You can pick the best air impact wrench in the market, but without the right air compressor unit to power up, it would be equally useless. No matter its quality, the impact wrench will not work exactly as you need it to. That is why you should take care of the vital part of the equation and get yourself a compatible air compressor to power it up. Discover the best air compressor for impact wrench in the following review.
With the many air compressors in the market today, you can easily get torn between the options. However, there is a whole ton of metrics that you should keep in mind, and they will help you get through this with ease.
For that reason, before you get an air compressor for your impact wrench, you need to do your homework. Compare and contrast the reviews, specs, and abilities of the air compressors for impact wrench you find online.
But if there is not enough time for all this, this article got you covered on that. Below are the top five best air compressors for impact wrenches with pros and cons as well as a buyer’s guide to help you the next time you need to shop.
The 5 Best Air Compressors for Impact Wrenches
Makita MAC 5200 3.0HP Air Compressor
This is a great air compressor from the Makita. If you are looking for something to power your impact wrench. It features a cast iron pump which is insanely durable. With a 3.5 horse per motor, the air compressor can produce a CFM of 6.5 at 90 PSI. This kind of performance level guarantees you increased productivity.
The air compressor’s pump is oil based therefore you are sure of cooler operations and reduced wear. On the other hand, it has a handle and wheeled design which enhances on its portability. This air compressor has more to offer than you would expect.
The worksite style conditions in its rugged construction make this air compressor unit optimized to suffer wear and tear. Also, it has a built-in storage compartment which conveniently stores all the accessories and fittings of the compressor unit.
Makita MAC5200 Air Compressor
Pros
- Has durable, rugged construction
- It is a very powerful air compressor that can power impact wrenches effectively
- It is oil lubricated to improve longevity
- It has a fast recovery time
- It is a wheeled design for easy transportation
Cons
- It has a massive price tag
Porter Cable C2002 Pancake Air compressor
This is quite a pocket-friendly air compressor from the Porter cable that will power up your impact wrench effectively. Although there is a lot about this air compressor that you will fall in love with, most of the first time buyers are attracted by the price.
This air compressor comes in a 6 gallon the pancake tank compressor design which provides the unit with optimal stability during your operations. Also, it is capable of a CFM of 2.6 at 90 PSI which makes this unit to have a quick recovery time.
Besides the thirteen accessories kit, this air compressor has a drain valve as well as rubber feet which reduce vibration during operation. With the oil-free pump, this air compressor requires minimal maintenance. The low amp motor, on the other hand, makes it easy to start up this air compressor even in cold weather.
Porter-Cable 6 Gallon Pancake Air Compressor
Pros
- It comes with an oil free pump which needs less maintenance
- It’s easy to start in cold weather
- It comes with accessories
- It has a wallet friendly price tag
- It comes with rubber feet to reduce vibration
- It has a quick recovery time
Cons
- The air compressor is very noisy
- The air compressor cannot handle tough tasks
Eagle EA-5000 Silent Series Air Compressor
This air compressor unit is pretty much the perfect choice for driving the half inch air impact wrenches. It provides a desirable combination of efficiency and value all in one package. The fact that it is a very portable air compressor, it is ultimately convenient to use. You can maneuver the air compressor unit around with a lot of ease. This makes your work much easier.
With a CFM of 5 and a PSI of 90, you can power up an impact wrench easily hence tearing up through the tough bolts with minimal effort. The air compressor unit also comes with a low amp which delivers a higher life expectancy than the average air compressor units.
The tank of this air compressor has a holding capacity of 5.5 gallons which is pretty much enough to power up an impact wrench. The horsepower of the air compressor is 2HP making it the perfect choice for anyone who is looking for a product they can use to the maximum effect regularly.
Eagle EA-5000 Silent Series Air Compressor
Pros
- The air compressor comes with Ultra-Quiet technology
- It produces minimal noise during operations
- It comes with an oil-free double piston pump
- It has a large tank holding capacity
- It is a durable air compressor unit
Cons
- It’s on the expensive side
North Star Belt Drive Single-Stage Air Compressor
If you are looking for industrial level quality in an air compressor unit, the NorthStar Belt Drive is the perfect choice for you. Although it may appear a little massive for the casual users, the air compressor unit is shop-portable. Also, the tank capacity is large enough. Therefore, you can go about your tasks without having to wait for it to recharge.
The air compressor boasts of a 2HP motor, an iron cast single stage pump as well as a flexible rewiring potential. This way, you can work with the air compressor unit either on 115V or 230V power sources. It comes wired in 115V although with the help of a qualified technician you can adjust it to the 230V.
This air compressor is a bit extra for the average home users. But with a CFM of 5 and a PSI of 90, the air compressor unit is an excellent choice for those who push bolts with the impact wrenches all day. The best part is that this oar compressor is very easy to operate.
NorthStar Single-Stage Portable Air Compressor
Pros
- The air compressor has an industrial level of durability
- It is a powerful air compressor
- It comes with flexible power sources
- It features a cast iron single stage pump
- The air compressor is portable
Cons
- It comes with a faulty regulator gauge
- It’s on the expensive side
Campbell Hausfeld FP209499AV Air Compressor
The Campbell is a great compressor unit but does well only for the entry-level users. It is a 3-gallon horizontal tank with a CFM of 0.36 and a PSI of 90. The maximum PSI of this air compressor goes to 110 which is enough power for most of the DIY projects.
The pimp of the oar compressor unit, on the other hand, is oil-less meaning that it is maintenance free and the motor output is reliable.
The gauges of the air compressor are conveniently placed therefore they are very easy to read. The design, on the other hand, makes the air compressor easily portable. This air compressor does well with tasks like powering up the impact wrenches, filling up tires and balls, powering the airbrushes and so on.
Campbell Hausfeld Portable Air Compressor
Pros
- The compressor has an oil-less pump for easy maintenance
- The motor is reliable
- The gauges are easy to read
- It’s an affordable compressor
Cons
- The lifespan of the compressor is not very good
- Not the most efficient air compressor
Buyers Guide for Best Air Compressors for Impact Wrenches
Air compressor units are not as complex as most people think. Once you get the grip of the metrics that you are looking for in an air compressor, it’s much easier to pick the one that will fulfill your needs. Here are the few buying considerations that you should always have in mind when shopping for an air compressor to use on impact wrenches.
- Capacity
When looking for an air compressor for impact wrenches, the tank size might not be so much of major concern. A 4 to 5-gallon tank size will work pretty well if all you need is to power an impact wrench. However, if you need to perform bigger tasks like pulling things, you will need at least a 15-gallon tank.
- Portability
With powering up impact wrenches, you will need to move around the garage or home shop quite often. And because the power cord might not be long enough, you need a portable air compressor unit. This is because you will need to reposition your air compressor now and then. For that reason, settle for an air compressor with wheels or a handle.
- Performance
For a half inch impact wrench, you will need at least a minimum CFM of 4 and a PSI of 90 while for a three-quarter inch impact wrench, you might need a CFM of 5 and a PSI of 90. This is great performance levels that will help you get things going without much effort. This is a vital feature because lack of coordination in the CFM levels and the impact wrench there will be a lot of unexpected malfunctions as well as delays.
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