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Help needed --I have Christmas money to spend

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terriphill

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I got lots of gift cards for Christmas because everyone knows I need car tools but they have no clue what to get. My latest desire is an air compressor set up. I can think of a million reasons and ways to use this new toy and specifically I would like to try my hand at body work. We have now three vehicles in need of some minor body work and paint so I figure for what I would be paying for 1 good paint job, I can learn how to do this on my own (Famous last words?)

Here's what I'm looking at:
<span style="font-style: italic"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Harbor Freight</span></span>- Central Pneumatic- 3 HP 21 Gallon 115 PSI $199
<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-style: italic">Sears-</span></span> Craftsman- 26 gal 1.6 HP 160 PSI- $199
<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-style: italic">Lowe's</span></span>- Kobalt (w/ 6 accessory tools)1.5 HP 26 gal 150 PSI $299
<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-style: italic">Home Depot</span></span>- Husky- 26 gal, 1.5 HP, 155 PSI $199

I know that all of these would easily run any tools I choose to use, are any of these capable of spraying a car with lacquer? Which sprayer would you use? the gravity fed or the standard. Is size an issue?

Opinions from any of you who have done your own home paint jobs (and I've seen your pics...they look good!)

Thanks for your input....
Terri
 
Terri, in my opinion you should really consider a larger compressor than the ones you've listed. Something in the minimum of 3hp with a 50-60 gallon tank and a twin cylinder compressor. Most of those will require 230V service, but I've worked with a smaller 1.5hp Sears model many years ago and found it really wasn't up to the task for running air tools, especially auto body tools which really use a lot of volume. Lowes has a Campbell Hausfield unit listed on their web site that would be about the minimum I'd consider, a 60 gallon tank, 3hp, and twin cylinder compressor. They're asking $449 for it, but often you can get discounts or they will go on sale. I don't recommend the units from Harbour Freight. I have a lot of HF tools, don't get me wrong they aren't bad, but I'm more concerned with the availability of replacement parts down the road and the major US retailers such as Sears, Lowes, and Home Depot seem to offer more security in that area. Check places like craigslist in your area, you might find a bargain in a larger compressor.
The two things to consider are really tank size and compressor volume. A larger tank will give you more time between recovery cycles and a better two cylinder compressor will make those recovery cycles shorter. A small unit will work but you'll go mad waiting on it to recover so often and barely get any work done between cycles. For an impact wrench they're ok, but for sanders and painting they just don't have the capacity.
 
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]The two things to consider are really tank size and compressor volume. A larger tank will give you more time between recovery cycles and a better two cylinder compressor will make those recovery cycles shorter. A small unit will work but you'll go mad waiting on it to recover so often and barely get any work done between cycles. For an impact wrench they're ok, but for sanders and painting they just don't have the capacity. [/QUOTE]

:iagree:

Look at the spray guns you might use too. They'll specify the volume of air needed: something like 9 CFM, and that's the normal usage, while compressors typically specify the maximum, so you'd need to back off from that to get the useful volume produced.

A good book or two wouldn't go amiss either. You could look at <span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-style: italic">This one</span></span> or <span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-style: italic">That one</span></span>. It's a small investment....
 
"HP" figures are nearly meaningless when it comes to air compressors; so you really need to compare them on cfm (and tank size). But keep in mind that both air tools and air compressors are normally rated in cfm at the inlet ... but at 90 psi there is about a 7:1 ratio between the two.

So I agree, I'd go for a larger compressor if at all possible. A professional painter once used my "2.5hp 20 gallon" compressor to paint a friends car in my garage, and he refused to ever come back unless I got a larger compressor. It really is maddening to have to stop every few seconds, and wait minutes for the compressor to catch up.

I'm currently installing a 2-stage "7hp" unit rated 17.4 scfm @ 100 psi. It's still not all I could ever use, but with an 80 gallon tank and 175 psi working pressure, I'll have to stop much less often.

Something else to pay attention to : 2-stage is not the same as 2-cylinder. A 2-stage compressor will reach higher pressures, which will give you more run time for a given tank; but might not move quite as much air at 40-50 psi as a single stage will (either 1 or 2 cylinders). It's easy to tell the difference : a single stage unit won't be rated for more than about 135 psi and the cylinders will be the same size. Two stage compressors are generally more expensive, rated for 175 psi, and the cylinders are visibly different sizes.
 
I'll add only one thing because I consider it very important for machinery such as this. Buy a compressor from an established brand, which can be serviced easily and parts purchased 30 years from now. Industrial brands are the best way to go for both of these reasons. My Caisons compressor has suffered one problem in 15 years, and it was fixed with a new valve at a cost of $35 including pick-up from my home, , parts, labor, and re-delivery. My father has a craftsman that the place told him to simply throw away and buy another. Sure his compressor cost 1/3 of what mine cost, but I've already made most of that money up and I have a nicer unit to work with.

Very similar to my compressor:
ss-c4560vwa_m.jpg
 
You have received good advice on the compressor. I have a 25 gallon, 3 hp Sanborn that is fine for painting, air wrenches, air nailers and such. I have painted about 3 cars with it over 20 years or so. But it will only last a very minutes with a DA or grinder. Then you have to take that break for it to recover. As soon as a shop is finished to make room, a bigger unit is my next purchase.

As for spraying lacquer, you could do a credible job of that with a pump-up garden sprayer with just a little parctice. The real question is, are you sure you want to use lacquer? Sure, you can get a beautiful job with little skill but it just doesn't have the longevity. Some of the modern paints can look almost as good and last almost forever.
 
OK, thank you all for your replies. I guess this means I need to go back to more research. I'll keep you posted. T:smile:
 
Terri, scroll down to second page here. Check out the Kobalt Compressor thread. Harbor Freight doesn't sell anything you'd want to spend good money on. Go big or stay at home - when it comes to a compressor.
Research.
 
What THEY said.

...a "lesser" unit will only lead to total frustration. Buy a good, high capacity one and it'll last TWO lifetimes.
 
DrEntropy said:
What THEY said.

...it'll last TWO lifetimes.
Click to expand...

I couldn't agree more which is why I'd be happy to sign up for one of the two - preferably the first
grin.gif
 
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