hey guys can anyone recommend a decent air compressor for body work? I am looking for something not too pricey but that can run air cutoff tools and especially a sand blaster and spray gun? i am looking for the best bang for my buck, thanks

 

Running a blaster requires huge amounts of air. Buy the biggest you can possibily afford. CFM is the key, more is better. 5HP, 80 gal tank, two stage compressor is the smallest I would recommend.

 

This question comes around a couple of times a year it seems..as gfw1985 notes,..a sandblaster,..even a small one, consumes ALOT of air,..I would recommend something in the 19-25cfm range. Operating a sandblaster is going to bleed down your air at a very fast rate, the compressor you choose needs to be able to quickly recover that loss.., if not, the compressor runs continuously, overheats/wears out quickly and consumes electricity at an alarming rate. As power rates never seem to go down, and the thought of "replacing" your "new" compressor in a couple of years because it's worn out..and your not happy with it anymore because it won't keep up with even modest demands.. Consider these spec's, at least 5-maybe 7 hp, 2 stage, 22 cfm, 60-80 gallon tank, 220 volt.
A compressor this size will empty your wallet of about 3k, though a decent used one can be found for 1/2 that much or less. Check " Tip tools and Equipment.com", look at the Quincy, and Champion models. Both very good compressors. A High quality compressor will last 2 life-times if taken care of and maintained, this is one area where moneny spent wisely today..will pay for itself many times over in the future..bite the bullet.., you will be glad you did later.You will never run out of air, and you can pass that "heirloom" on down to your grandchildren. Good Luck with your choice.

 

thanks guys thats what I needed to hear looks like I'll have to wait till I get out of the service before I make that purchase they will never allow me to keep something that big on post oh well I'll just continue using my wire wheel, maybe look into renting one...

 

Yea, that does present a problem. It's been a long time ago, but they used to have garages and tools on base for servicemen to work on their vehicles. But things have changed I'm sure in the last 40 years. LOL

 

oh yes your refering to the auto skills workshop! Im just gonna break down and check it out some of the guys here say its pretty good! thanks for the advice all!

 

That or check around in your area. I know years back when a friend of mine was in the navy, he said there were kind of a self serve auto shops in the area. You rented the bay by the day or hour and it had a full set of tools, lift, air and electric for the service people to be able to work on there cars. You think it would hard to have that stuff there, try being aboard a ship most of the time

I'm sure if that type of place is on base your best deal would be there.

 

Yep, go there. They have the air and hose, but probably not the air tools required for body work. Buy some "cost effective" air tools and use them at the on post Auto Skills shop. I've done it, and still do it. Several military bases used to even have paint booth's that you could use. Langley AF base in Hampton VA still has one, you can use it, but you have to remove it from the base at your cost LOL. One of those, buy it for a dollar deals, but will cost ya 10K to remove it.

 

that is actually a great idea as I have several air tools but lack a powerfull enough compressor to run them for long! Airforce bases always seem to have way better stuff (and food) than army so I am going to go to the pope afb auto skills shop and see what I can do there plus my wife will stop nagging me about working out in the drive way!

 

Mine won't let me disappear to work on the truck. There is an Auto Hobby shop here on Whidbey Island, they have a paint booth, welding set up and more, I find it really useful. Just my wife is a little clingy...

 

take her with you! try to get her intrested in your hobby