Looking to buy an Air Compressor to do light automotive work?
 

Hey all, so I'm looking to buy an air compressor to do light automotive work like breaking lugs and bolts and whatnot to do some work on our cars at the house. I don't know ANYTHING about air compressors but it definitely would not be used everyday or heavily. Basically I want to be able to fill tires, take wheels off, run a very small detail buffer, and break bolts on suspension parts on the cars. I'm thinking about getting a central pneumatic 21 gallon air compressor from harbor freight but would like some suggestions. Can't spend more than $300. Thanks (and sorry didn't know where to post this thread!)

Re: Looking to buy an Air Compressor to do light automotive work?
 

I'd think you can find better than HF.
Comparable? Better?
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-20-ga...1&blockType=G1


http://www.sears.com/tools-air-compr...sors/s-1021254

Um, don't fall for the "free" or cheap air impact gun that some places sell or include with these unless it is a good Ingersol-Rand gun.


http://www.lowes.com/cd_Air+Compress...ide_875650869_


My needs/wants are different.
I personally would want more then 150 PSI, which usually means a 2-stage pump/industrial. I want it Oiled, and hopefully a belt drive. I figure I'm going to make money with it, I want the best I can afford, and I need it to be the last compressor I ever need to buy. I can maintain it.

Look at others too. A buddy got a 170 PSI, maybe 30 gal from Fleet-Farm for a reasonable price on sale (still over 300 tho), I think it might have been a Porter-Cable brand?

I started looking at nice compressors for a minute......5+HP, 80 gal, http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...s+19-cfm-below

Re: Looking to buy an Air Compressor to do light automotive work?
 

mmhmmm taken care of ezone ;)

I have a mastercraft impact gun which is one of their higher end ones but it's pretty much useless. As is most mastercraft stuff except their sockets (here in Canada anyway).

If you want to use it for more than 5 seconds you need a pretty big air compressor and Ingersoll Rand is top notch for impacts. If you don't want to spend that much any cheapie will do but don't expect to get too much as far as results go. Most of the time it's easier for me to remove a bolt by hand than use my mastercrap impact.

Re: Looking to buy an Air Compressor to do light automotive work?
 

I had to hold off on the air compressor for now. Reading all the mixed reviews on them was pretty frustrating, and reading the manuals seemed to make them complicated...in the end though I still think I might go with a harbor freight one. There was an 8 gallon, 125 psi, 2.5 hp one that got pretty good reviews but it was an oiled one, (my dad prefers that kind) and it said you had to buy all these extra things for it which I have NO idea how much extra it will cost. So I will hold off until my dad (who knows about air compressors) comes back from ohio and help me assemble and break in the thing. I read a lot of bad reviews about craftsmen which woulda been my first choice...a lot of people complained they were made in china. That doesn't really bother me that much but if I'm gonna spend the money I need something that will work for more than 3 uses and the reviews failed to prove that.

Originally was looking at a Lowe's Campbell-Hausfeld air compressor that came with a bunch of air tools and things for $319 but it also had interesting reviews. I just don't know anymore! Lol. So I bought much needed car parts instead for now...