Best 50 litre air compressor for light home garage use?

[Vincefox]

I want a 50L compressor for the garage, mostly for tyres, cleaning and possibly some very light power tool/spraying. There are a LOT of similar looking/priced ones about.

Anyone bought one recently/long term that they would recommend?

[mini me]

I got one a couple of years ago from amazon. Good price and has been absolutely fine so far. One thing I would say though. 50l doesn’t last long at all with power tools. If you can I would try and stretch to maybe 100l. I sort of wish I had. Price does go up steeply mind.

Richmond PAC-96-50 Air Compressor https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0193N7SFE/ref=cm_sw_r...

[Vincefox]

The Richmond one does keep coming up. They do one with a set of basic tools to get up and running too. I'd imagine the tools would need upgrading but at least I could use it straight away.

Also looking a tthis one...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SwitZer-Air-Compressor-...

[kambites]

The DIY focussed ones are all made in the same factory in China from the same bits anyway. Which is handy when you need spare parts.

Mine is branded Wolff and its been OK. The switch burned out but it was only a couple of quid to replace.

[Vincefox]

kambites said:

The DIY focussed ones are all made in the same factory in China from the same bits anyway. Which is handy when you need spare parts.

Ah, I did not know this. So I'm buying a generic 125 clone motorbike, in compressor form?

[Cold]

Agree with the 50L being a bit small comments but of course it makes the thing portable and easy to shove in a corner when not in use. Also, check the cfm as the higher the better, although the two in the above links are reasonable for DIY use.

I bought a generic Clarke compressor from Machine Mart that's 18cfm and 150L storage capacity. A little over the top for home use (it needed to be bolted to the floor and a separate power supply from the house's fuse box - More Power/Tim Allen ), but it powers air guns and the like with ease. My theory is that it's hardly ever stressed when working which has contributed to its longevity and is how it's lasted for over twenty years.

[Vincefox]

Space is definitely an issue as I accidentally bought another motorbike recently.

Most of the work will be drying bikes off after washing, tyres and very light spraying so I'll go with 50L. My other two criteria are just best build quality and tools included AIUI.

[Sandy59]

How about one of these for £100

https://www.sgs-engineering.com/air-compressors/se...

I bought the smaller 6 litre one just for tyres mainly :

[Vincefox]

Sandy59 said:

How about one of these for £100

https://www.sgs-engineering.com/air-compressors/se...

I bought the smaller 6 litre one just for tyres mainly :

That's a useful pic thanks for posting it. It gives me a better idea of scale. Is it a 25L one?

[jke11y]

I have had the one linked above (the bigger SGS one) for a couple of years and its ideal for tyres, bike tyres, inflating kids stuff - very handy. Useful for buzzing off fixings but wont undo anything thats tight like wheel nuts.

[Sandy59]

Vincefox said:

That's a useful pic thanks for posting it. It gives me a better idea of scale. Is it a 25L one?

No that's the smallest one, only 6 litre.

[Jazoli]

I've a 100L SGS one and its been brilliant, they aren't too bulky and will fit under a bench if needed, I figured get the biggest I could which would fit in the available space, only used it for changing tyres and drying stuff so far but its great.

[Vincefox]

SGS seems to be the one getting the best shout so far. I'll look for one of them in 50L size with the cheapie starter tools.

ETA: opinions on this order? Tools look a bit chewy...

https://www.sgs-engineering.com/sc50h-50-litre-hig...

Edited by Vincefox on Friday 30th March 12:05

[jke11y]

Ive got the identical tyre pressure tool (chrome and branded draper but its the same) and its not bad quality for the £. Does the job. If the rest of the tools are the same quality I would say they are OK.

[Vincefox]

Bril, it's for my birthday present. I'll send Mrs. Vince the link.

I'll need to buy long hoses to run out of the garage too i guess.

[Sandy59]

Vincefox said:

Bril, it's for my birthday present. I'll send Mrs. Vince the link.

I'll need to buy long hoses to run out of the garage too i guess.

I bought a 10m retractable reel which seems to be fine, also in the picture I posted mounted on a swing bracket.

[mini me]

That compressor is the same as the others. As said, generic 125cc motorbike style compressor. It’s the same as the Richmond one I linked to earlier.

The tools also look to be generic rebranded Chinese 125cc motorbike type kits. I have the same kit branded Clarke. They are fine for home use. The package together looks to be a pretty good deal to me.

You will also need to factor in ends for the tools and make sure if you buy airlines to get ones with the correct fittings. The ones on the compressor are something like eu fittings I believe they are called. There’s two types. Google it. As you don’t want to be dissaponted when you can’t connect anything on your bday.

Machine mart are good for fittings. Do not bother with the coiled airlines. They are an utter pain the the bum. Get retractable as mentioned or just standard airline hose.

Edited by mini me on Friday 30th March 18:14

[8-P]

Ive always wanted one, but I can only think of some very basic uses that are a bit pointless ie inflating the car tyres, inflating mountain bike tyres to run tubeless which I do about once every 3 years and maybe blowing water out of bike bits.

What else are people using these for? Please tell me, I need more toys/hobbies

[Jazoli]

8-P said:

Ive always wanted one, but I can only think of some very basic uses that are a bit pointless ie inflating the car tyres, inflating mountain bike tyres to run tubeless which I do about once every 3 years and maybe blowing water out of bike bits.

What else are people using these for? Please tell me, I need more toys/hobbies

Grinding, cutting, drilling, stapling, painting etc etc, there are lots of uses for air tools and they are a lot cheaper than buying battery powered kit which is the main advantage.

[minivanman]

I do a lot of woodwork and mine is used for my air nailer and pinner a lot. Plus you get to buy cool shooty dangerous toys...