Compressor leaking

[tigler]

Thanks for your reply. The regulator on the compressor only has a 1/4" fitting so will that not also cause restriction on air flow regardless of hose diameter?

Another worry I have when thinking of buying another unit is cfm. The airmaster has 8cfm which should be adequate for the wrench as the manual says 5.6cfm required. I understand most compressor run slightly less then what is stated but what would be the recommended cfm for powering air tools such as a wrench, ratchet and grinder?

Yes , that is restrictive , but a hose that is too small will restrict even further.
When I first discovered this problem we were having the same difficulty with a new Snap-On impact gun. We were expecting to be impressed by this new expensive guns power but the first time we came to use it on some van wheel nuts it just wouldn't move them. By pure chance next door was having their compressor serviced and the engineer heard us having a moan about the gun. He took one look at the hose , which was quite a long 8mm bore and said the hose is too small and too long , go for 1/2" and shorten it. We did it there and then , result , wheel nuts straight off without even using full torque on the gun !! Our compressor was quite a large capacity , about 25 CFM , the reg was set at 90 PSI or about 6 bar , which is normal operating pressure for most air tools. So , even that fairly big compressor didn't help when the air feed to the tool was restricted by the hose.

 

[jackofalltrades]

OK, thanks! I'll probably go and get a thicker hose. What is the size of the fitting on your compressor? Is that 1/4"?

 

[zxr400]

I have an Airmaster Tiger 8/35, which is a similar model to yours. I would say that the compressor is probably a touch too small for that impact gun. IIRC, the 8 CFM quoted is the volume of air, which the piston will displace. It is not the same as free air delivery (FAD). I think that the FAD of your compressor is probably more like 5 CFM. Hopefully the larger bore hose will help, but it might be marginal.

I had exactly the same problem as you. None of my airtools really worked to their potential with my small compressor. I ended up buying a 3hp jobbie (14CFM, ~9 FAD) and it will run my tools fine.

I hope the hose works, it's got to be worth a try...Much cheaper than a new compressor! If you do get a larger compressor, keep hold of the old one, and you can link them for more grunt if you require it.

HTH,

Cheers,

Mark

 

[tigler]

We did have the advantage of a 3/8" BSP port on the reg.

 

[jackofalltrades]

I think I will upgrade the compressor, no point in doing things by half measures!
What do you experts think of this?
I know its ended, but I have spoken to them and they can get hold of one more for me.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170438608779

The specs are:
Item No.: ET0312
Description: petrol 100L air compressor
Tank: 100L
Power: 5.5HP/ 4000W
Capacity: 100L/Min（12C.F.M）
Speed: 950rpm
Pressure: 12Bar/115 Psi
Cylinder: 65mmx 2 piece

If not that I am thinking of getting a Sealey 100 or 150 litre compressor, but they are double the price!

 

[tigler]

definitely big enough if you can cope with the noise !!

 

[jackofalltrades]

It'll just be like a lawn mower right? Am I correct in thinking the revs stay constant or does it rev up when filling and idle when its full?

 

[rtbcomp]

.......If not that I am thinking of getting a Sealey 100 or 150 litre compressor, but they are double the price!

Probably for a good reason!

What make is the engine?

Does the pump have cast iron cylinders or liners?

 

[jackofalltrades]

!

What make is the engine?

Does the pump have cast iron cylinders or liners?

Not a clue. I'm guessing its just a cheap chinese engine. However the same shop sells Honda engines which look suprisingly the same.

 

[tigler]

It'll just be like a lawn mower right? Am I correct in thinking the revs stay constant or does it rev up when filling and idle when its full?

A big lawn mower , will be quite loud in an enclosed space.

I guess the engine will run all the time unless it has a self stop start facility coupled to the pressure cut out. Revs will be governed at constant speed.

 

[eil]

On my clark the revs stay constant till full then the genie dumps the air when it reaches full pressure, it will keep running till you stop it.

 

[jackofalltrades]

Petrol compressors are the only way to get powerful compressors right? Electric ones that are high powered need a seperate power supply, right? 30A etc

 

[tigler]

Sort of. Large electric motor driven compressors draw big current so are inevitably 3 phase which generally rules them out for domestic use. Largest single phase generally available are about 5KW or 6HP.

 

[jackofalltrades]

Sort of. Large electric motor driven compressors draw big current so are inevitably 3 phase which generally rules them out for domestic use. Largest single phase generally available are about 5KW or 6HP.

Could you, possibly, show me some examples? I bet they cost much, much more!

 

[eil]

That petrol one in the link if that was electric it would have a 3HP motor powering it.

 

[jackofalltrades]

And would you say 3hp is adequate for powering a wrench, ratchet and puller?

 

[eil]

Yes, does it for me anyways, 3HP used to be the biggest you could get on single phase, until manufacturers began massaging the figures

 

[jackofalltrades]

Thanks for your replies. Just a final question, I have been sent the link below by someone I know. Are these Neilson compressors any good?
Allow me to "paint a picture". I only work on my cars on the weekend, and will probably use air tools 7/8 times a month. I like to have tools at my disposal but don't have the need to buy "trade standard" tools. So for this purpose which compressor would be ideal?

This one:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/100ltr-230-VO...Air_Tools_and_Compressors?hash=item3ef92777db
So £300 inc postage

OR: The earlier petrol one, £250 inc postage (I haggled )
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170438608779

 

[the snooper]

remove that adjustable pressure regulator and fasten your air hose back up without it, it will make a massive difference to your impact wrench those regulators just dont pass enough cfm

 

[gavuk]

Agree with snooper ,bet its the reg,i run a 10mm hose (cos i have it),have "T'D" off the tank,one leg feeds the old filter regulator and the other leg to a ball valve and tool hose. I would get larger hose ,you'll need it ,try connecting the hose to the inspection port on the receiver (for ease),see how that compressor works before spending shed loads of money .I won't say my set up will crack every nut ,but i prefer to crack wheel nuts with a breaker bar and just run the nuts off ,than waste the air trying ....If cracking wheel nuts is your main concern ,i would be tempted to buy a battery impact gun ?... If however you want to shotblast ,use d/a or use hvlp spray guns then a larger compressor is needed anyway.....try the old one
ps ,i have a sealey gun ,which i modified the exhaust restrictor,drilled it out bigger,which improved its performance ,twin hammers are better