Compressor recommendations?

[JOEPRO]

Using air tools you want pressure, the bigger the tank volume the more the compressor is going to have to work to keep the pressure up.

Erm, not really.

The bigger the air compressor receiver the better really. On my 200L SIP you can run air tools for about a minute before it even needs to kick in the motor.

 

[Burdekin]

I've been scouring the likes of gumtree and ebay with very little success. I guess I'll keep my eyes peeled. Not looking to rush this one. I'd rather get the right one.... Or as you suggest... I right good deal in something for just now

See if any of the brands have any shop soiled ones for sale as well.

 

[Burdekin]

Erm, not really.

The bigger the air compressor receiver the better really. On my 200L SIP you can run air tools for about a minute before it even needs to kick in the motor.

But then it's working hard to keep the bigger volume at pressure. Something like a sander the bigger volume is no point. Something under a minute is the only advantage for air tools.

 

[JOEPRO]

But then it's working hard to keep the bigger volume at pressure. Something like a sander the bigger volume is no point. Something under a minute is the only advantage for air tools.

I dont quite follow your line of thinking. As I said my advice is get as big a compressor as possible. 200L - 270L etc. Its having the reserve of air on tap that is important. But won't argue with you on this no time for that so people can decide what they want.

 

[Burdekin]

I dont quite follow your line of thinking. As I said my advice is get as big a compressor as possible. 200L - 270L etc. Its having the reserve of air on tap that is important. But won't argue with you on this no time for that so people can decide what they want.

This thread is for advice for someone buying a compressor. If you want a operating pressure of 8bar for continuous use of a air tool, the bigger the volume of the tank the more air the compressor needs to pump to get back up to the pressure with a bigger tank. It's quicker for a compressor to fill a smaller tank especially like your example if the compressor is running continuously then it's dropped below the switch pressure and will need to pump more air to get back up to pressure.

 

[Burdekin]

I have ABAC PRO A39B 200 FM3.

Perfectly acceptable for spraying while using airfed mask. Sprayed 100s of items.
Make sure you are using a 3 stage filter rated for breathable air if you are using this type of compressor and intend to use air fed mask.

Have also sandblasted with the compressor and works fine. It is not enough CFM for vapour blasting, I now have another similar sized compressor running in parallel which I use for more CFM when vapour blasting.

Nice compressor, got any pics of your setup? What spray gun and airfed mask are you using?

 

[Oldbanger]

This thread is for advice for someone buying a compressor. If you want a operating pressure of 8bar for continuous use of a air tool, the bigger the volume of the tank the more air the compressor needs to pump to get back up to the pressure with a bigger tank. It's quicker for a compressor to fill a smaller tank especially like your example if the compressor is running continuously then it's dropped below the switch pressure and will need to pump more air to get back up to pressure.

I happy to hear all advice, I'm a complete newbie in this field and genuinely appreciate everyone taking time to post.
I can understand your logic on the smaller receiver being quicker to fill and also Joe's view on having the larger receiver as the larger volume of air will be held at the same pressure therefore giving a greater volume of air and time before the pump kicks in.

 

[Burdekin]

The airfed mask:

https://www.spraygunsdirect.co.uk/product/iwata-full-face-airfed-mask-kit-great-value-new-2020-kit/

I use devilbiss flg-5 for mostly everything ranging from 30-40 psi

Must be enough air as the regulator has a whistle on it that blows if not enough air for mask, only had that once when I forgot to turn the compressor on once!

Pics below of the two compressors and mask. I run auto drain valves on both compressors which drain through hoses under the garage doors and outside.

Excuse the exposed wiring on the abac, have been tinkering with the pressure switch as seemed to back off from vibration and the two compressors started up at same time causing the current surge and tripping breaker. Before I had them start with a few seconds delay of eachother which took some fiddling but they've seemed to drift towards eachothers start times.

View attachment 398206
View attachment 398205

Nice, that would be very much at the limit for a FLG5 and mask going full out. Good that it's managing. Do you do any big jobs.

 

[Burdekin]

I happy to hear all advice, I'm a complete newbie in this field and genuinely appreciate everyone taking time to post.
I can understand your logic on the smaller receiver being quicker to fill and also Joe's view on having the larger receiver as the larger volume of air will be held at the same pressure therefore giving a greater volume of air and time before the pump kicks in.

A smaller main tank with a additional tank is a good compromise. The second tank works great for dropping out moisture. A few guys on here have a second tank and you can put it anywhere you like. I converted a big propane bottle for spraying and works great at dropping moisture out.

 

[Burdekin]

Upright so not a big footprint. Just an idea and another way to skin that cat.

 

[JOEPRO]

Joe,

I just looked up the specs of the typical SIP offering with 200l receiver. Here are a couple of pertinent lines from that advert:

Piston Displacement:	13.00CFM (368ltr/min)
Free Air Delivery (FAD):	8.50CFM (240ltr/min)

3HP single phase.

Yes, the tools use is in FAD, not pressure (although they do need the pressure at the tool inlet). The compressor will restart well above the 5, or 6, Bar required foroperation of most air tools, so the larger tank is simply a buffer before the pump kicks in again. Tool FAD will determine whether the receiver pressure continues to reduce or steadily gets refilled to cut-out pressure. That chinese (or Italian) rating of 13CFM - meaning only real, actual, truthful production of 8.5CFM says it all really.

That compressor will service tools continuously only if they consume less than 8 1/2 CFM. Typical hype for those that don’t know - bumping up the real output by an advertised 50% more than the truth!

I think for most home users those specs are still very decent. But notwithstanding this I have also just purchased a used Tandem compressor with these specs (Current model but it should be very similar if not identical)

ABAC PRO A39 270 FM3 Tandem

This is the largest output available in the ABAC piston range that will run on single phase electrics. It is suitable for medium sized workshops and capable of running standard spray guns, tyre inflators.

Weight 153 kg
Dimensions 157 × 47 × 103 cm
Range: ABAC PRO
Lubrication: Oil Lubricated
Drive: Belt Driven
Configuration: Stationary Tandem
Volt/Hz: 230/1/50
Power Supply Requirements: 32 amp supply
Capacity Displacement CFM: 27.6
C D CFM Band: 20-30
Capacity Displacement Litre Per Minute: 786
Capacity Free Air Delivery CFM: 20.2
Capacity Free Air Delivery Litre Per Minute: 572
Maximum Working Pressure PSI: 145
Maximum Working Pressure Bar: 10
Motor HP: 3.3
Motor kW: 2.2 2.2
Receiver Size in Litres: 270
Noise DB(A) LPA: 73
Noise Power Level LWA: 93
Noise Pressure Level LPA (4 MT) DB(A): 73
Outlet Connection: 1/2" BSP Female
Pump Speed in RPM: 1050
Belt Guard: Plastic
Pump: A39B
Number of Cylinders: 2

Does the above translate to more than double the 200L SIP FAD CFM then?

 

[Richiew]

Upright compressors are nice if you are short of space. If you aren't, you soon will be if you spend any time on here.

The downside is less choice and increased cost.

 

[Oldbanger]

Upright compressors are nice if you are short of space. If you aren't, you soon will be if you spend any time on here.

The downside is less choice and increased cost.

I've been a member of this forum for around 14 years... I started learning mig with a small clarke mig pro90.
I've since bought
Tig welder
Bead roller
Stud welder
Shrinker stretcher
Sheet metal shears
Various sykes pickavant hammers
1 dozen or so dollys
And.... I've got a tree stump with a bowl carved out and a baseball bat that has been bastardised into a large wooden shrinking mallet.
I don't even think I'm that bad... Or at least there must be worse out there!!!

 

[Richiew]

Simply not trying hard enough. At least you are considering a compressor to up your score.

 

[Jack_K]

3hp Compressors in Australia don't normally have tanks over 100l (you might find some 50+ year old industrial ones but otherwise none do) so obviously it was worked out to be unnecessary. It is true for the cheap brands up to the highest quality ones.

I would look for a compressor which doesn't have a Chinese pressure switch, they seem to fail often. Get one with a Condor or similar.

 

[JOEPRO]

3hp Compressors in Australia don't normally have tanks over 100l (you might find some 50+ year old industrial ones but otherwise none do) so obviously it was worked out to be unnecessary. It is true for the cheap brands up to the highest quality ones.

I would look for a compressor which doesn't have a Chinese pressure switch, they seem to fail often. Get one with a Condor or similar.

I am not familiar with what FAD those compressors would deliver?

I still say it's just basic knowledge on compressors that you want a big tank.

Pump duty etc plays into this. You would really need to have a pump which is correctly sized to meet or exceed anything you intend to use to reep any space or cost saving benefits for a small tank.

If that pump needs to run 100% when spaying a car for example it's life expectancy will likely be very short.

With a large tank and decent sized pump it will charge up, stop and cool off for a minute or two between spraying operations. This is critical down time.

The larger the tank the better your pressure will sustain itself also under load.

If cost and space was no consideration there is no doubt a tandem compressor is ideal as it provides a decent tank and enough oomph to power most all operations such as blast cabinets.

If anyone had tried to spray a car with a 50L or 100L single phase DIY compressor you will know what I mean here!

Modern scroll air compressors don't need a large receiver due to the large volume they can deliver so that's an exception IMO.

Summary - in an ideal world we would all absolutely be better buying a compressor with a nice slim receiver and a FAD which exceeds our current and future needs. In reality this is very cost prohibitive and ain't going to happen in most cases. So get a large tank and biggest pump you can and it will still be decent especially for the £. My opinion- 200L is min tank you want for a single phase domestic machine.

 

[James1979]

I think the pumps are Italian?

Not sure why I think that but I’ve been told it somewhere along the line

 

[Mick Annick]

I think the pumps are Italian?

Not sure why I think that but I’ve been told it somewhere along the line

The Italians seem to control the lower end of the compressor market, have a look at the brands Atlas Copco own there…

 

[Mick Annick]

For a bit of thread drift - I’m looking at a smallish compressor, just for tyre inflating and air dusting. I like the look of the Abac L30P Hockenheim 20L, I know it’s direct drive so a bit noisy and a small tank, but it should suit my needs. It’s a lubricated pump - I’m not keen on the oil-free but am open to persuasio.

 

[JOEPRO]

For a bit of thread drift - I’m looking at a smallish compressor, just for tyre inflating and air dusting. I like the look of the Abac L30P Hockenheim 20L, I know it’s direct drive so a bit noisy and a small tank, but it should suit my needs. It’s a lubricated pump - I’m not keen on the oil-free but am open to persuasio.

I had one of these and it was OK for what it was. Not sure where you are located but if in UK they are cheap enough too




I sold it a few days ago after I bought my tandem compressor as 4x compressors is too many even by this forums standards