The Ford Barn

30-9 · 12-29-2016, 11:24 AM

Hi folks

Santa brought me a craftsman compressor.

26 gal 150 psi.

Know it's good for basic air tools. My question is regarding using it with a drill. When the air runs low, will the drill slow? Or will the regulator insure a good drill speed.

Still learning at 72

40cpe · 12-29-2016, 11:38 AM

The air tool will slow down when the pressure drops. The regulator is to keep the tank output at a set pressure that is lower than tank pressure. It can't regulate pressure to a setting that is greater than tank pressure. If your compressor CFM rating is greater than your tool's air usage you shouldn't notice a reduction in tool speed.

51 MERC-CT · 12-29-2016, 01:38 PM

Looked at several air drills and all exceeded the volume requirements necessary to keep them running for any length of time without slowing down using your compressor output of 5.1 CFM @ 40psi./ 3.8 CFM @ 90 psi.

rotorwrench · 12-29-2016, 01:51 PM

Most air tools, other than impact wrenches, should be regulated to no more than 90 psi. An air drill will work for a good bit before you run it down far enough on pressure that the compressor won't keep up. The slower rpm would indicate that.

I've found that bead blasting takes the most volume and a smaller output unit would have trouble keeping up. A paint gun would be next and can also tax a smaller unit but is regulated to no more than 60 psi. Die grinders & cut off tools could also be taxing to a point but you can't keep going after it all day with those anyway. With an air drill you usually have to stop enough while drilling to add a bit of cutting fluid so the compressor should keep up pretty well. It takes a lot more force to push on a drill so I don't know whether the operator or the compressor would wear down quicker. Drills are generally not a problem.

Marvin/TN · 12-29-2016, 01:51 PM

Most air tools are high consumption tools which is usually a lot more than those small compressors can provide. They are designed to be used intermittently like nail guns etc.
But will work for drilling small one or two holes W/O having to wait. Look at the max CFM rating of the compressor and the CFM/Pressure Requirement for what ever tool you want to use with it. The higher the pressure the lower the CFM's produced

30-9 · 12-29-2016, 02:14 PM

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Thanks guys all good info.

This is the unit, I know it's not the best or biggest, but think it will meet my needs.

40 Deluxe · 12-29-2016, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 30-9

Hi folks

Santa brought me a craftsman compressor.

26 gal 150 psi.

Know it's good for basic air tools. My question is regarding using it with a drill. When the air runs low, will the drill slow? Or will the regulator insure a good drill speed.

Still learning at 72

If you regulate line pressure to 90 PSI or whatever your drill specifies, yes, your air supply will last longer and make it easier for the compressor to keep up.
Don't forget to drain the water out of the compressor tank after each use!

Paul Bennett · 12-30-2016, 01:04 AM

When buying a compressor, it is most important to insist on a 1750 rpm motor. The 3600 rpm types are cheaper but they run much hotter, are not for constant duty and they are loud. Guess this only applies when Santa hasn't arrived yet.

A must-have accessory to get is a filter with small trap which can be emptied daily. As a tremendous amount of water is removed from the air during compression, if you ever intend spraying paint, best not to have water spit onto your work. It still helps to have a screw-on filter on the gun. My parting thought, make certain to oil your drill daily as that very same water can destroy an air drill by rusting/pitting the blades in a short time.

jake197000 · 12-30-2016, 08:59 PM

air drills are nice because they are small,or can be.they use a lot or air.and stall pretty easy.use them for smaller holes they work great.if pretty much switched to cordless everything.but i do it for a living and can justify the cost.

tubman · 12-30-2016, 09:43 PM

I have found that 220 volt compressors perform much better than units for 110 volts even if they CFM ratings are the same. As a matter of fact, until I bought my latest compressor (220 volt), I never had one that would come near to keeping up. If you have the power, get a 220 volt unit. You can then also use the outlet for a decent welder (MIG, TIG, or even ARC).

12-29-2016, 11:24 AM	#1
30-9 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: MA Posts: 888	Compressor question Hi folks Santa brought me a craftsman compressor. 26 gal 150 psi. Know it's good for basic air tools. My question is regarding using it with a drill. When the air runs low, will the drill slow? Or will the regulator insure a good drill speed. Still learning at 72 __________________ Thanks - 30-9 1939, 1940

12-29-2016, 11:38 AM	#2
40cpe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Star, MS Posts: 4,120	Re: Compressor question The air tool will slow down when the pressure drops. The regulator is to keep the tank output at a set pressure that is lower than tank pressure. It can't regulate pressure to a setting that is greater than tank pressure. If your compressor CFM rating is greater than your tool's air usage you shouldn't notice a reduction in tool speed.

12-29-2016, 01:38 PM	#3
51 MERC-CT Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: East Hartford, Ct Posts: 5,898	Re: Compressor question Looked at several air drills and all exceeded the volume requirements necessary to keep them running for any length of time without slowing down using your compressor output of 5.1 CFM @ 40psi./ 3.8 CFM @ 90 psi. __________________ DON'T RECALL DOING SOMETHING FOR MYSELF BASED ON SOMEONE ELSE'S LIKES OR DISLIKES Last edited by 51 MERC-CT; 12-29-2016 at 01:44 PM.

12-29-2016, 01:51 PM	#4
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 17,410	Re: Compressor question Most air tools, other than impact wrenches, should be regulated to no more than 90 psi. An air drill will work for a good bit before you run it down far enough on pressure that the compressor won't keep up. The slower rpm would indicate that. I've found that bead blasting takes the most volume and a smaller output unit would have trouble keeping up. A paint gun would be next and can also tax a smaller unit but is regulated to no more than 60 psi. Die grinders & cut off tools could also be taxing to a point but you can't keep going after it all day with those anyway. With an air drill you usually have to stop enough while drilling to add a bit of cutting fluid so the compressor should keep up pretty well. It takes a lot more force to push on a drill so I don't know whether the operator or the compressor would wear down quicker. Drills are generally not a problem.

12-29-2016, 01:51 PM	#5
Marvin/TN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chattanooga, TN area Posts: 832	Re: Compressor question Most air tools are high consumption tools which is usually a lot more than those small compressors can provide. They are designed to be used intermittently like nail guns etc. But will work for drilling small one or two holes W/O having to wait. Look at the max CFM rating of the compressor and the CFM/Pressure Requirement for what ever tool you want to use with it. The higher the pressure the lower the CFM's produced

12-30-2016, 01:04 AM	#8
Paul Bennett Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 628	Re: Compressor question When buying a compressor, it is most important to insist on a 1750 rpm motor. The 3600 rpm types are cheaper but they run much hotter, are not for constant duty and they are loud. Guess this only applies when Santa hasn't arrived yet. A must-have accessory to get is a filter with small trap which can be emptied daily. As a tremendous amount of water is removed from the air during compression, if you ever intend spraying paint, best not to have water spit onto your work. It still helps to have a screw-on filter on the gun. My parting thought, make certain to oil your drill daily as that very same water can destroy an air drill by rusting/pitting the blades in a short time.

12-30-2016, 08:59 PM	#9
jake197000 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 356	Re: Compressor question air drills are nice because they are small,or can be.they use a lot or air.and stall pretty easy.use them for smaller holes they work great.if pretty much switched to cordless everything.but i do it for a living and can justify the cost.

12-30-2016, 09:43 PM	#10
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 11,638	Re: Compressor question I have found that 220 volt compressors perform much better than units for 110 volts even if they CFM ratings are the same. As a matter of fact, until I bought my latest compressor (220 volt), I never had one that would come near to keeping up. If you have the power, get a 220 volt unit. You can then also use the outlet for a decent welder (MIG, TIG, or even ARC).