My dad drives me nuts about this stuff. He's looking for a compressor to run his nailer and maybe as a tire inflator, but not much more. I've told him to find one that'll run an impact gun and I'll cover the difference. To be honest I've got no clue about air tools and little time to get googling about them. I'd like to have one for removing lug nuts, rusty bolts, etc. He's asking me about this Bostitch, 2hp/8 gal for a little under $200. Looks to be a little skimpy for what I'd like to use it for, but like I said I got no clue. Any recommendations? In the long run am I better off saving up for something more like $500, 750, 1000?

 

I've used this page in looking for a compressor for my home garage:

http://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/

There is a link that helps you chose a "type" of compressor, then lists brands and prices..

R/
Craig

 

Get the biggest you can get with a cast iron pump. The oil free models that you like this one : http://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/...?products_id=8

are slower to pump up and can be noisy. I've got a simular version 30 gallon I got at lowes. It works great but I'm looking to move up already. A friend of mine has a 80 gallon with the cast iron pump and it's quite and builds up very fast.

 

If you want to run tools other than a nailer you will need 4 CFM at least. The little pancake compressors are great for nailers, but nothing else...

Get the most compressor you can afford, and it will still be too small.

about 8 years ago I bought a 6hp, 60 gallon Devilbiss for around $300 from Lowe's. You can't touch one for that now, nor can you buy a Devilbiss from Lowe's, but I still find its too small, only when blasting, but... Once you get it, you'll want to start running larger tools...

HP and capacity are important, but CFM is the thing to really watch...

 

I agree that the two stage pumps are better, but for the most part they run on 220v..

 

Air compressors are like automobile engines -- you'll never kick yourself that you went too big, but you'll always kick yourself that you went too small.....

 

Do not get an oil-less one, noisy p.o.s.'s.

 

I would say $500.00 would ba good amount to spend. That should get you around 5CFM.
Does it need to be mobile for his nailer?

 

Thanks guys, if there's one thing I absolutely hate it's buying something and then finding out I shoulda went big/better. Then you're stuck with buying again and losing your shirt on selling a new but used whatever. I told him to go get whatever he wants for himself which will most likely just be a small portable. I just signed an agreement for a new house with a huge (to me 22' x 27') garage and once I get in there and get sorted out then I'll look for one. Most likely an upright stationary, then if I need a small portable I'll borrow his.