Compressor Advice

[GSR]

Ive currently got a Wolf Cheyenne compressor - 100l tank, 3hp, 14cfm.
Have recently moved and trying to set up a decent workshop for race car prep (only a hobby, but semi serious)
Ive read the guide regarding pipe drops and drain valves etc and happy enough with undertaking that element, Im interested in some advice on the compressor though. Is the one ive currently got worth keeping, should I add another as shown https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/air-system.htm or get a single larger/better compressor?

Look forward to any advice or suggestions.

 

[bricol]

Depends on what you are going to do with it? If everything you use is powered by air, then you need something decent with large capacity. But if it's occasional use, then you don't want to be waiting for a large tank to pressurise. Try it with what you've got first?

I have a small compressor on a 24l tank in the garage for occasional use - and a 2.2kW hydrovane on a 100litre tank under the house for when I want some serious air, with a 3hp belt driven unit on a 150litre tank when the hydrovane needs help - which isn't often as its rather noisy.

 

[mr haynes]

Consider soundproofed cabinet if you have neighbours. Direct drive is particularly noisy.
As said above, depends what tools you plan to use with compressor and how regular you plan on using.
I would say the wolf is more than capable of occasional use.

 

[GSR]

Thanks guys - it’s not full time use, spraying, nut gun etc fairly regularly.
Main reason for asking the question is a similar spec’d machine but different brand has been offered to me at a reasonable cost, but if what I’ve got is adequate I’ll pass on the other compressor
Have also got a cheap Chinese blast cabinet as well - whilst probably not used that often or that good compared to others on here, if/when it is used it’s fairly intensive.
The noise is definitely a consideration, what would your recommend to try and bring the noise of it down?

thanks

 

[GSR]

As an update to the above, I was mistaken I’m only a 50litre tank but it is a 3hp 14cfm. I’ve since acquired another identical machine and the bits are about to arrive to couple them up.
I have done some timing with the stop watch on filling tank from empty and also from cut in to cut out for calculating cfm.
Whilst expecting them to be lower than stated, it’s lower than I thought it would be.
Compressor 1:
0-114psi, 1min23secs = 8.24cfm
78-114psi, 25 secs = 8.64cfm
78-114psi with no air filters, 22 secs = 9.82cfm

Compressor 2
0-105psi, 1min26sec = 7.33cfm
75-105psi, 22secs = 8.19cfm
75-105psi no air filters, 20secs = 9cfm

How do the above figures stack up against what would be expected? And is there anything that can be done to improve on this. I don’t like the idea of running them without the filters, but it does offer up a 15% improvement.
Also, when running them both together on one system, should I be looking to adjust the cut in and out pressures to be the same?

I look forward to hearing anyone’s ideas and suggestions.

 

[GSR]

By way of an update - 3 compressors coupled together and worked a treat tonight.
The new belt I bought was a shade too small, turns out it wasn’t a 1307, probably a 1320. Anybody see an issue in redrilling the bed to move the motor slightly closer? Only so I can get the belt on and use it in anger over the weekend.

 

[brightspark]

no problem re siting the motor to fit the belt

 

[GSR]

no problem re siting the motor to fit the belt

Cheers pal