I'm thinking of taking the plunge with an air compressor, primarily for impact wrench use, impact hammer (for suspension arms etc), air ratchet, vacuum filling the cooling system, running an air line on the oil extractor etc.

Based on how stuck some of the bolts and ball joints got on my L322, personally I think a 1,800Nm impact wrench is what I'd like to have in the arsenal. I assume out of all of the tools, the impact wrench and hammer will be the heaviest consumers of air.

What size air compressor would I need (both CFM and volume). Would a 15 CFM 100L with a 1/2" air line be sufficient? 2015 Range Rover Autobiography 4.4 SDV8

For me, minimum 100 litres. You’ll probably get fuller suggestions. John
2008 Stornoway Grey 3.6 Tdv8 Vogue
2005 TD6 Java Black Vogue - Written off!!
GAP iiD BT
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MasseyFerguson 152 - No electronics!! - Sold

I would recommend buying the biggest one you can afford both in £ and in the space you have available.

Look out for both CFM, tank size and especially at what PSI it runs at.

I have just upgraded a 9.5 cfm/25l/100 psi to a Scheppach 14.5 cfm/50 l (due to space and is portable ish) 150 psi best move I made all my tools seem to run much better especially my 1800 nm impact.

Hope that helps a little

David Range Rover 4.2 Supercharged 2006
Ford Focus EcoBoost 1.5 2017
MG TF 2003

Previous Cars of note
Land Rover Discovery 2
Jaguar Mk2 3.8 - Company car
MG Midget 1974 - Concours

I bought an ex dentist silent compressor with 2 x 90 litre tanks and triple bambi compressors. It's the best compressor I've had and one of the cheapest. It sounds like a fridge when it's running, 200 psi in the tanks, no oil in output.

This is like mine but mine is in much better condition and I have an additional air receiver..




I'm told dentists renew their compressors every couple of years. Definitely better than a piston compressor thundering away in the corner of the workshop. BMW i3 Electric Car
2012 Full Fat RR 4.4 TDV8 (now gone)
2006 VW Touareg 3.0 TDi V6

Is it still cheaper/better to run air tools ? I thought everyone was running cordless power tools these days ?


ETA - ignore me - I re-read it & it's clear you have some uses that require compressed air

I originally started out my workshop on air tools and a compressor and have now moved almost everything that needs power over to Milwaukee including filling tyres with air. I do still use the compressor for light painting, blowing of dust etc and small sandblasting. Like others say buy as big as you can for price and area. These are loud so I keep mine in a separate room to the workshop. I bought a 150L one and it does most jobs well but you wont be using heavy air tools on it as itll cycle too much. We have an older larger one when we need a bigger tank.

I'm glad to have mine and I think I spent €550 or so on it and its grand but the just up to a larger tank isn't crazy expansive so go to 200 or 250 if you can, The bigger the tank, the less it runs, silence is bliss! Current yokes
2012 4.4 TDV8 Westminster
2006 Disco 3
Scoobie GT wagon
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