- Thread starter Cran
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irondarren
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Ok the first question i got to ask is what are painting. If you are going to be spraying cars then i would say something similar to this http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/se11c-100-ol-air-compressor/path/professionalindustrial-air-compressors-elect
if you are spraying odds and ends nothing big then something similar to this
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/tiger-835-air-compressor/path/diy-semi-professional-air-compressors-2
Im not neccarily suggesting those makes but im suggesting compressors of than size, but it depends on what you are spraying. An average spray gun consumes about 7cfm (7 cubic feet a minute). A 5cfm compressor wont go far if your trying to spray something big. 5cfm output minus 7cfm usage means you will empty the tank vey quickly. Now if you welded on a new sill or repaired a wheel arch, there should be enough air capacity in the storage tank to cover you for spraying the repair, but if you want to spray the whole car, there just wont be enough air
if you are spraying odds and ends nothing big then something similar to this
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/tiger-835-air-compressor/path/diy-semi-professional-air-compressors-2
Im not neccarily suggesting those makes but im suggesting compressors of than size, but it depends on what you are spraying. An average spray gun consumes about 7cfm (7 cubic feet a minute). A 5cfm compressor wont go far if your trying to spray something big. 5cfm output minus 7cfm usage means you will empty the tank vey quickly. Now if you welded on a new sill or repaired a wheel arch, there should be enough air capacity in the storage tank to cover you for spraying the repair, but if you want to spray the whole car, there just wont be enough air
tomarse
professional amateur
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Ive got a clarke one and it hasnt let me down yet. was second hand when i bought it and i have sprayed 3 complete vehicles and some odd bits with it and used it with my air tools.
Get the biggest tank and the most powerful one you can afford. Mine is only 30litres but 2.5hp/9cfm i think (which makes it a slightly higher end one)..
you can still spray a car with it but it runs out of puff halfway through big panels (bonnet, boot and roof) so you have to plan where to stop and work hard not to leave an edge. My cars came out well in the end though
Get the biggest tank and the most powerful one you can afford. Mine is only 30litres but 2.5hp/9cfm i think (which makes it a slightly higher end one)..
you can still spray a car with it but it runs out of puff halfway through big panels (bonnet, boot and roof) so you have to plan where to stop and work hard not to leave an edge. My cars came out well in the end though
malcolm
& Clementine the Cat
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I under bought my compressor. It's 1.5hp suposedly with 7 or 8 cfm and a 50L tank used for car spraying and occasional dremmeling. It'll do the job for spraying, but only with a nicely matched spray gun with smaller than average nozzle size, and will do a decent panel area before it needs recharging.
Wish I'd spent another 50% and got a better one in hindsight. Conned at the time by the manufacturer's claims which for compressors are always very optimistic. I'm struggling on with what I have as it's only just not good enough for what I want. Might be due a new one soon.
Wish I'd spent another 50% and got a better one in hindsight. Conned at the time by the manufacturer's claims which for compressors are always very optimistic. I'm struggling on with what I have as it's only just not good enough for what I want. Might be due a new one soon.
PyroDan
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I find that most manufacturers quote the air displacement into the pump rather then the free air displacement and also they quote them at different pressures, 6cfm at 50psi is a major difference to 6cfm at 90psi. Go with the biggest you can afford and have the space for but personally I wouldn't go below 50L for spraying. (Not that I spray much)
EVERYONE underbuys their first compressor. Apart from me, because I undermade my first one instead, as I made my own from a pressure vessel and a fridge pump. Yes it was rubbish but I was poor and it sort of worked. Because it nearly did the job I struggled with it for years.
Get the biggest one you can possibly afford, and have space for.
The bigger the better is the rule. You can spray with a tiny one, but you will spend 9/10ths of the time drinking tea waiting for the tank to build back up as they wont keep pace with even a small gun. And as for airtool useage, hmm, good luck.
The only good reason to own a small compressor is you need to fit it in the back of a van on a regular basis, I have one really dinky one to cover that scenario and you need a fork lift to pick the other two up...
When youve got a decent air source on tap, you'll be surprised how it comes in handy...
Get the biggest one you can possibly afford, and have space for.
The bigger the better is the rule. You can spray with a tiny one, but you will spend 9/10ths of the time drinking tea waiting for the tank to build back up as they wont keep pace with even a small gun. And as for airtool useage, hmm, good luck.
The only good reason to own a small compressor is you need to fit it in the back of a van on a regular basis, I have one really dinky one to cover that scenario and you need a fork lift to pick the other two up...
When youve got a decent air source on tap, you'll be surprised how it comes in handy...
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I wouldn't bother with any of the ones you listed Cran, imho they just wouldn't be up to the job. The little self-contained kit looks nice but I'd like to see one in action before buying one. I'm looking for a new compressor myself and have just been sent a brochure from shiremoor compressors. They do a 3hp 50 litre 14cfm displacement one for £239 +vat, a 100 litre one for £259 +vat, a 150 litre one for £279 +vat or a 200 litre one for £299 +vat. All of them should be ok for occasional spraying and should run off a 13 amp supply although they may need 16 amps. The 100 litre and up are static ones but you could probably fit them with wheels. If you want a scan of the brochure page, pm me your email address. They do loads more but the next step up is £418 +vat. I also have an earlex HV5000 spraystation and although it's a nice bit of kit, I haven't used it for bodywork yet, partly because I haven't had to and also because, as standard, it comes with a 2mm fluid tip which is simply too large. I've sprayed hammerite with the 2mm tip and it's ok as long as you go careful, it's very easy to get runs. You can get different size tips from 1mm to 2.5mm though so I will be getting a smaller one and trying it.
rtbcomp
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Spend your money on cfm rather than tank capacity - you can always add that later. 
You also have to consider your power supply, 3 hp is about tops for 240v single phase, and with a 3 hp motor you'll get about 14 cfm.
I have a Clarke 14cfm compressor and after fixing the faults it came with it works fine and I use a lot of compressed air.
You also have to consider your power supply, 3 hp is about tops for 240v single phase, and with a 3 hp motor you'll get about 14 cfm.
I have a Clarke 14cfm compressor and after fixing the faults it came with it works fine and I use a lot of compressed air.
shenion
Tool Pack Rat
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Depends on the motor. I have 5hp on a 15A breaker. Has never tripped. 5hp=about 10A running. There may be startup issues, but I have a very fast breaker.
A 2-stage will use less HP. Mine is 5HP/12CFM @ 90PSI, I have seen 3HP 2-stage with the same specs. 2-stage also tends to be quieter.
A 2-stage will use less HP. Mine is 5HP/12CFM @ 90PSI, I have seen 3HP 2-stage with the same specs. 2-stage also tends to be quieter.
irondarren
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You can get 2 stage 4hp compressors, but you only seem to gain a couple of CFM for the difference, and a 4hp motor is a fair strain on a 240v supply, its a 3000watt motor which could pull up to 12kw on starting
rtbcomp
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What voltage/phase are you running on? 5HP for 12 cfm at 90 psi seems high, mine maintains 90 psi at full output, 14 cfm
Why is a two stage more efficient?
rtbcomp
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2 stage compressors are really designed to produce a higher pressure rather than more CFM.
If you just want to use it for spraying then the Apollo Spray Mate would be good. It gives you HVLP spraying so you get a better finish and less overspray. Not sure if its what you're looking for but I looked in to it and it has a good reputation:
http://www.frost.co.uk/item_Detail.asp?productID=8772&frostProductName=Apollo%20Spray%20Mate&catID=&frostCat=&frostSubCat=&subCatID=
http://www.frost.co.uk/item_Detail.asp?productID=8772&frostProductName=Apollo%20Spray%20Mate&catID=&frostCat=&frostSubCat=&subCatID=
rusty69bus
moving to the goldcoast
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just been reading the thread, go for biggest pump and at least 150t tank.
you could go for a smaller tamk and upgrade later, but by then you'll proberley be p***ed off with waiting in between jobs.
one thing know one has mentioned is GO FOR A BELT DRIVEN compressor unless you want to p**s off everyone from the noise direct drive make and end up with beeding ears (a bit over the top)
i used to have a small pump on a 150lt tank took about 20mins for a full tank and once i'd got the pump to kick back i needed a break so was prepared to wait for it to refill.
you could go for a smaller tamk and upgrade later, but by then you'll proberley be p***ed off with waiting in between jobs.
one thing know one has mentioned is GO FOR A BELT DRIVEN compressor unless you want to p**s off everyone from the noise direct drive make and end up with beeding ears (a bit over the top)
i used to have a small pump on a 150lt tank took about 20mins for a full tank and once i'd got the pump to kick back i needed a break so was prepared to wait for it to refill.
rtbcomp
Moderator
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one thing know one has mentioned is GO FOR A BELT DRIVEN compressor unless you want to p**s off everyone from the noise direct drive make and end up with beeding ears (a bit over the top)
Yes, even they can be noisy! Also go for cast iron cylinders (or liners) they last better than others.
shenion
Tool Pack Rat
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Yes! My last compressor was 3.5HP, direct-drive and was deafening. I upgraded to a 5HP, belt-driven and it is probably 1/3 as loud.one thing know one has mentioned is GO FOR A BELT DRIVEN compressor unless you want to p**s off everyone from the noise direct drive make and end up with beeding ears (a bit over the top)
Vane compressors are supposed to be quieter, have never used one.
Swampy
Grease Monkey
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...I've just taken delivery of a Sealey 150 litre compressor...still got to build the lickle house for it to live on the back of the workshop yet...but it came along at the right price at the wrong time...so now it blocks my workshop completely...
...it should be 14cfm and has a soft start thingy to reduse power surge on start up so it can be powered off of a 13 amp plug...but am considering wiring it in on a 16 amp plug/socket and having it on a seperate breaker in the fuse box as well...same as I am thinking for my Portamig...reckon this is about right...???...or a bit overkill...
...do tend to do overkill quite well sometimes...
...it should be 14cfm and has a soft start thingy to reduse power surge on start up so it can be powered off of a 13 amp plug...but am considering wiring it in on a 16 amp plug/socket and having it on a seperate breaker in the fuse box as well...same as I am thinking for my Portamig...reckon this is about right...???...or a bit overkill...
...do tend to do overkill quite well sometimes...
