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mini air compressor from home depot

8K views 11 replies 11 participants last post by  timothale 
#1 ·
which would you go with? I have been shopping around for lightweight air compressor and to plan on using it for hardwood flooring, finishing the basement, and alil bit of short bursts of breaking the tough nuts with impact wrench, and maybe airbrush for fun..I am still fencing over which one...Its not my everyday living...just once in a while. 4 gallon husky oil-less, 3 gal titanium, or 8 gallon lubricated horizontal. Thanks for your time reading this and hopefully you guys could help me to come up with the final decision. 2 Thumbs up!
 
#6 ·
Hi,

I have the Makita mac5200. It is very compact, but at 3.0hp it easily turns my IR impact gun for wheel rotation, etc. without too much waiting for recovery (maybe about a minute if the gun is in constant use.)

If the impact gun is in good shape, and the compressor is in good shape, any compact, 3hp compressor with 6CFM max rating at 90 PSI should get you by....

Cheers,

Matt
 
#9 ·
Its always a tradeoff, you can never really win with a compressor choice IMO. I have a 60 gallon in my shop for my big tools and a tiny 3 gallon one I got on sale at sears with a brad nailer for like 60 bucks. Its pretty wimpy, but it does run my nailers just fine, and because its a pancake unit and super light, I can really take it anywhere. I could easily have it up on a roof running a nailer if I had to.

I certainly wouldn't mind having a little air sometimes, but you can't beat the portability, and when I was buying this thing that's really what my #1 concern was. Hauling it upstairs in my house to do mouldings, tight spots etc, it really works out well for my needs, and really helps not having another large piece of equipment to trip over when I've got my house in 1000 pieces ripping a wall down or whatnot.

K
 
#10 ·
Runnin'OnEmpty said:
I did some research last week on this very subject; looking for a
small compressor to run a detail spray gun, fill tires, etc.

Home Depot has a 3 gal one that looks interesting, about $180.
It puts out about 6 cfm.
Do you have a link for it ? So that I can check it out. Thanks. I am pretty leaning on Dewalt Emglo Air compressor. I was being told it gives enough power of airflow to run impact gun. It's been months I am still banging my head via the wall without deciding factor on which one should i really get! :confused:
 
#11 ·
I have to say I would like a little pancake compressor to complement my big one. Like Killer said, moldings and such. As it is, I run a 50' line and one or two-25 footers through the house for any pneumatic nailing - that is after carefully wiping the hoses down so the wife can't complain about dirt and grease.

I looked into it a while back and really liked that Porter-Cable, but since they are now part of Black abd Decker, wonder if the quality is still there :(

Dave W
 
#12 ·
oiless finish.

For finish work an oiless compressor and a gun that does not require lube so you won't have trouble with oil spots when trying to do the final finish- paint. I have a clear hose for finish work it does not leave marks like the old black shop hose. , . the last time i checked i could go 200 ft with all the hoses if the fittings are good and don't leak. With a small gun and a few nails a carry tank works good. We have 5 air compressors in the shop and 2 that require repair. Twin gasoline that will run 2 framing guns, Elect twin that will run 2 frame guns, 2 small carry around , and the big shop compressor bolted to a platform up 8 ft in the corner .
 
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