'upgrade' my air compressor? clueless in Colorado!

[Bailey Guns]

Wait til you start pricing air compressors that are adequate for what you're looking for!



They aren't cheap. You'll most likely be looking to spend the better part of $1k for an adequate compressor. And you could easily double that for a good one.

[sellersm]

Thanks all!

One more question, from my son-in-law: any value to getting a good air tank? Use the compressor to fill the tank, and run off that?

And FWIW, we're talking occasional wrenching, no grinding, painting, etc. Just running the ratchet when we want a bolt or two turned... SIL has a compressor that works fine for nail guns, etc.

[ray1970]

I get spoiled at work. Our air compression makes about 35,000 CFM at 525 psi. We have seven, four stage air compressors and each one of them wouldn’t even fit in standard two car garage.

[ray1970]

And FWIW, we're talking occasional wrenching, no grinding, painting, etc. Just running the ratchet when we want a bolt or two turned... SIL has a compressor that works fine for nail guns, etc.

You’ll probably be just fine then. Somehow I was under the impression that you were planning on heavier or more frequent use.

I say use what you have and see if it meets your needs and expectations. If it does, you’re good to go.

[davsel]

What you already have should work for what you need it to do.
Try it out before purchasing any upgrades.

[TFOGGER]

Realistically, there's no need for bigger fittings on most tools. The exception would be grinders, sanders, and big drills, which tend to be air hogs. Most ratchets and impact wrenches will be fine on 1/4 inch fittings.

[Bailey Guns]

Oh...when you said auto work I was picturing sanding and such. Disregard my previous post.

[DenverGP]

And FWIW, we're talking occasional wrenching, no grinding, painting, etc. Just running the ratchet when we want a bolt or two turned... SIL has a compressor that works fine for nail guns, etc.

A couple tools that I've picked up that have been great in the home garage:

Harbor earthquake stubby 1/2"
impact This thing is great. A lot lighter than most 1/2" impacts, and very good torque for it's size (handles lug nuts, etc no problem).

M12 Fuel hex driver With the adapters to hook up 1/4" and 3/8" sockets, it's much more convenient than air tools, and lots of power for it's little size. I've even banged off some 100 ft lb lug nuts with it. I was able to piece together all the pieces in the kit shown here for about $100, including two off-brand batteries buying the pieces separately on amazon.

For higher powered needs at home, the harbor freight full sized Earthquake 1/2" impact is pretty amazing. With 150psi driving it, it took off the crank bolt nice and easy. Cheaper / weaker impacts banged on the same bolt without moving it.

[ray1970]

Well, if we’re tossing out tool recommendations then I highly recommend a 3/8 drive impact. Small, light, handy and my IR will do just about anything. It even breaks lug nuts loose. (Although I usually still use my 1/2” for that.) Probably my most used air tool. Way faster than an air ratchet.

[Great-Kazoo]

Thanks all!

One more question, from my son-in-law: any value to getting a good air tank? Use the compressor to fill the tank, and run off that?

And FWIW, we're talking occasional wrenching, no grinding, painting, etc. Just running the ratchet when we want a bolt or two turned... SIL has a compressor that works fine for nail guns, etc.

Waste of time & money. Once the portable tank drops below the required psi to run what ever tool you're using, it has to be refilled. For the occasional work you'll be doing that compressor will do it. Once you get tired of having it go one every 4-5 min while in use, you'll upgrade.

At that point you could buy a larger (60 gal + ) unit and slave the smaller one you have now to it.


The filter he's talking about is for moisture. Unless you're running 25 + feet of line with a drop in it , those collectors/ filters don't do anything. Do some on line research regarding air compressors, how to set them up etc. Those filters don't do anything, if at all hooked up directly to the compressor.