Portable air compressors

[kboxer]

Anybod use them? I am tired of the canned air. How big of a tank would I need to get the job done?

[gb387]

Mine is not 'portable'(30 gal) but are you looking at taking it on details with you? or just keeping it in the garage?

The problem I see with 'portable' air compressors... there is very little air volume, if you are blowing out cracks and such with a blow gun it takes alot of air.

[Shaun Carollo]

This year I bought a 17 Gal 5 HP Husky model from HD for $200. That $200 has came back to me at least 5 fold. We have shaved off 20-50 minutes of every interior detail.

-Shaun

[OctaneGuy]

I bought a 2.5 gallon pancake compressor from Kragen that works great for blowing water from the cracks. Plenty of air volume, but have to use in spurts to keep from emptying tank too quickly. I spent $30 for my air compressor and easily fits in my MINI when going to jobs.

I showed it off at a recent Meguiar's open garage and all that saw it thought it had plenty of power.

Richard

[kboxer]

I work in the shade at my house or have a garage a few minutes away for the winter. My customers are within 29 minutes if not less so I pick up. So basically something I can use here at my house which would have to be lugged outside or to the back of my truck. They are reasonably cheap though right?

[derek37]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Shaun Carollo
This year I bought a 17 Gal 5 HP Husky model from HD for $200. That $200 has came back to me at least 5 fold. We have shaved off 20-50 minutes of every interior detail.

-Shaun [/QUOTE


Shaun, are you mobile or fixed? If mobile, do you use a generator to power it?

[Shaun Carollo]

I am mobile. Until next year, I will be using my customers electricity. One thing to worry about though, is not to trip your customers breakers. I have to let my compressor fill up (4-6 min from 0 PSI) then I switch it to OFF. Then I proceed to use my vaccuum, or extractor (heating or vaccuuming) and switch everything back and forth accordingly so I dont trip the circuit. Kind of a pain in the butt, but all I can do until I get a REAL mobile unit next spring.

I also forgot to mention that my compressor has a built in regulator which I turn down to I think 50 or 60 PSI which is just enough to get the product out of the cracks and crevices, but not waste to much.

[F-150]

Not to take this thread off topic, but Honda makes a great, reliable, quiet, generator. The Honda EU2000 and 1000 are awesome generators, they're pricey, but you get what you pay for.

[Shaun Carollo]

Originally posted by F-150
Not to take this thread off topic, but Honda makes a great, reliable, quiet, generator. The Honda EU2000 and 1000 are awesome generators, they're pricey, but you get what you pay for.

When I get out of my lease on my RSX I'm going to be upgrading to a truck/trailer setup with a 6000 watt max rated generator so I can run whatever I want. Whichever brand generator I choose will definitly be equipped with a Honda engine for sure.

-shaun

[kboxer]

Sounds good Octane guy. That is what I need. Thanks for the input guys.