Air compressor comparison need advice

REDSOXSUCK2

MEMBER
2003 ACURA RSX

I am looking to buy an air compressor for my garage to power impact wrenches/paint gun/other mid level CFM tools. My choice comes down to either a 20 gallon 4.3cfm @90psi tank or a 4.5gallon 5.3cfm gallon tank. This will be used occasionally. The basic question is is it worth buying a larger compressor or a smaller, more powerful one from a more reputable brand. This is only going to be used for impact wrenches, paint gun, and random other things once in a while for a screw or bolt here and there or a small paint job of a fender there. I would rather go with the smaller one for because of portability, but will 4.5gallons be enough to run a paint gun for 20 or so seconds without failing? Would love input. Thanks again

3 Replies

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

You paint gun should have documentation on the required CFM's. Larger tank=longer uninterupted operation. If you are doing quality painting, go for the larger tank model.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Sunday, November 6th, 2011 AT 2:40 PM

REDSOXSUCK2

MEMBER
2 POSTS

95% of the time it will be impact wrenches and other short burst tools. If I was painting, it would just be literally in bursts of 10 seconds long to paint a small part of a bumper. Would 4.5 allow me to do this? Personally, I would rather go with the 4.5 gallon from the reputable brand (dewalt 200psi 4.5gallon /w 5.3cfm) rather than a 20 gallon husky 4.3cfm 125psi. However, I would like to hear from a professional. Thanks!