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You don’t need to spend anywhere near that much if you are only going to be running an impact gun ! Max pressure and tank size are actually more important. Minimum 100PSI, 125PSI would be better. Minimum 2 gallon, 4 gallon would be better.
Those little “pancake” style compressors are fine, although most are very loud. Porter Cable, Ridgid, Bostich, DeWalt make “oil-less” compressors. These are all “light duty”. If you are looking for something heavier duty, get an oil lubed (“oiled”) compressor with a cast iron or steel sleeved pump. DeWalt, Rolair, Makita and others.
Look for one that says maximum current is 14A or less.
For a little more than your price range (around $400) I bought a Husky air compressor from Home Depot, 30gal twin piston oil lubed, belt driven. It’s actually assembled in the USA by Campbell Hausfield. It would allow you to expand your tool collection later. And its very quiet.
I had a Porter and Cable 8 gal pancake compressor that cost me $170 that did the job, barely, but lasted only a few years before it failed. The replacement parts weren’t that available and price of the parts made it not worth to repair. And it was super loud.
I have a 21 gallon craftsman; I’ve had it for years and seems to to do the job. The only air tools I can’t use with it are sanders and paint sprayers, given the small volume. I’d recommend the the craftsman. It is a Devilbiss brand compressor. I seem to have more luck with Devilbiss products compard to Campbell Hausfield. Let us Know what you end up getting.
Here’s my experience: I bought a very very cheap (69 euros 😆 ) 6 gallon air compressor.
Very noisy.
It had 1/4 inch fittings; I changed these with 3/8 fittings and connected with a bigger air hose.
I have an Ingersoll Rand 2130XP impact and it takes off all the 4 wheel lugs without a problem; then I can put the lugs on again and only then the compressor kicks in again.Only thing I hate is the noise from the compressor…
So if I were to suggest you a good buy, PLEASE chose a belt driven unit, they are VERY quiet and for 300 bucks you can find one , if not new (for 300 euros, not dollars, I can find a new one here, don’t know about there in US) then search for a good used one on craigslist or similar.
I chose a 6 gallon one because of space in my garage, but to preserve your motor I’d go no less of 12 gallons (50 liters) or bigger. I think a 24 gallons (100 liters) is the best for the DIYer.
Belt driven forever! 😆
Live long and prosper (and stay dirty!)
10nico
Look at the air requirements for a good impact wrench. they want 3-5 scfm @ 90+ psi. A 4 gal pancake won’t be able to sustain that scfm and you’ll be waiting on your tank to fill before you can hit it again in small bursts.
I have a 33gal 3.9scfm craftsman compressor for under 300 that I got at the after thanksgiving sale a few years ago and it’s been good. came with an el cheapo impact wrench, air hammer, and air ratchet. Since then I’ve purchased nailers, sanders, cut off tools, etc.
You’d be fine with nailers on a pancake, but not any air hammers, cut off tools, sanders, etc. If I were you, I’d get at least a 26gal compressor minimum. a 33 is decent, but when mine dies I’m getting a 60gal belt drive 240v for the garage.
The Impact Wrench itself is a big factor. I picked up a cheap 10gal compressor and tried a cheap Craftsman Impact Wrench, it couldn’t break lugs loose.
Picked up a HF Earthquake impact, and it just spins the lugs off. Same compressor. Funny thing is the Craftsman is rated at 5cfm, the Earthquake at 7cfm. Both were oiled before use.
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