Help Buying a Compressor

[geoffsurf]

I'm struggling to find any second hand compressors anywhere and might have to bite the bullet and buy a new one. It's just for very occasional home use, but over then next couple of months I will need to run a narrow belt sander, die grinder, paint gun.

I've been trying to do some research and realise that bigger is better and you get what you pay for. I would probably try and get one that has 14 cfm, 150 ltr tank so that it can keep up with the air tools I've mentioned above and will be useful for some years to come.

I've been looking at the Clarke SE16C150. I basically was wondering what Clarke compressors are like, and how they compare to Sealey, SIP etc? As I don't know much about compressors is there anything in particular that 14 cfm could not run? Also what is the difference between having alloy or cast iron cylinders, or alloy cylinders with cast linings (Sealey).

I've been looking at either the 14cfm or 18cfm that Machine Mart sell, but both have two versions and I don't see the difference between them?

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/p.../professionalindustrial-air-compressors-elect

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/p.../professionalindustrial-air-compressors-elect

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/se19c200-ol-air-compressor

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/se18c200nd-ol-air-compressor

 

[irondarren]

The main difference seems to be the after cooling. compressed air gets hot, very hot. if you can cool it better before it goes into the reciever tank then that is better. but there seems to be a large difference in price just for after cooling.
A 14cfm compressor will run most tools ok, including an air sander, drill, and a goof hvlp spray gun.
The large compressors are a 4hp motor, which is 3kw. the smaller is a 3hp which is 2.2kw. if you go for the larger make sure you have a dam good power supply to it. a 13 amp plug wont do.

 

[zzr1200]

Just try searching the forums "Used equipment for sale":

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=15620

 

[Chipper]

I bought a 3hp / 14cfm displacement / 150 litre one, went for Abac. Good price and local agents meant easy return if it had a prob within warranty.

14cfm displacement equates to about 9.5 delivered. Watch HVLP guns, most fullsize want more than that, like 14-17 delivered. There's also plenty of guns around being sold as "HVLP" but when you actually check out the specs/req's, look suspiciously like conventional guns... One gun I have is now being flogged as "HVLP" but wasn't when I bought it.

Anyway, mine runs a die grinder and DA OK, is OK for small-nozzle blasting work, and great for spraying with conventional guns.

 

[rtbcomp]

Difference in price on the Clarke machines may be that the cheaper ones are made in China, the others either Italy or UK.

I've had a Clarke SE16C150 for several years and it's given good service.

An ally cylinder with a cast iron liner may dissipate heat better and it would be cheaper to replace the liner than a cylinder.

 

[Wedg1e]

Clarke, like so many other compressor 'manufacturers' seem to use Abac pumps (Italian), so it doesn't matter which label you go for, they're all pretty much the same. I guess it's just the tanks that are welded up by different sources.

I have two here; a 100L SIP (with an Abac pump), a 150L Blue-Point BJ15 (Abac pump) and my new workshop came equipped with a Clarke 3-phase 200L monster with, surprise surprise... an Abac pump.

The pumps on the SIP and BP are absolutely identical although the tank dates are several years apart. I can see the BP out of the window and the tank data plate has 'EURE' as the maker; I think the SIP tank has Made In England on it (from the days when they still did!).
Abac's website has parts lists for every puimp they offer so spares shouldn't be an issue.

 

[geoffsurf]

Thanks for all your replies. I don't know much about compressors or electrics so might need to clarify a few points.

Ignoring price for the moment, is there much point in going for the larger Clarke compressor that shows cfm 18 if its only for occasional home use? Although I'm not going to be using it much, I'm going to be keeping it a few years and therefore want it to be big enough for some years. It's just I've heard so many people tell me to go for minimum 14 cfm.

What is an HVLP gun? I haven't looked into the differenet spray guns yet.

I will be running the comressor from just normal household mains, is this not sufficient for the larger 18cfm compressor with the 4 hp motor?

 

[zzr1200]

Thanks for all your replies. I don't know much about compressors or electrics so might need to clarify a few points.

Ignoring price for the moment, is there much point in going for the larger Clarke compressor that shows cfm 18 if its only for occasional home use? Although I'm not going to be using it much, I'm going to be keeping it a few years and therefore want it to be big enough for some years. It's just I've heard so many people tell me to go for minimum 14 cfm.

What is an HVLP gun? I haven't looked into the differenet spray guns yet.

I will be running the comressor from just normal household mains, is this not sufficient for the larger 18cfm compressor with the 4 hp motor?

HVLP = High Volume Low Pressure.

High cfm usage tools are DA Sanders, HVLP Gun and Air Fed Masks.

A modern 14cfm unit will run of a standard 13amp plug, not sure about the 18cfm probably requires a 20/30amp connector/supply.

 

[geoffsurf]

Ohh right thanks.

From the Machine Mart website the 14cfm and 18cfm both seem to require 230V.

Not sure whether its worth going for the 14 or 18 or 14 with larger tank? Anyone suggestions?

Just had a look at the SIP website and wow, there is even more choices there, now getting a bit confused.

 

[eil]

As the Americans say "Theres no replacement for displacement" if you can afford it.

 

[rtbcomp]

Yeah, go for CFM every time. You can always add more storage if you need it.