# What is the minimum size air compressor to enable constant air tool grinding?
**URL:** https://fireball.discourse.group/t/what-is-the-minimum-size-air-compressor-to-enable-constant-air-tool-grinding/3359
**Category:** Welding & Fabrication
**Created:** [February 10, 2025, 3:20pm UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/what-is-the-minimum-size-air-compressor-to-enable-constant-air-tool-grinding/3359 "2025-02-10T15:20:31Z")
**Posts on this page:** 6
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@wheelz](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/wheelz)
#### Post date: [February 10, 2025, 3:20pm UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/what-is-the-minimum-size-air-compressor-to-enable-constant-air-tool-grinding/3359/1 "2025-02-10T15:20:31Z")
I know this may vary some based on tools but based on your experience, what has enabled that for you? I find that the air tools have less vibration but with my 27 gallon, it really can run them for very long before I need to let it refill again. Thanks!
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### Author:  [@Fireball\_Jason](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/Fireball_Jason)
#### Post date: [February 10, 2025, 5:22pm UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/what-is-the-minimum-size-air-compressor-to-enable-constant-air-tool-grinding/3359/2 "2025-02-10T17:22:33Z")
You want more CFM. Tank volume is only part of the equation. 20-25 CFM minimum if your continuous use on small air tools like a die grinder or sander. 30+ if you want your air compressor to last longer
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### Author:  [@wheelz](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/wheelz)
#### Post date: [February 10, 2025, 6:25pm UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/what-is-the-minimum-size-air-compressor-to-enable-constant-air-tool-grinding/3359/3 "2025-02-10T18:25:08Z")
So pretty much in that $3,000+ for continuous angle grinder use then? Anybody seen a better value?
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### Author:  [@eti](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/eti)
#### Post date: [February 10, 2025, 8:15pm UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/what-is-the-minimum-size-air-compressor-to-enable-constant-air-tool-grinding/3359/4 "2025-02-10T20:15:19Z")
for compressor and tools in general get what you pay for.
another thing to consider is cost to operate, for continues use a corded power grinder will cost less to run than a pneumatic, a lot if running continues.
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### Author:  [@wheelz](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/wheelz)
#### Post date: [February 10, 2025, 9:08pm UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/what-is-the-minimum-size-air-compressor-to-enable-constant-air-tool-grinding/3359/5 "2025-02-10T21:08:41Z")
Yea, that is a good point. However, I’m looking for ways to minimize the vibration. I have corded as well but when I have multiple days in a short amount of time with a lot of grinding, it has been pretty rough on my hands / joints even with trying to hold it loosely and anti-vibration gloves. I’m hoping it is just because I am new to it but I’ve read about long term side effects as well.
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### Author:  [@Carletal](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/Carletal)
#### Post date: [February 15, 2025, 5:55pm UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/what-is-the-minimum-size-air-compressor-to-enable-constant-air-tool-grinding/3359/6 "2025-02-15T17:55:04Z")
As Jason mentioned, tank size may be less important than maintained flow rate. The advantage of a larger tank is less cycling of the compressor, depending on your task. The main difference to me though has to do with noise. Compressor noise. Lots of it for a large piston compressor. With electric you have the tool noise. With air tools, you have both. Yeah, I know, always wear hearing protection, and all that good advice. But real world? The downside of electric grinders/sanders is I cook them over time, either needing to just do the brushes, or needing to replace drive gears. On vibration on electric angle grinders/sanders, you get what you pay for. I think there was some review on the forum of grinders that including a review of vibration. “Better”, i.e more expensive machines can run smoother. That all said, whenever I can, I prefer pneumatics.