I am setting up a shop and have an electric diaphram 4 hp devilbliss compressor.Would this be good enough to do painting.Do I have to get a spare tank?It is a portable and think it has a 10 gallon tank.

I have a Sears 6hp diaphram 30 gal tank, 5.8scfm@90psi. Yes, it DOES work for painting if you don't mind having it run almost constantly. I have used it to spray primer and single stage (metallic urethane) paint in an HVLP gun with good (not excellent) results. Painting is tricky, you have to balance the 'waiting for more air' with 'gotta keep a wet edge', and sometimes it just doesn't work.

Also, I have had to rebuild the compressor twice in the two years I've had it ($30 for new piston ring and cylinder sleeve), possibly due to the extensive running time. After a while, it would only pump up to about 90 psi (it's rated for 135). Even with the rebuild, I only get 125.

When I paint the exterior with BC/CC this summer, I'll be looking for a 'real' compressor.

Your compressor might give similar results, but with the 10 gal tank, count on that thing running constantly. I think the rule of thumb is to buy TWICE what you think you need.

Recommendations for a small, single user, occasional painter, non-pro setup are in the 9-12scfm@90 with at least a 60 gal tank, single stage compressor. These run about $350-$400 in my area.

Sorry I do have a 30 gallon tank.I must of been thinking of gas.Can you fill an auxilliary tank so pressure doesn,t fade in middle of painting?

hey sider68, this has nothing to do with your post, but i saw that you're in newmarket. I'm just up the road in Barrie. Nice to see a local person on here:D

Jason:canada: