Workshop compressor

[Frenchie]

I'm thinking about buying a 240V compressor for the shed. Would be used for general stuff, cleaning, keeping tyres topped up, pressurising portable storage tanks, maybe I'll try some air tools......one of those toys I don't really need but would be nice to have.

As a starting point Bunnings have a 2.5hp with 24L tank for $99, or the same with 40L tank for $199. Is a bigger tank worth it? Do I need more hp? Should I be looking at the flow rate? Are the Bunnings ones rubbish? Any recommendations?

TIA

[LowRanger]

For what you say you want to do with it,the 40l model would be fine.Anything smaller is not big enough to run air tools properly.As for quality,I think you will find that all the small direct drive air compressors come out of China and are much of a muchness,they all have to meet the Aust/NZ standards.And providing that you drain it regularly,it should last for years.And at $199,after a few years if it does stop working,you just throw it away.

Wayne

[blue_mini]

The one with the 24L tank only has a 2 hp motor. Its worth the $40 odd dollars to get the bigger size. They've all got a 1 year home use replacement warranty, so no drama there. Between those and other small machines they're much of a muchness. Colours being the main difference with a lot of them.

If you can get a better deal from supercheap or somewhere, where you get a bunch of air tools with it would make it a better deal.

Youll be struggling to use air grinders or die grinders with a compressor that small. And spraying will have to be smallish areas then wait for the tank to refill.

[Blknight.aus]

the same compressors are at super cheap, my advice is wait till they have a sale and then you will get your compressor plus some tooling at about the same price.

from memory they sometimes throw a $400ish kit thats got the compressor, a decent hose, tyre inflator (with attachments for inflating sports balls) duster, a rattle gun, air chisel/hammer and some other bits pieces.

[pop058]

The plastic tubing spiral air hoses that typically come with these compressor will seriously inhibit the air flow rate. OK if you want to inflate a soccer ball or a tyre (maybe 2), but a waste of time when using a die grinder or rattle gun.

If it is going into your shed, look at a retractor reel with 20 or so mts of hose on it.

[Bigbjorn]

Buy the biggest one that will run on 240 volts even if you have to install a 15 or 20 amp power point. Get one that has 1/2" hose outlets. Flow is most important. Remember, flow gives speed, pressure gives power. Die grinders and HVLP sprayguns need flow, as do high rpm drills, and angle grinders, etc. A decent die grinder will outrun the flow of most 240 volt compressors giving you time to look at the job and scratch your bum whilst waiting for the compressor to refill the tank.

[101RRS]

I agree with Brian - get the biggest you can afford. I have a 17cfm system (tank is about 75l) and when using some air tools even it runs out of air, so get as big as you can afford as you will want to use it with bigger and better tools after a while.

Garry

[Tote]

Supercheap do a 200lpm direct connected compressor. I have one and it has been good value for the price. I bought a conventional ie not hvlp spraygun from the states and it works quite hapily for doing chassis work and single panels. Probably wouldnt want to paint a bus with it but it does what I want and was priced well at about $220.00 with a kit of (pretty ordinary) air tools.
Blackridge Air Compressor - Direct Drive, 2.5Hp - Supercheap Auto Australia
Regards,
Tote

[Don 130]

My Atlas Copco 8cfm is direct drive and draws a lot of power on start-up.this means either it won't start in some situations or blows fuses or pops circuit breakers especially if used on an extension lead. The electric tool bloke tells me they're all the same, but the belt drive ones draw less. Just something to consider if you don't have a very good power supply. Try borrowing one to see first.
Don.

[stealth]

My advice for what it is worth- Don't sell yourself short. Your attitude now is that you don't need it but you just want one. Believe me once you have one, it is like welders and oxy sets etc. You won't be able to live without it and will wonder how you ever lived without one. So get the biggest you can get. One that will do all the things you can imagine. Air tools, spray painting, tyres etc. I only wish mine was big enough for sand blasting. At the moment it has just died and is being repaired. Guess what? Have needed it everyday for the last week. Yes. Can't survive without it. The thing with purchases of tools I have always found is that whatever the initial outlay, they always pay for themselves in the long run. Buying tools is an investment in developing your own skills.