Air tools - starter suggestions

[gomotomoto]

I'm looking at setting up a compressor. Can you guys shed some light on the compressor and also a bunch of tools to start out with. Not trying to achieve anything specific, but just want to outfit the garage with the potential.

 

[my-79-750-k]

Don't get an oil-less! Spend the extra hundred and get a good, name brand compressor with decent capacity (more than 10 gallons) and again, don't get an oil-less! They will crap out in no time. Oil feed is the way to go, much longer life, and as long as you remember to check the oil level every once in a while, it'll last you years.
As far as tools go, here's a short list:
1/2" impact, 3/8" air ratchet, die grinder (straight and angled) "safety (30 psi) and normal (90 psi) blowguns for cleaning off working areas, and maybe an air drill. That'll get you started. You could get a 3/8" impact instead of the 1/2", I doubt you'd need the torque of a 1/2" impact to do anything to a bike.

 

[boykinjw]

x2 for no oil-less

 

[gomotomoto]

you need one hell of a compressor to run a soda blaster no?

 

[Bozz]

For blasting you need very high sustained capacity, measured in CFM (Cubic Feet per Min).


A bigger tank helps as well. 60gal is a decent size.


The high flow units are frequently 220V , so be warned.


Air tools are wonderful, but I agree that they have their limits and in some specific jobs the electric alternative is the better solution.




Remember that the money you spend on tools is an investment in future projects that returns in skills and stories and scars...