Powering air tools with a small compressor

Hey everyone,

I have a large compressor now with a not so big garage. Id like to scale down but still be able to run an impact wrench all day if i have to.

Any thoughts on the smallest i could go and still be able to power the air tools effectively?

Here is what I have now. Open to trading for something smaller if anyone wants to get something bigger like this. Works great just needs to be cleaned up.




Thanks!

 

I've been running this pos one for 6 years plus now and it has been just fine for impacts and everything else for home shop use. It was $99.00 when I bought it.

 

How is it on noise and needing to refill often?

 

I contemplated the same thing for a long time. I finally just bought the 1/2" drive Impact from Ryobi and I'm in love, so handy and none of the hassles of being attached to a compressor. However, it may not work for your application, not sure what you're doing exactly.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-ONE-18-Volt-Impact-Wrench-Kit-P1890/206736695

And you can get a pack of 2 more high capacity batteries for $100.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-ONE-18-Volt-High-Capacity-LITHIUM-Battery-2-Pack-P122/204321540

 

Noise is average for a small compressor.
I've never refilled it since I've owned it. Window still shows full and it looks clear enough.

 

The hardest thing would be working on the truck. changing tires. stuff like that.

 

I just used it for the first time to rotate my tires and it was a breeze. The last lug was just as powerful as the first. I still haven't recharged the battery.

Video: https://dl2.pushbulletusercontent.com/G9bNcvNs4AXiZ05XftLIvaCuRNVKQLkj/IMG_7578.MOV

 

I run the Harborfreight Earthquake impact on it and it kicks the shit out of everything it touches. I know cheap tools, but 6 years , just saying. home use.

 

well that was awesome. I might have to pick one of those up sooner than later. and for all else ill prob check out this 99$ one. Thanks everyone!

 

I use this same one and it's fine for everything I do.

 

My buddy designed the earthquake line and they are fucking awesome impact wrenches, if you want to use a compressor. There are reviews and tear downs all over YouTube, and they've all been amazing. The earthquake XT for 150 is also a great option.

 

So this guy

is on sale right now for $149...seriously considering for my home shop.

Thoughts?

 

It is important to consider that HF no longer stocks parts for most of its power tools, compressors included. The good news is that most of these Asian made compressors are he same and you can generally find compatible parts on the web.

Another place to look is Craigslist, there are always 4 or 5 good deals on compressors on our local listings--I got this from a CL ad last summer for $150:



30 gallon tank, 155 psi 5.5 cfm @ 90 psi, just a bit larger than the HF 21 gallon unit--sells new for $450 at Home Depot. Was wired for 120 VAC but I rewired it for 240, mostly because I had 240 on that side of the garage but ti is a tad perkier on startup.

It was just 2 years old, got it from a divorcee selling off some poor slob's tools (I know, I'm bad...)

 

Not my area of knowledge but isn't the tank volume that holds the pressurized air the most important piece to powering air tools?

 

I think it's a combination of tank capacity and the SCFM (standard cubic feet per minute) rating...essentially how much air flow can be generated to run hungry air tools, followed by the ability to store air to reduce cycling of the power source.

 

How big of a compressor do you currently have?

 

People still use airtools with all the awesome battery technology we have? Just get an electric impact they are phenomenal

 

Yeah, thinking about going that way but I would still need something powerful enough to blow out the water lines in the yard and other odd jobs. Not sure how much power i would need for that, not much i would think.

 

ill take a look tonight, i forget. Its a coleman and its big. lol

 

18 gal, added pics to original post.