Princess auto return/exchange policy

Forum Sponsor
I have this exact compressor. Not my picture, but exactly the same.

Bought it about 10-15 years ago and it's been a tank. Still works perfect and I've put it to hell in back including using it WAAAAY beyond it's duty cycle for a project about 5 years ago that had it running pretty much constantly for hours at a time.

It runs all my air tools fine including my air impact although I did increase the top end setpoint to just over 100PSI which is just around where the automatic pressure release triggers.

Needless to say it inflates tires just fine as well.

I wouldn't buy an oilless model as they tend to be noisy as others mentioned. Spend a little more and get an oil drive unit like this one.

As for Princess Autos return policy, it's awesome. They stand behind their stuff. I swear I could take THIS compressor back tomorrow and they'd refund or replace it with whatever the equivalent model is now since this one is discontinued.

compressor.jpeg
 
Forgot to mention... I found a little pig tank for $5 at a garage sale a few years ago and added a manifold to the compressor that lets me effectively double the air capacity when I need more capacity. Sure, it takes longer to build up the PSI on both tanks, but it gives you that longer burst of higher pressure (before drop off) for some particularly challenging jobs like painting.

Ideal for a serious shop environment? Nope. For a little home type scenario where you don't want a massive overkill compressor? Absolutely.
 
backmarkerducati said:
The PA one will do a very poor job of running an impact gun, not enough CFM, might need to wait a lot for it to catch up. Most of the ones in this size and price range will also do a poor job...
Click to expand...

PSI and CFM are king.

Any compressor that can make 100PSI will run an impact gun. It's just how LONG it will run it for that's the variable. I can run my impact to change tires and such just fine with the one I posted above, although if I'm doing something needing more air I add in the pig tank like I mentioned in my last reply.
 
The goal is to be able to change motorcycle tires myself, that includes being able to seat the beads

I havent changed a tire before, but no time like the present, and I just checked and the bike came with a front tire that was made in 2011
 
A tire bazooka as mentioned is the best tool for that. Any cheap compressor that can make 100psi will fill one of those. The only variable being how quickly.
 
PrivatePilot said:
PSI and CFM are king.

Any compressor that can make 100PSI will run an impact gun. It's just how LONG it will run it for that's the variable. I can run my impact to change tires and such just fine with the one I posted above, although if I'm doing something needing more air I add in the pig tank like I mentioned in my last reply.
Click to expand...
True, but not for long. A typical 1/2" impact gun needs 5CFM@90PSI to run. A 2CFM gal compressor will run it as long as you're not under high torque. You couldnt use that little guy with a 1/2" impact on something as simple as removing a wheel on a most cars. A small small pickup (140ft/lbs) would be out of the question, one second burst and the gun just starts farting.

A 2CFM compressor will inflate, run nailers, airbrushes, blowers. All you'll get is a short burst on any tool that requires constant air.

Air ToolCFM@min PSI Min PSI
Air Chisel490
Angle Grinder590
Blow Gun390
Brad Nailer0.0570
Die Grinder570
Disc Sander2090
Drill470
Roofing/Framing Nailer2100
Hydraulic Riveter490
Impact Driver (1/2")590
Orbital Sander970
Paint Gun890
Ratchet (3/8")490
Saw/Nibbler490
Tire Inflator3100
Sandblaster10100
 
So a compressor of 10 gal or 20 gal range should be good enough to seat the beads?

Im wondering if the air pumps at the gas station can do it as well, and if so, is it worth it to go that route considering the COVID and me being a bit of a germophobe
 
I have a 26 gallon oil-less compressor that is rated for 5.5 CFM at 90 PSI (running it around 120 PSI) and even that leaves a lot to be desired for both my MAC and Ingersoll 1/2" impact guns... Not in question here but with that compressor things like die grinders etc. suck.
 
FWIW if not too sure that you want something and plan on returning it it would be best to check the stores current return policy as many are not accepting returns till this crisis is over.
 
bigpoppa said:
So a compressor of 10 gal or 20 gal range should be good enough to seat the beads?

Im wondering if the air pumps at the gas station can do it as well, and if so, is it worth it to go that route considering the COVID and me being a bit of a germophobe
Click to expand...

I think it is really going to depend on the rim and tire. I have never tried it with my 26 gallon one at home. I would offer for you to come over and try it but COVID.....

I have seated many a bead, always used a giant commercial grade compressor (ie not at home).

You also need an airline/hose that is larger in diameter to not restrict the flow in the line.
 
For the occasional use cheap is OK but if you're using it all the time it wears on you. I have a nail gun air compressor and it will run my impact gun for about 1 1/2 seconds, long enough to loosen a normal non rusted in place nut. Then wait minute and do another repeat, repeat, repeat. Meanwhile the loosened nuts come off with a wrench.

If you buy a tool with excess capacity it enables you to add other tools to the shop. An air sander, spray gun, chisel, etc.
 
bigpoppa said:
So a compressor of 10 gal or 20 gal range should be good enough to seat the beads?

Im wondering if the air pumps at the gas station can do it as well, and if so, is it worth it to go that route considering the COVID and me being a bit of a germophobe
Click to expand...
Gas stations have no tank, just a pump. Entirely useless for seating beads. You could use their pump to fill your pig or bead cannon though. Not sure what max psi is on those pumps so maybe not feasible.
 
GreyGhost said:
Gas stations have no tank, just a pump. Entirely useless for seating beads. You could use their pump to fill your pig or bead cannon though. Not sure what max psi is on those pumps so maybe not feasible.
Click to expand...

My guess is most are too low these days. I know back "in the day" I could fill up road bicycle tires to 100 psi+ at the gas station, last time I tried that I got maybe 70 or 80.
 
backmarkerducati said:
I have a 26 gallon oil-less compressor that is rated for 5.5 CFM at 90 PSI (running it around 120 PSI) and even that leaves a lot to be desired for both my MAC and Ingersoll 1/2" impact guns... Not in question here but with that compressor things like die grinders etc. suck.
Click to expand...
Bigger hose. Running a 1/2" gun off the 3/4" hose instead of a 1/4" hose makes it behave entirely differently. My choke point is the 3/8" regulator at the end of the hose (that's what I had and didn't want to buy a 3/4" regulator that was happy being banged around). I'm sure a big regulator would make another noticeable improvement. On the big hose, it needs about one hammer hit to pop 100 lb-ft loose, on the smaller hose ~1 second. Right now, there is just a mac2400 filling the lines (I want quiet, big and quiet is horrendously expensive).
 
@bigpoppa, for what your proposing, MadMike mentioned it, you put a rachet strap around the complete tire and when you crank it up it forces the tire to mushroom out and gets the beads to contact the rim, some tire mounting lube is very handy here. It helps so you dont have to blow as MUCH air into the tire to get the beads seated. It can be done but there is a frustration period.

gas station pump will not put up enough PSI to fill a pig with enough air to pop a tire bead.

I have a 5gal oil pancake compressor that wont do it well, and a 10gal twin tank Dewalt that will do it. I use a 5/8" hose thats about 10ft long. Volume.

And the Dewalt sucks as far as noisy , its loud as F... , the Makita pancake is much better. I have a "chinese" Rolair on order, not sure when it will show up. Super quiet and efficient .
 
bigpoppa said:
So a compressor of 10 gal or 20 gal range should be good enough to seat the beads?

Im wondering if the air pumps at the gas station can do it as well, and if so, is it worth it to go that route considering the COVID and me being a bit of a germophobe
Click to expand...
If you run a ratchet strap around the centerline of the tire then blast you can do it with a 7-20gal compressor. The coin operated gas station compressors are just inflators -- they won't work.
 
The ratchet strap trick is good. More-so needed on atv tires.

I've been using my work paslode compressor to pop the bead on tires for years.
Its a little bigger than a case of beer.
4.1cfm

Lube the bead. Remove the valve stem to get lots of air in there at once.

Best to switch to 90° valve stems when the rim is bare.
fa29bcf39e50139f10425e8d823c7b2b.jpg


Sent from my SM-G903W using Tapatalk
 
With the 90° stem, and the valve core removed,I can thread on an air sprayer to pop the bead.
Windex the bead for lube.

I use a 2x4 as a bead breaker. There is a hole in the top so I can put a carriage bolt through, and attach it to a stud in my shed. Lots of leverage.
Put 2x4 pieces under the rim so it doesn't get scratched, and I usually remove the rotors. Less chance of damaging antlything this way.
e8cb5ed3c2e85ef7e91e794e2a4a0ca8.jpg
900d6b9fcaa323031d28fc5dbab21105.jpg


Sent from my SM-G903W using Tapatalk
 
just a caviat for those that are doing ATV tires at home, most of the shops that do that alot have a steel cage the wheel assembly goes into before inflating the tires. It happens .....
Forum Sponsor
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom