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small compressor for my workshop

A

arthur kemelman

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Feb 1, 2009
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I am intending to buy a small compressor for my workshop, mainly for blowing away dust etc when turning or woodworking. Any suggestions as to what I should look for in a compressor would be welcome.
 
Hi Arthur,

You might want to think about how quiet the compressor you want to buy will run. The smaller the reserve tank, the more frequently it will recycle. The noise gets to be a drag after a while (even if you build a sound-proofing chamber around the compressor). I've purchase two smaller compressors that I mainly use to blow the sanding dust off of a piece I am sanding and off of the sand paper. The last one that I purchased was a small Senco compressor for air brushing. It is really quiet but recycles very often. So, now I am thinking of selling one of the compressors and purchasing a larger capacity compressor (at least 30 gallons). Again, what I would want is one that requires no oil maintenance, is very quiet, and enough hp to compress the air in the tank.

If you want your purchase to last, be prepared to vent the tank about once a week so that the moisture doesn't rust out the bottom of your reserve tank.

Matt
 
I've got the Makita MAC2400. It's 4 gal 2.5 hp. I use it to clear debris from hollow forms, give me an air shower after a hard day at the lathe and to run my HoldFast. It's fairly small. I can't talk about the noise as I have nothing to compare it to, but it sits right next to the lathe if that's any indication.

I can't run any air tools other then a brad gun as there's just not enough cfm. Then, I don't see much use for air tools since my electric ones work well.

Burt
 
give me an air shower after a hard day
Click to expand...

a former employer had a counseling form ready for you if you blew yourself or your clothes off with compressed air, they even showed a film with after photos of injuries

most of the injuries were a break in the skin where compressed air was directed
 
Cambell Hausfeld has a 1 gallon that I picked up for $50. Good for quick, light duty work. I've also used it for air-nailers and such (again, not trip-nailing)
 
Burt Alcantara said:
I've got the Makita MAC2400. It's 4 gal 2.5 hp. I use it to clear debris from hollow forms, give me an air shower after a hard day at the lathe and to run my HoldFast. It's fairly small. I can't talk about the noise as I have nothing to compare it to, but it sits right next to the lathe if that's any indication.

I can't run any air tools other then a brad gun as there's just not enough cfm. Then, I don't see much use for air tools since my electric ones work well.

Burt
Click to expand...

I also have the Makita 2400 - got it to run a large framing nailer last summer when I was rebuilding my garage. In the Fall, I moved it to provide air to my turnery. I have been really pleased with this compressor - it is built like a tank (and weighs about as much too). As for the storage capacity, one could always get an aux. tank.

I may be getting a second one so's I don't have to lug it back upstairs to use it in and around the garage.
 
There are two main classes of compressors. The oilless and the ones you have to oil. The oilless are simpler but are louder and tend to not last as long. I have a 2 gal cambel hausfeld that I use for everything from running brad nailers to my impact wrench. If I was buying another I would probably go for a 3 gal with the wheels.
 
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