Chris B

Hi everyone, and happy new year.

My wife gave me an air compressor for Christmas this year, which I NEED to bring my barn up to minimum standards of sanity-control :yesnod:

Well, the unit she gave me is great, it's a Craftsman 33 gallon, 6 hp, 150 psi horizontal portable, but I am considering taking it back as I am not sure it is the ideal size. This unit will run up to a 3/4" impact wrench, which is way over my needs. The uses, mostly down-the-road, and all very occasional, will be; ratchets, chisels, 1/2" impact wrench, general household, nail gun, possibly paint gun, etc.

I was looking at the 2-3 gallon contractor jobbies, which I think will work for most purposes on my list and be a lot more portable for nail gun projects. Sears rates their's right on the unit, and the list of tools on the small ones doesn't include the 1/2" wrench, but I think it would do for occasional use.

I want to keep the bigger one so I am not returning her gift, if I will need one this big, but the smaller one seems "smarter" (especially since it's about $100 cheaper). Please let me know if I'm overlooking something, or what your opinion is as to the better unit for my NEEDS!

Thanks to all,
Chris

Tominator

I got the same one only it's the vertical one, haven't done much with other than fill tires up.

DavidOrr

The 2-3 Gallon contractor jobbies only have the capacity to run the nail gun. If you were to use this unit for impact wrench, rachet, etc - IMO you would not be happy. You would be waiting for the compressor to catch up. With the larger unit, you have plenty of air in reserve allowing the compressor to keep the tank full, instead of having to supply your tools directly.

I received a 30 gallon SpeedAir for Christmas - I put it in a covered area next to my workshop at the back of my yard and ran 150' of plastic pipe up to the side of my house for an additional air connection to be used at my driveway or in the house.

yellow 72

Keep it :yesnod: you'll be glad you did some day :cheers:

63Banshee

Sounds like I have the same you do. I like it, but it lags a bit when blasting @ 90 psi.

Garys '68

I've got the same craftsman 33 gal. It runs EVERYTHING well. KEEP IT!.
Also bought a 4 gal pancake, 2hp compressor from Harbor Freight for $80. I keep it on my boat for regular repairs. It works well for nail/staple guns, 1/2" impact. It doesn't work well with grinders, chisels, or drills. It runs out of air too quickly. Even a 3/8" air ratchet uses too much for the 4 gal to support well. I haven't tried my paint gun with it and don't think I ever will.
It's great to have the little 4 gal on my boat, but it would be frustrating if it was the only one I had to use. BTW, Harbor Freight marks down their 4 gallon from $120 to under $90 evry few months.
Gary

PatG

I agree with comments above. Keep the one your wife got for your barn. If you find need for portability get a small one for the odd jobs.

If you are considering all of those future uses the small one will not be satisfactory. I actually got about 200' of hose so I can reach most places in the house from the workshop out back to run finishing nailers and such for home projects.

Chuck Gongloff

Keep the big one. If you're like me, you'll probably find that the "big" one will not be big enough if you start to do sandblasting or glass beading. Those little "put-put" compressors are good for filling tires in my opinion. I finally bit the bullet about 8 years ago and bought an 80 gallon upright with a 5HP two stage motor. Gives plenty of air. Chuck

2ND77

I have a 5 HP, 20 Gal compressor. I cant imagine trying to run an impact wrench off something smaller. Not enough capacity (gal) for the long duration.

Ron

Smokehouse69

Chris,
In this case BIGGER IS BETTER! If you plan on doing any extensive work on your car, AIR is a tool. Get yourself some air tools, 3/8" Ratchet, 1/2" impact, drill, and cutoff grinder. You will use them more than you ever realize.
A couple of weeks ago I used my air tools to pull the heads off my car. It could not of taken an hour, that included removing all the accessories, and I wasn't in any hurry.
Keep the big compressor and take advantage of it.

R. Bruno

I agree with the others here. I have a Sears 20 gallon / 6 hp due to space problems iin my garage. I would recommend this at a minimun but if I had room would go to the 30. You will be sorry if you trade it in.

peterhuber1

Bigger will be better especially if you are using it with one of those small parts blasting booths.....have a great time with it....plus it will keep the wifey happy... :flag

MotorHead

Keep the big one you'll be happy you did especially if you get into sand blasting.

I got the Craftsman 2 Stage 175 PSI and it seems to be adequate for blasting, I also got a 625 FT/lb impact gun that runs fine on it.

In the case of air compressors the size does matter :D

redc3vette1

ive got the 60 gallon 6.5 hp craftsman and it runs anything and you can always use a lil more power so i would keep the bigger one :cheers: :cheers:

Edzred72

Take it from one who services 100hp and 300hp compressors at work. Bigger is Better... down the road, you'll be glad you did. :cheers: :cheers:

MikeC

Keep the big one- my 5 horse- 25 gallon will barely keep up with a grinder.

keytech

Keep the one you have. i have one of the smaller ones (3 hp)that I used for my nail guns when I worked with them. great for portability (still a heavy little booger) but when the time comes for more hp you will regret not having one.

A very good example of what you need more for: sand blaster. Sooner or later you will want to take somethinga part that needs restoring. You need a LOT of air to push one. You mentioned a paint gun, gonna need to prep that body to use that so there ya have it. Besides, do you really want to take back a great gift your wife bought you?

ddn

We have like a 100 gallon in the shop. It rules. My uncle put it in when he started building the house. The thing is huge, but it's ohhh sooo nice.