Is this compressor any good?

[Porschemaniac]

After shelling out for a Clarke Compressor a little while ago, I have recently been finding that it really can not cope with the demands that my drill, die grinder and, sometimes, nibbler make upon it - so an upgrade is in the offing.

I'm faced with a couple of choices - my local M M has a VAT free day tomorrow, so I could try to opt for another Clare Air (although, the specs don't seem particularly attractive).

Alternatively, I have found this - http://www.wolf-online.co.uk/product.asp?id=001725

Has anyone had experience of these Wolf Compressors. They are British made (not sure if that's a good thing) and the spec seems like a real bargain, compared with the equivalent Clarkes.

But, I know that you get what you pay for, so I'm just a little worried about the reliability, etc.

Any guidance will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Ian.

 

[M4RKE]

If you are useing air tools I would advise you to save your money untill you have a bigger budget then treat yourself to a much bigger compressor as air tools require lots of air to kep them running

 

[aero]

Most of the cheaper end of the market is utter rubbish. I've just been caught out with a SIP. Although it has a motor that drives the pump via pullies to keep the speed down, one side of the pump has a plain bearing made from the crank case. Utter ****e. I now see why it runs with no load when you first start it. To get the oil going round.

Buy something old and British! Avoid anything from M M et al

 

[M4RKE]

All of these cheaper compressors are nornally a single cylinder job that revs its nuts off I got myself a twin cylinder one that has a cast iron cylinder that will go on forever I have now had mine for 7 years not a single problem I purchased it from a company that is in Edmonton North London called Airmark compressors if you are in essex not to far from you round the A406. Do a goggle should come up.

 

[Porschemaniac]

Thanks for the common sense guys. Like I say, you do most definitely get what you pay for - and I guess all of these cheaper units are built down to a price.

Thanks for the recommendation for Airmark M4RKE - I'll look them up.

Cheers,

Ian.

 

[Wozzaaah]

Buy something old and British! Avoid anything from M M et al

Old and British usually means big motor and big starting current, modern compressors usually have a soft-start system to limit the starting current. Nothing wrong with buying one from MM, I did and I'm more than happy with it for what I use it for .

 

[hotrodder]

Have a look at shiremoorcompressors too, better value than the Wolf for a cheap disposable jobby and some good quality stuff too

 

[drjim]

I have that Wolf one, plus an almost identical wolf in blue. Paid £99 for the first, then £60 for the second (from Wolf as a returned tested but missing accessories - which I didn't need). I have connected the two up using some short hoses and a Y connector so I get more air for longer. Runs impact wrenches/die grinders fine - have to stop every few minutes to let the comps catch up (and rest the ears from the din they make!)

Still not as good as a big compressor, but having spent under 200 quid including hoses etc spread out over a year and a half I'm happy with them.

If I spot any broken comps around with serviceable reservoirs, I might add one of them via another Y connector for extra capacity.

 

[Robotstar5]

Nothing wrong with buying one from MM, I did and I'm more than happy with it for what I use it for .

Are you a small factory then?

"it will satisfy the air requirements of garages, small factories, workshops and farms"

 

[Wozzaaah]

If I spot any broken comps around with serviceable reservoirs, I might add one of them via another Y connector for extra capacity.

Use an old 47Kg propane cylinder .

Are you a small factory then?

Some of the stuff I've done has been a bit 'production line', boring and monotonous .

 

[drjim]

I find propane cylinders a bit scary, although there is one sitting in the workshop, in fact 2!

 

[Wozzaaah]

They're tested to pressures way above what a compressor runs at Jim, you can just leave the valve on it, connect them up via a 'pigtail' and off you go.
RTBcomp uses one for his setup I believe, he's the air guru on here .

 

[gavuk]

Wolf compressors are what aldi sell ,3 year warranty ,although return to manufacturer,30 day money back anyway through aldi,bought 1 for £80 (i think)few months back ,done the same as drjim coupled up with an old compressor and fed into propane cylinder for the extra storage,does for my needs which are strictly diy,got some old louvre doors off freecycle and am gonna build ventilated lock up outside of garage and sound proof ,i don't expect it to last forever but i now have to break 2 compressors to be out of air ,and one still has 2 1/2years warranty on it for less than £150......i am a known cheapskate though
nb did fit a pressure relief to propane cylinder and water drain though

 

[daf45]

I'm at the 'researching stage' of buying a compressor!
It's the same old story guys - the ex demo 15-160 on shiremoors website for £320 (plus the dreaded) will probably be well made and last for years. If it wants a service I bet you can get the bits, and I would expect a dealer with his reputation to stand by it...
The Clarke "industrial" ones LOOK OK (at least they have iron cylinders) but I'd be wary of descriptions like industrial / professional as used by all the hobby-kit box-movers (think wolf / sip / welders / grinders).
If youre on a strict budget then you havent got much choice - buy cheap and keep it going yourself, but if you can stretch to 300 or 400 surely it pays to buy decent kit in the first place.
* I must remember all this when I get round to buying a compressor!

 

[Gasman]

After shelling out for a Clarke Compressor a little while ago, I have recently been finding that it really can not cope with the demands that my drill, die grinder and, sometimes, nibbler make upon it - so an upgrade is in the offing.

These kind of tools are very high consumers of air so buy the best you can afford & please beware of cheap imports.

I'd go for the largest you can run from a 13amp socket which is a 3hp motor with a "soft start"
Secondly, consider a belt drive (opposed to a direct drive) which should allow greater efficiency, faster build up of air, allows for a larger pump and is easier to service. If you have space for a decent receiver then go for 200L if possible.

 

[inchpincher]

I really can't recommend these guys highly enough ->

http://www.aiedirect.co.uk/

You get what you pay for...