Thread: Choosing an air compressor

I bought a Stanley compressor from Supercheap Auto and I'm very happy with it.
It gets used for a stapler/brad gun and for inflating the tyres on the van. I haven't used it for spray painting but might give it a go one day.
The RRP of $699 is too high but they regularly have it on special at $399.

For your needs, you don't need much of an air compressor - even the cheap direct drive ones for sub $200 would drive a nailgun and an inflater without issues, and you can get some pretty small ones these days.

These come on special quite often - Stanley Wall Mount Air Compressor 0.5HP - 14LPM - Supercheap Auto Australia

A basic compressor will do what you want.

Even the cheap ones are pretty robust. I had a cheap 3HP unit for years and despite some serious maltreatment I was surprised that I didn't kill it.

I've got a little Porter/Cable compressor. Tank can't be more than 20x50cm. Pick it up in one hand. Noisy little pump but it comes up to 100psi quite quickly. I use it for various inflations and to drive a brad nailer, maybe once a week. Sure, it doesn't hold much but for general purpose/short term air supply, it's great. Next trick is to rig an inline filter and get back to airbrush art.

As others have said, a small direct drive air compressor will do what you want. Once it has run and cut out you can do a lot.
Mine might cut in when I am inflating tyres if I need to put it a lot of air, at times I can check a dozen car tyres and it will not cut in.
Likewise, for a brad nailer/stapler, I have done a dozen nails without the unit cutting in. I can also put in half a dozen framing nails without a problem.

You will find that if you are using a blower, then the motor might be running close to continuously.

if you are in a tight residential neighbourhood and use your compressor often...

you may want to consider something like Jun air or Kaeser dental range.

Cheers everyone!!!
Some good points here. I'm thinking at this stage I'll give the Stanley one a shot.