Compressor Recommendations (for garage)

Since my compressor is so big, a couple of years ago I got a 5 gallon tank - just the tank. I wonder if it can be configured to serve as an inline reservoir for a smaller compressor? That would help with the volume. I've seen larger setups using this configuration on industrial sites, so I know the theory works.

 

I had one of these things and it was pretty amazing. STUPID quiet. I sold it to move across the country and will get another one when the time comes.

https://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/California-Air-Tools-CAT-10020C-Air-Compressor/p70275.html

 

I think a larger volume at equal max pressure will put an excessive load on your small compressor and kill it. If not, the running time needed to fill/maintain the large tank up to pressure might. Not very expensive to find out.

 

I plan to pick up a portable air tank as well. This way I can fill it up at the compressor and then walk out back to the boat shed and fill up trailer tires, lawnmower tires, etc. Something like this, probably.

 

As long as it's the same pressure, and physics will dictate that it is, it will not load the compressor any more than normal. The only added load will be the initial charge of the secondary reservoir, which will only require a longer initial run. As long as it does not overheat on that initial run there would not be a problem. I could also add a pressure regulator to keep the secondary tank pressure slightly less than the primary compressor, if needed. Granted, this is coming from an electrical engineer. Any mechanical or chemical engineers care to chime in and either support my statements or shoot them down?

 

You're going to love that new impact. It's incredible, be careful when installing lug nuts and such. I keep mine on setting 1 when installing lug nuts, then torque them by hand. Works out great. If Thor was a mechanic, he'd be holding a Milwaukee impact instead of his hammer.

 

Haha, well put. That’d be a solid ad campaign for them. Thanks for the heads up, I’ll go easy on them and then follow up with the torque wrench. Or maybe even pick up a torque-limiting extension… damn, going to run out of room in the garage lol

 

Depending on the compressor and the needs one could adjust the pressureswitch or change the pressure switch to decrease the run time without taking a loss because you have a higher volume of air stored. For example, lets say your running a nail gun at 65 PSI, it will run significantly longer with double the volume even though the max pressure setting is say 140 PSI vs 160 PSI. Just a possible work around for preserving the life of the compressor and still achieving the goal.

 

imho Diaphragm compressors are too damn noisy.