Recommend me a compressor.

[4String.]

Folks.

I'm thinking that a compressor would be a useful addition to the mancave, but no idea what to go for .

It will only be for light hobby use and won't be running 24/7 so something small-ish and portable is all I need. Capacity isn't a major issue as I can lay my hands on a couple of air tanks off of an artic trailer to up the amount. Quite happy with Machine Mart gear but any other makes considered.

Suggestions welcome, as ever.

Martyn.

 

[Lewis_RX8]

As a owner of a big ish direct drive compressor i would recommend getting a belt driven one if you can make it fit in your workshop as unforuanlity i did not have the space.

I got a compressor off eBay generic Chinese rebadged jobbie and fittings where tat, had to order 2 new ones .

Also from my experience of replacing bits its handy to be able to easily get hold of parts where I have heard Clarke is good for.

 

[Jim Davey]

Fiac (supported by Wilkinson Star) makes a good alternative to a machine mart or an SIP.

 

[fizzy]

Clarke compressors are great.
Belt drive much quieter.
Sadly most people with compressors find that they always want more air!
I find this to be the best compromise.
Portable - ish.
Max you can run on 13amp supply.

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke-xep1550-portable-industrial-air-compres/

Not cheap but if you look in some of the bigger machine marts you sometimes see they will have a return going a bit cheaper.

 

[skotl]

The points above were my experience. My first compressor was an Aldi 24L and it was too noisy, which was made worse by it running continuously whenever used in anger.
I flogged it and bought a Wolf Dakota 90l belt drive instead - definitely worth spending the extra compared to the l'il one.

 

[Popcorn]

https://www.gumtree.com/p/air-compressors/ingersoll-rand-compressor-type-30-/1387543785

 

[Lewis_RX8]

The points above were my experience. My first compressor was an Aldi 24L and it was too noisy, which was made worse by it running continuously whenever used in anger.
I flogged it and bought a Wolf Dakota 90l belt drive instead - definitely worth spending the extra compared to the l'il one.

Exact same model I first had, tiny little yellow thing in corner of the workshop.

don't think it would have liked my sandblasting setup

Now its a backup and if needed taken to places that i cant haul my big comp too.

 

[bricol]

Depends what you want it for.
I have a direct drive 2hp 24l unit I bought in Germany (half the price of same thing here) in 1999 sat in the corner - if I'm using my impact wrench, plasma cutter, blowing a lot of tyres up, using the underseal gun, cavity wax gun etc for short periods.
If I'm using any of the above for long periods, the 2hp hydrovane under the house is used - it doesn't take much use of any of them to drop the pressure enough on the little unit to make it run a lot. If I'm using the blasting cabinet, the hydrovane - using it a lot, then the 3hp belt drive in the shed gets linked in too.
Got one of those little fridge compressors on a tiny tank for use blowing crap out of.off things late at night - its silent.

 

[earthman]

I'm on my second Machine Mart compressor, first one were 25L capacity, happy with that but I needed a bigger tank, just don't have the space for one larger than double that so ended up with this one: https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke-raider-15500-3hp-50-litre-air-compress/

Sure, I would have liked the belt driven type but the extra cost put those out of my budget.

 

[brightspark]

any 14cfm belt driven comp will be ok

 

[Rannsachair]

I was passed on this one from my dad, had it about 5 years, just occasional use but no issues: https://gtair.co.uk/air-compressors...oK8DgoLUW4zIgamS3_QGWOJ50NhdlbvBoCXasQAvD_BwE

Burisch 3hp 90 litre.

 

[Submariner1]

Very happy with this Nuair, has 2 years warranty on pump. Seems well made, good back up and spares.

Surprisingly quiet, except when it hits 10 Bar and cuts out, and vents the tube to the pump. Thats a big HISS! Makes you jump.
Pretty portable.
Note it is only 12 CFM and 50 L , so may not suit quite a few jobs!
Bought because it runs at 1540 rpm, and most direct drive ones seemed to run at 2,800 rpm. And my garage is nearer to my neighbours than my house !
Only downside
Wish it had two front lockable wheels, and a right angle connector and soft tube to collect drained off air and water. ( but I can add this).

 

[Morrisman]

Something I found years ago was that it was cheaper to buy, say, two 5cfm compressors than one 10cfm unit. In fact I nearly did it, when I was looking for air, but I got a deal on a used unit from a mate.

 

[Submariner1]

Something I found years ago was that it was cheaper to buy, say, two 5cfm compressors than one 10cfm unit. In fact I nearly did it, when I was looking for air, but I got a deal on a used unit from a mate.

I can believe that, thinking of the future ... I wondered how much a raw 50L 10 bar tank would be. Seems cheaper to buy the lowest level 50L AbAC on a deal, that does 10 bar and connect that.plus you also have a little more ooomf to add air.

 

[julianf]

Ive got a pair of 14cfm units. One is direct, and one is belt. I would suggest to anyone to buy a belt drive.

 

[not done it yet]

A couple of things to note.

Air tools quote Free Air Delivery (FAD) when in use, and usually this is when they are most efficient - so tend to require more rather than less.

Air compressor ‘hype’ advertisements mostly quote Air Displacement (AD), not FAD. This is one reason why small direct drive compressors run at 2800rpm. The displacement is correct but the efficiency is so crass that the FAD is far lower (it must always be lower) - and they wear out much more quickly (most hobbyists would not wear them out within the limited warranty periods).

That is why many new-to-compressors purchasers buy too cheap, too small - and finish up buying twice or being disappointed with their new toy. 14 cfm AD could be less than 10cfm FAD for the cheapest and most inefficient compressors.

I would always recommend a two stage pump - always belt driven as the pump can be fitted to different motors, for instance, and be run at different speeds commensurate with the power available. 10 Bar machines will have far more reserve air capacity, in a given size of air receiver, over an 8 Bar machine. Machines running from a 1425rpm (four pole) motor will be less intrusive, sound-wise, than a 2800rpm direct drive compressor for the same capacity.

‘You pays your money and takes your choice’ is the order of the day. My main compressor is a two stage cast iron pump with a large vertical receiver (100l plus?). It is well over 40 years old, I expect (I bought it second hand at a farm sale, about 30 years ago). I hydraulically test the receiver myself, very occasionally. It will likely see me out.

I do have a couple of smaller portable compressors. One 8 Bar machine has a 25l receiver and the other is a Lidl 1100W limited run-cycle jobbie with no receiver, used for pumping up tyres mostly - although I think I may use it for workshop use for shifting swarf around.

 

[Morrisman]

I can believe that, thinking of the future ... I wondered how much a raw 50L 10 bar tank would be. Seems cheaper to buy the lowest level 50L AbAC on a deal, that does 10 bar and connect that.plus you also have a little more ooomf to add air.

I picked up a used car alloy lpg tank for £20 off ebay and added that into my air system to give a massive reserve. It was stamped as tested to 30 bar I think.