Hey All,
Pep Boys has a $99 2HP 5 gallon air compressor and I was wondering if you guys think that would be sufficient enough to run air tools off of for light automotive work. I want to be able to run a grinder, impact wrench, and all the other tools you need to keep up with a '83 Ford. If it's not sufficient, what should I look for? What is a good HP rating? Is there any other ways to rate them that I should be looking for? I really love the price of $99 and its not like I would be using this thing every day. I would believe that if this was used in a real shop it would not last a week, but will it hold up for me?

Let Me Know!

Ryan

 

For light occasional use they are OK. That is probably one of the integrated oilless type compressors that are noisy as hell tho.

 

Check the CFM of the compressor agains the largest CFM air tool that you will be using. Make sure that the compressor can supply more air than the tool will require. I had a small 4 gallon compressor that didn't keep up with anything except an air ratchet. I sold that and bought a 6hp 30 gallon craftsman compressor that has been great.

 

...are still small compressors.

No! The "2 Hp. 5 Gal." compressor will not be enough to run air tools. Especially with a small compressor, you need a big tank. I think a 5 gallon tank would like like "no tank" to a real dual action sander, for example. A "2 hp." compressor, which isn't even close to "@ hp." in reality, just isn't going to keep up.

Everything these guys said is right on, especially the two most recent posts, above, discussing the importance of estimating your actual air needs, measured in cubic feet per minute (cfm).

Good luck!

 

Here is an example of what I would use it for:

I would be taking off A wheel here and there, removing a bolt every once in a while, grinding and cutting with a wizzer, all with out using it for more then five minutes at a time. Again, its not like it will see the punishment a shop comressor would see. Do you not think it would have enough air to run for five minute increments?

Ryan

 

The wizzer is like a DA sander, using it is pretty much like opening the drain valve. In my experience get one with a larger tank. I tried a 3 hp 20 gallon and it couldn't keep up with my air ratchet or sander. I now have a 6hp 35 gal and it's adequate.

 

For your kind of use and if you watch it close it will probably be OK. Unfortunately it will not last long and you may burn it up if you get involved with a project. It would be better to get a belt drive unit with a little more capacity, check out the thread here on the $210 closeout model at sears. A belt drive compressor will last a lot longer. Your ears will thank you also, as well as the wife, kids, neighbor, etc.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...hreadid=186572

 

D. A. sanders and grinders take alot of air They run on about 100psi @ 10 cfm. Read in the sears catalog and the tools that you want to use and it should say the cfm needed. The little one you are talking about is not going to do the jobs you want to do.