Picking a Compressor November 2nd, 2005
If I was going to build an RV-7A, I was going to need an air compressor!
I figured I’d be using it to power my rivet gun, drill (maybe), some painting now and then, and other miscellaneous air tools. I have no room (and I’m too cheap) for one of those gigantic 60 gallon upright models. On the other hand, I once borrowed a little $100 oil-less compressor, and it was too loud even for Mr. Cheapass.
So, after doing a lot of reading and web shopping, I settled on the Craftsman Professional 25gal, 6HP compressor from Sears.
I ordered it online and paid about $400 for it. I thought maybe it was a bit too much to pay for an air compressor, but when I picked it up about a week later, I was pleased to find it was going to be a worthwhile investment. It fits perfectly under my garage bench, and it is much, much quieter than any oil-free compressor I’ve seen.
It can power my disc cutter, air hammer, and touch up paint gun without too much trouble. I still don’t have a rivet gun or air drill, but I’m sure if it can handle my touch up gun, it will have no trouble with anything else I put on it.
I bought a nice brand-name 100 ft. extension hose for $40 and a wall-mounted hose spool at Harbor Freight (I wanted it to reach all the way to the back yard so I could use the air hammer on some limestone rocks).
So, if you want a mid-size compressor, this one is definitely worth the money. Though I haven’t used it to do any RV-building yet, I’ve found plenty of things around the house that can be done better/faster with a compressor 🙂