whats the cheapest air compressor you can get that will be strong enough.

Anything you can add would be great.

 

Strong enough for what? Your question is extremely vague. Different types of air tools have different requirements as far as CFM, PSI, etc. What kind of air tools do you want to power?

 

Like say i have a compressor with 6 SCFM @ 90psi and an impact wrench that uses 11 CFM @ 90psi, would it be pointless to even buy an air compressor that cheap for air tools? I kno it would obviously not be able to torque as high with the compressor that small, but what is your advice or experience

 

My advice is get the biggest air compressor you can afford. Running certain air tools on an underpowered compressor will shorten its pump life.

Check out the low to mid priced Kobalt compressors at Lowes....there better than the equivalent of Sears Craftsman and Home Depots Husky.

 

I have a 27 gallon 155 max psi compressor. It flows 7.7 cfm @ 40 psi and 6 cfm @ 90 psi. Working pressure is 125 - 155 psi.

I can rotate all 4 of my tires without needing to kick the compressor on. Not sure if that tells you anything...

It's a Coleman and I got it at Costco for around $230.

 

99 runner- Yea that helps. Just because i wouldnt be using it all the time i think a compressor like yours would be all i need.

thanks

 

When talking about CFM its important to remember what the M stands for... "Minute". Its very rare that you have a rattle gun running for an extended length of time. The air tank also acts like a buffer to keep the compressor from falling behind while running air tools frequently. I have a large compressor in my shop but if I had to buy one based on cost and size I would look into the Grizzly model listed Here . I personally think its a pretty darn good deal in a belt drive Oil lubricated compressor @ $219. Having an output of over 9CFM @90psi with only an 11 gal tank is very impressive and I think you would be hard pressed to beat it at that price. Not too much plastic on it either, air filled rubber tires, metal belt guard and even a low dollar regulator included on the machine are extremely rare at this price. Even with shipping costs its still a bargan!

 

don't get an "oilless" compressor. get something that you can change the pump oil on periodically.

as for cheap air tools, we have harbor freight stuff in our shop at work that we beat the crap out of and they still work great. 1/2" impact gun, 2 1/2" sets and a couple of air chisels...they haven't let us down after several years of abuse!

 

hmmm...that looks quite familiar to the one in my shop altho we've got a new reg on ours. Great little compressor I can run the impact, ratchets, air chiesel, die grinder etc. all day without any probs its pretty quiet too.

 

I have some info on how you can answer those types of questions on my OBA web page:
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...uchAirforTools

And yes, you can run a tool that takes more air than your compressor can deliver but at a reduced duty cycle. Up to you to decide if that will work or not. I run a 220V 12CFM/20 gallon compressor that I have had for probably 20 years. It does pretty good, although is loud and the tank is starting to wear out. Ultimately, I would like to upgrade to a 175psi two-stage compressor.