Another tools thread, Compressors!

[njc110381]

I've done a search this time and can't find anything.

I'm after a compressor to run general garage tools. The things I've looked at need up to 8CFM to run them. What I don't understand is the size of the tank fitted. If the motor can keep up with the usage, what is the tank for? Does it allow you to use higher consumption tools in bursts?

What would a good size be for a DIY mechanic? Running air spanners, needle guns, paint sprayers etc? The one I'm looking at is 25l, 8.7cfm, 8bar. Is it big enough for general landy stripping/fixing work?

 

[The Mad Hat Man]

i did that - got a 8cfm 50Litre compressor - used it twice, flogged it and got a 14cfm 150Litre compressor - much better. The other one was running flat out all the time and most tools could be used for a minute and wait ten to use again .

 

[andyb66]

^^^^ Yeah wot he said

...and, make sure that you run 10mm internal diameter pipe for you air tools. You can get cheaper 8mm stuff but it will starve you tools. This is important if you are running impact guns.

You also need to check the 'free air' CFM. This is the air that the compressor can supply with the compressor running. This is important if you are going to be running die grinders or cut off tools.

HTH

 

[njc110381]

Right. It seems I may have to spend quite a lot of money on this thing then? What sort of price range could I find a suitable machine for?

 

[The Mad Hat Man]

i got an SIP forty - seems to do the job.

 

[njc110381]

£400. I guess that's not too bad for something that will get a fair bit of use and save me a lot of effort! I've looked at the Clarke range, they seem to start at around the same price. They have cast iron pump cylinders which must be good?

I need a good selection of tools to go with it too. Does anyone know of a set which includes the basic bits that I will need, or should I buy individual tools?

 

[The Mad Hat Man]

comprsors often come with a basic tool set - but you could look at this or this - (I think i got the second one)

 

[vivnap]

the compressor i am using at the moment is from compressors ltd in alfreton, the tank is 210ltrs with a 3 hp motor and a 14 cfm pump. it is more than capable of keeping up with a spraygun and industrial needle gun.
the tank isnt as important as the pump, if the pump cant keep the tank full when using tools then the size of the tank isnt going to make any difference.
the SIP one mad hat man has is capable of keeping up with almost any air tool you are likley to use.
as for tools dont go out and buy a load of cheap air tools from machine mart, clark ect, get yourself good quality air tools like CP (chicargo pneumatics) or broomwade. the are good quality and well made and there are many companies that will repair damaged or broken tools unlike the cheaper ones you can get which are scrap when they break.
there are hundreds of used air tools on ebay, car boots and markets and second hand they will usually cost about the same as the new cheap rubbish.

 

[gotoneatlast]

the compressor i am using at the moment is from compressors ltd in alfreton, the tank is 210ltrs with a 3 hp motor and a 14 cfm pump. it is more than capable of keeping up with a spraygun and industrial needle gun.
the tank isnt as important as the pump, if the pump cant keep the tank full when using tools then the size of the tank isnt going to make any difference.
the SIP one mad hat man has is capable of keeping up with almost any air tool you are likley to use.
as for tools dont go out and buy a load of cheap air tools from machine mart, clark ect, get yourself good quality air tools like CP (chicargo pneumatics) or broomwade. the are good quality and well made and there are many companies that will repair damaged or broken tools unlike the cheaper ones you can get which are scrap when they break.
there are hundreds of used air tools on ebay, car boots and markets and second hand they will usually cost about the same as the new cheap rubbish.

what kind of capacity and HP would i need to tidy up my Chassis, waxoyl it or spray it with some anti corrosion paint?

 

[vivnap]

3hp motor should be ok but its CFM thats the one you need to look for. to spray it should be 14 cfm to keep up with the gun. anything about this should do what you need it to.

 

[Tig9619]

i just bought a 2hp 50L sealey one new for £115 from toolzone. seems to be doing all the stuff I want it to so far. think its about 8cfm

 

[discomania]

I think the SIP 2.5HP 230V 50litre one is great.

SIP 06240 Airmate TN Air Compressor 2 5 HP 50 Litre Oil Lubricated

 

[gotoneatlast]

good price

9.5cfm, what does cfm stand for and mean?

 

[mysteryman]

Cubic Feet per Minute - how much air is delivered

 

[The Mad Hat Man]

Cubic Feet per Metre - ie the max volume of air it can shift.

 

[gotoneatlast]

i see,
as viv said,
all very well have a big tank but its gotta go somewhere.

thanks.

 

[njc110381]

I've looked at all the tools I'm likely to use and the highest capacity one is 8cfm. Do I really need to spend so much on a 14cfm one? I can get a 12.5cfm one for half the price of a 14! The only thing I've seen needing 14+ is pro spray guns, and I'm not going to be doing that much spraying. What's wrong with the lower end sprayers that run 8cfm or less?

 

[The Mad Hat Man]

the Q is - do you want it to be running flat out all the time?

 

[vivnap]

I've looked at all the tools I'm likely to use and the highest capacity one is 8cfm. Do I really need to spend so much on a 14cfm one? I can get a 12.5cfm one for half the price of a 14! The only thing I've seen needing 14+ is pro spray guns, and I'm not going to be doing that much spraying. What's wrong with the lower end sprayers that run 8cfm or less?

my thoughts on tools are pay a bit more and get a tool thats over the spec you think youll need, that way if you do decide at a later date to run tools that need 12 to 14 cfm you wont need to buy a new machine.
if you ever decide to used a needle gun or decent spray gun youll realise what a difference it makes.
you might think youll never bother needing to have a higher rated compressor but you never know what you will decide to do in the future and what tools you may want to run, better to pay a little more and save later.

 

[njc110381]

I know. Usually I look at things in exactly the same way, I like to buy the best I can afford. The trouble is I'm not going to be using it much. Once my landy is rebuilt and sprayed the chances are it will just sit around and pump up the odd tyre now and again!

I've got a lot of tools that are very good for the use I give them. I have a £1000 Stihl chansaw that I only use about four times a year, a big Halfords Pro socket set which again hardly ever gets used, and several more hundred odd quid pro tools that have been used once and put away!

I'm feeling skint at the moment so I'm trying to be sensible. Maybe the expensive one is the sensible option, but I'm finding it harder to convince myself recently. I've only done four days work since the 17th of Dec last year. One of the reasons I bought the landy is because I could service and repair it myself to save money :doh:

Now where was that violin smilie? Ooh, here it is:violin: