I've decided after not ever having one that I'm probably in a position to buy a compressor and get me some air-tools.
The compressor would only have occasional use (maybe once or twice a week) for use with air-saws, air guns/spanners etc and never be used for
painting, ever.
What sort of size/power of compressor would I need? I'm ideally going to look for a second-hand one if I can find a decent one.
My compressor is a hobby jobby (SIP) and didnt produce enough air to run my nibbler decently.
It gets used for blowing tyres up, my air riveter and cleaning stuff and thats about it. I now have an 240v nibbler and manage with the
grinder/dremmel/handsaw for cutting. It will get some use once I start painting, if it produces enough CFM.
If you have room for big then go big, if your shy on space you might want to ask yourself what exactly you intend using it for. Mine gets in the way
99% of the time, and electric tools are simpler to put away.
As big as you can get, with compressors size is everything. 3hp will run a rattly gun but not anything that needs constant air such as a die grinder,
mini grinder, air saw, nibblers etc?
Having a big tank will help address shortfalls, you could plumb in an old gas cylinder to increase column.
Regards Mark
[Edited on 28/8/13 by mark chandler]
After having tried a 24lt 1.5 hp & a 50lt 2 hp compressor I bought a SIP 100lt 3 hp belt dive compressor and I have to admit what a difference. I would have bought the 150lt one but don't have the space.
The small direct drive compressors are wonderful things if you want portability, or need the space when it can be wheeled/carried away. They'll
run virtually all your tools, but not continually. They do, however, make a noise. This will incurr noise abatement orders when your neighbours
complain.
The belt drive variety, like the big 3HP Clarke compressor are very quiet, produce vast amounts of air, but take up vast amounts of permanent space.
Mine lives in the bedroom, with 28mm plumbing externally (via a dew point drier) to the garage. The heat is enough to keep the bedroom free of damp in
the winter. You'll need a good 16A feed.
Once the novelty has worn of and you have sheared a few fastners you will end up just using hand tools for the car.
Mine is a 3hp belt driven and think a 150L tank and it will do most things bar run a shot blast cabinet continuously.
quote:
Originally posted by neilp1
After having tried a 24lt 1.5 hp & a 50lt 2 hp compressor I bought a SIP 100lt 3 hp belt dive compressor and I have to admit what a difference. I would have bought the 150lt one but don't have the space.
In my part of the world Compressors are listed rated at CFM @90 psi as the primary performance determiner.
A spray gun Needs a Mininmum 4 cfm to operate, A useable sandblast cabinet requires 20 cfm Min :-).
Again more is better. Duty cycle is important Real use drains the tank .. quickly.. so bigger can be better as it has a bigger reserve . The motor
has to run to refill the tank.FEW units are rated to run 100% of the time refilling that reservoir.
Most DIY types are at 20/30% duty cycle. Then there's Noise.
Cheap units are horrifically loud. Cast iron pumps are best as are belt driven ones.
On and on.
Quality comes with quickly increasing costs, Plus the reality that once owned, the thing will get used far less than initially anticipated .
I have a 1.5 and 2.0 hp compressors. I never use them. you think you will, occasionally do for stubborn bolts but that's it. buy electric versions -far easier and more useful in my eyes.
quote:
Originally posted by MikeR
I have a 1.5 and 2.0 hp compressors. I never use them. you think you will, occasionally do for stubborn bolts but that's it. buy electric versions -far easier and more useful in my eyes.