I'm going to buy this compressor from Harbor Freight

5.6 scfm @ 90psi $99.99

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=90385

I scored a big air tank from a big rig that was used for the air brakes. it's probably 10-15 gallons. Could I hook it inline with the 8 gallon on the compressor? That would give me better run time and performance for air tools right? Do you think that would put undue stress on the compressor itself? I'd probably spring for the 3 year replacement warranty on it so I'd be covered in the first 3 years.


Can't wait to move into my first house this weekend. I'm happy as hell to have my own garage! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

so you take longer to charge the total 16 (assuming the aux tank is also 8 gallons for easier calculations) gallons?

assume it takes 1 min to fill up 8 gallons.

now it takes an extra 1 minute to fill the aux tank.

so at the beginning, it takes a total of 2 minutes, when you first start working.

but this allows you to work and remove all 24 lugnuts off your toyota truck before the compressor kicks in again.

now, assume you only have the 8 gallons and no aux tank.

initially, it will charge the tank for about a minute.

but now, you can only remove 12 lug nuts (or half as much) before the compressor kicks in again for a full minute.

so in total, the compressor still operates for a total of around 2 minutes in both cases.

in the end, it comes down on the quality and the design of the motor on whether it works better when working in shorter periods vs longer periods but longer "rest" time.

but when it comes down to it, it probably doesnt matter... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

now we havent even talked about how much the extended warranty, worked at the 3 year period...

lol...

if it were up to me, slap in the aux tank and dont worry about it. it's a HF product...

How much benifit is there to the second tank as opposed the space it takes up? Justa thought...

A second tank will be good if you are going to be doing any sanding or painting (that is where you need a big tank).
Those are not the greatest compressors in the world but for taht price and that warranty you cant go wrong, just make sure you keep oil in it.
use a fitting and 3/8" or larger hose to connect the compressor to the tank (use couplers on each end so you can use the otehr 8 gallon tank as an "air pig" if you so need). Then hook a regulator on the new tank.
Personally i wouldn't bother doing this, i'd just buy a bigger air compressor, save the 8 gallon tank for a nice OBA system...

Oh, 8-13 gallon isnt big, 120 gallon is big <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />

Adam,

Let us know how the compressor works out, I'm looking to fill my (new) garage as well... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I bought this compressor from that site about 3 months ago. Still running strong, and while not top of the line, it isn't necessarily a no-name brand like hf.com's. Free shipping too.

I also bought an "Iron Force" impact gun from the same site and, while better than my electric hf.com impact, it does not comapre to a freinds old beat up snap-on gun.

-Scerb

Don't buy the comp that screrb bought, they are completely made for home owners.. and aren't meant to be "used" often... they are probably the compressor we do the most warranty/ serive work on.
If you want a high quality compressor, go for one of these (or better)
compressor
Belt drive, nice motor, superb pump (for the price)...
That sites prices are quite high tho, we sell the compressor for the same price Canadian (i've acutaly got a VT6290 for sale.. barely used)...
Yours is a direct-drive oilless... they tend to vibrate alot and blow off the belts... have fun fixing it when that happens....

Thanks guys.

I bought the compressor over the weekend, but havent really gotten to use it much. I also bought a cut off wheel, paint sprayer, and an impact gun. I tried the impact gun by taking off 2 of my lug nuts, and it did it with ease. Tried the cut off wheel and it struggled to cut a small strip of 1/4" steel in half. Not sure if it was the tool or the compressor, as it was a $10 cut off tool. Oh well, I will use it here shortly to do some work on my Honda so I'll let you guys know how it works out.

I'll probably go ahead and hook up the second tank. Just gotta find some fittings to block off the unused ports on the tank.

one of the reasons i wanted to get an a/c setup at home was to remove the friggin side steps.

each side had 3 mounts. and mount had like 3 GIGANTIC 1" bolts or something holding it to the frame.

so i get the a/c with like 5-6 CFM at 90psi.

the impact gun was around that range.

so off i go removing the bolts. man, i swear, i took forever. granted the impact gun was HARBOR FREIGHT special.

but the a/c cycled so many times just trying to remove all the bolts...

the 10 gallon tank was just too small for when i was cranking it and cranking it...

heh, we found one of those, we had a competition between two compressors to see which one would rattle the farthest along the floor <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> the HF won... (and to let you know, that 5.whatever scfm is bullshit)

Oh, as long as your compressor stays around 90 PSI, and the cut off is struggling, then it's the cut off.
If it starts dipping below 90 PSI, then it's the compressor not being strong enough.
Good luck using the paint sprayer off it until you get a bigger tank, but when you use it the compressor will run not stop... good luck...