Anyone had one of these compressors?

[RTspray]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Air-Compresso...Air_Tools_and_Compressors&hash=item2310db5ab6

Im looking at using it for restoration purposes so it has to be up to the job of powering some tools and good enough for spraying. Ive got one of these 24ltr powercraft jobbies at the mo but I know thats just not up to the job.

My price range is around the 350-400 so maybe I should go for a 100ltr tank.
Thanks guys

 

[rtbcomp]

Go for CFM rather than tank size.

If you're going to do some spraying I'd go for cast-iron cylinders too, it will pay in the long run.

 

[tigler]

Pretty sure I've seen a thread discussing this or a very similar compressor recently.
Personally I'd go for a belt drive unit, you should be able to find one with your budget.

 

[rtbcomp]

Pretty sure I've seen a thread discussing this or a very similar compressor recently.
.......

Yes started by a very similar member

 

[FranV8]

I was looking at one of these, then started searching second hand stuff to see what bargains there are to be had (very little as usual on eBay) - but found a Clarke Raider 50 (1992 vintage!) on Gumtree, and it was on the way home from work.

£120 later, a barely used 3hp direct drive vee twin now sits in my garage. Came with a gun too. I thought it was the same (they are very similar looking pump units) - but it is a 145 psi unit (shuts off touch over 150psi) - which gives it a bit of headroom to keep your tools spinning at 90 psi.

I think looking again, I'd try and seek out a 10 bar (i.e. 145psi) machine if you can. Other than that they look like an okay buy to me, I suspect they're all the same with just different paint/stickers, probably out of the same factory in China. For hobby use, no issue.

Only other thing, and good of Burlisch to quote it, is the CFM. I was sure you squeezed a bit more CFM out of a belt drive unit (slower more efficient), but it seems everything is around the 9cfm FAD level, so it looked a little low on that unit.

 

[Engineer]

If you want to do do spraying look at something 3hp with at least a 150ltr tank. Compressors with very small tanks will be running pretty much all the time if you are spraying a car for instance, and this isnt ideal at all.

 

[rtbcomp]

Small tanks just mean the compressor switches on and off more frequently, a bigger tank means longer on and off periods, which is better. Aim for a 50% duty cycle over 30 mins.

If the compressor has to run all the time (like mine does when I'm blasting) tank size doesn't matter, should get a bigger compressor though!

 

[RTspray]

Well theres this: http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/clarke-industrial-air-compressor-se16c100

or this at a little less: http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/clarke-3hp-v-twin-compressor-sed14a100

 

[rtbcomp]

The SE16C every time. I have one and am very pleased with it.

 

[Tangmere]

Another vote for the SE16C

 

[bigbadbugga]

The SE16C every time. I have one and am very pleased with it.

Another vote for the SE16C

As I said on the other thread, I just got one of these (the 150L) on VAT free offer at machine mart on Sunday. Find someone who has the VAT free pass and be their guest.

 

[steve.h]

with that budget id be looking for a secondhand hydrovane job, nice and quiet.

 

[RTspray]

Oh right didnt know they had this VAT free thing at machine mart, think I will be going for the belt driven option, also thinking of marrying it up with my powercraft, I know this can be done but what should I be careful of when doing this?

 

[rtbcomp]

Make sure you don't exceed the pressure rating of the Powercraft compressor, if it operates at 8 bar max you will have to adjust the pressure switch on the Clarke to 8 bar, or fit a non-return (check) valve so the Clarke doesn't pressurize the Powercraft.

 

[RTspray]

Ah ok think ill be fitting a non return just to be safe, ide only be needing about 90psi anyway for some tools and lower for spraying, don't think I'm going to bother with the sandblasting bit too much hassel. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[bigbadbugga]

Oh right didnt know they had this VAT free thing at machine mart, think I will be going for the belt driven option, also thinking of marrying it up with my powercraft, I know this can be done but what should I be careful of when doing this?

Where in north west are you?

I've just had a second vat free email with the token attached, you can have it if you like

I just printed the email and went into the Warrington branch with it, they never asked for id, just my postcode and addy, so I suppose you could pose as me and give my details.

Edit, I just checked the new email and it has the same voucher code as the email I used last week to buy my comp, it says the voucher can only be used once, so not sure if it will go through a second time, the new email was only sent yesterday though, so well after my purchase on Sunday.

If you want to try anyway, pm me your email address and I'll forward the email to you, print the token and have a go. I'll send you my postcode and address details if you like to so you can confirm you are me

 

[rtbcomp]

I forgot my card on one occasion and they still let me in. Just asked for my name and address, no ID required.

 

[Robotstar5]

I forgot my card on one occasion and they still let me in. Just asked for my name and address, no ID required.

I think as long as you are registered (bought something previously) with them, there shouldn't be a problem

 

[rtbcomp]

They didn't check at the door, but my details came up at the till.

BTW if they haven't got what you want in stock you can still get it at the discounted price as long as you pay for it there and then.

 

[bigbadbugga]

It is different now, vat free is not just a Sunday afternoon anymore.

They send you a email with a voucher to print off and a code, you can use it in store or online anytime between may 20th and may 30th.

So it's more like a vat free week (and a half)