need to get a compressor, ideas/suggestions/recomendations

[kevfromwales]

hey up all

I've been trying to build up a selection of useful things for fixing up all of my shonk, rather than constantly borrowing other people's gear, and calling in favours

next thing I want to get hold of is a decent compressor

my old man has bought one of the aldi 100 quid ones, which seem to me to be ideal for what I want, but of course they don't have any of them any more LOL - nd I could be wrong there haha!

the main thing I'd be using it for is powering my tyre machine, but I also wouldn't mind having the air power to run a 'windy' impact gun also, and maybe an air cutoff wheel??

I saw these in machine mart for about 140 quid inc the VAT

www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/tiger?da=1&TC=CAT_Rec_Tiger844

- would this be man enough for what I want?? - I have run a similar tyre machine off a similar compressor iirc

- does anyone on here have any experience of using one of these??

- any other bright ideas / suggestions?? things I could use a compressor for that I haven't thought of?
(I'm not thinking of spraying cars etc!)

I'm thinking about 150 quid, or am I well off the budget there??

cheers! - kfw

[omega]

that will run what you tyre inflator but maybe not your gun[you would have to check the spec] and the tank isn't really big enough I would suggest at least a 50 liter tank but if you can afford it I would buy bigger
things to look for
tank size bigger the better
cfm again bigger the better
another thing is to consider power supply as they take a lot of power and can trip out normal wireing
also think of location as they do make a fair bit of noise
once you have one you will buy more air tools

[kevfromwales]

been offered a azenda b20-200 presume that's a 2hp, 200 litre? (looks a big un!!)

200 quid ono, looks a bit scruffy, and they seem to have gone out of business a while ago so a bit worried if I need bits for it

if I got a big un, and it did curse word it's pump gubbins, is it possible to swap a different pump onto it??


hhhmmmm

[berendd]

you don't have 3 phase i suppose?

get at least a 50ltr but i would recommend a 100ltr tank otherwise the impact gun is a nono

cfm is then less important because you have storage and this is a bonus if you don't have 3 phase. duty cycle of an impact gun is about 20% this means the compressor has time to come back to pressure in between use.

you can use a separate tank, if you add a shut off valve to that you have the advantage of a system that is on pressure fast, when you just have to check your tyre pressure.

if you want to do painting or sand blasting you need to go even bigger
i've got this:
FIAC Roda compressor
150 ltr tank
3 HP
400Volt 3 phase
310 l/min cfm 200 l/min effective
was about 450 quid

that is just about the minimum required for sandblasting.

if you do have 3 phase, make sure it comes with a phase cutoff switch (if one phase stops working, it shuts of the power completely, otherwise your brand new compressor will burn the wiring on its motor.)

[waveman1500]

I run a rattle gun just fine on a 25 litre tank, 2hp direct drive cheapy compressor. For any really tight bolts you have to wait for it to charge up to pressure a few times per bolt, but for general work it's fine.

Cut-off wheels do use serious air though, you would need a proper compressor for that.

[kevfromwales]

berendd

I don't have 3 phase no, just single
- and I wont be doing blasting or spraying

waveman
- interesting about the rattle gun on the baby compressor - it'd only be to do stuff like top mounts, awkward wishbones and things, so that might be ok

- an I'd be happy to forgo cut off wheels if they need loads of air, not many jobs I can't get my grinder into!

cheers guys! any more info out there??

[Mr S]

Essentially, go for the biggest one you can find/afford. I managed to get a single phase, 28CFM jobbie (2 x 3hp motors) with a 270 (I think) litre tank and it will run anything you can throw at it. It's a Clarke one and cost me less than the one you posted above!

Sure it needs a crane to move it around, and a 30 amp supply, but it's definitely worth it....

[shin2chin]

I've got a 25l Wolf compressor which was just over £100. Runs shultz gun, impact gun etc no bother. Just get a good long rubber hose as the coiled plastic one that came with it was pants.

[reliantreviver]

www.defendapack.co.uk/industrial_air_compressors_electric_driven.htm

These people did me a VERY good deal on a Clarke industrial compressor a few years back. Circa £600 for 18CFM, 4hp and 200L.

Ed. just looked at the catalog again and it was a SE18C200ND. The largest single phase, single drive compressor you can get in the range. Do keep in mind you need to wire it to the 30A ring main, but that should be easy enough.

I splashed the cash after burning through 3 s/h compressors of varying makes and sizes. Haven't looked back since.

[reliantreviver]

I'd also mention it's worth trying to going for compressors with a cast iron construction. The cast aluminium ones are ok for light use, but run anything big, get it hot, and you run the risk it'll do nasty things.

As for what tools?

Die grinder has to be the most used tool in the workshop. But sanders, cut off saws, impact wrenches, air chisels (w/pin descaler) are all suprisingly useful when you've got 'em!

[kevfromwales]

should add boys, unfortunately where I am at the moment I cannot mod the electrics AT ALL, so the ones requiring 30 amp mods are out sadly

what I'm thinking of is getting just a cheapy little one to run my tyre machine for now, then when things settle down a bit, and I can start actually thinking about a shed I own rather than rent, going for a big 'un

cheers for all the info though guys!

[Midas]

You can run impact guns on 2hp/25litre compressors, they all produce enough pressure to do it, you just won't be changing wheels at F1 speed as you wait for the tank to refill. More critical for their functioning is the use of something a bit more substantial than the rubbish 6mm id hose you get with them. Go up to at least 8mm and the difference is like night and day.

[welshpug]

you can add capacity to a compressor by utilising a second pressure vessel, the truck garage I worked at a few years ago had two big 250 litre compressors linked up, one had a dead pump but with the massive V twin compressor unit it didn't take too long to fill up in the morning.

made one hell of a racket though, which is why it was in a wooden shed outside the workshop!

[PandaSelecta]

My old Clarke compressor will be up for sale soon, £70 if your interested

[gazzab1978]

why not buy a better quality 2nd hand compressor, 50l tank is good for most jobs a hobby mechanic will do. if you cant mod your electrics look for a 110v compressor and run it on a transformer, still get a good hp motor but less draw on your electric supply. and get a good airline as said before them plastic curly ones are wibblepoo, you wont get any good results from any tool with that

[SAPPHIRE_GHIA]

small compress are good for tyres and air brushers
for car spraying and using air tools I brought one of these some time back and it was quite...money probs had to sell my whole painting/air tools kit..I was very sad to sell it

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BURISCH-Air-Compressor-3HP-90L-Belt-Drive-Twin-14CFM-Twin-Cylinder-/161078760350

still have my noisy tyre inflator for my air brush kit to paint my rc truck hobby
still good for small jobs on car,runs small sander any thing bigger it runs out of puff ,wish I had still my biggen very quite it was

[waveman1500]

Aug 22, 2013 11:42:36 GMT Midas said:

You can run impact guns on 2hp/25litre compressors, they all produce enough pressure to do it, you just won't be changing wheels at F1 speed as you wait for the tank to refill. More critical for their functioning is the use of something a bit more substantial than the rubbish 6mm id hose you get with them. Go up to at least 8mm and the difference is like night and day.

Yeah, this is absolutely critical. Get the proper professional-sized hose with Nitto quick-release fittings. When I first got my compressor I was using the standard screw-on fittings and tiny plastic hose, they don't flow enough air for any decent work. I did paint my fence with it though. I couldn't paint anything with the same compressor now, because the rings are worn and it puts out oily air now. Good for your air tools though!

I got my hose for free off a mechanic mate, but for the genuine Nitto fittings I paid almost as much as the compressor cost. It was totally worth it!

[kevfromwales]

right chaps, I've been giving this a fair bit of thought over the last few days, and then this popped upon ebay - fairly close, and afaik tecalamit are a really good maker of stuff?

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TECALIMIT-COMPRESSORGREASER150-PSIWHEELED240-VOLT-/380200267827

no idea what the greaser bit is about, maybe it can be used to pressurise grease into various greasy things

but it seems to tick a few of the required boxes?

whaddawe reckon?

[waveman1500]

For normal usage it would need a much larger receiver tank and an automatic cut-off. You definitely don't want it pumping constantly and venting air at 150psi! If you can find a big pressure vessel for it cheaply and mount a pressure cut-off switch to it, then it would probably do the job. I don't think it's really ideal though.

[93fxdl]

Lidl are doing compressors again, on Monday (I think) a 25 litre 2hp and a 50 litre v twin 3 hp
Ttfn Glenn