Garage compressors

[AliveBoy]

Hi All!

 

So, the time has come where I need a compressor at home, but how big should I go?

 

I will be using it mostly for inflating tyres and every now and again running a few small air tools, saw, sander, paint gun etc.

 

I've been looking at a budget 2hp model with a 50ltr tank as I only have a standard 240v power supply at home. Noise isn't an issue and to a large extent neither is refill time, so long as I can use tools for a couple of minutes at a time.

 

Anyone who provides help can use it when needed

 

Thanks

[-Bradders-]

I bought an Aldi/lidl not sure which back last year it was on offer for £49.99 it had all the attachments, its a 50lt, 4hp i think, i've used it for tyres and spraying car parts! they might still have them there!

[Grundy]

Could try Keyser, may have an old one.

[rtbiscuit]

if you spray with it make sure its one with a moisture trap on it. You don't want to be mixing oil and water in with your paint.

[Tricky-Ricky]

A 2 HP with 50lt tank should be sufficient, I have one and have sprayed cars with and used air tools, check the CFM this will give you an idea of what it can run.

[Keyser]

I only have 3 compressors so none spare

 

50l 2hp - yes it will spray a car if your not to fast - I do find it is a little lacking for air tools, they usually do about 9cfm a grinder needs 12 or more and my sandblaster takes what it can get lol.

 

My 2 big compressors are 200l 14cfm - does everything and 150l 12cfm - sandblaster mostly - got it cheap from the bay, got a new motor for (not fitted yet) as it was cheap and the bearings are going in mine.

 

The 50l is general purpose mostly used for the air-fed mask when spraying or sandblasting - does that OK.

[Sam Mcgoo]

The lidl /Aldi ones come round once or twice a year and are meant to be pretty good for the money but I'm sure they are only 25 litres.

 

I bought mine from S's this year, and it seems pretty good. It has only had light use so far though.

I went for a 50ltr starter kit with some extra hose and a tool kit with a good selection of air tools in it.

 

And they look cool in black and blue lol

 

Have a look here

http://www.sgs-engineering.com/air-compressors

Edited October 28, 2014 by Sam Mcgoo

[Grundy]

Oh sorry Matt He's only got 3, silly me

[AliveBoy]

I've been looking at petrol generators so I think I'm going to get one as it's cheaper than running power to my garage. Id never spray a whole car, just small parts and the quality would never need to be amazing

 

Now I've got some inspiration I'm going to sort the garage out! Thanks guys

[Commander]

It's all about the CFM rating for me - compare what your tools need to the compressor's capabilities and decide from there... Bigger is almost always better!

[Harryjax]

Go for a compressor that has a good

Air Displacement: 14.5 CFM or higher if you want to run air tools like sanders or ratchets

[Harryjax]

Go for a compressor that has a good

Air Displacement: 14.5 CFM or higher if you want to run air tools like sanders or ratchets

[Keyser]

According to Harryjax CFM is so important he said it twice

 

 

 

 

Can't beat a good old CFM number I always think

[Harryjax]

According to Harryjax CFM is so important he said it twice

 

 

 

 

Can't beat a good old CFM number I always think

 

Hey Slim,

Is one taking the P*ss out of my Stammer?

[AliveBoy]

found out that you shouldn't run a compressor from a generator as they draw so much to begin with. More thinking is being done atm

[Keyser]

You can run a compressor from a genny - they do at track - you need a good genny and you must ALWAYS bleed the compressor for first start so it removes some of the load - the problem is the compressor will stop and start as you use it.

 

That is when you get a big draw on the genny, and why they don't recommend it - having said that if it's a permanent solution I would agree it's not a good one.

 

You can get a petrol engined compressor, cost a bit more

 

example

http://www.ebay.co.u...D-/161466324043

 

But that one only has 10CFM - bit of research me thinks is needed

Edited October 29, 2014 by Keyser

[AliveBoy]

This is my issue:

 

 

My house/garden is the bigger red square and the garage is the small one. The pink lines are footpaths which I can't dig up and there's two houses in between mine and the footpath.

 

I'm thinking that I'll put a 50ltr compressor into the shed (blue square) with one hard line out into the fence which I can then plug the flexible hoses into, and one remaining in the shed so I can use tools on the car on the road but still use bits inside the shed. It's a bit of a ballache, but it would offer the best solution for me I think. Anyone have any better ideas?

[SteveM]

dig the footpath up at night

[Keyser]

Only problem I see in your cunning plan is you lose pressure over distance with hoses so you would need a BIG hose - I didn't think it would make much difference but it does.

 

Just a thought

[AliveBoy]

Only problem I see in your cunning plan is you lose pressure over distance with hoses so you would need a BIG hose - I didn't think it would make much difference but it does.

 

Just a thought

 

I wouldn't use the air lines all the way to the garage, just to the road which is only a pavement's width across. Most things I could do in the shed, so it would just mean a bit of manoeuvring around. I think I need a strong trolley to take stacks of wheels from the garage to the shed