What accessories for an air compressor?

[tjr]

My Christmas present is gonna be a 6 gal/150 PSI oilfree pancake compressor - see Bargain Alerts for the long story about which one. I can probably request a few relatively low-priced accessories as stocking stuffers. Other than a tire chuck and blowgun, what might be good? and what style of chuck and gun are best?

[LarryG]

Other than a tire chuck and blowgun, what might be good?

Ear plugs.

For a tire chuck and general-purpose blow nozzle, I bought one of the multi-piece accessory kits at Harbor Freight. Not fancy, but it does all I need it to do and doesn't leak.

A hose made of genuine rubber is nice, too, although a bit big for a stocking. If a hose comes with the compressor, it will likely be PVC, which is less pliable than rubber and a pain to work with when the temperature drops.

[jonmulzer]

Ear plugs.

For a tire chuck and general-purpose blow nozzle, I bought one of the multi-piece accessory kits at Harbor Freight. Not fancy, but it does all I need it to do and doesn't leak.

A hose made of genuine rubber is nice, too, although a bit big for a stocking. If a hose comes with the compressor, it will likely be PVC, which is less pliable than rubber and a pain to work with when the temperature drops.

Good recommendations here and you can pick up Goodyear airhose at HF for cheap. Good hose. PVC hoses have their place though, I use them when working over hard surface floors like hardwoods and even linoleum. I have a habit of whipping my hose to get slack and move it around and rubber hoses will leave black marks when you do this sometimes (maybe it is just my technique?). PVC jacketed hoses are mark free.

[frumper64]

Since both packages contain a brad nailer, my next recommendation would be an air rachet if you do any work at all on cars. I find the rachet to be most most used air tool other than the nailer.

[cabinetman]

If you checked around for pricing, keep in mind an oil lubed compressor will run more quietly and likely have a longer life. That size of a compressor will shoot brads and staples just fine, and blow blasts of air. It won't have the capacity of running higher demand air tools if you should decide to do that in the future. You can easily figure out your needs by checking the demand of the tool (CFM), and check the free CFM of the compressor. As for the 150 PSI output, that is fairly inconsequential. Most air tools run at 90PSI.

As for hoses, rubber is very durable, but PVC is much lighter. There are many types of blow guns. Some of them are designed to only max out 30 PSI as per an OSHA requirement. There are many types, like the pencil types, that require a twist to blow air and stay on until tightening to stop. There are trigger ones that are as momentary as using the trigger.
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[herb fellows]

As far as i know, the scfm requirements for an air ratchet are much higher than these compressors put out(under 3 scfm). If there are any tools that work with this size compressor at that output, I'd like to know about them.

[dbhost]

My Christmas present is gonna be a 6 gal/150 PSI oilfree pancake compressor - see Bargain Alerts for the long story about which one. I can probably request a few relatively low-priced accessories as stocking stuffers. Other than a tire chuck and blowgun, what might be good? and what style of chuck and gun are best?

In order to actually use a compressor you will need...

#1. A hose. Preferrably a rubber and not PVC hose. Rubber is WAY more flexible, and lasts longer. Keep it clean, and take care of it and you will have a hose for years to come.
#2. quick disconnect couplers, both male and female, and make sure they are the same type, they make a lot of different ones. The Harbor Freight 65066 looks to be a decent item.
#3. If you are going to use this for inflating tires at all, a good tire chuck is a necessity. I like the dual head type for getting into truck dually, and trailer wheels like the Harbor Freight 90670.
#5. Now we get into items that are a bit big for stocking stuffers. Not all of these items can be considered woodworking tools either. But things like Nailers, sanders, grinders, etc... These can be added later though...

If you get a rubber air hose, I suggest that you get plenty of mineral spirits if you are going to use it in any oily pursuits such as auto repair. The grease and oil from automotive work break down rubber hoses fast, you will need to keep the hose clean by cleaning it off with mineral spirits on a paper towel before putting the hose up...

[LCHIEN]

As far as i know, the scfm requirements for an air ratchet are much higher than these compressors put out(under 3 scfm). If there are any tools that work with this size compressor at that output, I'd like to know about them.

One thing about air ratchets, is that they only take about 1-3 seconds to attach a nut or bolt to desired torque.

So air use is only continuous if you are tightening a whole series of fasteners already started and ready.

For the kinds of assemblies I have done, like a mobile base or stand where there's tons of fasteners but each one needs to be inserted and the nut started, during which I lay the ratchet down. this takes way more than 5 seconds.

In this type of operation then the amount of time the ratchet is operating is maybe 1/3 or less the time so if it uses 9 CFM, then the average continuous use is more like 3 CFM which puts it in the realm of usable. Having a large enough tank helps greatly in averaging the CFMs... if the tank alone will run the tool for 5 seconds without the motor kicking on then you have a good chance of successful use..

[frumper64]

I just checked on a CH 3/8" air rachet and it claims to want 4.8 Avg SCFM - mine is a Craftsman model, but it similar. As Loring points out above, these things tighten up a nut pretty quickly to 45-50 Lb/ft. I have never had a problem running out of air with my old small compressor (12 gallon Craftsman) doing normal car work (changing belts, water pumps, shocks, etc.)

[LCHIEN]

Regarding the OP's qustion about Air accessories, my 2 cents:
1. Hoses - Rubber is much better than PVC, but my new Polyurethane hose is to die for. Its very light and flexible, probably 1/3 the weight of the rubber hose. Pricey, yes, but very friendly. It still doesn't like to twist but making it go where you want is so much easier with the lighter mass. I think about $35 for 50 foot at Amazon...
http://www.amazon.com/PUR-Hose-PUR-1...8511960&sr=8-3
2. I have the HF air chuck with the dual ended chuck and rubber-encased gauge, with a lever to fill and a button to purge. very easy to use and measure.
3. HF has from time to time a pneumatic reversing drill with 3/8" jacobs chuck for around $10... I think the chuck alone is worth that. Handy for when you need another drill (you cordless drill being used to drive PH screws, the air drill is great for the pocket hole drill bit). Sounds really cool, too (LOL). Small, compact, light.
4. 3/8" Air ratchet as discussed before. Handy if you work on cars, or build tool bases with a bunch of nuts and bolts.
5. 1/2" air impact wrenches to break loose and replace lugs on wheels etc if you ever change tires at home. They can be had at HF starting around $30.

[shoottx]

Air brush

I use the air brush to apply water based stains, finish and even paint to small projects.

Lots of fun for flames and other stupid tricks,

[tjr]

Thanks, folks...with all these suggestions, sounds like I'm lined up pretty good for Father's Day, birthday, anniversary, etc!

The compressor comes with a female coupler already attached, and a PVC hose with I guess one male and one female end. Are these standard size or do I need to match them up with anything I buy?

That chuck/gauge combo looks like a great setup. I guess it needs a male coupler screwed in to fit my hose?

Another item I'll be tempted by when it's on sale again is the HF plastic welder. Could be useful with repairing/"improving" all the plastic toys round our house.

[LCHIEN]

thisis the chuck/gauge #92360
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=92360

male QC couplers are called Studs. 97 cents at Lowes or HD, you'l want the orange ones (There's two or three incompatible types that ulook very much similar). The most common Automotive ones are tagged orange.

I keep a few studs with 1/4 male and 1/4 female threads in my parts drawers and a couple of female QDs in case a friendly tool or hose shows up that needs one. They're cheap.

[cabinetman]

thisis the chuck/gauge #92360
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=92360

male QC couplers are called Studs. 97 cents at Lowes or HD, you'l want the orange ones (There's two or three incompatible types that ulook very much similar). The most common Automotive ones are tagged orange.

I keep a few studs with 1/4 male and 1/4 female threads in my parts drawers and a couple of female QDs in case a friendly tool or hose shows up that needs one. They're cheap.

Depending where you shop. air fittings (couplers) may not be color coded. The obvious differences is the length and design of the actual coupler end. In the picture below, on the right, the two main types are the short end (top one), and longer one (second one down). The short end is the most common used in shops.
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