Air Compressors For Pneumatic Tool Use.

[Shaun]

Gday,

I am interested in buying an air compressor (electric) so i can use pneumatic tools in my garage, but i dont really know alot about them. I know you can get em cheap at places like Super Cheap Auto, but i want to use tools like grinders, sanders and ratchets and im concerned that the cheapies will only run spray gun equipment etc.

My question to those in the know is: What should i be looking for in a fairly decent home handyman/workshop compressor that will run the above mentioned tools. Also, how are the different size compressors measured (amount of air expelled?). What should i be paying also?

Thanks guys.

Shaun.

[R33S2]

Depending on the amount of constant use relates to tank size, if your using it every minute or so, a large tank will keep up better, but if you only use it for short bursts, and can wait for the compressor to catch up, a smaller/est will do fine, thats with rattle guns and sanders etc, i dont use a spray gun much.

You get what you pay for, compressors wear out and if they a shite to begin with......

[MK2]

If you can happen on one, try and pick a good sized compressor with a 50-100L tank and a belt drive rather than a direct drive compressor on it from things like closing down sales, auctions and the like. You'll probably spend about the same as a cheapo one from a store.

Belt drives are comparatively quiet, which is a sanity saver if you have too live with it running for a long period of time, they do need oil and filter changes every couple of hundred continous hours of use but seem too be in my experience a little better than the direct drive beasts, which use servicing about the same time as a belt drive.

Grinders and sanders need to use about a minimum 75-100L tank of air at 90psi and will run about 6-15 cubic feet of air a minute through them. Rattleguns are pretty good they only use about half that and most everything else tends too be much much less.

Dont forget if youre running a spraygun too make sure its got a good condensor on it though.

Like the bloke there said, get what you pay for

[Shaun]

Thanks for the info guys; ill keep investigating.

Shaun.

[Guest Rotary20B]

Thanks for the info guys; ill keep investigating.

Shaun.

I bought one of the supercheap compressors, it cost around 250 for the compressor, and bought about $300 worth of tools, hoses etc

Never had a problem

[Duncan]

but what do you use it for?

we have had a heap of problem with a big kick arse compressor still running out of puff using the dremel thingy

[xRHETTx]

Your best to talk to a proper air compressor supplier than going to bunnings or supercheap etc.

Let them know what you want and what you need it for etc and they'll work out exactly what you need.

eg. if its only irregular use, a small recip one will prob do, and with a large air receiver (tank) you could get away with short bursts of high use.

but if its constant regular use get a proper rotary screw compressor. Theyre not cheap though.

[Silent]

Hey mate, ill start by asking you the following.

How much do you want to spend?

What are the main tools you will be using?

How often do you think you will use it?

Are you going to spray with it?