Buying my first air compressor, mainly to be used as a blower and tire filler but want a 1/2" impact air gun (Aircat 1150 from Scotty's store) for removing lug nuts. What CFM should I look for? I am thinking around 8 but would like to know your opinions on the matter. Also, do you think there is an option for under $500 from Lowes or HD? Thank you all in advance
Look at the CFM that the tools you intend to use require and get at least that. You'll also want a big enough tank, at least 20-30 gallons. The more powerful compressors usually require 240 volts. The 120 volt models typically draw at least 15 amps so you'd pretty much need a dedicated circuit for them. (My detached garage has a single 15 amp 120 volt feed and I have to turn the lights off to run my air compressor or it trips the circuit breaker.)
I don't think you'll find an 8 CFM compressor for under $500, at least not a new one. Most in that price range are 4-5 CFM. Lowes has a 6.2 CFM Craftsman for about $700. It looks though like that Aircat 1150 does require 8 CFM. (A monster air-driven impact wrench requires a monster compressor.)
https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-30-Gallon-175-Oil-Lubricated-Portable-Air-Compressor/5000042449
Dedicated circuits serving motor driven equipment must be 20 amps and wired with 12 gauge wire according to the NEC. A decent paint spray gun requires and average 12cfm at 40 psi. @chucktobias is right on, check the cfm consumption of the tools you will be using before buying the compressor. PSI capability is irrelevant.
A good point is the CFM rating of a compressor will vary with the pressure specified, lower pressure will deliver higher CFM. Most air tools like impact guns specify their CFM requirement at 90 psi so that's what you'd want to check if planning to use that kind of tool.
Correcto! My main point was that most people buy a compressor with too low a CFM output and wonder why their stuff doesn't work for more than a few seconds. @chucktobias
After doing a bit more research and thinking, I believe 99% of the time I will be using it as a blow gun and filling up tires. I honestly will most likely better off using an electric impact gun for lug nuts. I believe any 6 gallon compressor will suit this need. If I am wrong with this assumption, please let me know. I will revisit it in the future if I need such a tool that requires "air" and will upgrade then but for what I need it for tomorrow I believe the $150ish plus some accessories is what I need "now". Thank you all for commenting
Sounds like a reasonable plan.