Advice regarding my air tool/compressor needs

Jagtech wrote:
Off-roaders often just carry a tank of CO2 fitted with a regulator to power their air tools. More compact than a compressor, and requires no electricity, so operates anywhere. Various sized tanks are available, both new and used. Depending on the size, they will last quite a while, and certainly have enough volume to power that 3/4" gun, or air up some tires. They can be refilled at any welding shop, or many soda pop bottling facilities. A regulator is necessary as the CO2 tank pressure is around 1000 psi.

Well Sir,
I'll beg to differ with you on this. We Jeeped for over 25 years with (7) different Jeep Wranglers. We owned (1)CJ-5, (2)CJ-7s, (2)YJs, and (2)TJs, the last one being an '04 Rubicon. All seven Jeeps were setup with an on board, engine driven air compressor. Every one of those air compressors lived an earlier life as an air conditioner pump. Some of our Jeeps had disguised air tanks. Things like bumpers, nerf bars etc. were actually air tanks. But, air tanks are more of novelty than a necessity in the off road world. It all depends on your priorities on what you want to carry in those small storage vehicles. Jeeps like that are small in terms of storage so, all 20 of us ran those same exact pumps as compressors and none had refillable air tanks.

Yes, some folks carry a tank but, not all that many. That's not to say they don't work, they will but, the on board compressor was and still is superior to an air tank.

Geocritter,
Now, this is another idea for you to take a look at. I've built several home air compressors out of automobile air conditioning pumps. I used the York and Tecumseh models for quite a few of them and, even a rotary "Sanden" one too. Those A/C pumps are capable of some seriously high pressure, (as demonstrated by their ability to handle pressures like 300 in A/C operations).

But, all that's needed is a good working York style with a "still working magnetic clutch", a 1HP electric motor, a small pulley, a pressure switch (Square D makes most of them) and some sort of tank.

The motor and pump can be mounted on a flat platform and then mounted anywhere that will accommodate it. Then, just plumb in the pressure switch and, you can get an air tank from any truck wrecking yard and mount it along the frame some place, out of the way and sight. Then, setup a remote gauge for you pressure readings and, an outlet or two for your convenience. We did it on the Jeeps all the time. One outlet on either each side of the Jeep or, one at the back and one in the front.

Depending on your pulley size, that pump will be very close to a 2.5-3HP Sears home air compressor in SCFM. Those pumps carry their own supply of oil. The oiling system is very similar to the oiling system in the old Briggs and Stratton small vertical engines, a splash type system.

Yes, you can buy a compressor but, this method will give you versatility in mounting different components in various places so as to not take up a ton of room in one spot and, still get a seriously nice performing Air compressor. Just a thought here.
Scott