Thread: good cheap air compressor for general use.

have you checked out Bunnings they have some good deals from time to time and some cheap to expensive compressors.. I use a cheapo GMC $99 compressor for most of my jobs. It just runs my air tools and spray guns if i have time to wait for full pressure and is small enough to hide under the bench when not in use..

yeah I was going to get one of those $99 specials but thought maybe for a bit more I could get something a bit bigger, but maybe a $99 one will be okay for basic things

thanks

Drop into a Total Tools store or similar and check out what they have on special. Personally I wouldn't get anything smaller than a 2.5 HP running a belt.


Cheers
Chris

Be warned, you get what you pay for. An el cheapo may easily overheat halfway through pumping up a tyre, that has already taken a half hour to do... If you are talking about a pushbike tyre then OK, but a 4wd tyre?

Have a look on ebay, you can pick up a really good one there (ARB Air Compressor)
ARB PORTABLE AIR COMPRESSOR - 12V (eBay item 220742392163 end time 02-Mar-11 13:14:30 AEDST) : Cars, Bikes, Boats
ARB CKMA12 Air Compressor (eBay item 170589042558 end time 11-Mar-11 12:42:59 AEDST) : Cars, Bikes, Boats
T-MAX TAIPAN PORTABLE 12V 4WD AIR COMPRESSOR (eBay item 110646429262 end time 10-Mar-11 13:20:55 AEDST) : Cars, Bikes, Boats

I have a SIP 2.5HP direct drive cheapy.
I have now had it for about 8 years with no problems except the regulator diaphragm splitting , which I replaced successfully with a bit of inner tube.

IMHO 2.5 HP is the minimum if you want to use die grinders or even air blowers ( which are very handy to clean radiators), as the compressor will work hard to keep up, and you will have to stop and twiddle your thumbs waiting for pressure sometimes.

IMHO for home work a cheapy is quite adequate as the cost of repair say a belt drive's motor would IMHO make it cheaper to buy a cheapy and chuck it if it gets compressor or motor problems.
BUT buy as big a cheapy as you can even if you have to spend $200 or more.
Regards Philip A

maybe look at somewhere like the trading post and get a good belt driven second hand compressor? for you money.
Sure it won't be schmick and glossy, but at least you won't be waiting for it to recharge and have your spray paint dry before you finish the coats. or have hot air blowing out of it.
we have been down the "not up to it compressors" and you waste too much time with them.