HF Air compressor

[asdfasdf128]

hey guys, I'm back here again needing some feedback/advice. I've been wanting to get an air compressor for doing work on my car, but have 0 experience with compressors. HF has a sale for their 21 Gallon, 3HP unit:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94667

I was reading the manual for the item and the fact that it says:

"Air Outlet Size 1/4” - 18 NPT" is making me cautious about buying this unit. I know most decent/useful tools use 3/8" sized piping. Is the fact that the air outlet size is 1/4" something to be concerned about, or is there a way to make it work with 3/8" piping?

Thanks alot guys!

 

[mike75925]

a 21 gallon 3hp compressor should be enough to run all of your airtools. (not all at the same time) i have a 27gallon i got for $20, it runs my impacts and such nicely. i don't remember my couplings sizes. look at the side of the items box, and see if it is rated for the tools you will be running. they normally list what the compressor can run; nailers, impacts, body saws, air ratchets etc. the nipples and couplings can be changed out. i believe they all use the same pipe size, don't quote me on that though.

 

[jr dragster T]

We have a 60 gallon/3hp/240V compressor in our garage and I beleive all of our lines are 3/8". If you want to sandblast your going to find you need ALOT of air.

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

I would rather buy a nice used compressor than a cheap new one. I have a 20 gal (maybe 30?) craftsman compressor and it is nearly useless. Takes like 2 mins to fill and can't keep up with a sander for more than a minute or two. I got it for free tho so it's ok.

 

[mike75925]

kap'n, what's your regulator set to?

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

Output reg is set depending on the tool but normally 90-100 psi it's just a ****ty compressor.

 

[freakboy]

throw a twin on there and gear it differently lol

 

[jr dragster T]

Lol, Ours is a cast iron twin. Keeps up with pretty well every air tool I would normally use. When sandblasting it comes on about every 2 minutes of blasting and I give it a break sometimes.

 

[freakboy]

Ill have to take a pic of my rig... its got 3 cylinders to compress the air...... ran off a 220 outlet we got one of them rigs to remove the water out for painting....and it still dont give the power i want it to... the things big and needs to sit on these springs so it dont vibrate around..

 

[jr dragster T]

Yeah we also have a heavy duty air dryer. Figured we needed one after a bit of sandblasting clogging head aches.

 

[bajagokart]

can you not get an adapter from a 1/4" outlet to a 3/8" outlet?

 

[asdfasdf128]

^ yeah I can, I see that 1/4" is generally the standard size, and they sell different size piping & such.

 

[Ken]

Yes, there are adapters that have 3/8 female to 1/4 male onto which the female quick release coupler will fit allowing you to connect to the compressor's male quick connect. You'll need one on the other end as well so you can connect the tool.

Also look at your compressor's CFM delivery as see if there's enough to drive the tool. Typical Harbor Freight air tools require a lot of air. My compressor is a 4hp 40 gallon unit whose specs rate it at 5.3 CFM at 90 PSI. My air grinder needs 6 CFM at 90 psi and will quickly exhaust the compressor.

 

[Ferrari motors15]

dont buy a cheap compressor buy a ingersol rand garagemate

 

[bajagokart]

i agree, a cheap compressor will cost your more money in teh end than a fairly decent one