I have burnt out my angle grinder (too much sanding dust in the cooling ducts I think) and am looking at replacements. I also did a drill a couple of years back, and so am thinking about shifting to an air compressor system. It would primarily be for drilling/grinding/buffing etc., but certainly having spray painting and air duster options would probably be helpful too. It is very much just for moderate DIY / home use, nothing industrial.

I have tried to look into the options a bit, but haven't been able to find a whole lot of unbiased info. So...

The obvious disadvantages are paying for the compressor, then the tools as well, and lugging around a heavy noisy compressor. On the flip side, the tools themselves are cheaper and lighter, and (as I understand it) not possible to burn out. But is there anything else that tends to point one way or the other? What are others' experiences?

I am not sure however about the different compressor options - I think there are screw and belt driven options? Is one better than the other? Anything else along these lines?

I've just been looking in assorted hardware and car catalogues, and there seem to be any number of el cheapo options. Is this one of those things where you get what you pay for, or are the expensive one just expensive because of the name on the side?

In terms of the couplings between compressor and tool, this seems to be standard? I have not seen any references to coupling types?

As I understand it, you also cannot use most of these to do anything like recharge scuba gear or an air tank for a beer keg, since there are minute amounts of lubricating oil that tend to come through? Not sure if this is true or not, but I would not be using it for these purposes anyway (though the beer keg isn't a bad idea).

Or would it be better to stick to power tools? The catalyst for looking at this was replacement anyway, but two tools in several years of moderate use is probably not too bad really.

Any info most appreciated.