Best Air Compressor for the Average Home DIY

Hello, there fellow bimmer owners, I'm looking to buy an air compressor for home use. Like most of you in this forum I do a lot of my work on my car, from cooling overhauls to breaks, and some simple task that i think i can handle. Lately I've interested in making my life easier by buying an air compressor. Sears has some decent craftsman models, but I don't know where to start. I want something small, but it should be able to hold a 3/8 to 1/2 impact gun. Does anyone have any input on this topic. how many psi's, how many gallons, cmf......

Thanks

Been thinking about getting one as well


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I've had this one for at least 6 years, it's a very good general purpose A.C.
I find that it keeps up with most air tools, doesn't take up much space, easily rolls around, & plugs into standard 120V outlet. No complaints.

Just watch it for a month or so, Sears puts this one on sale a lot.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...1&blockType=G1


Good luck.

Thanks. How big is and will a 10-15 gallon tank b sufficient enough

I have an 11 gallon and it works but it has a hard time keeping up with some air tools, especially impact wrench. It is anoying waiting for it to catch up. The one posted above that is 33 gallons would be perfect for you.

For running air tools I would get at least a 20 gal tank anything smaller it will be running all the time trying to keep up with the impact gun.
I have the same 33 gal compressor as rob except mine is a horizontal tank its a good compressor and I would recommend it as well. When you look around for a impact gun I would get a Ingersoll-rand as they are a quality product otherwise I would check out the central pneumatic stuff at harbor freight.

I got mine from home depot .com and its 26 gal 150 psi and came with hose, ratchet, and impact. Impact barely breaks my lugs free so ill have to get a new one. 200 bucks and I dont really use out that often. I find most stuff I do on the e46 doesnt really justify a compressor. Still I love it when I need it. Dont go les than 20gal.

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i have a crafts, no issues for years, just make sure you drain it every time you use it and oil the gun every time, you want 100psi at least

I have this cordless impact gun and no problem so far.

http://www.dewalt.com/tools/cordless...s-dc827kl.aspx

Determine a budget first. Then buy the biggest one you can afford AND make sure it is safe to run on your garage's electrical system. It would suck to get it home an realize you dont have a 220 plug, or that the breaker you have is too small, or you cause a fire due to some combination of those and other issues.

Thanks for all the input. I now have a better idea to what to look for.

Originally Posted by mikeson

I have this cordless impact gun and no problem so far.

http://www.dewalt.com/tools/cordless...s-dc827kl.aspx

Was about to say something similar,

If the OP is looking for a compressor to operate an impact gun it may be more practical and economical to just get an electric impact gun.

I have the one pictured below, at 450Nm max torque it broke loose strut bolts, subrfame bolts, seized caliper bolts, wheel bolts etc


If however you are looking to run other tools as well, then a descent air compressor is more suitable but as everyone said, it must be able to sustain the tool attached