What do I need in a compressor?

Before starting this project I probably had little more than a hammer and a few screwdrivers in my garage, and now I have all kinds of tools I didn't even know existed, let alone how to use. I bought the air rivet gun from Zenith a while ago but have been putting off the compressor as I don't really have a clue what to get. But I am close to riveting the slats and do not want to use the hand tool. So, being totally clueless about compressors, is there anything in particular that is a must have for this particular project? Or is pretty much anything in the store acceptable?

 

Thanks

 

Paul

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Permalink Reply by Ghazan Haider on December 20, 2010 at 4:38pm

I have a 25 Gallon porter cable compressor. It's marginal in its capability for this task, occasionally during long riveting runs, I have to pause while the motor gives me more air. But this is the largest that two guys can more around without trouble.

I first bought an oil-less compressor. It was WAY too loud and has low running life. I exchanged with this one which needs oil change and runs the compressor through a belt. I do NOT recommend the oil-less compressors.

PS, if I had to buy one again, I'll get an upright compressor instead of the hotdog, I'm low on space in my 4/5th scale car garage.

Permalink Reply by Scott Sutton on December 20, 2010 at 5:36pm

Hi Paul,

Just about any compressor will operate the rivet puller, however, if you are going to use the compressor for air hungry tools like die grinders (for trimming) and air shears then you will be served well by going with a cast iron pump compressor with a belt driven motor. You can still get a smaller portable pump that is of this type but expect to pay around the 4 to 5 hundred dollar range. I use a Campbell Hausfeld extreme duty like this one: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CAM-VT6271

The direct driven compressors (without a belt) usually do not last very long and they generate a large amount of heat. The byproduct of excessive heat is condensation which causes air tools to fail prematurely.

 

IMHO your money will be better spent on a belt driven cast unit.

 

-Scott Sutton

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