Tools, Sharpening and Power Machinery - Need Advice

Hi Folk's

I work on cars alot and looking into getting a compressor but want it to run a air gun for getting big bolts loose and maybe a air sander as well that will be the two biggest ones i use on it and the air sander is only a might.

But need it to run from my electrics from my house.

Thanks for all your help, Paul..

Welcome to the forums Paul!

I don't know what differences there would be from your side of the big pond but In would recomend getting a belt driven pump as opposed to a direct drive. They are quiter and from what I understand, they last longer.

Here we have both 110 volt and 220 volt. 220 is usually limitted to the larger compressors. Both voltages are found in residential settings alhough it is normal to run a seperate circuit for a 220 motor. You might check with your local stores to find out what will work best for you.

Most air tools don't require a lot of cfm because of intermitent use but a sander or a paint gun can use a lot in a hurry. That means for those 2 [and anything with similiar cfm requirement] you should have a big tank and stout pump. Most any air compressor will power an impact.

Welcome to the forums!!
Always buy the largest compressor you can afford because the more you CAN do the more you WILL do. Don't know about the electrical situation there, but when buying an air comp. CFM's are the key ingredient. You can't have TOO MUCH air, in my opinion. I have a 7HP, 60 gal., 240 volt. comp.. To do it over, I would buy a 2 stage, 40gal., 15/16 CFM at 90psi. I work on cars, use drills, sanders, grinders, etc.. It workes great as it is a 100% duty cycle, but I still could use more air.

Thanks guys for your help there so if i got 100litre or 150litre tank with 6cfm of more i will bew ok then

Thanks paul..

I will add that generally the largest air compressor you can operate on a 15 amp 120 volt circuit will be 6 cfm@ 100 psi.
The biggest decision you will have to make is whether 6 cfm will be enough and whether you want to operate a compressor on 220 volts.


A belt drive compressor like this will last you a very long time:
Click image:
http://www.northerntool.com/images/product/images/1910450_lg.gif (http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200365167_200365167)
Image courtesy of northerntools.com

6 cfm would be the bare minumim for what you are contemplating, MikeTN said it very well with his post.

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