I know that San, if he sees this, would have some good advice.

What are the specs that I need to be able to operate a wrench or an angle grinder... 5hp/20gal? $200 seem like enough to budget?

 

mines a 6hp/33gallon unit. Not sure I'd go too much smaller. Those shock bolts can be stubborn. Hope this helps. If anyone is interested, Farid has a a large compressor he'd sell cheap (if he still has it).

San

 

Do you know cfm? I know yours pushes enough air to do pretty much anything I need to do, so that would be a benchmark.

 

not sure that compressors are rated at cfm. Mine has 150 PSI stamped on it. Not sure if that is sustainable PSI or what. I bought the one I have because I needed one for my shock install and it was on sale at Sears. The smaller unit was only slightly lower priced. Mine was $310. I think the 5hp/20gal will probably be fine, but check on the PSI. After all, it's the pressure that's driving the tools. The smaller capacity and slightly smaller hp just means the compressor will kick in more often. But if the rated psi is less than 130 psi, I'd reconsider. I'd hate to meet a stubborn bolt that an extra hundred dollars would have solved.

San

 

That's exactly the info I was looking for.

Thanks

 

This is a pretty good description of the various things to consider when purchasing a compressor:

http://www.sawdustmaking.com/AirComp...compressor.htm

I believe psi and cfm are the most important inorder to operate a tool. Tank size will determine how often the compressor runs and how many tools can be used at a time. Good luck

 

pat, mine is a 5hp/20 gal craftsman one from sears...it was $180 for the compressor, impact gun, some odds and ends and the air hose...couldnt beat the price so i bought it...no problems with running a grinder or using the impact gun on suspension stuff...also if you look at the rating on most impact guns, it says not to exceed 90 psi anyway (but i usually run mine wide open (120psi)...if there was a deal on a 6hp/30gal, i woulda got that one instead, but i couldnt pass up the price of the 5hp/20 gal with accessories...

 

This is the one that has most recently caught my attention.

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...nk+Compressors

I imagine it's probably similar to the one you have, Poser, since it has a hose and an Iwrench with it. I am still hesitating.

There is a pretty nice looking one at Pepboys, but it's not Craftsman.

 

hey pat, that link takes me to a 3hp/15gal compressor...i wouldnt get anything less than a 5hp/20gal...

 

That one is $199.

Maybe I'll look at Home Depot, Lowe's, and Pepboys.