Air compressors - worth it?

[Harv]

Are air tools worth the expense?

I'm considering a 3hp/50L unit which I can put in the shed and run an air line down into the garage. SWP do a decently-priced unit, FAD should be around 9CFM which looks to be plenty to run an impact wrench and brief runs on a spray gun.

Can anyone recommend/dissuade from the cost of it all?

[indigorallye]

I never use mine for impact wrench, I use the battery one instead.
I painted the blue engine bay with it though, and ran out of puff a little. It's 2hp / 50l but poor cfm.

Necessary? No.
Nice to have? Yes.

[Harv]

I have the Sealey mains-powered impact wrench. I'd probably use that for the big jobs, but it'd be nice to have a more compact air gun to get underneath with - the Sealey is a bit big for that kind of thing!

I'd also be looking at engine bay painting, so good to know.

[indigorallye]

I'd find the hose a pita for using a driver.

[LukeS1Stoke]

If your thinking of running airtools Harv make sure you go for 10mm airline and high flow fittings but TBH as Mike says battery powered impact guns are just as good and have no restrictions with pipes etc. My compressor is only small and about 15 year old but was fine for doing the paintwork on mine, i only use a 0.8 spray gun tho, the bigger guns use a lot more air.

[jools]

Essential garage tools if you have a need to tackle bodywork and spraying, as I would rather use an air saw and nibblers than a grinder as it is cleaner. I run an old Clarke air master 15/50, which is a 3hp compressor, and will easily keeping a largish gravity spray gun fed, and run most air tools etc, plus inflates the kids paddling pool double quick! Could do with a larger tank but 50 ltrs means it fits under the workbench. Being 3 hp, it needs a 16amp supply, but not really a problem as I use this for the welder as well.

[Harv]

Food for thought, thanks guys!

I reckon I'll go for it, although I'm tempted to a 2.5hp to run on a 13 amp.

[dunc]

For using tools I prefer battery powered gear, even at work the airline only comes out seldomly for air tools.
A good 3/8 and 1/2 battery driver is well worth it.
However for tyre pressures, spraying etc a compressor is obviously needed.

[mattrallye]

I use quite a bit of mine for various jobs, mainly heavier jobs like suspension etc. You need a pretty big compressor for air tools to run effectively though.