I want to buy a compressor to use with various air tools as well as some painting...

What specs should I be looking at? Screwfix sell a fair few, but im not sure if any are suitable...

Obviously the cheaper the better really within reason

big air receiver tank (don't know whats the smallest, but mine's 150ltr) and a powerful motor (mines 3hp on single phase) and for spraying, i was told to go for high CFM and free air.

my compressor was from machine mart, was about £380, and does the job very well. a few teething problems, but its very good. its maybe a bit overkill though, but i had the money, thought i may as well go for the highest spec i could, and that way i'm not limiting myself

[Edited on 6/8/08 by blakep82]

You'll need at least 12CFM if you intend to run airtools. Most tools you need these days nibblers, sanders and the like are available in mains versions which are much cheaper and more convenient to run than firing up a 2 horse + compressor.
Cheers,
Bob

[Edited on 6/8/08 by splitrivet]

Don't go for oil free, they're cheap and very noisy.

Get something small enough so you can keep it away from where you're working (they're blooming noisy) and if possible put in out of the way in a sound-proofed box. Much more civilised.

Getting some wide bore hose makes a major difference to the ability to use air tools. Often compressors come with piddly narrow bore stuff that strangles the air tools and prevents them from having any oomph....

here's mine.
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/se16c150-air-compressor/path/professionalindustrial-air-compressors-elect

like i said, some may say its overkill, but not much more expensive than some much smaller machines.

oh, and get some 8mm air hose

Well this is mine



Wolf make them by I got a cheaper branded one (Hobby Craft IIRC). Same as the Wolf one but cheaper off Ebay.
9.5cfm. Still works air tools okay....

I've got an older version of this: http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/tiger-compressor-2

It will run some air tools, but will run out of air quickly if using a sander etc.

If you are spraying, have a look at what the guns requirment is, plus if using 2K, you'll need a pressure fed air mask, (read more air needed)

Cheers

Ian

quote:

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Originally posted by blakep82
here's mine.
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/se16c150-air-compressor/path/professionalindustrial-air-compressors-elect

like i said, some may say its overkill, but not much more expensive than some much smaller machines.

oh, and get some 8mm air hose

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See:

http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=83786

and

http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=77726

The ALDI compressor looks the same as that wolf one above..

Cheers

Dan

I run the same one as blakep82 ideal for normal use but works overtime when sandblasting cabinet is in use
tony

I'm with blue moon, buy 2 Aldi ones at £70 each & flog off the surplus air tools on ebay. (I've used the gravity fed off mine and it's not bad)

Use one compressor for small jobs and small tools and both linked together for spraying, sandblasting etc.

Also Aldi's warranty is pretty good (3 years i think) my mate had a problem with the collets on his dremelesque tool, reported it, replacement sent immediately and he got to keep the original which works fine with the flexi shaft.