Air compressor FAQs: 1. buy the biggest one you can afford. impact wrench doesn't take much air. die grinders, air ratchets, sanders, and sandblasters all use TONS of air. spray guns use a good amount, but they need a large tank for a stable air pressure supply more than anything. 2. stay away from the cheapo single stage all-in-one units from craftsman and the like. they're absolute crap and you will be deaf after that compressor runs for more than 10 minutes.. spend the extra coin on a better one that has a separate motor and compressor. you're goign to look at probably $325 minimum for one of these guys, but trust me it is WELL worth it. Hell, even check around your local pawn shops and used tool stores for a high quality used comrpessor. I'd rather take a 5 yr old good one that's been used over a new crappy one. FYI... if you remember the pics of my huge one http://mattblehm.com/pics/garage/100_0191.JPG, that one "only" cost me about $550 including dual pressure regulators, commercial grade filter/oiler, and all of the pipe and wiring to install it.. that sucks is a 60 gallon, 7hp motor rated at 100% duty. It will keep up all day long at 90psi with a sandblaster running wide open on a 1/2" hose.. and it's 1/2 as loud as my old crappy compressor! _________________________ Re: few things to suggest --> Posted by dmontzsta (92 SE) on April 29, 2005 at 07:27:59: Thats what I am talking about. I am looking to spend no more than $550. Here is one I am thinking of getting, I just need my friend to come wire up 230v in my garage, which he said is easy since my panel is on the other side of the wall the compressor will be and it is not drywalled. HUSKY 7 Peak HP 60 Gal Husky Compressor Model VT6314 A solid CAST IRON, twin cylinder compressor pump for extreme durability. Offers 135 PSI maximum pressure and air delivery 11.7/10.3 SCFM @ 40/90 PSI. It also has a space saving vertical design that is perfect for your home garage or work shop. The compressor also includes an efficient Solberg style intake filter, pre-plumbed globe valve, pressure switch, and tank pressure gauge. • Up to 5,000 hours of extended life • A CAST IRON oil-lubricated pump with traditional design that is quieter and longer lasting • 60 Gallon vertical, space saving tank design • Powerful, 7.0-peak horsepower motor provides significant air to multiple power tools • Automotive style changeable air filter • Protective belt guard • High quality oversized gauges • 1070 Pump RPM • Three-year limited warranty • Over 35 percent quieter and 60 degrees cooler than aluminum pumps with cast iron sleeves Internet/Catalog # 167502 Store SKU# 710098 Price: $429.00/ea I dont know anything about Husky. When it comes to air ratchets I am being told to get the best. The one I am looking at is 900ft/lbs for $340 a little steep for a air ratchet. I am basically going to be using it for changing my clutch out this weekend and any other future repairs. Would a 450ft/lbs air ratchet be good enough? ______________________________________ That's the exact same one I have --> Posted by Matt (93SE) on April 29, 2005 at 08:13:00: The Husky, Campbell Hausfield, and one other brand (Ingersoll Rand I think) all sell the same unit, but with very slightly different specs. they're all a 60 gallon, 7hp 230V unit that flows around 10cfm at 90psi. It's priced at $429, but you can look on Lowes and Home Depot's websites and both have a "mover's coupon" that you can file your address with them and get a 10% off coupon... be sure to pick up a new breaker for your electric panel, the wire you'll need (you can use 12awg wire, but 10awg isn't much more expensive and you don't have to worry about voltage drop on the line as bad. it makes everything happier when the motor starts up.) also don't forget to get a 1/4 turn shutoff valve right at the tank, and another one to place under the tank to drain it (I drain mine daily, so the cheapo valve at the bottom wears out pretty quick). you'll need to go smaller on the one under the tank, and I highly recommend using all brass fittings for it instead of steel like up top. the brass fittings won't rust themselves together so you can take it apart in 10 years when it's time to overhaul the unit. you'll also need a bottle of oil for the compressor itself. they sell it over by the air tools in most stores. you'll need a quart of it. (about $5) I highly recommend getting a filter/oiler/drier as well, similar to the one I have. I run two hoses off it. the first canister you see coming off the tank is the drier/filter. it collects the moisture coming from the tank and keeps it out of the lines. then I have "T" in the line where I've attached a regulator and a "dry" hose for when I'm painting and doing powdercoating.. on the other side of the T is the other regulator and the oiler.. this oiler injects a fine mist of air tool oil into the hose as the air flows through it... this way I never have to oil my impact wrench and stuff.. the problem is the inside of the hose gets coated in oil, which is the last thing you want in the line when you're trying to paint a car! Thus, I ONLY use this line with my air tools (or anything else that doesn't care about oil in the line).... You can pick up those drier/oiler systems for about $50 at most places. Northern Tool or Harbor Freight sell them for a bit less than that, and the quality is sufficient on them. as long as you're not physically beating on them, ther'es no need to buy a $200 commercial grade filter setup. these will do just fine for home and even commercial use. Cliff's notes: get 10% off coupon. buy everything at the store with that coupon. that includes: 1. compressor 2. breaker for your panel (15A 230V breaker) 3. 10/2 romex wire from panel to garage. 4. 1/2" ball valve 5. smaller valve for bottom. (3/8" or 1/4" I forget) BRASS!!! 6. regulator/filter/drier/oiler 7. compresor oil 8. air tool oil 9. air hose. preferably two hoses and an additional regulator. 10. pipe fittings to plumb the thing. the tank only comes with a hole in the side for 3/4" pipe and you need to buy everything else. for tools.... here's the impact wrench I own: clicky! it's a badass unit that will rip axles apart if you give it a big enough air supply line. It's made by ingersoll rand, same as their IR 2131 unit. Keep in mind there is a HUGE difference between an "air ratchet" and an "impact wrench". air ratchets are only good for about 30ft lb torque and used to turn bolts on and off instead of a regular ratchet. an impact wrench is what the monkeys at the tire shop use to pound your lugs on. when doing a clutch, both are extremely useful, but an air ratchet won't do a thing against your large axle nuts.