Air Compressor
- Thread starter diceman3
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You can get a 3-gallon one at Harbor Freight for 60 bucks.
If you're not constrained by space, I would get a larger one.
Those small ones run all the time, to keep up the pressure. If you don't mind hearing it run all the time - get a small one - otherwise spring for a 10-gallon on wheels.
If you're not constrained by space, I would get a larger one.
Those small ones run all the time, to keep up the pressure. If you don't mind hearing it run all the time - get a small one - otherwise spring for a 10-gallon on wheels.
chief38
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If you are serious about getting one you might consider getting one with a larger capacity tank. I have a 230 VAC 3 HP 30 gallon tank compressor and I wish I had a 5 HP 60 gallon model. Once you have an air compressor you wind up using it a whole lot more than you think right now. For the cars, bikes, blow up pool floats, air tools, painting, cleaning out gutters, around the garage and work shop, blowing out sprinkler lines in the winter, blah blah blah. The small capacity units are useless for most of what I just mentioned.
Mine is 35 years old and is still in really great shape, but when it finally goes, I intend to upgrade to a larger capacity unit.
If all your going to use it for is blowing the dust off a gun pr two then yea, the cheap little models will do what you need - but that's about it.
Mine is 35 years old and is still in really great shape, but when it finally goes, I intend to upgrade to a larger capacity unit.
If all your going to use it for is blowing the dust off a gun pr two then yea, the cheap little models will do what you need - but that's about it.
Comrad
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I have a little Porter Cable pancake and like it a lot, came with three nail guns and they can come in handy.
gunslinger2000
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A compressor can become one of your most useful tools. I am a believer in buying the largest you can afford. Put it in the garage or other remote protected place and pipe the air to the places you need it. It is safe, easy and relatively to plumb with PVC pipe. Gunslinger
I'm also a woodworker as well as a shooter. I bought the Porter Cable pancake compressor when it was on sale and it's more than adequate. When using it to blow out my power tools the pressure drops fast and it cycles on and off to keep up. I can't imagine using it to just blow out gun parts would drop the pressure that much. A couple quick shots of compressed air can easily be handled by this compressor and it's relatively compact.
H Richard
US Veteran
I bought a generic brand at Home Depot, 3 gal, a couple years ago on a Christmas special to include a brad nailer and a staple gun. It also had a bag of accessories inc a blower, tire filler, and several other end pieces and couplers for ab out $100. Love it. Very handy when deep cleaning guns, and it isn't too heavy to carry out to the car to inflate tires. I just put it under my workbench. I did drill a hole through the back of the bench in line with the outlet and keep it plugged in.
gdnagle
US Veteran
If you have them in your area check out your local pawn shops for a used one. I have several I bought new from a little 12 volt which doesn't work to well up to a 3hp. The smaller ones for using with air tools and portability would probably work just for blowing out a firearm. Just remember they are loud when they run and you will find more uses then just blowing out gun parts with it. Pancake if you don't have a lot of room a 2-3 hp on wheels if you do. Then get extra hose and you don't have to hear it running. Don't forget they will blow moisture with the air so you might want some sort of dryer if this is a concern, and don't forget to bleed the tank of moisture.
parsonbw
Member
Exactly what I was thinking.
sqhead
US Veteran
they are like a safe,buy bigger than you think you need.having a long hose and wheels are a big plus.
I use compressed air all the time. After a cleaning with Gun Scrubber, the air helps dry the parts and blow any particles out. After a good shot of oil, I'll use a 30PSI stream of compressed air to blow away the excess. Leaves a nice protective coating on everything without buildup.
Air compressors
I have two....my big 6 ft tall shop compressor ( which is older than me)...and a roll around 110v.....plus I have three portable air tanks that come in handy for airing up flats ( grand kid's bike tires, balls) or any app where compressed air ( not in quanity) is needed and you cannot get a compressor there.
I have a chest full of air powered tools that I run with the big compressor and spray guns as well. For gun cleaning you can take an air "gun" with a needle nozzle on it and get into places on firearms that is very difficult to get a swab or brush into..you can literally blast any gunk, gum & everything else off from the metal surfaces.....when you are cleaning a quanity of guns....compressed air is real handy. It's all good.
I have two....my big 6 ft tall shop compressor ( which is older than me)...and a roll around 110v.....plus I have three portable air tanks that come in handy for airing up flats ( grand kid's bike tires, balls) or any app where compressed air ( not in quanity) is needed and you cannot get a compressor there.
I have a chest full of air powered tools that I run with the big compressor and spray guns as well. For gun cleaning you can take an air "gun" with a needle nozzle on it and get into places on firearms that is very difficult to get a swab or brush into..you can literally blast any gunk, gum & everything else off from the metal surfaces.....when you are cleaning a quanity of guns....compressed air is real handy. It's all good.
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Buy bigger than what you think you'll need. IMO, a 20 to 30 gallon, dual stage compressor is about the ideal size. Compressors are relatively inexpensive compared to 30 years ago. Oil-free compressors require less maintenance, but are noisier than those with a crankcase.
A portable compressor makes sense for blowing or drying, or use with nail guns (at least the small ones), but they take a long time to inflate tires, and don't have the juice for impact wrenches, grinders and sanding tools. Air tools are nice because they have a lot of power for their size, and can be used safely around solvents or when wet. Once you have the compressor, a lot of home and automotive projects get simpler.
A portable compressor makes sense for blowing or drying, or use with nail guns (at least the small ones), but they take a long time to inflate tires, and don't have the juice for impact wrenches, grinders and sanding tools. Air tools are nice because they have a lot of power for their size, and can be used safely around solvents or when wet. Once you have the compressor, a lot of home and automotive projects get simpler.
gordon21
Member
Consider any future needs not associated with guns. i.e. building sheds, repairing roofs, auto work, atv's in the woods. I decided on a 120v pancake model. With an extension cord, I can take it anywhere on the property and use nail guns. With a power inverter, you could run one off your vehicle out in the woods. I also bought a plain storage tank with hose at the auto parts store for $20. You can fill it from any compressor and use it as a portable source. That way you wouldn't have to have the compressor noise in your gun room. Fill the transportable one out in the shed, barn, etc and bring it inside.
I didn't notice anyone else mention this: WEAR HEARING PROTECTION if you are within 20' of any compressor, including the little 12v models. I assume you have ear muffs. I'm 58 and say "huh" way too much. Most of it was preventable over the years. No one encouraged me to do the right thing.
I didn't notice anyone else mention this: WEAR HEARING PROTECTION if you are within 20' of any compressor, including the little 12v models. I assume you have ear muffs. I'm 58 and say "huh" way too much. Most of it was preventable over the years. No one encouraged me to do the right thing.
No kidding! I use a parts cleaner over a 55-gallon drum of low-odor mineral spirits to clean and degrease everything. Compressed air is an essential part of the cleaning process, to remove crud and grit in hard-to-reach places. It also speeds everything up considerably. When I'm really rockin', I can clean and lube 4 rifles (or shotguns) an hour.
BobC357
Member
I've had various sizes of compressors over the years and they're like buying a gun safe. Always get one bigger than than you think you need. Once you use it for the dusting off the guns, then you'll find you want it for other uses that a small one won't be adequate for. Good luck!
3rdRRU_PhuBai
Member
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And goggles with side shields.
