Posted: 3/10/2008 4:59:12 PM EDT
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Need an electric air compressor. Will use primarily to blow clean small machines like firearms and reloaders. Couples of minutes at a time. What to buy? |
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I bought a brand new Rigid at a pawn shop for half of what they want a new one for. Only bought because of that reason...........lucky pawn shop score. If it's just something small, check your local Northern tool or something of that sort, they can be purchased pretty cheap there. |
If that's all you're doing anything you can hook a hose and nozzle to will do. Personally, I found myself wanting to run stuff like grinders, impacts, paint sprayers, etc. so I wanted a bigger one. I finally ended up with a shop compressor. My original 3.5 hp x 12 gal. will do some stuff, but running tools is pretty hard on it. You can blow stuff off with short bursts with anything that puts out air. You will run it hard to do an extended blow-off, however. |
Pneumatic nail guns don't use much air--they take short bursts rather than a sustained flow. Most any compressor will work for that, and the "contractor types" are most often seen. They are highly portable and lightweight, but don't put out enough air to do much of anything else. You will be able to drive nails, air tires, and blow stuff off, but that's about it. Check into the "pancake" type of compressor if that will fill your need.  Edit: This is what they look like: |
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I'd go with an oil version. Lasts a lot longer and usually a little quieter. You don't have a lot of need for a huge air supply based on your stated needs but I can tell you that once you start using compressed air, you'll wish you had more of it. The pancake units work fine for nailing and it never hurts to have one around but I'd recommend the OP look into one like this: www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100063473&N=10000003+90401+524403 If you don't want to spend much and think that you can get by with minimum amounts of air, I can recommend this unit. I have one of these around the house and use it with my nail guns because it's portable. However, I have a bigger one as well. www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100536065&N=10000003+90401+524403 |
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For what you want to do,a small pancake will do. I have 3 compressors. a 80,30 and a pancake. the 80 is in my garage. great for everything but kinda hard to lug around. the 30 I keep outside to blow off my table and miter saw after use. The pancake is used to run my air nailers. |
Was in Sears the other day looking at those. What's the noise like with that? |
Not too bad, maybe about 1/2 as loud as a garbage disposal. It's lubed by oil. It had either 4.4 or 4.3 out of 5 stars at Sears' web site. I bought mine mainly to refiill my truck tires. One of them has a slow leak. The blower tool is a plus. You can lug it around with 1 arm, only 26 lbs or so |
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I was in Home Depot today and they had the Dewalt 4.5 gallon for $309. www.dewalt.com/us/products/tool_detail.asp?productID=15538 
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 This one puts out enough air for a nail gun, is quiet, and will take up half your garage! LOL Bought it used and rebuilt it, couldn't be happier! ETA: For clean, dry air to blow off guns and other stuff that you don't want any contaminants on you need good drying and filtration...this is much easier to accomplish in a piped system where the piping layout is designed to remove water before your filters and regulators. Bryan |
That's enough air for a hundred nail guns!! Nice looking unit and setup!! |
Set it on it's end so it doesn't take up as much floor space and throw in the garage to keep it in and I'd be all set... 
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Craigslist... You just have to be 'quick' on what you find... I almost picked up an 80gal Craftsman in need of a pump rebuild for... $50 |