I'm looking to pick up a medium size (15-30 gallon) portable air compressor for mechanic work, does anyone have any suggestions on what to get and what not to get? I notice that a lot of the decent air tools require at least 6cfm @ 90PSI and only some of the larger 5-8 horse compressors can put that out. Brands? Craftsman, C&H, USED? I have seen a few different models at home depot that looked decent. Any help will be greatly apprecaited, I'm located in Tampa, FL if anyone knows of individual shops that carry good stuff.

Thanks,
Rich

 

I have a Craftsman. I called Devilbis to ask about theirs and they told me they make Craftsman. Sears happen to have a special price so I went with that. If you want to spend the money the belt drive units are much quieter. If you want to run tools it helps to have a tank. That way the tank supports the tool if the actual compressor can not keep up. You have to weigh what you want, a big tank or portability.

 

Thanks for the advice. I'm definitely going to get a tank unit, hopefully I can find something that will fit in the hatch of the civic... Craftsman has a decent one right now for $278, 20 gallon that I think will fit in the hatch... I'm goign to stop by after work and check it out.

Thanks,
Rich

 

let us know what you decide, I'm casually shopping for something similar. portable enough to fit comfortably in the hatch, capable to handle anything I need it for, cheap enough to afford, and durable enough to last a couple years.

 

Get at least 6.5HP w/30 Gal. Compressor, it will handle the best tools and then some.

Believe me do not cheap out on compressor, especially if your going to use it alot + major bolts and such.

 

I have the same compressor, the crafstsman 20 gal. Works well with the impact, paint gun and other tools. It will fit into the hatch of your civic and the trunk/hatch of any integra. I paid about the same, it was a good buy, it saves a lot of headache and hopefully it will last many, many years.

 

Hey I'm lettin' ya know because you asked, I purchased the 33 Gal 6 HP compressor from crasftman because it was on sale for $269 from the usual $330 or so. It IS a bitch to fit in the hatch, even with the seats out because it's so tall and has to be turned on its side. Once it's in there it's fine, not too bad of a 2 person job. I think if I need to move it around again, i'm going to take out the passenger seat and put it there. Below are some pics, I should have gotten one in the hatch, next time I will so that you can see how much of a beast it is. To accompany, a Craftsman Pro 600 ft/lb 1/2" impact gun and an air nozzle fitment with quick release attachments. Going to do a spring install today to test it out, should come in handy when I pull the D16z from my Si in a couple months.

 

You gotta love car parts in the house...

Here is a pic of me cleaning my bearings near the kitchen sink.
http://kjvieira.tripod.com/pics/car/...g-bearings.jpg

and here is another one
http://kjvieira.tripod.com/pics/car/ZC_civic/pistons-rods-crank-assembled.jpg

Ok, sorry for the OT content.



[Modified by breaka_1_9, 4:01 PM 7/23/2001]

 

Pics not working...

I know what you mean about car parts in the house, though. For the longest time I had the carpeting from my car sitting on my kitchen table.

 

I guess tripod doesn't like direct links to pictures...

If you do a right click and then go to properties. Cut and paste the url to your web browser and then they should work.

I hate hosting sites that don't allow direct links. STUPID!

 

Has anyone had any luck trying to break loose the crankshaft pulley bolt with there air compressors? That air compressor I see there is like the one we have for work and I tried using that that sucker it wouldnt budge or the spindle nut. I bought a 1/2 240ft/lb air gun.

 

When I was desperate, I had someone hold the piston down while I hit a 1/2" drive socket/rachet with a 2lb hammer and the nut came right off. Try getting your pressure up to 140psi and use a short, thick hose to the driver for the crank nut.....

 

Interesting this won't go past 110psi it holds 120psi. I will try using a shorter hose see if it helps any.

 

Disassemble the control box and turn the screw. Come towards the light.... Danger, danger..... There may be an adjustment screw, you need pressure since you don't have volume. There should ba a little box the wires for the motor are going into.... Experiment...... Come towards the light.....