What size air compressor do I need for mechanic shop?

Vehicle service, repair and auto body shops typically rely on 5 to 30 HP air compressors with 80 to 240 gallon air receivers that power an automotive shop’s pneumatic tools and equipment.

What size air hose should I use?





The rule of thumb when picking your hose I.D is the higher the CFM requirement of your air tool, the larger the diameter hose you’ll need. Hand held tools such as spray guns and nailers tend to require 1-3 CFM and will work perfectly well with a 6mm hose.

What is the standard size air compressor hose?

The most common inside diameters are 1/4- and 3/8-inch. Many people choose 1/4-inch hose because it’s lighter than the 3/8-inch variety. It’s easier to roll up, carry around and store. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that the price tag for 1/4-inch hose is lower than its 3/8-inch counterpart.

What is the typical air line pressure of an automotive repair shop?

Typical maximum operating pressures for body shop air compressors are available in standard pressure settings of 115 pounds per square inch (or psi) or 145 psi or 175 psi.

What is a good size air compressor to run air tools?

10 to 110 Cubic Feet per Minute





Most air compressors for powering home tools fall within the 10 to 110 Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM) range. NOTE: Air compressors that have lower CFM ratings of about 10-15 are usually enough for tire inflation and home tools such as air hammers, air grinders, nail guns, and sanders, among others.

How do I choose an air compressor for my shop?

Determine which one requires the highest CFM at the highest PSI. Add 50% to the required CFM for a margin of safety, and look for a compressor that meets the requirement. For example, if a tool requires 3 CFM at 90 PSI, select a compressor that delivers at least 4.5 CFM at 90 PSI.

How many CFM can a 3/8 hose handle?

3/8″ = 4.5 to 5 cfm.

How big of an air compressor do you need to paint a car?

Painting a Car – What Size Air Compressor To Paint Your Car? It’s recommended to pick yourself up a 60 Gal tank with a 5-6 HP compressor that put’s out enough CFM that will supply your spray gun. Look for CFM in the ranges of 14-18 at 90PSI.

How big of an air compressor do I need to run an impact wrench?



The average size air compressor you need is a 4-5 CFM @90 PSI for a ½” impact wrench. For instance, an impact wrench with a 1″ drive will need a 10 CFM @90 PSI, a ½” drive will need a 4 CFM @90 PSI, and ⅜” will need a 3 CFM @90 PSI.

How much psi do I need for air tools?

between 70 and 90 PSI

Most air tools require between 70 and 90 PSI. Any light-to-medium-duty air compressor can easily handle 90 PSI, but you always want the compressor to supply more flow than needed.

Does tank size matter air compressor?



Tank size



A compressor tank only stores air. The more important consideration is to have a big enough pump and motor to produce as much air as you need. Smaller tanks around four to six gallons are suited for projects that don’t require continuous use such as air nailers.

How much psi do you need to run an impact gun?

What size air compressor do you need for an impact gun? Typically you need an air compressor with 4 to 5 CFM @90 PSI to run a 1/2 inch impact wrench. I would also recommend you to get a 20-gallon capacity compressor to avoid delay between tasks.

Is a 20 gallon air compressor big enough?

Most 20-gallon air compressors are powerful enough for most hobbyist needs, but they can also easily meet the needs of many garage and light industrial jobs, making them a great all-around option for a wide variety of tasks. You can also use them to inflate sporting equipment and car and truck tires. Low maintenance.

Can a 6-gallon air compressor run an impact gun?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Just fine.

Is a 6-gallon air compressor good for air tools?



A 6-gallon air compressor can be used for a range of light-duty tasks and air tools. They’re generally best for tasks that don’t require a continuous air supply. The exact air tools you can use will depend on the CFM (cubic feet per minute) of the compressor and the CFM requirements of your tools.

What is a 8 gallon air compressor good for?

Description. This maintenance-free and portable oil-free air compressor is ideal for brad nailing, stapling, and other small jobs. The compressor includes a quick connect coupler and easy-to-read gauges.

Will a 6-gallon air compressor fill a car tire?

Naturally, the larger the tank, the less waiting you’ll have to do. Portable 3-gallon and 6-gallon compressors are typically better for larger tires. Many small compressors designed to be kept in vehicles are designed to provide a continuous supply of air so you won’t have to wait for the tank to refill at all.