Investing in an air compressor

[Byard]

As above, after a few suggestions as I don't know much about them. I'll be using it for powering air tools.

Thanks

[Byard]

Bump

[kambites]

For air ratchets almost anything will do the job. You only really need much power and/or a large tank for things like spraying because you need constant high(ish) air flow for a prolonged period of time.

ETA: Having said that, if you buy a small cheap one, you'll end up using it for things you never intended to and will want a bigger one.

Edited by kambites on Wednesday 14th December 18:43

[jbi]

get the biggest pump you can afford, even if the tank is smaller.

You can always upgrade to a bigger tank later on or set up a twin tank solution.

you will want something with at least 4hp for the average home garage

[kambites]

4hp is a hell of a lot for a home garage!

[jbi]

kambites said:

4hp is a hell of a lot for a home garage!

not really... air grinders and sanders consume air like mad.

I have a 3hp twin cylinder in my garage at home and while okay for most jobs... there are times it struggles

[kambites]

I've never had a problem with a 2.5hp one.

4hp is starting to push the price up a fair bit.

[jbi]

here is a 5.5hp 200 litre petrol powered compressor for £539.55

http://www.ldemporium.co.uk/55hp-200ltr-petrol-eng...

[kambites]

Ouch! That's a LOT of money for the average home user. You can get a perfectly functional 2.5hp one for well under 200 quid.

Personally I'd go for an electric one. Petrol is great if you're going to use it a lot, but I'd bet on electric ones lasting longer without maintenance if you only use it occasionally. You could always get two 2.5hp ones and link them up in parallel.

Edited by kambites on Wednesday 14th December 19:09

[jagracer]

I've just got one of these http://www.burisch.co.uk/prestashop/product.php?id... It builds up to max pressure from empty in around 30 seconds, far quicker than the 50 year old thing it's replaced.

[maniac0796]

Depends what you're doing.

If you're only going to be using it in short burts with an air gun or ratchet, then anything will do really.

If you're using it for spray painting, sanding, grinding, anything like that which uses air constantly, then you'll want something with a big tank

[jkh112]

I have a "small" 1.5hp compressor with a 6l tank. It is portable and is fine for using tools in short bursts etc. Would not be up to spraying a car though.

[jbi]

kambites said:

Ouch! That's a LOT of money for the average home user. You can get a perfectly functional 2.5hp one for well under 200 quid.

my 3hp one was £150 from lidl's, but as I mentioned it's not up to scratch for some tasks.

I guess it really depends on how future-proof/what jobs the OP has in mind.

[Wheelrepairit]

3hp is about the biggest you will get that runs off single phase, I think.

[steelej]

Wheelrepairit said:

3hp is about the biggest you will get that runs off single phase, I think.

Yep, anything more and you're looking at 3 phase power supply, i just bought an airmaster 14/60 from machine mart, I'm using it for spraying and it works well, but I had to change the regulator on it as it was st, the regulator caused a 2 bar pressure drop from compressor to gun as it was very restrictive, most sites say that you'll lose 1 bar per 10 meter hose but I was losing 3 bar in total with the crappy regulator.

Hohn.

[paintman]

Use the 'Search' facility at the top of the page. Enter the words air compressor into the upper box.
Will keep you amused for hours

[Marty63]

Local discount warehouse
max's at 8bar
£60

[steelej]

Marty63 said:

Local discount warehouse
max's at 8bar
£60

What i found with mine, although it max's at 8 bar it doesn't provide a solid 8 bar output, the cut in is at 6 bar and with a 1 bar drop in the airline the max constant pressure I can get is 5 bar. It certainly wasn't something I was aware of before buying but learned all about it pretty quick some air tools need 90 psi which is around 6 bar so a compressor that can only provide a constant 6 bar won't keep up too long. I only need 2 bar from mine so it's not much of a concern but I don't use airtools.

John.

[Marty63]

steelej said:

Marty63 said:

Local discount warehouse
max's at 8bar
£60

What i found with mine, although it max's at 8 bar it doesn't provide a solid 8 bar output, the cut in is at 6 bar and with a 1 bar drop in the airline the max constant pressure I can get is 5 bar. It certainly wasn't something I was aware of before buying but learned all about it pretty quick some air tools need 90 psi which is around 6 bar so a compressor that can only provide a constant 6 bar won't keep up too long. I only need 2 bar from mine so it's not much of a concern but I don't use airtools.

John.

main reason for buying this cheap one was to try my hand at air brush work, in the hope of trying car touch up's and eventually body work graphics,
with what limited stuff i have done so far i have a long way to go, but compressor is good enough for this also pumping up tyres and air drill, never tried it on bigger toys/tools yet but take on board your comments.