Which Compressor would you recommend?

[veedub2007]

The following air tools i'll be using it with will be:

Air Body Saw
Belt Sander
Air Dir Grinder
Air Cut Off Tool
Drill
Dual Action Sander
Spraying small panels

I've seen two different compressors I like but before I part with any money thought i'd get your expert opinions and i've posted the following links to the compressors i'm most interested in. I don't want to spend over 300 pounds.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....m=130230312126&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=003

http://www.axminster.co.uk/product-Axminster-AW30HP-3hp-Direct-Driven-Compressor-564885.htm

Any help would be really grateful thanks

 

[gavuk]

if room is not an issue try for a bigger tank (100litre+) as d/a and other air hungry tools will require tank to be refilled too frequently,vee belt drive is generally considered superior as well,although direct drive and 3hp + should be adequate,be careful when buying the tools to choose those with lower air demand.The two linked compressors will run the tools u have said but may exceed duty cycle ,and will be frustrating as the motor will be cutting in so frequently ,although some of us on the forum have obtained and adapted cylinders to be used as recievers,try and buy the biggest your budget will stretch to .hopefully others on here will give their views on specific machinesto help u decide,have u purchased any tools to use with compressor yet ?also looking at what u have listed can expect shotblasting and impact wrench in future as well?may help others give more specific advice

 

[zzr1200]

The following air tools i'll be using it with will be:

Air Body Saw
Belt Sander
Dual Action Sander
Air Dir Grinder
Air Cut Off Tool
DrillSpraying small panels

I've seen two different compressors I like but before I part with any money thought i'd get your expert opinions and i've posted the following links to the compressors i'm most interested in. I don't want to spend over 300 pounds.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....m=130230312126&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=003

http://www.axminster.co.uk/product-Axminster-AW30HP-3hp-Direct-Driven-Compressor-564885.htm

Any help would be really grateful thanks

Sorry Veedub, but niether, if/when direct drive compressors have problems they are a thrown away item no matter how large they are.

I would personally save up and double your buying power, a DA Sander eats air like nothing else, faster than just about any other home use tool.

I have a 14cfm compressor with 200 ltr tank, when using a DA once the compressor kicks in it won't stop running until after I stop using the DA and the pressure has built back up.

The real problem with small direct drives is heat built up while running, save up and buy a compressor with seperate motor/comressor units for years of hassle free use.

I would personally suggest you look for something like this and then wire it into the mains:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/air-compresso...ryZ30928QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[shenion]

I agreee with zzr.

I just got a used 60gal (227l) / 6HP compressor with one of the direct-drive, oiless compressors. The compressor had broken connecting rods. Was only a few years old. Had to throw out the motor as I could not use it as the compressor was part of the motor housing and the crankshaft was part of the motor shaft.

I mounted my 20-year old belt-drive 5HP pump and motor that still works as good as new. I think it is about 14CFM (we don't specify the displacement in the US.) It is rated 9.8CFM @ 90 PSI. Runs about 30% of the time using my die grinder. The pump/motor looks a lot like the one zzr posted.

Belt drive is the way to go for long term reliability.

 

[rtbcomp]

Spend your money on CFM rather than tank size and get one with cast iron cyclinders.

 

[JW240]

I bought a very nice 4 hp compressor for around 500-600 pounds. almost twice what you want to spend, but maybe its worth it to save up a bit longer. The brand is "Aircraft", its from Austria/Germany. Probably not available in your area but a similar higher end brand should be available there as well.
2 cylinder, belt driven, cast iron liners, galvanized tank (inside and out), 3 air outlets, 10 bar, good balance, nice wheels.

I had (and still have) a small 2 hp direct drive compressor for the smaller work, it was a cheaper unit (200 quid) and still works fine. But not enough for the bigger machines. The cheaper ones can work, but will run a lot and could be worn out in a few years, or when you're lucky you can have reliable service from a cheaper one for a long time. Hard to say. I'd try to go for a better one.
It also depends on how much and how long you are going to use the air tools....

 

[rtbcomp]

Another option is to buy what you can afford now and save up for another one and run them both together. Also this gives some relience if one breaks down.

 

[drjim]

Another option is to buy what you can afford now and save up for another one and run them both together. Also this gives some relience if one breaks down.

Do you mean link the two together? Can that be done with a Y fitting in the airline??

 

[rtbcomp]

Yes - just make sure they switch on & off at slightly different pressures to avoid power surges

 

[veedub2007]

thanks for all your help i've now decided to go for something more worth while, i've see these two of which are belt driven.

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/p.../professionalindustrial-air-compressors-elect

http://www.shiremoorcompressors.co.uk/phdi/p1.nsf/supppages/shire?opendocument&part=2
its the Model ER 14/150

which one would you buy? the bottom one is slightly dearer and have been told that machine mart do a vat free day and can pick that up for 329 pounds compared to 356 pounds for the Model ER 14/150.

 

[Wozzaaah]

I'd probably go with the Clarke one, not just because I have one but because it has cast iron barrels instead of aluminium ones like the shiremoor one and is considerably cheaper if you can wait until a 'vat free' day.

 

[zzr1200]

Go for the clarke, unless you can find a local dealer who can match or better the price for the same spec compressor, I'd try and wait for a vat free day.

Phone the Machine Marts near you as they each have different dates for vat free days/nights. I have been personally told by my local MM staff that you don't really need an invite either to get in, more a case of you spending your money. If you have to travel 120 miles round trip so be it, your'II still be quids in.

Ask if they will have it in stock or it will be delivered.

Good luck and enjoy.

PS. Also take some extra folding stuff with you as you won't just be buying a compressor, I know these things....

 

[landrover90]

compressor

For what its work i have a sip one, 150 litre tank pretty quiet and no problems so far. runs air tools fine and have just sprayed the outsideof my house with it with exterior paint using an 8mm nozzle adn it seemed to cope fine.

 

[Tangmere]

thanks for all your help i've now decided to go for something more worth while, i've see these two of which are belt driven.

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/p.../professionalindustrial-air-compressors-elect

http://www.shiremoorcompressors.co.uk/phdi/p1.nsf/supppages/shire?opendocument&part=2
its the Model ER 14/150

which one would you buy? the bottom one is slightly dearer and have been told that machine mart do a vat free day and can pick that up for 329 pounds compared to 356 pounds for the Model ER 14/150.

I got the Clarke one as above on a VAT free day works fine.

 

[madjakmclaferty]

Just bought a compressor for doing that same as you, 150 litre 15 cfm. Check out http://www.compressorman.co.uk/. Really good machine and you can get the bits to service it before it starts to deteriorate.

 

[Chickenjohn]

I have the shiremore compressor as detailled below:-

"Model ER14/50 Belt drive twin cylinder compressor
14 cfm
3 hp 240 v
50 litre portable receiver
150 psi
cost £269.00
carriage £16.50"

Mine has the 3HP motor. Much more than this and you will probably (IMHO ISTBC) not be able to run it off house hold electricity and will have to go 2 or 3 phase.

My Shiremore has worked very well for the last nearly years or so, it copes well (despite the small 50l tank) with a DA sander and air file and also respraying panels. I would have got one with a bigger reciever but thats all I could fit in my tiny garage and still be able to get a project car in and work on it. Shiremore are a great company to deal with, the compressor and other bits I ordered arrived when they said (So I could take the day off work etc).