I'm looking to move into the world of air tools soon. I'm a little confused as to what specs I should be looking for. I'll be doing med-heavy work on the Bronco, as well as experimenting with some body work/painting later on. I've already read the one other thread I could find here, and know now to stay away from oil-free motors.

Any suggestions or advice would be helpful.

thanks.

If you are painting with it you should look for one with at least 12 cfm at 90, 80 gallon tank,twin cylinder or two stage pump if you want to spend the extra money.

If you are painting with it you should look for one with at least 12 cfm at 90, 80 gallon tank,twin cylinder or two stage pump if you want to spend the extra money.
Thats a bit impratical if your going to be painting with it. You dont spray at 90 PSI anyways.

If you just want to run basic air tools even a 10 gallon tank can run that just fine.
Only thing you ned a really big tank with a real high CFM pump is for sandblasting or anything else where your using a high volume of air at a high pressure non-stop.

High pressure for painting isn't a concern, but volume is, and body tools use ungodly amounts of air. If you truly plan to do body work, you'll need a two stage that will give you 12 to 15 cfm at 90 to 100 psi. Impact wrenches and air ratchets will get by with a portable 110 compressor that can maintain about 5 cfm at 70 psi. You can do body work with a smaller compressor, but you'll spend most of your time waiting for the compressor to catch up and cool down because most are not rated for 100% duty cycle.

I've got a decent Delta 2-stage that will maintain 17cfm at 125psi, about 75% duty cycle. It only cost $575 at Sam's club, several companies sell them under different names for $600 to $800. Here is the Craftsman version: http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00916780000. Sears gets a lot for them, I know at least three other manufacturers sell the same thing for a lot less.

The best way to choose a compressor size is to look at the tools you intend to use and find out what pressure and flow they require. Add about 10 to 15% overhead to both and you should have a good setup. Then go out and find the best quality you can afford with those specs. Ingersoll Rand makes incredible compressors if you can afford them, but for home use, Campbell Hausfeld and others work great.

Thanks for all the great responses.

Larston, when you say body tools, are you talking about nibblers, sanders etc.? I want to make sure I understand.

I mention the painting and bodywork stuff, but I guess it'll be primarily for impact wrenches, etc, now that I see there is a great difference in tool requirements.

DA sanders use a lot of air

Die grinders use a lot of air, too. My IR two-stage compressor can keep up with my grinder, but just barely.

It specs out at 12 cfm at 90 psi, and runs 175 psi with a 100% duty cycle and has a 64 gallon tank. I want to try painting with it some time. I think it'll do ok.

The spraying itself doesn't use a lot of air. Its at a low pressure, and in most cases your not continusley spraying so the comprerssor can easilly keep up.

So, it looks like the Delta/IR two-stage is the one. it's a bit pricey for a beginner. Is it really worth it?

So, it looks like the Delta/IR two-stage is the one. it's a bit pricey for a beginner. Is it really worth it?

If you do a little searching, you can find the IR compressors used. Yeah, they are a little pricey, but I'll never have to replace mine. That compressor will be with me for life.

Dont skimp on a compressor. If you are going to use it for air file, grinders,cut off tool, da etc... it will use alotta air. I did alot of checking before i bought mine and i ended up spending a little extra but i will not have to worry about it for along time. I got the quincy QT54-80 (5 hp 4cyl 2 stage 80 gal upright) I dont own a tool that i have had a problem running. Including a small sandblast cabinet and a 1/4 angle grinder at the same time. Never once had to let it catch up. It was more then what you are currenlty looking at ($1200) but i expect 20 plus years from it. Good luck and enjoy the hobby get what you can afford and have fun....

Here are its specs incase you were wondering.

http://www.mesaequipment.com/Html/Products/Quincy/qt54.html

Consider this too... over time you'll buy quite a few tools, and have well over a grand in tools depending on that compressor. Buying good tools isn't cheap, but it sure beats buying the same cheap tools 4 or 5 times...

Big note... buy a good air dryer for whatever compressor you get, and if you do paint, remember your air must be both clean and dry to paint well... (REALLY clean and DRY!)

Lots of good info here guys. Thanks.

Boody, is the dryer an accessory that can go on any compresssor?

It goes on the air line out of the tank. It just captures all the condensation from the air so if your painting it doesn't get sprayed in the paint.

Here's what I wanted... but the landlord would not let me do a 220v drop...

http://steveswholesaletools.com/catalog.php?UserID=13910&Action=Info&ItemID=103995&SID=4f305c49595ca79af255cab9656609be

So I had to settle on a 26 gallon 5HP Husky by CH... I haven't had any problems at all with it or had to wait for it to catch up. I don't currently do anything that requires high volumes of air though...

Here's what I wanted... but the landlord would not let me do a 220v drop...

http://steveswholesaletools.com/catalog.php?UserID=13910&Action=Info&ItemID=103995&SID=4f305c49595ca79af255cab9656609be

So I had to settle on a 26 gallon 5HP Husky by CH... I haven't had any problems at all with it or had to wait for it to catch up. I don't currently do anything that requires high volumes of air though...

Even the big one in the link won't keep up with die grinders and air sanders / DA/s. I found in my research that it pretyy much requires a two stage compressor to get the volume with one exception. Campbell Hausfeld does make a 4-cylinder single stage that has good volume. They're about $100 less than the cheapest two stage I found. I believe General Air, sold by HF, also has a hi volume 4 cylinder single stage, but no idea what their longevity is like.

So, it looks like the Delta/IR two-stage is the one. it's a bit pricey for a beginner. Is it really worth it?

Delta and IR are two different companies. Expect to pay a couple hundred more for an IR with the same specs as the lesser known brands. But, you get what you pay for here. IR compressors are very high quality. I'm not sure who makes that Delta compressor, it's probably Chinese, but mine has held up pretty good for the abuse I've put it through so far.