What size compressor do I need?

[Gullible]

Hi,
I'm looking to get a compressor to run some tools - riveter, impact wrench and a spray gun. Mostly I'll be doing hobby stuff like fixing up trailers and farm machinery.

There are so many compressors to choose from I'm stumped. Do I want a big tank with a low hp or do I want a small tank with a bigger hp. Price seams to be a balance of the two. I'm not a professional so cannot justify forking out big $$ for something that will mostly sit in the garage.

Love to hear what experience you've had.

[Gordie]

Mine is 2.5hp, 298L/min, 175L/min free air delivery...about a 50L tank I think. Runs a small sandblaster, spraygun, air tools, middle of the range type of thing, cost about $500 10yrs ago or so...probably get them for less now. Seems to do all I want for a home compressor.

[dero]

I have just downgraded from a larger, older compressor to one very similar to what you describe & it is working just fine . Similar use to what you need .

[Gullible]

Hi dero,
If you do not mind my asking, what size/air flow? what brand? and were from?

[northiam]

I bought Peerless 10 years ago
Big tank means less starts and stops
Lower RPM means go forever and reduced starting current

P14 Portable, 275LPM, 10AMP ? Peerless Products

https://www.toolmart.com.au/00257.html

[dero]

Hi Gullible , I got a Westair FAD 235lpm 54lt tank .
Smaller than the old one , but does all I want .
Westair is a WA company , if not readily avaliable I would probably have gone with Peerless , BOC or Repco .

[goingbush]

On compressors

Having moved into a house recently , with neighbours - perish the thought , I got a shed built and have equipped it with all sorts of goodies,

I have your typical generic direct drive chinese type compressor which I have hooked up to an air line to distribute to points around the shed, But the noise of the compressor was concerning - or I thought it might be to the neighbours ,

I was all set to buy a noiseless compressor - at 5 x the price of a no-name when I saw some guy using an oil filter screwed to the end of a rifle as a noise suppressor - you know where I'm going , most noise on a compressor is induction noise.

I cobbled together an adaptor and screwed a Z9 to my compressor , ( just had to dig out the anti drain back valve - probably un-necessary ) .... ah the silence , plus theres enough filter media in there to last forever .

the pink bats screwed in behind wire did had a marginal benefit, would not have bothered with it if I'd fitted the oil filter muffler first.

[LandyAndy]

Westair are good.
Had one as a sodbusters slave and we have one on our service trailer.
Good quality gear.
Andrew

[Old Farang]

That looks like some fancy anvil you have there. Do you have a patent on it?
Not sure, but it looks like a piece of cut down steel tramline.

[goingbush]

That looks like some fancy anvil you have there. Do you have a patent on it?
Not sure, but it looks like a piece of cut down steel tramline.

No thats not an anvil, its a paperweight
but yes it is a piece of tramline.