What is more important in a garage air tool compressor : CFM or Tank Size?
 

Mostly want to use it to break free really stubborn bolts with a 1/2 and 3/8 drive. (Usually ones that the dealer waaaaaaaaay overtightened).

Looking at a Home Depot Husky Compressor right now that has a ~15lb gallon tank and does around 5.5 CFM @ 90 PSI for around $189.

CFM or Tank Size?
 

Both.
I'm no expert but i did hours of research on air compressors (types, brands, CFM, etc.) and the consensus is the bigger, the better. That also proved to be true from my experiences with friends and bosses that owned one. Basically, get a compressor thats bigger and more powerful than you think you need. It will pay for itself in the long run.

I compared the higher dollar models between Husky, Kobalt, and Craftsman. I ended up getting the 60gal $500 Kobalt which has WAY BETTER features versus the equal Husky and Crapsman (junk).
I have no serious plans for needing lots of air but it's always nice to know that i'll have it when the day comes.
You should spend double what you stated for the portable and very solid built 30gal 120V Kolbalt compressor. I believe it's around $389. It has a really nice SCFM rating too.

Your cmf's are what it takes to turn the tool, if you look at the tool it will tell you what it needs. The size of your tank is whats going to decide how long that tool will run, before the compressor has to catch up.

Take a look at what tools you plan to run, they tell you what CFM they require to operate at specs.. go from there.... I plan to get one with enough CFM and a 15 gallon tank. I am going to mount it up above my gargare door out of the way..

Depends on the tool(s) you plan to run:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...uchAirforTools

For lighter work (ie not for extended periods of time) that would do you just fine. If you want to use it for any of the higher consumption tools like rotary or inline sanders, sprayguns, air chisel/hammer, scaler, grinders, shears, HD impact guns etc......then you should be looking for a 25-30 gal tank and 6.5 CFM @90psi minimum. If you belong to Costco or Sam's Club they usually have a decent deals on the larger compressors. The one you mentioned will be just fine for running 3/8" or 1/2" impact guns and the occassional air ratchet in short bursts.

Here's a good link for tools and their air consumption at 90 psi (standard):
http://www.northerntool.com/catalog/...ircompressors/

id say thats one the bare bones bottom. if you dont want to be working the compressor to death on those types of tools you need to be in the double digits 10CFM and up. Sandblasters and "big tools" are in the teens 13-18 CFM.

really if your steping up to a "serious" compressor look at a high pressure one. 135 psi are fairly common these days but are usually diaphram verion (a negitive if you ask me)...

ive owned decent ones, cheep little ones..... all have died after a few years of service... (some lasted longer than others) for my big shop (at my new property) im looking for a used 2 stage 175 psi 10-15 CFM compressor. 5-7 hp single phase 220v

something like that will be the last compressor you buy... but set you back a few junor bacon cheezburgers....

I totally agree, but most homeowners are usually willing to sacrifice running a tool intermittently instead of having to run off of 220V and fork over the big bucks for a 2-stage compressor (which are also more efficient too). I just went with single stage (bigger 25-35 gal tank allows you to cheat a bit for the lack of compressor CFM) because the prices were crazy high for 2-stagers up here in Canada (I haven't found mine too annoying yet, sometimes you gotta let it catch up for my sandblaster or for sanders, but the rest of the stuff it does ok like die grinders, impact guns, sprayers, air ratchets, etc........it is a 27 gal Coleman 6 HP peak and it is quite loud but works great http://www.colemanpowermate.com/comp...l0602712.shtml ). If you want to play with the big boys or do any serious auto body work, I couldn't agree with you more.....my numbers are more toward homeowner/weekend warrior types. One more item for thought is that anything over about 2HP continuous or 6HP peak and you're going to be looking at running on 220V instead of the standard 110V outlets.

What would a 35 CFM compressor be good for? :-)

Anything you want it for.:great::great::great:

A massive hole in your wallet? :laugh:

We had a vertical Ingersoll like that in the garage I used to work at (bit more CFM and very noisy).
....we had 4 mechanics working off it all at the same time 8 hours a day.

This looks like a decent one........

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...seBVCookie=Yes

Oil lube, 25 Gal tank, 2 HP......and not a bad price.

I have a Husky 27 Gallon and have used toold from die grinders to my current sand blast pot. It takes a while to get things blasted. The constant stop and go. If you are looking to use maybe inpacts or something then I would consider at least a 20 gallon for a little more service life. Die grinders can suck the life out of them. My 27 gallon has a hard time after about 3 minutes of constant use. I was looking at this unit at Northern tool

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...1707_200311707

Read this before dealing with Sears, and it hasn't gotten any better
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/show...ighlight=SEARS

Or try this one....

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...7939_200317939

Crux, heres the one i was speaking of... http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...054&lpage=none
5.7 CFM @ 90 PSI
115 volt motor
3-year warranty on cast iron pump
One-piece cast iron crankcase
Pneumatic wheels for portability

cfms are a function of tank size. so they go together.

I always liked the 25-30 gallon tanks, 4.0 CFM is enough unless you do alot of grinding or use tools that use alot of cfm. The average home owner wont use anymore than that.

My old shop teacher was a genious, to get more out of his 30 gallon compressor he simply piped in a second tank-voila pressurize one tank and then whent hat runs out the air emptys into the tank and you fill up the other tank (am I complicating this?) the contractor nailgun compressors often have 2 tanks for this reason.

Also always get oil lubed, maybe an annoyance to change it but the motor will last way longer.

that would dissapear quick in any comercial or <gasp> industrial setting.

when you look at a sand blasting cabinet, couple of mechincs and a slackly working a tire machine... (pooof goes the air supply, pun intended)

even a small machine shop that would be "entry level" for compressor size.

even our "small" shop out back runs a 50CFM rotary....

the last "industrial" company i worked for ran 2 200cfm rotary in series and still had air supply problems.... but then your talking about 40 CNC's countless other milling machines (many useing pnumatic clamping fixtures etc)

I too have had problems with a Craftsman air compressor. Be aware that some of the cheaper air compressors, such as the model Craftsman I owned, use a dry piston. My craftsman compressor wore out in 2 years and was not used very hard; at the time I used a 2 stage for continuous work. When the compressor was not building pressure as it used to I pulled the piston noticing damage. I went to replace the piston and Sears did not make replacement parts for the compressor. I guess you get what you pay for. My saving a little money at the initial purchase cost me money in the long run. I am not saying that all Craftsman compressors are bad, but the point I am trying to make is be aware of what you are purchasing.

I now own a Campbell-Hausfield which I bought used and it has been a good compressor. I piped in a 60 gallon propane tank to increase the volume of the 30 gallon tank. I have had no problems in four years and I do use it continuously.