Air Compressor?

Ok so i'm planning on getting my first air compressor and have some questions before selecting which one to get. 

First off what size of tank will be optimal for me to get if i'm basically going to be using it for sanding, automotive air tools, and possibley a lil painting (All for short periods of time, between 30sec and 5 min.).  Now i don't need a monster tank but at the same time i don't want it to have to go off every 2 seconds jus to keep air pressure.  I was thinking around 30 gal? let me know if this will do.

Second as i mentioned before i might also use the compressor for smaller misc. painting jobs (but mainly jus custom fiberglass pieces)  What are most "average" painting guns rated for "SCFM" rating?  I found a pretty nice craftsman 33gal. 2hp portable compressor, equipped at 150psi and a 6.4 SCFM @ 90psi, will this one due?  Also what does the "SCFM" stand for?

Does anyone have any tips or tricks to help "dampen" the noise from the compressor while it's pumping up?  This is prolly gonna be used 80% in my basement workshop and 20% in the garage (but that might change once we get our garage addition)

Any help would be great!!!

PS please hurry too!  There's a deal on that craftsman one i was talkin about, I can save $30 from orig. cost and get a free air tool kit if i get it before 9/9

Richard

SCFM stands for standard cubic feet per minute. It is the volume of air that the compressor can supply at the pressure that it is rated at. For the spray gun, you'll need to look at the rating for 40 psi as that is what you will operate it at. I have a 30 gallon compressor and it has trouble keeping up with my air sanders. It does great for the rachet,air saw,  and grinder, but it runs constantly for my cut-off wheel, and air hammer.  It does pretty well for spraying since i pause after every stroke. I do however wish I had a bigger stationary model so it would not lag or run constantly with the cut-off wheel.

As for dampening the noise, I know some of the bigger models can have a muffler on the air intake. I have really only seen it on the more expensive ones. Mine has a small filter on the intake, which might help a little bit.  Mine is in my basement shop, which is underneath the bedroom so I try not to work too late.

This is an excellent compressor for a portable, the only set back being it is 220 volt only.

http://www.campbellhausfeld.net/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10051&productid=60827&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=10537

I hope this has helped you out. I am sure someone else will have more for you.

I use a 35 gallon for my personal shop at home. But I also have an electril HVLP system around too for paint jobs. Don't use the cheaper non-HVLP guns for paint, they are good for spray adhesives and primers, but if you want a GOOD paint job with VERY little overspray (and in turn saving money and time) use HVLP for the paint. It has built-in regulators and liquid/air seperators to maximize the ability of the paint and make mistakes virtually impossible (depending on the painter; some still have problems, but then again they don't know how to paint for their lives)

As for noise... that will depend on the model of compressor you get and what is available for them. Some are relatively quiet, while others start a riot. If you end up with a noisy one, build a mini-shed with sound insulation on the wall of your garage and house the compressor in there mounted on rubber footings.