Versatile Convenient Air Compressor

[F-150]

just an idea. meguiar's make quality products and made for car care so why not make an air compressor?

[sneek]

no clue maybe its because it is not profitable... like the paint thickness gauge
but look on Showcargarage Richard has a post about one

http://www.showcargarage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=200

[OctaneGuy]

Yeah I bought this 2 gallon one for size, but I don't recommend it. It tips over too easily, and 2 gallons gets expelled in nothing flat. It works fine, but since the tank is always emptied, the pump is always on.

Just be sure to get one with sufficient holding capactiy, since the pump is very noisy.

[sneek]

wow that was fast i PM'd you like minutes ago

[F-150]

Originally posted by OctaneGuy
Yeah I bought this 2 gallon one for size, but I don't recommend it. It tips over too easily, and 2 gallons gets expelled in nothing flat. It works fine, but since the tank is always emptied, the pump is always on.

Just be sure to get one with sufficient holding capactiy, since the pump is very noisy.

Yeah I've used my friends husky air compressor. It was around 1-2 hundred bucks and he said that don't expect to get a good quality one without dropping a couple hundred.

[OctaneGuy]

Sneek!

Thanks for the heads up! Yeah I got the PM and responded right away!

F-150

Well I bought my compressor on sale at Kragen Autoparts for $39, while in use, the motor is almost always on because as soon as you release the air valve the pressure drops quickly. Because it's small, and lightweight, it vibrates all over the place.

I don't think you necessarily have to spend hundreds for a good air compressor (if you're looking for a portable unit). What you really want is one that has a large enough capacity that the motor doesn't need to be on all the time. With my compressor, it's only good for about 10 to 15 very short blasts of air before it needs to start filling up again. In some cases it would be A LOT nicer to have a constant source of air instead of having to wait 5 minutes for it to fill up, then blow out all the air in the tank, then wait again.

A quiet motor also isn't a bad thing to have. Just consider if you're buying it to blow water out of the crevices, your demands are lower than say, you plan to run airtools.

[gb387]

I agree... volume is the key. I have a 30 gallon, yes there is plenty of volume for such a task but it isn't portable at all. Works great for the water that gets trapped even with its larger size(over 2 gallon) I still can use a lot of air causing the pump to run more than "normal". Something in that size OctaneGuy would have to buckle it up in the passenger seat.

[OctaneGuy]

hahhaa,

well I've seen portable 10 gallon tanks, with no motor. You fill it up ahead of time. These are cheap, but you still need a way to fill it up.

Btw, I finally broke down and bought a mini trailer. LOL. Haven't assembled it yet.....

Richard

Originally posted by gb387
I agree... volume is the key. I have a 30 gallon, yes there is plenty of volume for such a task but it isn't portable at all. Works great for the water that gets trapped even with its larger size(over 2 gallon) I still can use a lot of air causing the pump to run more than "normal". Something in that size OctaneGuy would have to buckle it up in the passenger seat.

[Tim Lingor]

Hey,

For those looking for a compressor, I would strongly encourage you to buy a decent one. I have never seen a small one that would do anything but the lightest jobs.

I have a 5.5 HP, twin cast iron cylinders, belt drive compressor with a 30 gallon tank. It would not be portable (too heavy) unless it was trailered or left mounted in a truck. I find it even small for many air tools.

So my best advice, buy the biggest that you can manage for your particular situation. Also, try and get a belt drive as they tend to last much longer than a direct drive unit.

Tim