Got me a compressor - but now what?!
Got me a compressor - but now what?!
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Discussion

Barreti

Original Poster:

6,689 posts

267 months

Thursday 11th September 2008
quotequote all
I've just got myself a compressor because I'm sure it will make life easier in the garage (old git!)
I've got no plans for doing spraying (yet), I got it so I can use air tools because I'm getting lazy I guess hehe

Only I don't just want to go out and buy cheap air tools, I generally buy middle ground decent kit until I find something I use a lot then I'll happily get a decent one.

So, the compressor came with a combined oiler/regulator, and a few bits such as a spray gun and paraffin gun, air line etc.

Does anyone know a good site for air tool reviews or want to offer suggestions for good air tools?

And what about how to set up the lines?
I'm thinking of putting the compressor in the workshop behind the garage, having a hose in the workshop and running one into the garage T'eed to a couple of places front and back overhead down the middle of the garage where I can plug tools in.

Where do I start though?

Ta thumbup

Note to forum mods. I can't find a 'Spanners' forum so put this here because it has a wide and intellectually superior audience (biggrin), but if you know somewhere better to put this thread please feel free to move it. Ta.

Edited by Barreti on Thursday 11th September 16:14

cupra20v.t

1,149 posts

219 months

Thursday 11th September 2008
quotequote all
machine mart do clarke air tools which are ok in my limited experience.other wise try www.frost.co.uk

Barreti

Original Poster:

6,689 posts

267 months

Thursday 11th September 2008
quotequote all
Doing a bit of reading and I've read something interesting about not using the oiler next to the compressor but having individual - or a couple of - small oilers which go near or on the tool itself.
The theory being that using the oiler near the compressor means you loose a lot of oil in the lines and contaminate them which is a problem if you want to start spraying.
Is this cods or a good suggestion?

Is there an issue with the length of line and multiple T'ees etc? and is there such a thing as 'Professional Air Hose' ?
What about using a hose on a reel instead?

questions, questions, questions!!! ???

ooo, thanks for the reply cupra20v.t - I didn't realise Frost did air tools.

Edited by Barreti on Thursday 11th September 16:27

gifdy

2,078 posts

271 months

Thursday 11th September 2008
quotequote all
You can just feel the OP's excitement ! Man with new tools laugh

rev-erend

21,623 posts

314 months

Thursday 11th September 2008
quotequote all
Just wait until he finds out the compressor is not man enough to undo the wheel nuts biggrin

FlipFlopGriff

7,144 posts

277 months

Thursday 11th September 2008
quotequote all
Just means he'll be able to break things quicker.
FFG

Barreti

Original Poster:

6,689 posts

267 months

Thursday 11th September 2008
quotequote all
150lt Ingersol Rand V-twin.
Its man enough
tongue out

Edited by Barreti on Thursday 11th September 17:04

D14 AYS

3,696 posts

240 months

Thursday 11th September 2008
quotequote all
I got me self a compressor but i only use it to blow the water out of the nooks and crannies after washing the car hehe no need to give me any stick about it I get more than enough off me mates and the Mrs hehe

Dirty Boy

14,860 posts

239 months

Thursday 11th September 2008
quotequote all
I love my compressor, no idea what any of the attachments do, but it looks cool in my garage.

So far...

I've pumped my tyres up

Used the air saw

Used the wrench to remove a wheel (sounds great so removed another wheel for no reason whatsover)

And finally I *blew* some stuff around with it once

Can't wait to respray something and bead blast something else, just don't know what yet scratchchin


Dirty Boy

14,860 posts

239 months

Thursday 11th September 2008
quotequote all
D14 AYS said:
I got me self a compressor but i only use it to blow the water out of the nooks and crannies after washing the car hehe no need to give me any stick about it I get more than enough off me mates and the Mrs hehe
laugh

thumbup

wink

Barreti

Original Poster:

6,689 posts

267 months

Thursday 11th September 2008
quotequote all
You two are bonkers.
And a little sad.

I think I might also be a bit of both hehe

Leadfoot

1,918 posts

311 months

Thursday 11th September 2008
quotequote all
Don't use the oiler, just run a bit of air tool oil into each tool now & again.

That Daddy

19,451 posts

251 months

Thursday 11th September 2008
quotequote all
Never used an oiler in all the time i have been a fitter(20 years)just a quick squirt of transmission fluid (Dexron is my preference) in the inlet every day before use(past on from a technician older than myself)my Chicago numatic impact lasted 6 years and 5 years like this,my Ingersoll Rand is going strong after 3 years and everything yields to that baby evil this includes air ratchets,air saws,cut of tools,air hammer etc,drain the compressor regular though moisture buggers the internals of said tools(biggest cause of failure) furious have fun Ian thumbup

AlexanderV8

1,489 posts

233 months

Thursday 11th September 2008
quotequote all
Oilers are essential for compressors which are permanently connected to switching solenoid air valves, as used in various NC machine shops etc. to stop solenoid bobbins rusting due to moisture ingress. Moisture in air lines can be a serious problem and is caused where temperature differentials exist. The oil is to help counteract the effects of moisture. It is best (but not very practical in a garage environment) to keep the compressor and air lines insulated from the effects of temperature gradients.

Depending what type of compressor you have, if it isn't one which expels moisture automatically, always remember to exhaust the water which will collect inside by following the instructions. You will be amazed how much can collect inside the main storage cylinder.

One other thing, no matter how tempting, never ever attempt to stick the air gun up anyones arse when they are leaning over your car nono.

Mick

Columbo

387 posts

238 months

Thursday 11th September 2008
quotequote all
If you do at some point some painting, even if it is little items make sure you don't use the oiler, get an airline for painting alone! and you will need a water catcher!!!! otherwise hello blisters!

Johno

8,593 posts

312 months

Friday 12th September 2008
quotequote all
AlexanderV8 said:
One other thing, no matter how tempting, never ever attempt to stick the air gun up anyones arse when they are leaning over your car nono.
He'll have to get it out of his own first hehe

Barreti

Original Poster:

6,689 posts

267 months

Friday 12th September 2008
quotequote all
tongue out

teamHOLDENracing

5,105 posts

297 months

Friday 12th September 2008
quotequote all
Chicago Pneumatic air tools are excellent, far, far better than the budget Clarke stuff.

That Daddy

19,451 posts

251 months

Friday 12th September 2008
quotequote all
teamHOLDENracing said:
Chicago Pneumatic air tools are excellent, far, far better than the budget Clarke stuff.
yesand better than Ingersol Rand all IMHO of course thumbup

Dirty Boy

14,860 posts

239 months

Friday 12th September 2008
quotequote all
That Daddy said:
teamHOLDENracing said:
Chicago Pneumatic air tools are excellent, far, far better than the budget Clarke stuff.
yesand better than Ingersol Rand all IMHO of course thumbup
I got mine from Aldi?