i was looking to get a cheap compressor to use once in a while when i work on my car at home.. i already have tools just no compressor.
i found some for pretty cheap but i dont get why some are priced differently.. like i found this one thats 150 but its only 2 gallon. http://www.harborfreight.com/c...40400 VS. this one thats 8 gallon http://www.harborfreight.com/c...90385..
im thinking this part of the specs is the importantr part. <TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">4.5 SCFM @ 115 PSI, 5.6 SCFM @ 90 PSI, 6.2 SCFM @ 70 PSI, 7.2 SCFM @ 40 PSI;</TD></TR></TABLE> but i dont know what that means.. is that how fast it fills back up with air?.

reason i ask is obviously a larger compressor would be better cause it holds more air.. but not if it takes a week to fill up vs a smaller one that holds less but can fill up faster..

 

A bigger tank will hold more air. While it takes longer to fill, you can use the tools much longer before it needs to refill, and refilling once filled once is not too long.

I am using a Sears 30 gallon 6.5 HP (IIRC) compressor, and it works GREAT. I bought mine w/ a starter set of tools for $300, but I saw an ad a day ago where they're selling it for ~$250 now.

Best deal you'll find.

 

The 25-30 gallon ones seem to work fine for power tools.. Im using a Husky 28 gallon from home depot and it works great for almost everything.. when im using a die grinder or wizzie(cutter) wheel it will drain the tank faster than it can fill so I usally let the compressor fill up all the way (125 psi) then wait for it to shut off on its own.. Then I manually turn it off and use the cutter or die grinder untill the pressure is too low to work correctly anymore and then manually turn it back on and let it fill up full again..

Running a high air comsumption device that is using more air than the compressor can put out will burn up the motor on the compressor if its turned on since it will just keep running.. Just FYI..

 

yea i usedstand a bigger tank is better for the amount of air.. but i think those larger compressors arnt as good as the small.. something about the SCFM ???

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by drunknbass &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">yea i usedstand a bigger tank is better for the amount of air.. but i think those larger compressors arnt as good as the small.. something about the SCFM ???</TD></TR></TABLE>

My understanding of that is this:

You want a smaller compressor set so you can take it to on-site jobs easily; the easiest way to reduce the size and weight is to make the tank very small. With those little compressor sets, though, the tank is so small it only acts as a slight buffer for the compressor. To counteract this, they use a bigger compressor motor to move more air.

I would much rather have a larger tank w/ a smaller compressor than a smaller tank w/ a larger compressor.

 

yea i was just wondering cause id think a bigger compressor would cost more.. but the prices vary alot.. so i was thinking maybe it wasnt that good of a compressor.. maybe its a large size but the motor takes too long to refill or something else..
ill prob get an 8 gallon cheeseball one cause all i need is enough air to use the impact and misc small tools