Thread: workshop air compressor

Originally Posted by muddymech

been using a direct drive supercheap blackridge, worked fine and did pretty much everything i wanted.

ian

Apart from living to a ripe old age? Personally, I think buying cheap compressors is a false economy, they WILL die quickly, even if only used from time to time. Every time I go to the tip, there are heaps of cheapies being chucked away.

If you only want cheap, they fine - pretty much anything will do what you want. If you want something that will always go when you turn it on, and outlive you, then you will need to spend a bit more.

How many cheapies are you prepared to throw away over your lifetime?

For a few hundred more than that Stanley unit you would be able to get something that would last a long time.

I would suggest a twin cylinder belt drive unit like those available from "Trade Tools Direct" if you have those stores near you. Www.tradetoolsdirect.com.au

cheers

x2 - belt drive allows you to replace the head or motor separately should one of them fail.

Steve

As a builder for almost 25yrs, my compressors spat out millions of 4inch nails. The best ive had and still have is from trade tools direct QLD. Theyre heavy, but worth their money (at least the old ones were). They used to be cheap as well but havent kept up on prices lately. I have their framing guns that have had millions of nails run through them without any maintenance, still going strong but can get stuck just like every other brand.

As suggested go for a belt drive. Compressors and motors can be changed seperately. Buy the biggest CFM you can afford - there are two ratings free flow - as to what comes out of the air hose and compressor - ability to fill the tank. When comparing CFM make sure you compare CFM at the same psi.
I have an Air Mac (12months old), they are used alot in the orchard industry around where I live.

Keep your old tank and join it too your new compressor for more volume.

I have a near new 40L 2.5 horse compressor.
cost $15 at recycle center.
I purchased $30 hose and fittings from aldi.
it just pumps up 1 car tyre from flat or 4 mower tyres.

my truck compressor has a 11.5 electric start Honda and about 120L with 3/8 and 3/4 hose--has an Australian made logo but is at least 80-90's.
the motor and compressor purchased seporatly from a compressor specialist.we have a variety of similar looking hydrolic drive units on varies vehicles.

dad purchased a 120CFM broomwade for a few hundred.ideal for air chisel and random sander.

30 year old McMillan, still going strong considering, just starting to chuff a bit of air out the side, was going to replace it, but for a few bucks I think I can give it a new lease of life. Buy quality I say

Originally Posted by Vern

30 year old McMillan, still going strong considering, just starting to chuff a bit of air out the side, was going to replace it, but for a few bucks I think I can give it a new lease of life. Buy quality I say

Mine is 28 years old, although not a McMillan I suspect it is the same. It is three cyl. It has sat under my bench and never had an oil change. I had to change the belts recently and at the same time removed the plug(first time) to drain water.

It is used often and still going strong.