inexpensive compressor

[smokeyone]

I am in need of a compressor for testing work where I need a large volume of high pressure air occasionaly. A non technical rough calculation is at least a 200 litre tank with a 1" bsp outlet.
I could purchase something like this
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/3hp-200lt-ABA...34.c0.m14.l1262&_trkparms=|301:1|293:1|294:30

but does it make sense to spend £500 on something that might get used once a month - so after going through the forum I wondered about just purchasing a plain receiver (no compressor) and then converting a car a/c compresser to charge it via a flexible hose. I am not too worried about how long it takes to fill the receiver it's the volume of stored air I am more interested in.

 

[JayRS4]

If it`s for home use, how about using an empty 47kg gas cylinder as a reciever. Should be fine for the pressure and a nice big outlet. Just a thought.

 

[rtbcomp]

A 46 Kg propane bottle is just over 90 litres.

A freezer motor would be easier as it is self-contained with motor &c (assuming you want to run it off the mains)

You'll get dirty air though.

 

[smokeyone]

Dirty air is okay as is a freezer motor run off the mains but am I being a little over cautious in not being too keen on the propane bottle suggestion. I have read about them not being designed for filling and emptying frequently and tending to rust from the inside together with no easy way of draining them plus being made of thinner steel etc etc...
Of course I could always purchase something secondhand off e-bay and hope for the best ....

 

[Rick]

Dirty air is okay as is a freezer motor run off the mains but am I being a little over cautious in not being too keen on the propane bottle suggestion. I have read about them not being designed for filling and emptying frequently and tending to rust from the inside together with no easy way of draining them plus being made of thinner steel etc etc...
Of course I could always purchase something secondhand off e-bay and hope for the best ....

I reckon a propane bottle will be fine, they usually get filled about once a month or something anyway for years and years.

The rust problem is the main concern, but you could easily drill weld a bung on it to make a simple drain off tap on the bottom.

 

[rtbcomp]

..... but you could easily drill weld a bung on it to make a simple drain off tap on the bottom.

Or mount it upside down so the moisture exits the way it enters, and put a moisture trap downstream.