28, 2009 Report Share Posted May 28, 2009 What's that? Is there a minimum size for 2 stage compressors?typically anything less than 5 hp is a 1 stage... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
that dude Posted May 28, 2009 Report Share Posted May 28, 2009 What's that? Is there a minimum size for 2 stage compressors?a 2 dtage is needed when blasting and painting or in used all the time..basically most are bigger, more hp , more cfm, faster recovery time, compresses to a higher pressure, more effeicient, and more monies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shittygsxr Posted May 28, 2009 Report Share Posted May 28, 2009 I'm pretty sure there is no flow rating for air compressors. You could calculate it yourself if you know the velocity:0.25 x 3.14 x (hose diameter)^2 x velocity Anyways, I wouldn't recommend buying a harbor freight air compressor. Get a small Craftsman. It'll do you just fine.it will usually have cfm @ psiand different air tools will have a rating too so you can compare Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmoosego Posted May 28, 2009 Report Share Posted May 28, 2009 I've had the off brands..... not worth the little bit of money, casper is right they do break down rather quickly.... I'd get a 5 hp porter cable, I've had mine going on 4 years, and I use it daily..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
that dude Posted May 28, 2009 Report Share Posted May 28, 2009 you get what you pay for..harbor freight is cheap for a reason- the shit sucks asspay now or pay later Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReconRat Posted May 28, 2009 Report Share Posted May 28, 2009 The smaller weaker air compressors will have to stop and build up pressure more often than a bigger compressor. If you don't mind waiting, it's ok. Air tools love flow rate. If your compressor doesn't meet or exceed the tool's required flow rate, it won't work very well, if at all.Basically the compressors rated flow rate is it's ability to continuously deliver air at that stated flow rate. That's good for air tools, which just throw the air away as fast as they can.Does that make sense?Craftsman sounds attractive, because you can probably get parts to repair them with. If you needed them. Harbor freight may or may not be compressors with a name brand that is repairable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grober Posted May 28, 2009 Report Share Posted May 28, 2009 if you dont mind waiting for the compressor to fill backup its fine, but on bolts that are really on there it sucks. get a 5 gallon it should be fine for running light airtools, but not for sanders, painting, or anything that uses high volume of air pressure for extented periods of time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReconRat Posted May 28, 2009 Report Share Posted May 28, 2009 It's sort of like buying a computer for the software you plan on running. Decide what air tools you wish to use, and get a compressor that will run them really well. It's a good idea to exceed the required cfm flow rate, and psi. There will be losses from leaks, pressure restrictions, etc. There is a pressure/flow rate drop in the hose itself. The longer the hose, the less the pressure. Not much, but it adds up as a loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casper Posted May 28, 2009 Report Share Posted May 28, 2009 it will usually have cfm @ psiand different air tools will have a rating too so you can compareAh, I didn't even think about the CFM. Good call. That should only really apply to things like paint guns though, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schmuckingham Posted May 28, 2009 Report Share Posted May 28, 2009 http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100665775&N=10000003+90401+527575I will have this one in my garage sometime this month Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flounder Posted May 28, 2009 Report Share Posted May 28, 2009 it will usually have cfm @ psiand different air tools will have a rating too so you can compareYep +1 - Thats what I was talking about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magley64 Posted May 28, 2009 Report Share Posted May 28, 2009 I'd reccomend the US AIR DVK-250, you will never need another air compressor (and neither will anyone else in your neighborhood)http://www.usaircompressor.com/dvk100_250.php Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdruggan10r Posted May 28, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 28, 2009 My God, you know, bikers are the smartest damn people in the Worl.. Ohi.. this forum. Seriously, I never knew there was so much to consider on this. Thanks, keep the info coming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrillo Posted May 28, 2009 Report Share Posted May 28, 2009 My God, you know, bikers are the smartest damn people in the Worl.. Ohi.. this forum. Seriously, I never knew there was so much to consider on this. Thanks, keep the info coming.seriously though, there is a high level of intelligence among the regulars here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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