Talk to me about air compressors...

Post by **lewd lude lover** » Sun May 31, 2015 3:34 pm

So I have another refurbishment job coming up and its looking like it might be easier to spray it.

What is the happy middle to be able to move the damn thining about but also have enough capacity and pressure to do car spraying and the like?

Electric? petrol?
Brands? How much should I pay for something that will do the job without being bum droppings or a 'solid investment'? Good quality second hand worth a look or just buy new?

Thanks for any experience.

Post by **RattyMcClelland** » Sun May 31, 2015 4:14 pm

Hello.

Soo. I have a spare compressor in my garage I no longer use. It's a 50 litre abac electric compressor that I used for 2 years. It's has an airleak on its non return valve so it slowely leaks air and so recharges often if left on. I'm offering it free to the collector. Iirc it's this
But only supplies 8.3cfm of air so good for moderate use.

If buying a new one have bought a Clarke Raider 15/500 electric compressor.

As you know I use this everyday for every job. I recently bought an Iwata ws400 spray gun that requires tonns of air and this supplies enough air to spray a whole side of a car just.
Charges quick and can run 2 airlines at once like a spray gun and airfed mask all at 2bar.
Supplies 14.5cfm of air. Loads.

It's pretty good. Going to a petrol of bigger compressor with be only the next option for more air.

Post by **Vtecmec** » Sun May 31, 2015 4:26 pm

The Clarke one above is what I've just bought, though by a different manufacturer (they are pretty generic), it's the largest compressor you can run off a single phase electrical supply (3hp). Anything bigger will have to be 3 phase or petrol.

It'll run a spray gun all day long without breaking a sweat, though note that although the displacement is 14cfm, the free air delivery is around 8-9 cfm.

Post by **lewd lude lover** » Sun May 31, 2015 9:41 pm

Cheers ratty I will bagsy that please. I will sort out getting up to you soon as I can. This week one evening maybe.

I will give it a try and see how I go as a starter.

Cheers.

gb-lude · Post by **gb-lude** » Mon Jun 01, 2015 4:50 am

I have looked into this,
Not by brand yet but if you are planning to use air tools as well as spray guns a larger reservoir might be handy.
Look into the minimum pressure and air supply required for your tools and go as big as possible on the tank.

When I get one I will get a separate compressor and tank. Will build a sound/water proof box outside my garage for the compressor and multiple sockets so I can connect anywere in my garage.
I don't want that thing switch on every few minutes with the noise and defo don't want to run out of air.

It's an investment like every other tool. It will cost you but if maintained well it will last a lifetime of you can sell it on after a few years.
I must have spend at least half of what I have spend on my car on tools

89 UKDM BA4 4WS (resto job!) · Post by **wurlycorner** » Mon Jun 01, 2015 12:34 pm

LLL, if Ratty's doesn't work out for you, take a look on ebay and gumtree.
You can pick up nearly new compressors on there for less than half price, easily.

As mec says, they're very, very generic things these days (same compressor/reservoir has many, many different brands on it). The key to look for is the free air cfm and tbh, I wouldn't bother with anything less than 50l if there's a chance you'll use air tools on it (mec/ratty far better placed to comment on what capacity you need for paint spraying!!!)

I use a 50l SIP upright compressor at the barn for my air tools. They don't do my exact one anymore, but it's like this one which I guess is their new equivalent http://www.sipuk.co.uk/sip-airmate-hurr ... -8cfm.html (that one has a lower free air CFM and is only 8 bar, whereas mine is 10 though...

)
Anyway, the big plus on that one is that the vertical design makes it much easier to store (takes up a lot less floor space) and to wheel about IMO (comfortable height). It's a really neat package.

To follow up my comment on price, as an example - I only paid £50 for mine, ex-display model (and the lovely confused did an LG express for me)

are you not better off with an oil-free compressor for paint spraying, than a lubricated one?

They are noisier (which is a pain - literally

) but less maintenance and the most important thing is cleaner/drier air which I'd have thought (no direct experience) was especially good for painting??? Again, ratty and mec fair better placed to advise than me there though...

Nb: on the noise front, Belt drive rather than direct drive, is quieter again...

Post by **lewd lude lover** » Mon Jun 01, 2015 1:40 pm

cheers wurly. I remember the upright one you got at the national meet. That kinda thing would be best for storage as you say. I will get hold of rattys one and go from there.