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Well, I'm finally going to take the plunge and purchase an air compressor so
that I can use pneumatic tools....

Dana Westphal

Dana,
Jim White and I purchased a 6 1/2 HP 230 Volt compressor with an 80 gallon tank from Home Depot--about $350 as I recall. We removed the plastic/foam air intake and installed a "real" air filter from a large lawn mower engine--think I got that at HD also. The compressor has supported the simultaneous construction of two Lancairs and an RV-8 for more than two years and is performing well. The compressor normally maintains the system at 135 psi, and we use a regulator to control the exit pressure from the tank as needed. The compressor can maintain only about 80-90 psi when the orbital air sander is running continuously, but we normally get tired and stop for a few minutes which allows it to catch up. It has more than adequate output for all other uses, including use of multiple mini grinders and other air tools. It's been totally maintenance/trouble free except for occasional draining of water that accumulates from our humid Arlington VA climate. I'd consider the compressor and associated air tools, especially the mini grinders and carbide cutters to be the best tool investment we've made. We bought an expensive ($230) mini air grinder to start, then a second one from Harbour Freight for $40. With a single drop of oil every Saturday, both have run for many hours over the last two years with equal performance. Get the cheap one and invest in the carbide cutter set from Permagrit (Lancair sells it as a kit).

Bob Pastusek

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