Which compressor

[cribbe]

Hi all
Im kitting out my shed just now and need a compressor, the most tasking thing it will have to run will be a pot sandblaster(ebay special). I need to keep it 240v so that means around 3hp max which seems to be around 14cfm max which isnt enough as i need 17 for the pot but i have a cunning plan. The guys in the garage next door have another compressor i can borrow and t in when im blasting. Looking to spend around £300 and found a few but anyone got any recomendations? needs to have a 90l tank min. Also what size air hose should i be looking at to run the sand blaster? last time i used it it wasnt getting enough air which i put down to the hose. Couple ive looked at:

the one im swaying to, i know its more but il wait for a vat free day
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/clarke-tiger-14100-3hp-portable-v-twin-air-co

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wolf-Air-...Air_Tools_and_Compressors&hash=item4168b483b1

looks the same but different company

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BURISCH-A...Air_Tools_and_Compressors&hash=item2578519e6d

 

[rtbcomp]

That Clarke is a direct drive which tend to be noisy, personally I'd go for a belt driven one.

People on here have the Wolf one and I don't think it gives any problems, I don't know about the German one, although it does mention cast iron cylinders which is a plus point.

If you use a 2.5mm nozzle with your pot 14cfm will be OK, just.

 

[Heliart]

I've the Wolf unit. For the price it's a cracker.
Quiet, capable and good aftersales.
It's a cheap unit, but drives my Clarke sand blaster cabinet, all my airtools etc no problem.

btw, it's cheaper on Amazon.

Cheers,

Steve

 

[Daz1968]

I waited for vat free day at machine mart and bought an se16c100 I find it very good for money and reasonably quiet in operation. With correct hard plumbing and drops I have no moisture and think it was money well spent.

 

[cribbe]

I've the Wolf unit. For the price it's a cracker.
Quiet, capable and good aftersales.
It's a cheap unit, but drives my Clarke sand blaster cabinet, all my airtools etc no problem.

btw, it's cheaper on Amazon.

Cheers,

Steve

cheersjust ordered one from amazon, like the fact it will be quiet so dont have to build a hut for it, now need to figure out hoses

 

[cribbe]

so compressor is ordered but i need to start from scratch with air tools and hoses so trying to figure it out.

Want to get a retractable hose for running the hand tools, gun, grinders ect they any good? or big enough for the task?

What size will i need to run a sand blasting pot 1/2"?

Think il do away with the standard regulator/ water trap on the wolf compressor and get a better one, is it worth it?

also hand tools, they wont be used all the time just hobby work, cars and boats so unsure what to go for dont want to spend a fortune but dont want to get the cheepos that fall to bits, is there any good middle ground il be looking for
air file
die grinder, probably an angled one so i can use sanding discs for dressing welds.
1/2" gun
sorry for the 101 questions but if anyone has some recomendations that might save me waisting cash that would be great

 

[Daz1968]

I used John guest plastic pipe and fittings, 22mm from compressor and around workshop with a 15mm drop using their water trap tee into a 1/2 inch bsp water filter/regulator. Find it very good for the money and very easy to install. I am now contemplating changing my pcl fittings for the xf ones to minimise any pressure loss. Just leave the regulator by the pressure switch and pipe directly to the tank it will be a lot better. I get virtually no pressure drop and clean water free air using this method. Just sloped all pipe work back to tank and drain water from tank every time I use it as wasn't practical for me to slope it the other way due to the roof shape.

 

[rtbcomp]

Actually you should really slope the pipe away from the tank if you can.

If you slope it towards the tank the water could stay still in the pipe and get absorbed as the air passes over it. Sloping it away means water gets pushed along the pipe into the water traps.

You should take the drop pipes off the top of the "horizontal" runs to stop water getting down the drop leg. A drain should be provided at the end of the "horizontal" run.

 

[Daz1968]

The John guest tee has a raised pipe built in it takes air from the top of the airflow same as if you tee out of the top for a drop leg. I unfortunately had to pipe mine this way due to slope of garage roof but agree sloping other way would be best. I would defo recommend the John guest stuff for diy installation though easy and quick to install. Even for a non plumber like myself. Compared to my old compressor running off stock regulator and rubber hose I see no water and very little pressure drop from compressor.

 

[cribbe]

no point for me running plastic pipes the garage is only 6m x 10m.

Come up with a plan i will leave the original reg, pressure switch, releif valve in place and take off the 1/2" bsp on the tank.

My plan is to use malluable fittings, 90 dgrees ect and have

1/2" 90 - ball valve - 90 - 1/2" regulator/ water trap - 1/2" female quick connect possibly pcl (see they dont do the xf in 1/2" but guess its better flow with the size)- 1/2" pcl male - 1/2" bsp 13mm bore hose - tool

should work alrigh and i may put a quick release after the ball valve so i can remove it for moving ect that or weld a frame onto the handle to protect it all.
also means i can use the original reg for helmet supply for blasting

 

[Daz1968]

For best results the water trap needs to be further from the compressor to give the air chance to cool down.