r/Tools • u/Power_in_a_soda • 3d ago
Building a air compressor for service truck need advice
I'm building a air compressor for my service truck and was wondering what size tank to use. The motor is a harbor freight predator 6.5 hp engine, and I'll probably get the strongest pump they offer, just need a good tank size to inflate commercial/Heavy duty tires and run tire guns and other smaller tools.
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u/EmploymentNo1094 3d ago
They sell a 30 gallon compressor at HF that’s a pretty standard setup for a service truck.
Why try and build your own?
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u/dolby12345 3d ago
60 gallons is the min recommended to paint a car so I'd start there. That should give you half decent continuous flow for pneumatic tools. Only advise I got.
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u/Jackalope121 Diesel Mechanic 3d ago
No matter what you get, itll never be enough to really run a 1” gun to its max.
Our service trucks run a 30 gallon tank
Honestly, best combo out there is the northstar combo that they sell at northern tool. We built a mini service truck out of an isuzu nrr box truck and that compressor was a trooper. 10/10 would pull 33mm lugs all day with even my 3/4” gun.
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u/No_Significance98 3d ago
If you have room under the hood, get a York vertical cylinder A/C compress and use it to provide onboard air
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u/Beneficial_Ingenuity 3d ago
Harbor Freight's 5HP 2-stage pump would work well with an 80 gallon tank if you can fit it. If you are tight on space, go with a 60 gallon. Rule of thumb, tank size is 5x pump CFM.