I have a small sears craftsman air compressor and tanks (don't know exactly but probably no more than ten pounds capacity). A tool salesman told me I need at least a twenty gallon air compressor in order to run pneumatic tools successfully. Is this true or could I get by with my wussie sears craftsman compressor?

Maybe buy a cheap air tank and attach it to your compressor by a hose ? .

The deal is : air tools use a large volume of air so if you're trying to chatter loose something really tight yes, you need a larger volume of air .

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-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

My 5hp 20 gallon craftsman runs my 1/2 impact fine

A 5" air grinder bogs down

look at CFM required for the tools you will be using and size
the compressor accordingly.

Totally depends on the tools. A nailer or impact wrench is fine with small volumes. You won't want to attach a paint gun to anything that small though. All tools should have pressure and cfm ratings that you can compare to the compressor. My little 5gal compressor handles most things around the house just fine.

Also take into account the compressor duty cycle. You probably do not want over 50% for smaller comps.

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

It definitely depends on the tools you're planning on using. And impact gun won't draw the same CFM as a die grinder or wratchet.

I'd also pay attention to the size of the motor. If the model you're looking at has a smaller motor, like the size of an impact wrench, then its going to be a very busy and hot running one. Look for a compressor with a motor larger than the size of an alternator, you'll be much happier in the long rung.

So this style.



Rather than this style.



I'd go to an air compressor shop and ask them what they'd recommend. I went to get a new motor for a 30 gal compressor I had and they laughed at me saying it wasn't worth the trouble. I ended up buying a much better compressor from them that was returned for warranty work but never picked up by the customer. They might have something around their shop they want to sell.

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Onus probandi incumbit ei qui dicit, non ei qui negat

I recondition w123/w126/w124/w140/r107/r129/ steering boxes!


1984 300D "Elsa" odo reset 6/2011 147k
1983 300TD "Mitzi" ~268k OM603 powered
1995 E300 "Adelheid" 262k [Sold]

Maybe consider too just getting a cordless impact- Dewalt or Milwaukee make ones that would be stronger (or strong enough at least) than a lot of the air impacts. I have both and find myself using the cordless about all the time.


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1979 300D 106k miles
1972 220D sold
1969 220D sold
2009 Ford F150 SuperCrew

Agree with the "cordless" suggestion 100%. More and more, people are moving away from compressed air. The battery tech has improved significantly and the charge times are super short. Just about any tool you need is available. Some of the larger impacts have crazy high torque ratings. Are they cheap? No.
But neither is compressed air and pneumatic tools. Also keep in mind, the compressor is but one piece of the puzzle. Air/water separators, air lines, compressor maintenance, air tank corrosion, etc. And dont underestimate the danger factor. Check out a couple videos of exploded compressor air tanks....
Just my 2 cents

X 1K on the cordless...add in the portability. I carry a breaker bar and a 1/2" cordless impact in the truck while towing with impact sockets to fit the trailer and tow vehicle.

Good luck!!!

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"Rudeness is a weak man's imitation of strength" - Eric Hoffer

Without knowing the scope of what you plan to do it's impossible to advise you.

I hate waiting on air and hate dragging cords and airlines around but sometimes a corded tool is right for the job, sometimes nothing but air will work efficiently and sometimes I get myself in spots where no electric outlet is within reach for either.

If you have a hankering for efficiency in doing anything you'll need all three, corded tools, cordless tools and a good sized air compressor.

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84 300SD
85 380SE
83 528e
95 318ic

Thank you to everyone for your input and advice! Your thoughts have caused me to reevaluate the primary purpose I use tools. 99% of the time I am merely maintaining the cars. I'm not running a professional car repair shop or anything close to that.

I'd love to have a man size air compressor, however there simply isn't enough room in the garage at present. Perhaps the corded/cordless idea is best for now...... when I get into a new house with a larger garage/work shop that idea could change.

Everyone's ideas has caused me to rethink the situation.....

The key with air tools is tank size is only reserve capacity. its how long can you run a tool.

A 1 gallon compressor will run any tool, it may only run it for 5 seconds before it needs to kick on, but it will run it.

I've got a 20 gallon "5hp" (peak rated) craftsman compressor that makes around 8CFM, it'll run any of my air tools, 3/4 impact, DA sander, paint gun, you name it, but with high consumption tools you'd need to take a break and let it recharge air after a few minutes of sanding or impact use, the pump can't keep up so it would run all the time and pressure would drop to where the tool didn't have any power unless you stop every few minutes.

I got a much larger 80 gallon true 5hp compressor for my shop (5hp running, much more peak) that produces over 20 CFM, and it will run any tool I have non stop basically without breaking a sweat, cycles on and off as if you're barely using any air.

Cordless tools have gotten so good, if I wasn't running a shop, I'd never bother with air tools at this point in time. They're more portable, nearly as powerful, or in some cases more powerful, plus being able to charge them and use them anywhere you have 12v like in your car, as well as at home where there is 110v AC power makes it super conveniant.

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1982 300D (w123, "Grey Car")
1982 300D (w123, "Blue Car")
2001 Ford F150 "Clifford" (The Big Red Truck)
1997 Dodge Ram 2500 12V Cummins
1996 Dodge Ram 2500 12V Cummins
Previous Vehicles:
1995 E300D, 1980 300SD, 1992 Buick Century, 2005 Saturn Ion

yes, as martureo said above, it takes some power to run air tools which requires some space for storage. My garage is so packed right now I can't hardly turn around in it. These older homes were built with smaller garages. I am looking forward to getting out and into a house with a much larger work area......