Well it's about that time to devise a christmas list to pass out to the family... I'm really looking to get some air tools and a compressor, but I have no idea what I am looking for. I need a compressor obviously. I want an air ratchet, and any other fun tools that I will need to use often (possibly a sander eventually, because I might sand and repaint my car next year)...

And sunday is friends and family discount day at Sears; 20% off

 

IR makes great stuff and you can get it at sears, among other places. don't get an oil less compressor, noisey as hell. i'd go for a vertical tank 220v 60gal 5hp at least. mine is 80gal 8hp 220v, most of my air tools are from snap on but i have got cordless electric impacts from snap on and mikita and don't use the air tools near as much any more.

edit: i should add you want a water trap on your compressor or air line system and maybe an oiler. i oil my tools when i get them out and again when i put them away because mine sit unused alot oiling before you putthem away is a good idea.

 

60 gallons is huge
I dont have a garage man

 

You don't really want to go any smaller than that. I have a 5hp 60 gallon at my house, and I have trouble with my impact gun sometimes. Gotta let the compressor rest between blasts.
Using my 4 inch cutoff wheel with it was fun, too. When I lifted my Cherokee I had to cut my leaf springs to get them out, I could only use the cutoff wheel in 20-30 second bursts and had to wait 2 minutes for the compressor to catch up. Otherwise I didn't have any usable pressure left.
Now, the two 300 gallon ones we have at work are a different story. Get one of those!

 

I bought a Craftsman (30 gal./6 horse) on sale last year. It came with a variety of tools. Highly recommended.

JamesC

 

I have some experience with not having a garage. Unless you plan on using the compressor more than once a month then I would suggest a smaller 3hp 12 or 4 hp 30 gal system from Sears. I have had one for about 12 years, I don't use it much but it is good enough for small jobs. I can't run it on an extension cord though and it needs a 20 amp circuit now. Maybe it needs a rebuild after all these years.

You should probably get an electric palm sander. A good auto parts store should carry them or a good auto paint supply store.

Any plans for metal cutting you should consider getting a garage so that you can get one of those 60+ gallon compressors .

The 12 gallon unit is much easier to move around, get up/down stairs and doesn't take up too much room. The 25 gallon unit works better for the larger jobs, but is more difficult to move around.

 

IMO the 60 gallon is the best, the reason is the volume, you don't want to be consantly stopping to let the compressor catch up. It is really apparent when you use a die grinder. But if you are just running an impact, you can get away with less. If you can engineer the $$ then step up to the 2 stage compressor as well, they're not as loud and more durable than the single stage. They are aslo less prone to getting water in the system. I think Home Depot has them for about $700.

 

I havent had any experiance with Husky air tools but I seen a combo air tool kit at home depo at a real good price. Thier hand tools seem ok.
Dont buy a small compressor! Like mentioned you have to wait too long for a small one to catch up. If you plan of doing any type of body work your going to need at least 100 gallon unit, even thats small. I trashed the 30 gallon craftsmen compressor I had here at the house wasent worth keeping, couldent even use my small mac 3/8 impact with it unless I broke most bolts free by hand then zapped em with the gun. Ede mentioned the electric impacts, I tried a snap on 3/8 unit. It worked very well and I would reccomend you put one on your list. Thier supposedly good for line use I dont buy it but for weekend project tool I could see one lasting a good long time.

 

i have a husky right angle die grinder and a husky 1/2 drive impact gun both work good. the impact gun is not like a high end ir but for weekend warrior work it gets it done. i use a 30 g al 5 hp sear compresor with no problem. and i painted my car with two of the combined and had no problems with air quality or quanity.

for the tool list a die grinder right angle you can do all kinds of stuff with it cuting grinding buffing polishing removing gaskets body work in tight areas. great tool.

jeff