what compressor

[lexi]

My compressor burnt out today.........right in the middle of spraying something. It was a 3hp Direct Drive. Best with belt drive then motor can be replaced. Was thinking of Sip 150 ltre 3hp. This is about my budget although I would like something better. Any opinions on that unit or similar?

Alex

 

[lexi]

Sorry guys just seen the long thread below on the same topic.

Alex

 

[Welderpaul]

yeah - don't bother. No problems with it, but it is marketed as something it aint. I have never managed to get the full psi out of that it claims possible.
Still anoys me. Sip/Machine Mart rubbish.

 

[malcolm]

How do you find the cfm Paul? I've been tempted to upgrade compressors for a long time and the 3hp belt drive compressors are only just above what I've been willing to spend.

Would be worth the extra if I had some confidence of not wanting to upgrade again straight away. What do you find you can't do with yours?

 

[Welderpaul]

Evening Malcolm.

I bought a SIP T3/150 compressor, ex demo, but spotless. Its 3hp, 150L, and states it provides a max pressure of 130 psi (9bar) with a max free air delivery of 9 cfm. The (very) small print tells you that the free air delivery is 7.8 cfm! (this info is in the product literature, not sure how you would actually measure it) The compressor itself is very solid and looks/sounds powerful.
In reality: The cheapy plasticy factory-fitted regulator on the tank reduces the actual delivery pressure to around 6 bar. When i removed this and connected a guage directly to the tank, the max pressure is around 8 bar, so the literature is incorrect - sip trying to claim something it is not capable of IMO. It was bought for spraying, plasma cutter and air drill. The compressor should have been adequate to run each bit of kit - thats why it was bought. It is clear that the air delivery is nowhere near what it should be: for spraying it performs ok, for drilling it does not have the power, and it is insufficient to run the plasma - performs ok for a minute or so until the air pressure drops and it cannot fill in time to keep a constant pressure for cutting - you end up having to wait for the tank to fill before recommencing cutting which is totally useless.

 

[lexi]

I`m glad you posted that Paul. I may try and look at summat else. God knows where the Sip is made. The next jump up to a "real" compressor is major money. One I had was Bambi. No trace of manufacturin origin but it had a Big Chinese Capacitor on it. Bambi don`t sell em now. Six years out of mine for 200 quid. Not heavy use mind but not bad at the money.

Will keep my eye out for a quality s/h meanwhile.

Alex

 

[Wozzaaah]

Have a look at this thread too, I've got shiremoor's catalogue, if you want any more info on any of their machines I can scan the pages and email them to you.

 

[cobminor]

Look at 'air industrial equipment' in Harlow.

 

[Drains]

Anyone have opinions on Hydrovane compressors? I have sort of heard they're rated, but I dont think i've ever even seen one in the flesh.

Si

 

[Masked Marauder]

They use a big Hydrovane at the workshop at my work, Volvo Truck Workshop. They also use Hydrovane compressors at my other half's work, but that is a dentists!

Did you know they come with a ten year warranty?

 

[Bigjoe]

We used to have a hydrovane compressor at the glass company where i worked in london,it used to provide the air for 2x 4 head edge polishers,dg unit shop,2 big bevelling machines and my paint shop + we had out lets in the yard for messy jobs,and it used to run from 6:30am until 6pm 6 days a week (sometimes 7) and was self draining,i think it had 1500 ltr receiver,if i had the room id have one in a shot.

Bigjoe