Air Tank Size

[crokett]

HF has a 5 gallon portable air tank for 20 bucks. I am looking for something for small jobs - inflating tires, small nailing jobs, etc that can be cordless and that my wife can use. This might be asking a how deep is a hole type question, but is 5 gallons practical? It would be for the occasional finish nail/trim nail job, inflating bike or car tires, pool toys, etc.

 

[toolferone]

Is it just a tank or a compressor too? If it is a tank with compressor then it will be fine for what you asked, but not for drills, sanders, sprayers, impacts, they use LOTS of air.

 

[crokett]

Just a tank. I will fill it from my compressor. I wouldn't use it for any tools except a finish nailer or pin nailer. Here is the tank:

http://www.harborfreight.com/5-gallon-portable-air-tank-65594.html

Next size up is an 11 gallon.

The other idea is that my wife can get it and fill tires, etc without having to ask me to do it.

 

[Rob]

For just filling up tires, they work well, for running a nailer, Not so sure. I have a pancake compressor I use for nailers and after a few nails, maybe 10, it's coming on, so I would think it would need filling often.

 

[garybushey]

Along those lines I saw an episode of This Old House where they had a small tank that they could hook on their belts for doing things like trimwork on ladders. Anyone have any idea where I could find something like that?

 

[Travis Porter]

It would do a few nails, but it would need a pressure regulator.

 

[Rob]

Along those lines I saw an episode of This Old House where they had a small tank that they could hook on their belts for doing things like trimwork on ladders. Anyone have any idea where I could find something like that?

Lowe's has them. I think it's pressurized CO2.

 

[merrill77]

HF has a 5 gallon portable air tank for 20 bucks. I am looking for something for small jobs - inflating tires, small nailing jobs, etc that can be cordless and that my wife can use. This might be asking a how deep is a hole type question, but is 5 gallons practical? It would be for the occasional finish nail/trim nail job, inflating bike or car tires, pool toys, etc.

I bought one last fall because my 60 gal compressor was a bit heavy to lug upstairs for some trimwork. I had no trouble driving a few dozen brads using the tank. That said, the last few brads didn't go in completely and needed a little help for the last 1/8" inch.

I'm glad I bought it...it's quite handy. I can take it to the kids soccer practice and fill up a bunch of balls to 5psi :>

 

[crokett]

Thanks fellas. I think I am gonna get it. The manual says it has an 'adjustment valve' and there is a pressure gauge on it, so it may have a regulator. If not, HF has a regulator for 7 bucks.