- This topic has 11 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 9 years, 4 months ago by
.
-
Topic
-
Someone bought me a used one of these for Christmas.
Now I need to buy accessories including a hose!
Also the regulator adjustment knob appears frozen.I’ve read online that some people say to get 3/8″ hose AND fittings because the additional air flow really helps out, and some tools are rated for 3/8″ fittings and won’t perform as advertised with 1/4″
I’m no Eric. I just need air for stuck nuts/bolts and to speed things up.
But I might also use the compressor for other things (painting?) and don’t want the wrong hose to be a limiting factor (be it air flow or lack of accessories which fit!) You suggestions and opinions are solicited!Hoping that the regulator is frozen at a level that I won’t really need to mess with it… but if not any suggestions on that?
-
Replies
-
dosmastr,
In my opinion, painting, is about all you will be able to do with that or utilize a finish nail gun for trim in your house. The 800 ft/lb 1/2″ drive impact, which I own, has a high SCFM rating. The compressor you have shown doesn’t have the volume capacity to run any heavy duty automotive air tools.
The compressor I have is an 80 gallon belt driven air compressor. A word of advice, don’t buy a large direct drive air compressor. I made that mistake many years ago; then gave it away! They are extremely noisy. A belt driven compressor is the way to go – relatively quite. The large direct drive compressor will drive you nuts – TOO LOUD…
Just my two cents.
Feel a little bad about saying this but honestly if you want a compressor for air tools I would suggest returning that one and buying a larger one the CFM is to low to run all but the most basic of tools and with such a small tank it wont run them for long.
check this guide out for an estimate on the CFM each tool will need.
http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/air-consumption-tools-d_847.html
If you post your needs for the tool I’m sure other members can point you in the direction of a more suitable compressor.
I would also suggest getting a higher cfm one at least 8 cfm min 12 cfm would be best on a 50-60 Gal Tank.
I actually did 2 diff forum posts relating to this http://www.ericthecarguy.com/kunena/15-Technicians-Only/55499-so-you-want-are-going-to-be-a-mechanic-technician#123559 and http://www.ericthecarguy.com/kunena/11-Tool-Talk/55609-3-8-impact-or-power-probe#123408
[quote=”dosmastr” post=123657]Someone bought me a used one of these for Christmas.
Now I need to buy accessories including a hose!
Also the regulator adjustment knob appears frozen.I’ve read online that some people say to get 3/8″ hose AND fittings because the additional air flow really helps out, and some tools are rated for 3/8″ fittings and won’t perform as advertised with 1/4″
I’m no Eric. I just need air for stuck nuts/bolts and to speed things up.
But I might also use the compressor for other things (painting?) and don’t want the wrong hose to be a limiting factor (be it air flow or lack of accessories which fit!) You suggestions and opinions are solicited!Hoping that the regulator is frozen at a level that I won’t really need to mess with it… but if not any suggestions on that?[/quote]
Don’t know about this particular unit, but some compressors have a push lock type knob. So that the pressure setting doesn’t get accidentally moved. Try gently pulling out on it.
As others have said, it’ll have limited use, running air tools. But it’ll still be quite handy for a number of things, like airing tires, and blowing out crud.You can expand the capacity by sending the out put to another tank… such as a portable air tank..you can use quick disconnects so you can take the portable tank with you. Put a tee fitting in line between the two tanks and attach your hose to the tee.
Some have converted large propane tanks for this.
I agree; the SCFM is a bit low except for light duty use. It will probably run out of steam very quickly if using an air wrench, DA sander, air buffer, or paint gun.
If you do a lot of comparatively small mechanic jobs (no CV shaft nuts and things of that nature) I would suggest a small 1/4″ drive air ratchet and set of 1/4″ sockets and extensions. That works very well on the small stuff and hard to reach places.
well crap… lol
I imagine mostly it will be to just air up tires, but I HAVE had to do axle nuts before. (whoa did that suck with only hand tools…. I jumped on the pipe lengthened breaker bar and the car moved!)
I had hoped I could just get an auxiliary tank, but the prices on those stem up into “well you might as well have just bought a better compressor!” territory.
I’m only working on old 4 bangers. (a corolla and a civic) so the lugs don’t need much. Its hard to guess what you will need before needing it. But as for the past its been all about “if i could only get this one last damned bolt” and “tires are low…again…..” (but now that I have an air I’d use it alot more Im sure).
What suggestions would you have for a bigger compressor? (Would still like some portability if possible) MDK I’m reading your other posts now.
Bluesnut, I had not though of that (hard reach places) thanks, i’ll for sure add some tight fit things to my wish list.
Jason thanks for the info on belt drive, It in a semi-rickety garage and I’d prefer to not annoy the hell out of the neighbors!Do you guys trust air tools to torque things to spec?
Also I see a bunch of impact guns that all look to have similar capabilities but vary wildly in price. Any help on that would be appreciated!The size of the tank only determines how long till the compressor runs again. What I suggest is borrowing a 1/2 air wrench and take off a wheel. If it can handle that without a problem then it should do most mechanical jobs. Painting – probably a different story. You will need the larger size hose for doing anything beyond airing tires.
So, you have a choice, return it and maybe use the value for something better or run it until it wears out. It may not be long before it wears out because the compressor will run alot.
I had a compressor with a twelve gallon tank but with a large belt driven compressor I used for painting houses. It got junked when the tank rusted out after 25 plus years. So, a huge tank isn’t necessary if the compressor is up to the job. BTW, I much prefer 220V compressors.
I;ve decided the best way forward is that since the thing is already used, Ive got nothing to lose by using it a little more to see what it will be like.
That said, I’m back for parts recommendations for parts that would work well with this or the type of compressors you guys all recommended.
First Is that a good hose?
amazon seems to think so… but I thought I heard someone talking about 3/8″ hose AND 3/8″ quick disconnects but I haven’t found anything like that.fittings and what not are also kind a question mark.
I’m not trying to open a shop, I’m just joe blow trying to save a few bucks by doing common stuff myself rather than paying someone. My father in law has one of these from the 40’s, amazingly it still works on modern tires and its when steel was American, and unbreakable. Doubt I’ll find anything like that but maybe this will fit the bill long enough to pay for itself.
also is there such a thing as a worth while inexpensive wheel balancer? (like one of the bubble type maybe)
Car and truck tires these days are getting stiffer and with thicker beads. I see the big machines at tire shops struggle at times. I would only consider the machine listed above if I lived in the Australian outback 200 miles from town. I once had the chance to buy a real tire changer and balancer at auction but they were too big to fit in my shop. The bubble balancers won’t cut it because of wider tires they can be in balance on a bubble balance but be out of balance inside to outside which doesn’t register on a bubble balance.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.