Can anyone list, or point me to a website that lists the CFM/SCFM requirements of common air tools at any given pressure (say 90 psi)

In case my question confuses you, how much air does say, an Orbital sander need.... and so on and so forth for as many tools as you can think of.

Im curious, and plan on shopping soon

 

http://www.thorite.co.uk/touch/faqs.asp

There will be quite a difference between what various sites quote. If you are buying a compressor I suggest you get one that can handle 10 cfm FAD (free Air Delivered). That should ensure you can run most common tools. If you want to sand blast double the CFM to 20 and you should be set.

 

Rememer too that many tools are quoted as AVG CFM. Sometimes if the spec sheet is thorough they include CONTINUOUS CFM. Continuous CFM is obvious... how much air is required to power this tool coninuously. AVG CFM is a little more dodgy. It is the air required to power a tool for a certain percent of the time. I believe it is a fairly low number like 15 -20% or 15 - 20 seconds per minute on average (something like that).

As an example - two tools - impact gun vs sander let's say both are 5 AVG CFM 18.5 continuous CFM at 90PSI. If your compressor is rated less than 5 CFM at 90PSI then your going to have issues with BOTH these tools. If your compressor is rated at 5 or higher CFM at 90PSI (lets say 6 CFM) then you can operate both tools but remember that the impact gun is usually an intermittent tool so a 6CFM compressor can usually keep up with the this tool without a problem. Your 6 CFM compressor will have a difficult time keeping up with the sander because it is a more continuous use type tool and is looking for 18.5 CFM to keep her running.

As AndrewHR stated sandblasting has a ridiculous air requirement.

One of the largest rated 110V compressors I know of is a Porter Cable model (the same model, all made by DeVibliss I believe, is sold as a Craftsman product through Sears). It boasts 6.8 CFM at 90PSI. You will need to get into 230V systems to get any more air than 7 CFM then your into about 12CFM and up. I bought a good little 230V for $800.00 which delivers 18.5 CFM at 100PSI with a 60 gallon tank (no magnetic motor required for starts). It takes up room though!!

Some of this you may already know. Just my 2 cents!

Happy shopping!

 

I ended up buying a Puma 6065V brand new for $695

I thought it was a good deal....

18.5 CFM at 90 Psi, I think Ill be okay

Thanks for all the input

 

I'm not sure about the brand (no personal experience) but 18.5 should run almost anything a DIYer needs. In my experience the only thing short would be continuous sandblasting applications.

Have fun!