Air compressors?

[Bird]

While I was living in an apartment temporarily, after selling most of my tools, including my 60 gallon, 5 hp, 230 volt compressor, after moving back to town, I bought one of these. Even in an apartment, I couldn't do without an air-compressor to blow the whiskers out of my electric razor or blow the dust out of something occasionally. Then when we bought this house, I gave that compressor to my daughter and grandson and I bought a 30 gallon compressor from Northern Tool.

 

[canoetrpr]

On the top of my list so far is a Iron Horse (believe it is oil lubricated) 6.5 gallon with a cast iron cylinder that puts out 5.4 CFM @90 psi for $229 from TSC (thats Canadian TSC and Canadian prices).

Then there is a 15 gallon Dewalt that is on sale at Home Depot for $319 tihs week 5.4 CFM also. Don't know if it is oil lubed or not.

Will be checking out Costco.

 

[ray66v]

canoetrpr, 5 CFM is okay for basic household chores.

If you want to use the air hose in the winter, consider a good rubber one, (will cost more, but worth it). The plastic/vinyl hoses they sell today can be very inflexible in the cold weather.

 

[canoetrpr]

The Dewalt turns out is not oil lubed. I'll check the TSC one. Do you guys think that 6.5 gallons with 5 or so CFM is going to be fine to run a basic 1/2" impact wrench for changing winter tires over to summer etc?

 

[Bird]

Four to five CFM at 90 psi (not 40 psi) is about normal or average for a half inch impact although there are some that recommend more. So the short answer is, yes, it'll do the job. What compressor are you looking at with a 6.5 gallon tank that puts out 5 CFM?

 

[canoetrpr]

This is an IronHorse (made by Eagle) sold by TSC in Canada. I can't seem to post a direct link but if you go to the website and click on the catalog and the "Go To Page" tab on the right top and pick page 82 - it is the grey one on the top right.

I don't know whether nor not this is oil lubricated. I'll have to drop by or call to find out. I am assuming it is based on the others that they have from the IronHorse line and based on the closest one that exists on Eagle's website.

I might wait around for it to go on sale but it looks like a decent price already particularly if it is oil lubed.

 

[Bird]

I never did figure out a way to see the specs that would tell whether it was oil lubricated or not myself, and if they have that model down here, it would have a different part number.

 

[canoetrpr]

Its not you - I don't think the specs are on the web site.

 

[john_bud]

If ALL you want to do is run a 1/2" impact - then a 4-5 cfm compressor is ok. But the OP wanted to maybe spray some paint. You need much more air to paint. And higher quality air. That means cooler, drier and free of oil. I bought twice on air compressors. Once too small and the second time about right.

I would buy a something in the 5hp and 60gal range and 240v. Don't forget a filter, drier, oiler for the tools and a filter, drier for any painting.

 

[canoetrpr]

Thanks for the heads up john_bud. I'm willing to live with painting as a restriction. No specific plans to paint yet. I think that a small 5 SCFM unit is about right now so that I can easily move it around the farm if I need to go fence somewhere.