Compressor recommendations?

[AVI_8]

What sort of housing are you going to go for?

I was thinking of the same but it is a tricky balance. Reason being the compressors will require air flow and also to dissipate heat from running.

In a small enclosure this presents problems because even if using acoustic louvres (cost prohibitive) they are also letting the damp outside atmosphere in when not running. And if near neighbouring properties noise could be an issue. Hence I put my compressor in my garage attic.

It’s going to be about 1.5 times the height of the compressors with an opening behind the fans which will draw in air from outside, also it will have doors which I can open to allow air to extract when in use, as long as moisture isn’t getting in which I’ll build into the design dampness shouldn’t be an issue as long as there’s ventilation, put it this way my garden sheds are dry, similar design but with an inlet for airflow and adjustable doors either end to let hot air out.
Edited to say that nearest neighbour is about 150 metres away, the base will be a platform like a decking 1 metre by 3.6 metre made from 4X2 joists sunk into the ground above fence posts into concrete with rubber between the compressor feet and the floor which will be 1 inch slats onto the 4x2 frame

 

[charlysays]

I've got a 3hp Clarke industrial 200l compressor. It's been decent tbf. I only paid 100 quid for it and got two huge metal work benches and a big record vice thrown in with it. I sprayed a car with hvlp with it no probs. As has been said machinemart do have good post warranty support and stock parts.
It needs new caps now though I think, started popping 13a fuses on the regular.
I also have another 150l 3hp compressor and run them together sometimes, or singularly when one breaks down.

 

[JOEPRO]

I tried to get one of those Joe, they’re hard to come by, and seriously expensive even second hand I was seeing £900, put it this way I’ve been looking for one locally for over 2 years.
These pumps start one at a time, when the first has started the second one starts, so it’s fine through a 32 amp plug. Sequential starting, When I first started looking at these 2 years ago you could get one for under a grand brand new, oh how inflation has made a difference! They’re around if a minimum of £1500 now

I have also been looking for a tandem compressor locally for about 6 months now.

I was going to pair up 2no 200L SIP compressors but it does take up alot of space that way.

I know of a tandem compressor available and I am going to look at it today. If it works out I'll use it for my double garage. (Which already has a welding power supply etc)

And ill keep my recently purchased 200L SIP in my front garage and sell off my smaller compressors to recoup some ££

 

[JOEPRO]

That escalated quickly

 

[RWD3M]

I think that is the best option but of course also the most expensive!

Out of curiosity how does yours operate @RWD3M ? When you pull the switch do both pumps start at the same time? Or does one delay then start a short time later?

There's about a 7 second delay between the first pump starting and the second one.

 

[AVI_8]

That escalated quickly

View attachment 397927

Spill the beans then,how much did you get it for?

 

[JOEPRO]

Spill the beans then,how much did you get it for?

I have started a thread on it here: Thread 'ABAC Tamdem Compressor servicing and restoration' https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/abac-tamdem-compressor-servicing-and-restoration.129322/

 

[Oldbanger]

Taking everyone's advice into consideration, I think I've come up with my short list....
I'd love to splurge 2k on a twin compressor unit but I think I would struggle for space in current location.
Are there any clear winners for quality out of this lot or should I just go with the cheapest option?

 

[Oldbanger]

Taking everyone's advice into consideration I've come up with a short list.... Are there any clear winners in the eyes you guys?
I'd love have the funds to spend 2k on a twin pump unit but space and funds dictate otherwise.... So here are the biggest that are within budget...

 

[Burdekin]

Call me cynical but if you look at the quality not sure what the extra cash is buying you? Pumps look generic, motors generic, tanks same, PRVs etc. No offence but I doubt the quality is any different to the Wolf Dakota which looks to have the same pump as the Clarke. There's loads of guys on here with the Wolf. I have two and never had a issue and reckon the quality is the same as those three.

 

[Burdekin]

Get some blue paint on the Wolf and could you tell the difference. ;-)

 

[Oldbanger]

Get some blue paint on the Wolf and could you tell the difference. ;-)

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I have to admit, other than some subtle differences they do look the same. This was my fear... The same stuff rebranded and sold for a premium.
I suppose that "made in the UK" should really just be "assembled*

 

[vw1]

Well the clarke are parts made In China but assembled in England. I only brought the clarke as I was under the impression it was made in the UK.
After I brought it from machine mart the manager told me so when I asked him.

 

[Burdekin]

I have to admit, other than some subtle differences they do look the same. This was my fear... The same stuff rebranded and sold for a premium.
I suppose that "made in the UK" should really just be "assembled*

Unless you go up another price level a lot of these will just be re-badged from the far east I would say. If something goes wrong then hopefully the warranty is better. But my second Wolf was damaged in transit, refused delivery and a new one was sent as soon as the other arrived back and no issues at all.

My previous two direct drives were a Clarke top of the range and Aldi, the Clarke always had a little oil in the tank and the Aldi nothing. Both ran fine until I sold them.

They're all generic enough that if the pump or motor goes you just replace them.

 

[Oldbanger]

Unless you go up another price level a lot of these will just be re-badged from the far east I would say. If something goes wrong then hopefully the warranty is better. But my second Wolf was damaged in transit, refused delivery and a new one was sent as soon as the other arrived back and no issues at all.

My previous two direct drives were a Clarke top of the range and Aldi, the Clarke always had a little oil in the tank and the Aldi nothing. Both ran fine until I sold them.

They're all generic enough that if the pump or motor goes you just replace them.

When you say up a price level... What do you think we are talking money wise?
I'm waiting to hear back from this lot on a quote... But they look very different from the compressors I've posted already.

 

[JOEPRO]

Did you search on all free local add sites? Gumtree etc?

For example a few weeks back I also got this 200L SIP compressor like brand new for £320



Very good compressor but as others said alot of this stuff is made in Italy or China anyway and all looks the same apart from the colour and branding.

The quality control is probably tighter on better brands but I wouldn't go buying a Snap On is what I'm saying.

This compressor is very good but when using an air file / sander the other day I noted it was running constant for about 5 mins. Keeping up but some air tools will still give it a work out.

Again as I said before when it comes to compressors buy the biggest tank and output to suit yout budget.

 

[Burdekin]

When you say up a price level... What do you think we are talking money wise?
I'm waiting to hear back from this lot on a quote... But they look very different from the compressors I've posted already.
View attachment 398193View attachment 398194

I'm not the right guy when it comes to quality European compressors. I've got the space for multiple compressors so that has always been my go to. Mutiple 3hp 14 or 14.5cfm. The good thing about the cheaper generic types are parts are going to be cheap if they break or wear out. If you are going to be running the compressor every day and need to rely on it for your business then go for a expensive one but if it's weekend warrior stuff like most of us then I don't see the need for anything expensive.

I'm in Aberdeen so not much comes up for sale second hand.

 

[Burdekin]

Did you search on all free local add sites? Gumtree etc?

For example a few weeks back I also got this 200L SIP compressor like brand new for £320

View attachment 398192

Very good compressor but as others said alot of this stuff is made in Italy or China anyway and all looks the same apart from the colour and branding.

The quality control is probably tighter on better brands but I wouldn't go buying a Snap On is what I'm saying.

This compressor is very good but when using an air file / sander the other day I noted it was running constant for about 5 mins. Keeping up but some air tools will still give it a work out.

Again as I said before when it comes to compressors buy the biggest tank and output to suit yout budget.

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. A big tank is good for spraying, more surface area drops more water out but spraying you only need 2bar so need to work the compressor hard to get a high pressure as that just heats the air and wears the compressor.

 

[Oldbanger]

Did you search on all free local add sites? Gumtree etc?

For example a few weeks back I also got this 200L SIP compressor like brand new for £320

View attachment 398192

Very good compressor but as others said alot of this stuff is made in Italy or China anyway and all looks the same apart from the colour and branding.

The quality control is probably tighter on better brands but I wouldn't go buying a Snap On is what I'm saying.

This compressor is very good but when using an air file / sander the other day I noted it was running constant for about 5 mins. Keeping up but some air tools will still give it a work out.

Again as I said before when it comes to compressors buy the biggest tank and output to suit yout budget.

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

 

[Oldbanger]

I'm not the right guy when it comes to quality European compressors. I've got the space for multiple compressors so that has always been my go to. Mutiple 3hp 14 or 14.5cfm. The good thing about the cheaper generic types are parts are going to be cheap if they break or wear out. If you are going to be running the compressor every day and need to rely on it for your business then go for a expensive one but if it's weekend warrior stuff like most of us then I don't see the need for anything expensive.

I'm in Aberdeen so not much comes up for sale second hand.

I'm in Glasgow myself... Seems like all the worthwhile deals are around the London area