Compressors - talk to me

[Can'tWeld]

Hi all

So I'm looking for a compressor as I'm wanting to do a leak down test on one of my cars and all the gauges I've found want an external air supply.

I've seen these small cheap compressors on amazon that say they are for airbrushing, will stuff like this be any good for this sort of thing or will they just not have the volume necessary, should I be looking for a proper sized compressor in second hand?

I supposed a proper sized one will give me the option to run air tools and possibly a plasma cutter in the future, but I don't want to spend a boatload on it either, and space and weight are an issue as all my tools go in the cellar and I don't fancy carting a huge thing up the stairs every time, unless I get a very long air line?

 

[Pete.]

An air brush compressor won't do a leakdown on a car engine but you might get away with one of those tiny receiver ones like a bambi.

 

[frank horton]

get a 1/2 decent comp for the cellar and put a hole in the brickwork....
or
lidil do a small comp with kit....last week 160 euro's.....3 year warrenty........

 

[Jack_K]

It shouldn't take much of a compressor for a leakdown test. Anything with a tank should do.

The problem is most direct drive compressors are cheap pieces of rubbish that will make you hate air tools. You can probably find a small used old belt drive compressor cheap (or free)

If you want to be able to run air tools for any length of time it starts getting expensive as the minimum you will want is a true 2.5hp belt driven compressor.