[malconium]

Originally Posted by IndyAnne

What size air compressor is best for general use in restoration and repairs on the Airstream and other household uses? I'm finding some sales around town at Sears, Harbor Freight, and Menard's, but I get confused. Some use oil, some are oil-less, some have big tanks, some use two tanks. Some are for roofing nailers, some come with no attachments at all.

I know I want one with wheels because I have a gimpy back and just about everything I use over #20 has wheels on it!

After I finish with the metal shears and riveting (does one ever finish, really, with a vintage Airstream?) I can imagine all sorts of uses around the homestead, such as refinishing outdoor furniture, replacing the deck, washing the exterior of the house, and airing up basketballs -- I do live in Indiana, after all.

That's as far I as I have come today on firm decisions: wheels, and of general good use. Thanks for any and all opinions. Uh oh -- should I have said that?

Anne

Anne,

Work backwards to figure out what size compressr you need. Take a look at the air tools that you might want to use. Each of them has a rating as to how much air they need. Tools like nail guns and rivet pullers use small amounts while something like a sander requires continuous air flow. Also the size of the tank impacts how much continuous air flow can be delivered between times when your tool is off. The tank acts sort of like a back up to the compressor itself. I have a so-called portable air compressor that must weight in at about close to 50#'s. I think the fact that it has a handle on the top is what qualifies is as portable. As long as you are not planning to haul it all over the place (such as to construction sites, etc.) is sounds like you could probably use the largest tank you can find on a unit with wheels that still runs on a 110volt circuit. Otherwise you have to go to a 220volt model that is less than portable partly because of the power connection issue.

Malcolm

Malcolm