Air compressor

[ChadTower]

So, just arranged to pick up an air compressor via Freecycle.  The person on the end doesn't know a ton about it as her husband left it behind... from questions, I believe it is likely to be this one.  She says it does work.

I assume that's enough to power a paint sprayer... is it enough for a finish nailer?  Probably not a stud nailer, yes?

[crashwg]

You've got it backwards.  A compressor like that would work fine for just about any nailer as long as you're not planning on shooting 50 nails a minute as they use a small volume of air.  A paint sprayer on the other hand uses a lot of air and the motor will be running constantly trying to keep up.  Not saying that it won't work but it's probable that it won't.  It'd be great for an airbrushing setup though...

[ChadTower]

That makes sense.  The woman told me her husband used to use it for painting... mabye she meant detail painting.  When using it for nailing I wouldn't be shooting many but would be shooting some into concrete.

I don't think I'd need it for painting anything big as I am fine with rollers... but painting cabs, whole cabs as well as stencils, that I'd like to do.

[shardian]

This is a very small compressor. The reason you have to have a big TANK compressor for paint guns, framing nailers,and grinders is that these tools use alot of air IN A VERY SHORT BURST. The caps part is the catch. This small compressor cannot generate enough high pressure air to power the tool. I have a small badger air compressor for air-brushing that is probably similar to this. It runs constantly as there really is no tank.

I have a 2 gallon tank air compressor and even it isn't recommended for anything bigger than a brad nailer.

[ChadTower]

Hrm.  So, beyond air brushing, probably not going to be useful?  At least I'm not paying anything for it. 

[shardian]

Hrm.  So, beyond air brushing, probably not going to be useful?  At least I'm not paying anything for it. 

... you can fill up bike tires and basketballs with it. 

[ChadTower]

Eh, I already have a 12v digitally controlled compressor I keep in my car that works very well for that stuff.

[nostrebor]

Hrm.  So, beyond air brushing, probably not going to be useful?

Nope. Maybe drive a brad or 2, but that will be the limit. They are pretty good airbrush compressors though. (if it is a speed-air)

[Stingray]

I'll just back up what everyone else has said. It will work great for an airbrush, but it would never push enough air for a paint gun.

-S

[Daniel270]

I was thinking you could possibly use it to power a paintball mortar? 

[crashwg]

I was thinking you could possibly use it to power a paintball mortar? 

For sure!  You could just attach a large ball valve with a piece of pipe on the other end to the tank, put whatever you want in the barrel, let the compressor fill the tank up then pull the lever.  Awe yea!

[ChadTower]

I just picked it up... that is the model, but it has a tank.  A decent sized tank.  I can get a pic up later.  Still attached is a paint sprayer that the woman says her father used to paint their house.

[ChadTower]

All this time later, I finally got the chance to fire this bad boy up today.  I'm still learning about compressors.  This one will only hold up to about 40-45psi.  There is a steel plate at the top of the compressor that is about 2" square and held down by screws.  The plate has a pinhole in it and a lot of pressure is escaping through that.  I'm not sure if that is right - would that be a safety valve or a defect in the plate?  It's right in the center but doesn't look like a factory hole.  It looks like a break.  I can get a pic if anyone is interested.

[somunny]

Is air constantly escaping from it (even when the compressor isn't running)?  You said it would hold pressure so I'm assuming the air release stops after awhile.  If the pressure slowly drops to zero, I'd think it's a leak.

btw - the link to the model is long-dead, me thinks. 

[ChadTower]

Is air constantly escaping from it (even when the compressor isn't running)?  You said it would hold pressure so I'm assuming the air release stops after awhile.  If the pressure slowly drops to zero, I'd think it's a leak.

Hrm... I didn't think to check that.  In the AM I'll fire it up again and check to see if it leaks right away or waits until the meter hits a certain number.  Seems to me 40psi is awfully low for a max pressure.

[somunny]

Yeah, I would think it would be somewhere closer to 100psi.  Is there a regulator you can adjust?  What make/model is it so I can take a look at it?

[WunderCade]

If there is an unregulated hole or a break with air escaping, there shouldn't be. Compressors have release valves that will allow you to evacuate the pressurized air when your done, but it is regulated by a valve and air shouldn't be escaping during use.

A pic would help, is it a pancake style compressor? Does it say how many gallons on it?

[ChadTower]

Yeah, I would think it would be somewhere closer to 100psi.  Is there a regulator you can adjust?  What make/model is it so I can take a look at it?

Yep, but even when all the way turned it only gets to 40psi or so.  I'll get pics later on today if the rain lets up.

[missioncontrol]

A pic would help, is it a pancake style compressor? Does it say how many gallons on it?

But I thought waffles were superior to pancakes

[skippy]

A pic would help, is it a pancake style compressor? Does it say how many gallons on it?

But I thought waffles were superior to pancakes

Only at Waffle House.  If your at IHOP you have to go with the pancakes.