Recommend me a new compressor!

[andeep]

I've currently got a Clarke Airmaster 3hp 14cfm 50litre direct drive air compressor.

I need a new one with a larger tank and needs to be belt driven as this direct drive is far too loud. Running off single phase.

My budget is around £500. What brands should I be looking at? Clarke Industrial any good? Good thing is there will be a VAT day probably soon so can snag a good deal with machinemart.

 

[rtbcomp]

I've had one of these for years, it's been great, apart from a couple of faults out of the box. The drain valve was Loctited closed and a piece of muck found its way into the unloading valve.

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/se16c150-air-compressor/path/professionalindustrial-air-compressors-elect

 

[Daz1968]

I bought a Clarke se16c100 and find it ok for my needs, runs a da sander although this does work it quite hard, they also do the sec16c150, if you get a vat free voucher the 100 is under £400 and the 150 an extra £40, the machine mart in Wolverhampton currently has a 200 litre twin 3hp compressor in clearance items for a good price but can't remember exact price but between £600 and £700. Depends how much air you need. But a single 3hp does my needs.

 

[Shox Dr]

I've the next unit up (18/200). Had it about 5-6yrs. Only problem I had was the pipe to the tank fractured, fitted a SS flex jobby, been fine since. It's just about the biggest you can get in a 1ph unit

 

[andeep]

Those SE15C models look nice!

Will probably go for a 150 litre tank as I think it suits my needs.

Just wish a VAT free voucher would come soon as this direct drive one has been doing my head in for 2 years now!

 

[gavuk]

Think I have the same model as Shox,very happy with it ....check my thread HERE

 

[andeep]

That is a nice one you have gavuk! Hmm will see what my funds are like when a VAT free day rolls around.

How much quieter are the belt driven ones compared to direct drive? Is it quite a lot?

 

[Shox Dr]

While they might be quieter in a direct motor/pump size comparison.
As you are increasing both so the volume will go up as well.

 

[andeep]

VAT voucher has finally come through!

I've narrowed it down to these 3:

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/se15c150-wis-air-compressor
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/se16c150-air-compressor
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/se15c150-ol-air-compressor

What is the difference between all 3?

Thanks

 

[Daz1968]

The 15c is a different pump, but not sure which is best 16c or 15c. I have a se16c100 so same pump but smaller receiver and it will run my da, and recently I have found it will run my airfed mask with a low cfm spraygun, but it does run hard. No issues up till now though other than the longer it runs the more water collects in the trap and it gets hot. They do the same one with 200 litre receiver that's £522 without the vat as we had one at work for our plasma, wish I had gone for larger receiver now but am about to add one in my pipeline.

 

[Mr shiney]

I have a Hydrovane. Awesome. Worth every penny.