What Can Small Compressors Really Do?

To answer viewer questions, I did some quick experiments with two small air compressors which I have previously reviewed (links below). Can you use a framing nailer with a smaller compressor? What about filling tires? Can you use a paint sprayer? Automotive tools? Small compressors with low SCFM ratings are what I use on jobsites to run finish nailers, but many homeowners purchase them as their only compressor. You might be surprised at what you can and cannot do with these smaller machines. Hope this video answers some questions!
►Previous reviews:
• Review: Harbor Freight... (Harbor Freight Fortress Ultra Quiet)
• Review: Harbor Freight... (Harbor Freight Pancake Style)

[@theupsideofdownsizing]

This is the video everyone needs to see. You actually show useful information and answer the questions that everyone has on their mind when shopping for a new compressor. We all want the smallest lightest least expensive compressor that will handle the bigger tools especially framing nailers. Thanks very much for this video it was a big help!

[@enduringcharm]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@gergemall]

Hands down

[@derekbionelli1049]

Thank you for the detail. As a diy farmer, this was exactly the information I was looking for. The framing nailer being the key.

[@TysonNavarre]

Thanks for the video, def showed off how useful that 2 gal fortress is!

[@bixby9797]

Great video. I bought the quiet Fortress 4gal high pressure to replace an 8 gal Kobalt. It works the same, is lighter so easy to carry one handed and is much quieter. Built a deck, rotated tires which took a little time but not a big deal. Framing nailer kept up fine for one person

[@norm2655]

Great review, especially around nailing capability. Thanks👍

[@steverainey7572]

Very informative video thank you for taking the time to share this with occasional do it yourselfers.

[@Charliemmafan]

Thanks for making these videos because I'm curious of the differences between these types of air compressors also so you've helped a lot!

[@enduringcharm]

Glad it helped!

[@filosusar4282]

Excelent information , exactly what I was looking for, thank you for your help and advice

[@robertdunn1668]

Very informative video and answered the questions that I had. Thanks!

[@jigx2010]

Thanks for the information about the use of the compressor.

[@pizzawarlord9232]

Excellent video for a home owner new to this stuff like me. Thank you

[@heathmcdonald473]

Thanks very useful information I have a 2 gallon compressor 90 psi usually I use just for tires. But now I know I can use it at home for trim work.

[@pault754]

Excellent video explaining the different pressures and use cases of these small compressors!

[@notwrkn2mch]

That was a really good explanation as i already have a large compressor but needed to know more on the small guys. Covered what i needed to know 🙂

[@spemper]

What a well done and user friendly, thought out presentation. Thank you. Bravo my good man bravo.

[@TBD3.0]

Excellent review answers a lot of general questions for the main stream DIY consumer.👍🏻 I'm getting the 2 gallon I'll be using it to check for valve Leakes on my valve cover and input drum and oil pump once I assemble them to make sure I did the job 100% correct on my 4L60E.

[@user-os8pr3tb1f]

Wonderful, clear and concise demonstration of the 2 gallon unit- exactly the information I needed. I wanted to know if I could use the 2 gallon compressor for intermittent framing nailer/nail remover usage and I got my answer: yes, indeed. Thank you, thank you! for demonstrating usage and NOT ‘unboxing’.

[@pokeba3299]

Thanks very much for your great explanations. Great video!

[@Bob-TheTechGuy]

Very useful video. Thank you!

[@hutchrt0596]

I stumbled upon this video, I really do appreciate it! It really did give me a big picture of what I may be able to do with this. I feel like I'm not the only one who's going to be trying to determine what they're looking for in an air compressor. And trying to have reality for expectations. I did a lot of research when I got my pressure washer and I learned a lot. But this is even a little more difficult, because with a pressure washer it's similar but you're still ultimately pressure washing with one tool. With an air compressor, there are so many different tasks and so many different tools that it's much more difficult to decide. I'm looking for portability, even more so than it being quiet. But most of the videos of definitely educated me that I'm going to want to consider that as well. Learning about how long it will last with the air that's in it has now just become so much more important than I realized. I'm a homeowner, but I do a lot of projects and a lot of jobs on the side for other people. It's obvious that I won't be able to run a spray gun for painting, but I am going to have to balance what other jobs I'm going to be willing to accept using it. Again, I thank you for all the information and I would highly recommend the video to people who aren't even considering these two compressors to really understand more.

[@enduringcharm]

That's great to hear, I'm glad it helped!

[@flat4314]

I have had that fortress 2 gallon for around five years. I also have a 175 gallon compressor that I no longer use. In real world scenarios I've found it keeps up even for mounting tires and painting cars.

[@songsfromthelord888]

Excellent video John! thanks sooo much for taking plenty of time to explain things carefully 🙂🙂🙂

[@jacobpoucher]

175 gallon? Never seen onethat big

[@greggordon6215]

Great video, very informative. Thanks

[@wingerrrrrrrrr]

The impact gun should be tested, it would have worked fine, especially if set up with high flow connectors. That will make a big difference in its capability compared to the restrictive standard air couplers. It won't run out of air if when only takes a second to break loose the lug nut.

[@enduringcharm]

I can assure you these small compressors are undersized for automotive work with impact wrenches. My shop compressor, which is more than three times the CFM rating of these small compressors is often struggling to keep up with an impact in a real world setting. A typical half inch impact might require something like 5 cfm at a minimum of 90 PSI to run effectively. But, the useful PSI, the refill time, the hose size and other factors mean that in actual use a compressor able to do something more like 8-10 CFM at 90 PSI is the minimum. For example, I run my impacts in the 110-120 PSI range, and I'm working on trucks not Honda Civics. You burn through a lot of air pretty quickly. It can take 15-20 seconds of impact time to loosen a lug nut if it loosens at all. Now you've got five more lug nuts to loosen on one wheel, and my 29 gallon 6.4 CFM shop compressor will simply not keep up. It would be an exercise in frustration to do any serious automotive work with a small compressor and an impact.

[@wingerrrrrrrrr]

@@enduringcharm Of course working on trucks is a different use case than the home diy just considering it for breaking loose lug nuts on a car. If it's impacting for 15 seconds with the lug nuts not budging, then the setup is insufficient, with the impact gun or airflow not being enough to develop the necessary torque. Other tools like air sanders require lots of volume to work for extended times, and this little compressor is wholly insufficient for that.

[@HVACRTECH-83]

I agree these compressors will not keep up w spraying paints or any heavy automotive work. Been there done that and it's too frustrating. I got an awsome gas powered compressor from northern tool that has an output of 28.5@100psi scfm and max psi of 175 mainly because I do alot of media blasting which requires the most scfm you can give it as it uses more air than probably anything else, and although very expensive,I've had it 12 years now, it has a 7hp Honda engine that starts up with one pull every time still to this day,even after months of not using. Best purchase I've made with anything pneumatic ever, I used to buy new smaller compressors about every 3 or four years so I've tried alot of them out there. I will add that the 2 gallon harbor freight one is fine for airbrushing though

[@rstelzer2928]

I got the same 2 gallon machine for airbrushing murals, and it's perfect, especially quiet inside a hallway as well as oil less so it doesn't contaminate the paints.

[@chriskowalski7038]

Thanks...You just answered my question of can l use it for modelling airbrushing?

[@TimeForLifeTravel]

Super helpful video. I was trying to decide between the 2-gallon and the brand new quiet 6-gallon Fortress compressors, based on the exact same needs you demonstrated, including wondering how fast would it inflate my Harbor Freight trailer tires. The 2-gallon is better for my usual needs but I didn't want to have to buy another compressor to power a nail gun for a project I "might" do next year. Thanks to you, I now know the 2-gallon model would handle my nailing needs in a pinch and neither was good enough for painting anyway. Thanks again.

[@damienhealy6850]

Excellent video. Very relevant tests. You helped me with my decision.

[@enduringcharm]

Glad I could help!

[@pashay4723]

Nice presentation! Thx

[@mc6400]

Really useful video - you answered all the questions I had.

[@enduringcharm]

Glad it was helpful!

[@TheHouseOfMoth]

Very helpful! Thanks!

[@dandeleona4760]

Good demo

[@112428]

This video was so helpful. I was wanting to see if the Ultra Quiet compressor could keep up with a framing nailer for a shed. Looks like it should be just fine.

[@enduringcharm]

If you are a DIY and don't mind occasionally waiting for the air to catch up it will be fine. If you are a pro and you are working on a tight schedule you'll probably want something bigger.

[@wolfpacak47]

thanks for the tire demo think ill get a 2 gal fortress

[@lv2keepfit493]

great video, probably best examples out there. I'd like a compressor for spraying a paint gun but don't want anything massive in the garage. 110V would be ideal 20-30gal tank max.

[@raheemal-ugaily2529]

Thank you,very good video

[@leamercatwild3354]

Excellent!

[@gergemall]

Great video.

[@jugsbybert]

I’m buying the quiet one tonight. My porter Cable pancake decided to go up in smoke after 12 years.

[@stuffstuffstuffyay]

I found this vid so helpful, thank you. I think I will be ok with the compressor I have chosen. I have a lovely new mini airbrush, and now i want a compressor to power it. It needs 1.8 cfm, but if i get a different fan nozzle it would need up to 2.2. The aircompressor that I think will be good for my small space is the Kobalt Quiet Tech 4.3 gallon, has a 2.4 cfm output. :) But I'm watching all the videos so I can make sure it is the right one for me.

[@enduringcharm]

Glad it was helpful!

[@pointeddown]

great video, you should do more, you're really good at explaining technical info. I am a video producer/editor and not many can explain all this without making me want to hang myself.

[@enduringcharm]

Thank you!

[@batbawls]

Outstanding

[@donaldparrott4569]

First time I didn’t skip the ad! Lol

[@garysargsyan4998]

I'm using 6g pancake compressor to air my semi truck/Trailer tires. Works great.

[@whomadethatsaltysoup]

Brilliant! Answers all the questions I have regarding compressors. I would like to use a compressor that can fire brad nails. I know the smallest, least expensive, and quietest model will fit that bill. However, I'd like to be able to do other things with the compressor. Use a first fix nailer to build a shed and outhouse. Spray paint small furniture builds, and the like. I don't have space for a beast, or feel I can justify the cost. However, having owned a few battery nailers, both first and second fix, gas and gasless, I have the feeling that even a budget air nailer would be more reliable and cost a great deal less. Same applies to the spray paint alternatives: very expensive and difficult to clean. I'm looking at a 24 litre compressor: it is quiet, affordable, and probably more than capable of what I'd expect of it. A big thank you from Scotland for taking the time to share. You have a new subscriber.😉

[@enduringcharm]

Brad nailers and even larger finish or framing nailers can be run on a smaller compressor, especially if you don't need production-run speed. Paint sprayers, though, generally require a lot of air to run well. There are some small "low volume" paint sprayers for detail work which might run on a smaller compressor, but most of them require higher throughput. Take a good look at the SCFM requirements of a paint gun before you purchase one for a smaller compressor.

[@whomadethatsaltysoup]

@enduringcharm Thank you for taking the time to respond. I've looked at several options, and your video, along with comments have helped me greatly.

[@fabianandresnaranjovidal7843]

Gracias necesitaba esta información para comprarlo

[@kenabi]

rule of thumb; if your rig can't maintain 40psi at the gun's regulator (yes, there should be one on the air intlet end, along with a dryer, they make ones specifically for that purpose) with the rest of the rig wide open, and the gun actively spraying air (even if you're not actively spraying paint to test that) you should look into some form of upgrade to be able to maintain. the only regulation you should be dealing with is at the gun, since hoses and hose length and other things can completely destroy overall pressure. if your only reading at the gun, you _know_ its good, and isn't gonna flux unless the whole setup fails.

[@wingerrrrrrrrr]

It really does need to be measured and regulated at the spray gun, and not by the compressor outlet gauge, the pressure definitely would be much lower after that length of hose.

[@europana7]

For bigger jobs, could always attach an auxiliary tank

[@georgedavall9449]

Excellent! My Ridgid pancake has been going strong for three years or so. It has a small leak that I haven’t been able to track down? The gauges are abysmal. Small, dark faces, and hard to read. Don’t know what they were thinking? I’m looking into one of these, or California Air, or Makita? Yes, I’m a Makita guy! 😁👍🙏✌🏻🇺🇸

[@enduringcharm]

I'll tell you what, the quiet models are really much more pleasant to work around. The "ultra quiet" Harbor Freight model in the video has become the one I keep on my trailer. For most jobs it keeps up just fine with my nailers and saving what's left of my hearing has become most important to me.

[@roscoeb]

Excellent video and thank you! The paint gun demonstration was exactly what I was looking for. I was considering this compressor for job site work. I normally run the gun pressure around 15 psi. I noticed that your demonstration had it set around 75 psi. If PSI and CFM are inversely proportional, does that mean that the tank will run out even faster at the lower pressure setting? Thanks again!

[@enduringcharm]

Be careful about using simple mathematical concepts here, because there are quite a lot of variables, including the pump CFM and the tank size, but also the hose size, material and length, the fitting flow rates, and the device itself. You saw what happens to the pressure when you have continuous air flow with a paint gun. There are lots of different air paint guns and they have different requirements. It's possible a low pressure paint gun could be made to work for short bursts with a smaller compressor like this, but on balance I think you'll be disappointed. For jobsite application you'd be better served with a self-contained HVLP system that sticks right into the paint can, or else a higher capacity compressor.

[@roscoeb]

@@enduringcharm Thanks for the quick response! You've definitely helped me make a determination. It looks like the Fortress is a great little compressor but not for my painting application. You saved me from a purchase that (I suspect) would have disappointed me. Thank you!

[@legendbuilds5380]

If you're set at 15, this compressor will work just fine for you and never run out of air. I can't imagine any instance where lower air volume would drain a tank faster than high volume? I've been using a 2.7cfm Porter Cable pancake as a job site compressor and can't believe what it is capable of. The primary consideration is, "working alone". I've used it with my framing nailer, finish nailers, any and all construction use requirements with no issues and have NEVER had to wait for air to build up. I work alone. I used it the other day to oil spray half of the under side of my car. Oil spraying requires high volume. Amazingly, I had no problems with it, as you have to stop and move and adjust your direction of spray, giving the compressor time to fill. I could easily have done the whole car if I needed to without issues. I'm buying this 2.1 to replace it solely for the sound reduction. These little units and my experience with them has completely changed my opinion on what I need for a shop compressor. Air drills and 3/8" drive ratchets are super loud and suck up huge volumes of air. I'm done with them and will use cordless tools instead. A 4cfm or maybe a 5cfm is all that is required. The only thing I might not be able to do is sandblast but can even do that intermittently.

[@nancibishof6462]

Thank you for the demo. I think if the 2 gal tank can run the framing nailer it will handle my upholstery staple gun. I really appreciate how quietly it runs after having to use noise cancelling headphones with my 1 gal Campbell Hausfeld that died on me.

[@enduringcharm]

Yes, the quiet compressor will easily handle you upholstery nail gun. The quietness of the unit is wonderful!

[@nancibishof6462]

@@enduringcharm Have you tested the smaller 1 gallon unit? Would it suffice for an upholstery stapler or should I definitely buy the 2 gallon unit?

[@enduringcharm]

Get the two gallon model, for sure.

[@nancibishof6462]

@@enduringcharm thank you!!! Purchased, broken in, and already in use. Crazy quiet!

[@enduringcharm]

You'll never go back to the noisy models, right? Enjoy your new tool...

[@Equismaximus]

When you hit your last nail and it did not drive it in all the way you should have tried another nail or two before you stopped. You may have hit a knot in the wood. It looks like you did but of course hard to discern from the video angle. Also driving nails into boards at different angles into the grain or cross grain also effects it penetrating power. There are also other parameters that affect the penetration power like wet wood as opposed to fresh cut wood that is not Kiln Dried. Kiln dried wood is much easier to penetrate. I will say for the average Joe Blow you video is very helpful as these things were not made for heavy duty framing work so I think you are doing a lot of us a great service by comparing these compressors but certainly not scientific. If you would have repeated the test on several boards the making a judgement it would have been more scientific. There is also a trick that most people are not aware of. When driving nails into harder wood like Ash or Oak if you flatten the point of the hail and make it flat with a file or bench grinder it will penetrate deeper as the nail acts like a hole punch now. The nail will also go in straighter and not wander with the grain of the wood as the nail now sheers the circumference of the holes not fired like an arrow that can drift in the grain. Thank you for your video it is very informative especially in the paint sprayer application. I am considering this for my travel trailer to inflate my air shocks to level my truck and you have provided a lot of good information. Your video was useful. One subject that is very important is the longevity of the compressor in extended use conditions. what I am referring to is the compressor construction. These small compressors usually do not have crank cases or any oil to lubricate their pistons and crank shafts. Some rely on Teflon rings etc. The other is the crank shaft lubrication. Is it just using greased bearings or does the compressor have an oil sump. These things contribute to the longevity of the compressor. Thank you for your most excellent video. Maximus has spoken.

[@enduringcharm]

I had this discussion with another viewer. It's pretty easy to discern when the nailer just doesn't have enough air, versus hitting something like a knot. And, a framing nailer generally has enough power to push through a doug fir knot. When the air is getting low, the tool tends to bounce back at you from the initial contact with the wood. The nail doesn't have enough force behind it to penetrate very far. When you hit something impenetrable in the wood it's a different feedback because the nail does have enough force for the initial penetration, but then hits something after that contact. Rather than the whole tool bouncing back at you it feels like the nail itself gets stopped. You become attuned to this with experience. Sometimes I'll be working far away from the compressor on a big jobsite, and you can hardly even hear the compressor. But you know instantly when air has run down too low by the behavior of the tool.

[@JackPinesBlacksmithing]

I'm looking at the 10 gallon version as my first air compressor. It's first intended use is to operation an air assisted treadle hammer in my blacksmithing shop, which I'm assured it will be fine for. Never having one before, I'm not sure what other uses I'll put it to or if I should spend the extra $100 for its 20gal big brother.

[@enduringcharm]

Whatever your application, you need to consider both the CFM requirement AND the tank size. Even if a motor can keep up with the CFM requirement, you don't want it running constantly, and your air needs may include sudden drops rather than steady flow. As far as buying a single compressor, think ahead so that you don't undersize for future needs.

[@southern04man]

Man I need one of these. I have a kobalt with the puma pump 2 stage which is silent compared to my old craftsman that can wake the dead. I'm looking at these for a carry around compressor.

[@enduringcharm]

Here's my review of the quiet "Fortress" compressor, which is the one I now carry on my trailer. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bYXPhJZ6bcSkprc

[@enjoylife7030]

I have watched most of your videos on these two compressors. My uses are mainly for small finish nailing and for airing up tires and such. I went with the 6 gallon pancake as the noise did not seem so overwhelming to me and I may use it once a month on average throughout the year. It has twice the capacity of my old pancake compressor, way more pressure, an extra hose outlet, about the same noise level and takes up about the same amount of space. The old compressor had trouble airing up higher capacity tires but this one handles them just fine.

[@enduringcharm]

Yeah, that pancake compressor is just fine if the noise isn't an issue. If you are using it in a garage or outdoors, for example, the noise may not be a problem. I do much prefer the super-quiet model I reviewed for indoor work, though.

[@Spectt84]

Thanks for this video. Although, I do wish you tried the automotive tools anyway. I just want to see what would happen. I'm curious if you could get a single lug nut off...

[@enduringcharm]

I often can't get lug nuts off with my shop compressor, never mind with one of these small compressors. I used to be a mechanic. Automotive shops not only have very large capacity compressors, but also larger hoses. And, mechanics in those shops have high-torque (and expensive) impact wrenches for use on tires and suspension. For home use, a decent size shop compressor can be used to install lug nuts and sometimes remove them, unless they were last installed by a gorilla. And, a big truck is going to be more trouble than a Honda Civic. If you need a compressor for automotive work, I would definitely suggest something bigger than what you see in this video.

[@whitestar3531]

Thanks for this video I'm one of them

[@awlthatwoodcrafts8911]

This was very informative. Thanks for making this video. I have a 6-gal Bostich pancake compressor that is going on 12 years old. I bought a Ridgid inflator to fill tires because lugging that big compressor around was annoying, to be polite. I'm looking into the Fortress compressors for my woodworking. Right now, I don't even use any nailers because my compressor is so loud. I'd rather clamp a joint and wait for the glue to dry than listen to all that noise. But I'd love to get a quiet compressor and use my brad and pin nailers more often. I also have a flooring nailer. Is a flooring nailer comparable to a framing nailer, in terms of air requirements, or does the flooring nailer require more volume and/or pressure? My Bostich handles it just fine but if the Fortress will handle it, I'd much rather carry it up the stairs than that old Bostich. And it won't scare the bejeebers out of me whenever it kicks on.

[@enduringcharm]

Yeah, the older I get the more I appreciate quieter tools! The Fortress ultraquiet compressor would be just fine for your shop work with smaller nailers. I think it would work with your flooring nailer, but, like the framing nailers, it might slow you down. For the reasonable cost I think you would be much happier in your shop with the quiet compressor and it may be fine for the flooring nailer, but you could stick with your old pancake as a backup. It is also possible to use a short male-to male hose and turn your pancake compressor into a holding tank, but then you have to lug that around too. I can't emphasize enough, though, how much more pleasant it is to work around the ultraquiet compressor.

[@awlthatwoodcrafts8911]

@@enduringcharm thanks for the reply. I'm done with the bulk of the hardwood flooring upstairs. I just have to do the landing of the stairs so it won't be so bad if I have to wait on the compressor here and there. I was at Harbor Freight the other day and saw the 1 and 2-gal Fortress models. The 1-gal is no wider than the distance from my elbow to the tips of my fingers. It's difficult to really see how small it is on video. I was very surprised. I think I'll probably go with the 2-gal though as it's only about $20 more and still a bargain. I'm sure the 1-gal would suit my needs but for $20, why not go with a little more headroom.

[@chriskowalski7038]

Exactly the info l was looking for....Can you use these compressors for hobby air brushing?

[@enduringcharm]

check the SCFM requirements of your airbrush, but for small airbrushes used on models and such you may be able to use a smaller compressor like this.

[@chriskowalski7038]

@@enduringcharm Thankyou sir.

[@smokin67dog]

I purchased the 6 gal. Pancake compressor. I'm just using it for diy at home and the noise doesn't bother me as long as it does the job. I'm not using it to make a living. 🙂

[@MarkWarbington]

Is it cost effective in a home shop scenario to combine a small compressor with an auxiliary tank to have more reserve? You never see large CFM compressors paired with small tanks or small CFM compressors paired with large tanks, although it seems like there's little correlation between the two (other than your wallet, of course).

[@enduringcharm]

I have, on occasion, hooked up one compressor to another using a male-to-male hose. One compressor is turned off and simply acts as a storage tank. This was done in the field where a bigger compressor wasn't practical to bring along. It helps some, but it isn't magic. For the cost of a compressor you'll be happier if you simply size the unit you purchase according to what you'll need. There is nothing more frustrating than waiting for your tools to catch up with the work. For a single person woodshop, a small compressor like those in the video is probably all you need. Same goes for a DIY homeowner doing weekend house projects. However, if you will also be doing some automotive work in your driveway or intend to use spray guns for paint, you should just buy a bigger compressor from the get-go. It might only be another $100-150 to do so. I own five compressors but it's the smallest one and the biggest one which get the most use. The small one I bring to jobsites and the big one is my shop compressor which stays put.

[@Mrbooboo1972]

Lol... I use an early 1980s plug in air Compressor to fill my truck tyres... @65psi it does it ... takes a cpl mins but it does it. That fortress would fill it fast.

[@BlancoJose24]

Would a LVLP spray gun be adequate for the 6 gallon air compressor?

[@enduringcharm]

Best thing to do is check the specs of the gun you want to use, and see what the CFM requirements are. Then you can match those requirements to the compressor. There are no standards in this regard, so you have to check each tool to see how much air is needed.

[@Asian_Connection]

Second one is crazy loud, I can hear you. I will buy too quite one and parallel connect it

[@pizzomedia7261]

What about using it as a blower? I need a compressor to clean mud and dust of RC cars, also to dry the water of them. Is the 2 gal to weak for this application? Thanks!

[@enduringcharm]

The air blower nozzles actually eat up a lot of air quickly. Much depends on how you use them, though. if you are just giving a handful of quick squirts then a smaller compressor might be okay. If you need sustained air or a long series of fairly long bursts, then a smaller compressor will struggle to keep up. Tank size can make a difference in this application, so buy the compressor with the largest tank you can afford.

[@wingerrrrrrrrr]

8:57 is that inflator restricting the air flow? With the tire inflater gauge attachments I have, when I pull the trigger, the pressure immediately shows a reading of over 80 psi as the air flows, and I need to release the trigger to read the actual pressure in the tire. With that gauge it doesn't seem to jump at all, just showing the slow and steady increase in pressure.

[@enduringcharm]

Not all inflaters are designed the same way, it seems. Some will show what is essentially the tank pressure when in use and then the tire pressure when released. Others will show something close to the tire pressure when in use, and a more accurate reading when released. I've never looked into why this is, but I have noticed the difference.

[@wingerrrrrrrrr]

@@enduringcharm It must be a difference in the rate of air delivery, if it's very slow the pressure will read the actual tire pressure.

[@ronalcasid3844]

Are these compressors enough to mount tires on to the wheel bead?

[@enduringcharm]

Eh, that's pushing it. The problem is you need a lot of air all at once to seat a bead, which means you need a large holding tank. With enough bead lube and by removing the valve stem you might get away with it on a motorcycle tire with a 6 gallon tank. I doubt it would work at all on a car or truck tire.

[@Nick-gi6ym]

You think that 2 gallon unit you have would work for me with 18” 1 ton truck tire that needs 80 lbs. I like it because low noise. Thanks

[@enduringcharm]

While the unit would eventually pump up the tire, I think you'd be disappointed in how long it takes and how much stress it would put on the compressor. For my truck tires, which are pressured to 65 PSI, I use a big shop compressor. If you have room, a bigger compressor with an oil sump will also be fairly quiet, though not as quiet as this HF unit.

[@Nick-gi6ym]

@@enduringcharm that’s to bad for me I like the noise level. Others unit’s are so loud. Thank You you have a great channel.

[@Dnasty1]

I just bought one of those airbag jacks and I want to buy a dedicated compressor for it. Will that fortress 2 gal do the trick? I wanted something quiet also.

[@enduringcharm]

Airbag jacks come in a wide variety of sizes and types. Check the PSI and CFM requirements in the documentaion of yours and then compare to the compressor specs. Probably the max PSI will be okay, but I don't know about the CFM.

[@Dnasty1]

@@enduringcharm yea the instructions are basically a joke. Barely tells you how to assemble the thing. It does say it is meant to be ran at 120 psi.

[@enduringcharm]

Well, the small compressor can handle that pressure, but the volume of air could be an issue depending on the size of your jack. If there is no information in the manual, you may be able to size up the volume required simply by eye. Compare the size of the expanded bellows to the size of the compressor tank and recognize that you'll need to fill those bellows in order to get the maximum jack extension.

[@samanthanicholson9015]

Would you recommend the smaller compressor for an airbrush? Thanks

[@enduringcharm]

You need to find the SCFM requirement of your airbrush. That spec should be in the documentation somewhere and it will tell you what kind of capacity is required. Your compressor should be able to provide air volume above the SCFM requirement of your tool. Remember, an airbrush or air sprayer is a continuous duty kind of tool, so you don't want to have to wait for your compressor to keep up.

[@samanthanicholson9015]

@@enduringcharm thanks so much, I'll check that

[@yoshiyukisekiguchi8957]

thank you for a great video and an excellent analysis. Does anybody here knows about PCP or Pre Charged Pneumatic ait compressor which is known for air rifle guns. but what I would like to know is any other purposes I can use that PCP compressor? because of compactness, mobility, and prices, not so high. like it tested in here plus i would like to use air blow guns for cleaning purposes. and I have to mention that my car is small sports car so compact is better. The thing is I do not have a garage and always street parking in NYC. Thanks in advance.

[@enduringcharm]

You are barking up the wrong tree. If you just need to pump up your tires, you can purchase a compact 12 volt compressor to keep in your glovebox.

[@yoshiyukisekiguchi8957]

@@enduringcharm Hi, thx for reply ...yea I know and I have a small one like you said glove box size. I also I have a pan cake style silent air...but I am looking for portable light weight heavy duty power for air blowing gun and also car painting purpose. Do you know about PCP?

[@enduringcharm]

I looked it up--it appears to be very high pressure, but no volume to speak of. I'm sure it works fine for it's intended purpose, but it certainly would not work for painting cars. Standard spray guns require a high CFM, typically 12 or more, which also means a tank with significant storage.

[@pablodiaz7491]

Would I be able to use this on a fluid extractor? The manual requires an air pressure of 110-115 PSI. I am wondering if I am able to get away with these small ones or if I should get a bigger one.

[@enduringcharm]

It's the CFM rating you need to worry about, not the PSI. Fluid extractors come in lots of sizes and designs, so the CFM requirements will vary. The only specs I could find were in the range of 3 to 6.5 CFM, which is going to be more than a small compressor can provide. Check your fluid extractor to see if it has a rating.

[@pablodiaz7491]

@@enduringcharm Will do! Thank you very much for the reply.

[@jmljml5065]

Looking for a small, quiet compressor just to blow off my chainsaw after use...will the little Fortress be adequate? Thanks.

[@enduringcharm]

Probably. An air blow gun does dump a lot of air all at once, so if you need extended use look for a compressor with a larger tank. If you just need a quick dust off, or if you don't mind waiting for the compressor to catch up, then the smaller unit will be fine.

[@jmljml5065]

@@enduringcharm Understood. Thank you for the response.

[@duskomarincic367]

I have the 2 gallon, it gets burning hot after blowing stuff around for about half an hour, is that normal?

[@enduringcharm]

A compressor will get warm, but it's possible you are over-using your compressor and you need a larger capacity for the work you are doing. If your compressor is constantly kicking on, say every minute or less, and you are doing this for 30 minutes straight, then you likely need a compressor with a larger tank and greater CFM.

[@snatcher420]

the 6 gal on the left will run an air wrench/hammer. will take lugs off no problems. Has up to 150 psi and air wrench runs at 90 psi. Well my 1/2 , 3/8 and 1/4 inch will.

[@enduringcharm]

Much depends not only on the requirements of the tool but the PACE of the work. In a professional automotive setting these small compressors would not be appropriate. A mechanic trying to rotate four tires, or do a brake job, or whatever else, is not going to wait around for a compressor to fill up. In your own driveway the pace may be more deliberate and it isn't a big deal if you wait a bit.

[@TruckingWithSteffon]

If I'm using this specifically for spraying liquid mask on rc car body's would either of these modles work?

[@enduringcharm]

Spray guns often require pretty high output. Check the specs on your spray gun for the SCFM requirements--I suspect you'll need a bigger compressor.

[@Nothing13lue]

I think you would be fine use this one for small r c stuff or small stuff I paint cars at a shop and when I spray color I only use about 15-20ish psi depends on color and how it’s laying down And with clear coat I use 25-30 psi now this is wide open fan on the gun now if you cut the fluid back lowers the air pressure more and make you fan smaller u could spray with lower air pressure but this one right here I think would do small stuff no problem at all but I prolly wouldn’t spray a car unless you are blending color n paint like lot lizards do 🤟

[@charleskoeppen729]

I would like to know how many amps they draw?

[@enduringcharm]

That's a good question. I don't know the exact number, but all of these I've tried run without a problem on a 15 amp circuit. Since that's the lowest amperage circuit you find in your home, it isn't something you should worry about.

[@benbeatty4380]

How about like die grinders cut off tools and such?

[@enduringcharm]

Those devices actually use a lot of air. More than a few seconds of use and you would be draining the tank on a small compressor. If you can't install a large compressor for that application, better to go the electric route with grinders and Dremel tools.

[@lohengrinknight]

Hi. I'm wondering if you know how much the fortress compressor weighs.

[@enduringcharm]

I don't have a number for you, but it is fairly heavy. I do drag it around the jobsite, though. I think the pancake styles tend to be lighter and easier to carry, but the noise reduction of the ultraquiet series compressors is well worth the extra weight to me.

[@lohengrinknight]

@@enduringcharm I appreciate the info. I think I'm gonna go for it, then for the same reason. Noise is never welcome by customers.

[@davidbarnett5777]

Can you please tell me why CFM decreases as PSI increases? It makes no sense to me.

[@enduringcharm]

Well, it isn't a direct relationship between the two, they are each a different measure of performance indirectly related to each other only because of what can be physically done with compressor design. CFM is a measure of volume--how much air can be delivered in a period of time. PSI is a measure of pressure, or how much pressure can be supplied in a given MOMENT. And, there are specific parameters as to how these things are measured. So, it is possible to build a compressor with a giant tank which can supply lots of volume but not at great pressure. Or, it would be possible to build a compressor with very high pressure but little supply of volume. If you stuff a whole bunch of air under high pressure in a given space, though, you'll get a little longer supply in a given period than if that air was under lower pressure. As far as choosing a compressor, all you need to know is that it can supply a high enough pressure for your tools and that it can supply enough volume to keep those tools running long enough to get useful work out of them. That's why it's important to check the specs of both the compressor and the tools, and to look deeper than just the marketing gibberish on the side of the compressor box.

[@NobodyWhatsoever]

I paused just before you begin inflating the tire, so I'm not influenced by your findings. I had a 3 gallon Harbor Freight compressor, which I'd used the past two years or so until it was stolen about a month ago (not a break-in theft; someone asked to borrow it, and then vanished -- the story is longer, but this is the KZbins so that's what you get). I have 32 inch tires on my truck, and one has a slow leak. I have a tire chuck with a built-in digital pressure meter, showing line pressure while it's in use, and tire pressure when the trigger is released. If I inflated until the compressor's pressure dropped to 10 or so psi above the current tire pressure, it had to re-fill once, more often than not, if I had really neglected the pressure. My conclusion is that it was usable, but having to stop and wait was inconvenient. It was more than fine for my mower's tires.

[@enduringcharm]

What you touched on is the importance of the tank size as well as the CFM capacity of a compressor. Both are important. As for using a small compressor for filling large tires, it will top-off the air without too much trouble, though you may need to wait for pressure to build again. My truck tires are set at 65PSI, so that takes a decent size compressor to keep up and I use my shop compressor unless I have a problem at a jobsite. If you need to set the bead of a large tire, these small compressors will simply not do it. There isn't enough volume in the tank for a sudden rush of air to fill a whole tire.

[@NobodyWhatsoever]

@@enduringcharm Setting the bead is not something I'd even considered, so thanks for that. Hopefully it won't be a need in the near enough future. For now, I've replaced the stolen 3 gallon with a compressor with a larger tank. I'll hardly ever use it for more than topping off tires and occasional brad nailer use.

[@johnwolf1475]

so what is the minumum that does work? painting.. are there better guns/

[@enduringcharm]

It all comes down to the CFM requirements of the tool you are using. There are lots of different painting applications. If you are painting cars or trucks with a sprayer, you'll need a high CFM compressor and these smaller units will not keep up. If you are doing artistic/hobby airbrushing on plastic models with a tiny sprayer you might be able to use a small compressor.

[@meunderhypnosis407]

Finally a good fuckkin review , thank you

[@joehiatt1992]

What r u spraying at 80 psi,I know length of hose u lose a lil but 80 ur gonna run down everything most my spray guns are at 24-28 psi

[@enduringcharm]

That was a demonstration of the difference between working pressure and static pressure, not a demonstration of how to set up a particular paint sprayer. I chose 80 PSI just because you could see it better on the gauge. In practice, paint sprayers have a wide range of working pressure needs, which depend on the paint, the ambient temps, the sprayer itself and more. The point remains, though, that these smaller compressors will not be able to keep up very long simply because they have a small volume of stored air regardless of pressure.

[@joey24698]

I think you're wrong that you have to wait for the compressor to fill up more and that is what caused the nail not to go all the way in, because the tool gauge (output) never dropped in pressure while you nailed, so I believe it was you & not the compressor that caused that; I keep my eye on the output gauge the whole time.

[@enduringcharm]

Were you looking at the left gauge? That's the tank pressure and you'll notice that the framing nail failed to be completely seated just as the tank pressure dipped below 90 PSI. On the right gauge you'll notice the failed nail occurred just as that gauge dipped below 90 PSI too. Now, ordinarily when I'm doing framing nailing with a bigger compressor I don't let the pressure drop below 100 PSI. Ideally I'm at 110 to 120 PSI. Once you get below 100PSI with a typical framing nailer you can feel that the nails are not being driven with full force. There is a push back against the nailer because there isn't enough force from the gun to overcome the friction of the wood. In fact, when the compressor is located far away using a long hose, you can feel a problem before you see it on the gauges. So in this case, I could feel the compressor was marginally keeping up, but when that nail didn't completely seat it was time to stop. The real point of the experiment, though, was to see how long the little compressor could keep up. Performance will vary with lots of factors, including the wood, the nail size and type, the nail gun, the hose and fitting size, the hose length, the ambient temperature, etc. What the experiment showed is that you can get some minor framing work done with a little compressor, but it is less than ideal.

[@stevevigil620]

How about sand blasting

[@enduringcharm]

Sandblasting or similar operations require very high capacity compressors. Even for a small sandblasting cabinet these small compressors would be inadequate.

[@LouRao]

Why have an air-compressor no matter how big the tanks are it will only last between 40 seconds to just over a minute? I just don’t get why not use electric or battery tools that will out perform any air guns. Only reason why i looked at this video is to see if I can use an air-compressor for an enclosed laser cutter and engraver. The air-assist provided for most lasers with a 40 watt module are too weak to do the job, so I thought the alternative would be an air compressor. But, the air isn’t consistent when demoing the paint gun.

[@enduringcharm]

You're overlooking a few things. For one, air compressors are used for more than just powering tools. If you do any automotive or motorcycle work, you'll need a compressor for seating tire beads and filling tires, for blowing out rust and debris, for clearing oil lines and passages in engines and transmissions, for holding valves in place while working, etc. So if the compressor is already there for those things it makes sense to use it for tools as well. Further, air powered impact wrenches are far more powerful than battery powered impact wrenches. If you do construction work, there are battery powered nail drivers, but they also have limitations. For example, air powered framing nailers still far outperform battery powered nailers and air powered nailers are generally lighter and cheaper. Air is also used in construction to blow out debris or to power paint sprayers. So it really depends on your circumstances, your budget and the type of work you do whether air-powered tools make sense.

[@LouRao]

@@enduringcharmThanks for the feedback. After your explanation, it makes sense. I guess in my case it wouldn’t work for laser cutters and engraving machines, although some claim they use it with their lasers. Maybe for those using it for 1 to 2 job -maybe. For me, using a 40-watt laser for an hour-long cut jobs, an air compressor wouldn’t be consistent with airflow. Plus, the possibility of getting moisture into the hose and onto the laser lens is not a good idea. That said, I understand where you’re coming from. Thanks.

[@slpip4365]

A ONE gallon tank compressor is useless. Got to have at less 3 gallons or more for a small compressor to be useful.

[@enduringcharm]

Well, tank size is only one factor. You could have a compressor with a larger pump and a smaller tank or a compressor with a smaller pump and larger tank yest both would be capable of supplying the same CFM. These small compressors in the video have a two or a six gallon tank, but the one I choose most often for the jobsite is the smaller one with a two gallon tank. It does the work, and it's quieter.

[@wingerrrrrrrrr]

The scfm capability determines the ability to work nonstop vs. how long a coffee break you need to take to let it pump back up to working pressure. If your tool scfm requirement exceeds the compressor, no matter how large a tank you use, you're going to have to take a break to let it catch up. A huge tank just means you're going to be sitting around a long time. No substitute for CFM.