which air compressor

[Andrew Poynton]

Hi, i just joined, been gradually building up some gear to have a go at some welding on my cars, i want to get some air tools such as cut off tool, die grinder, but maybe have the ability to try spraying, sanding too if i need to, so the thing i am trying to figure out is which compressor to buy, i only want to spend around £250 on one and there are lots in that price range, but there is so much conflicting advice on the subject that i can't decide what to go for, i have been leaning towards the Airmaster Tiger 16/1010 100L 3HP 14.5 CFM, which is exactly the same spec as the Clarke Raider 15/1000 but for less money, would either of these be up to the job?

 

[the snooper]

the direct drive units are noisy, get a big as you can afford and can run on your mains supply belt drive are much quieter

 

[Andrew Poynton]

How about this? http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/..._rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=577048407&pf_rd_i=desktop

i know a lot of people don't rate the brand but look at the reviews.

 

[Fintray]

I presume that you have seen the Airmaster Tiger is available at Machine Mart vat free at the moment?

 

[Andrew Poynton]

i have mate, that is the one i have been hovering over for days but i cant get anyone to tell me if it's any good

 

[mfletch]

That is the type of compressor you need and its a good price

 

[Andrew Poynton]

that's what i like to hear, straight to the point

 

[paceman1]

I have my old sip for years 150ltr tank 14cfm got it from halford decent price and warranty cheaper than anywhere else at the time
you need to get the most horse power moter and as much cfm you can get on single phase and a decent size tank say 150-200 ltrs
only downside was the adjustable air valve bits break after a few years otherwise I cant fault it ran drill grinders etc sprayed my car
sip airmate on the net £472 inc vat
if you use high air useage tool you will have to wait for it to get to the air pressure in the tank again as I think they all kick back in at 100 psi but I might be wrong as a few questions on air consumption before you buy any thing

 

[Ian1044]

As already stated, the most hp and cfm you can get on single phase electrics. However also check the duty cycle of these, especially the Tiger, it will be cheaper for a reason and both the tasks you mention, spraying a sanding are very air hungry! some of the cheaper compressors can only run for 15 minutes in the hour before they overheat and cut out.

 

[T0rnado69]

I presume that you have seen the Airmaster Tiger is available at Machine Mart vat free at the moment?

isnt it vat free only on clarke products ? and 10% or so on anything else.

As already stated, the most hp and cfm you can get on single phase electrics.

is proberly this one.

2x 4hp, 36cfm , 150psi and 270 tank.

but at a price !

 

[Fintray]

isnt it vat free only on clarke products ? and 10% or so on anything else.

[/QUOTE]

 

[T0rnado69]

ohh thats changed then, since i last had a vat free voucher.

nice to see its on other branded names too ,not just clarkes.

 

[tinman123]

Hi, i just joined, been gradually building up some gear to have a go at some welding on my cars, i want to get some air tools such as cut off tool, die grinder, but maybe have the ability to try spraying, sanding too if i need to, so the thing i am trying to figure out is which compressor to buy, i only want to spend around £250 on one and there are lots in that price range, but there is so much conflicting advice on the subject that i can't decide what to go for, i have been leaning towards the Airmaster Tiger 16/1010 100L 3HP 14.5 CFM, which is exactly the same spec as the Clarke Raider 15/1000 but for less money, would either of these be up to the job?

im not going to be suggesting anything in your price range but what i can tell you is id do all of the jobs in my workshop and more with the tools your talking about there.
my last compressor was a 150 ltr one which was grand for what i used it for but with anything like a sander, a spray gun or any other tool that loved air it was just about able to keep up at best, using anything demanding times id have to stop and wsit for it to build up again.
i had that compressor for 20 years and i think i changed the oil in it once in that time, it never missed a bat apart from tripping the thermal switch a few times because power was iffy back then but it worked away tirelessly ever since and when it came time to change up i never even looked at another compressor as i had got such great service from the last one i bought the same brand again.
that brand being a Magnum compressor.
i bought a twin head twin motor 270ltr one this time, i dont know myself since i got it.
so the moral of the story is, try and buy the biggest CFM you can and the biggest tank that's affordable on it.

is proberly this one.

2x 4hp, 36cfm , 150psi and 270 tank.

but at a price !

i bought this one a few yrs back,
http://www.pomphrey.com/?pid=233
not off that man and certainly not at that price either but its up on the 36cfm alright.

as i mentioned above, ive had a magnum compressor now for the last 253 odd years and id personally consider them to be about the best of the best in garage compressors in todays market.
an italian tank, and a chinok ( spelling ) compressor unit on it, which is the same head they were using in the other magnum i have 23 yrs ago.
the one i bought was in three figures but close to the four shal we say but for what it is id consider it good value tbh.