specs for an adequate air compressor

[DezertTitan]

Just to chime in. I picked up my first air compressor this month. From a lot of reading I did, most decent 1/2 drive impacts will be happy w/ 6cfm @ 90psi. You'll come across issues when your going to town w/ a die grinder or other tools where you're just blowing air constantly. Keep in mind the CFM rating comes into effect when your running your air tools & you've already used the air in your tank. So long as you've got air in your tank, and your regulator is set @ the proper settings, you're air tool will run at whatever air rating its designed for @ that PSI. If a tool is designed to use 15cfm @ 90, it will, until you're tanks emptied. Then it'll run off whatever the pump can keep up with.

I chose the Craftsman Professional 27gallon 2HP oil lubricated vertical standing compressor. I expect it'll do my garage work just fine running air tools workin on my jeep. It puts out 5.9 cfm @ 90psi. It was $469 before taxes. I'm sure somebody will correct me if I'm wrong, I'm by no means an expert here.

 

[bchulett]

IR Garage Mate is my forth semi-portable compressor and the best bar none excluding installing a full size 2 stage requiring 230v. There comes a point when a typical 115v circuit can only handle so much... this is it.

It's super quiet compared to any Craftsman, Campbell Hausfeld or Emglo.

http://www.ingersollrandproducts.com/IS/Product.aspx-am_en-12949

I also have a small Makita portable (dual stack tanks) to take into the house for home projects... mostly to drive my nailers. Again, like my IR Garage Mate, I wouldn't trade my small Makita for anything.

.

 

[souske]

I see what you guys are saying as far as being dissapointed with a smaller compressor, but I built most of my xj using a 1.5 hp 3gal nailgun compressor. Was it ideal? Far from it! But it was a lot better than doing everything by hand. Have upgraded since to a 5.5 hp/33 gal, which is plenty fast, guess I just like to take more beer brakes than some.

OP: why not get a smallish one used, then you won't have too much invested in the little one. Also consider that the cheaper air tools waste more air. Small compressor + cheap air tools = recipe for frustration.

 

[samger2]

There's a guy locally selling a 60 gallon for $200...claims it only needs a pressure switch, but doesn't have a 220 plug where he's keeping the compressor for me to hear it run...boooo