Help... What compressor do I Buy??

[Mr Skywalker]

Well the time has come to spend some hard earned wonga on a compressor, and it'll be my first! 'Ahhh' I hear you all say 'how sweet'! Well I have been trawling through endless reviews reports forums and I have come to the conclusion that the best advice is always from those who really know! So guys and girls go for it, let loose, tap the keys and recommend me something..... Please....

Here is a few key points that I am looking for;

• Budget - reasonable, and I am willing to pay for the right gear.
  • 240 volt single phase only
  • Don't mind buying good second hand
• I need to run many different tools including a spray gun that will last, possibly even blasting gear.
• Quiet - I am residential and don't want to annoy my close neighbours.
• Noise - Can I house it in a sound proof shed seperate to the garage?
• What size hoses, fitting should I consider?
• What air tools do you recommend?
• Any really good tips?
• Anything that can help and clear my head would be great!!

Just so you know the need for this is to help with my restoration project of a 1963 VW split bus - http://www.facebook.com/TheVwBus

 

[normspanners]

If you want quiet don't get 3000rpm direct drive they drive you nuts, I allways say a second hand old style ingersol rand or broomwade are better value for money they just keep on going as long as the tank is not to rusty, with the old ones they have windows to undo and check inside, you can maybe update the motor and still be cheaper than a modern high rever . also the older ones have better more reliable valves than the modern reed valves that break drop in the piston and ruin the bore etc

 

[strada]

Mr skywalker,im also on the lookout for my first compressor,im scratching my head with the choices.
i need to run a plasma,but looking to use airtools and small spray jobs in the near future. I think i need a 3hp 14 cfm 100 ltr ,so i wont need to upgrade.Gonna have a look in MM

 

[Mr Skywalker]

Mr skywalker,im also on the lookout for my first compressor,im scratching my head with the choices.
i need to run a plasma,but looking to use airtools and small spray jobs in the near future. I think i need a 3hp 14 cfm 100 ltr ,so i wont need to upgrade.Gonna have a look in MM

Hi Strada, just something to try but what ever you find on MM can usually be found cheaper on tool-net, I use them all the time with great prices!

 

[zzr1200]

Mr skywalker,im also on the lookout for my first compressor,im scratching my head with the choices.
i need to run a plasma,but looking to use airtools and small spray jobs in the near future. I think i need a 3hp 14 cfm 100 ltr ,so i wont need to upgrade.Gonna have a look in MM

150 ltr min or better still 200 ltr is the way to go...

 

[Shox Dr]

Clarke SE18C200ND. it's one of the biggest compressors you can get on single phase. I've had one for over 5 yrs and its had a hard life. Only problem I've had is the pump to tank pipe is made from copper pipe and it fractured. Fixed it by fitting a flexible one.

Having said that, it will NOT be man enough to cope with one of the cheap blast pots, for other than either short bursts or low pressures

Edit:just clarify the last point, ...and neither will any other single phase compressor

 

[Glyn]

Iv'e got a 3hp ABAC that used to get a lot of use from spray guns and air tools. Bigish tank, (not sure on size but 100L at least) It's run without fault for about 15 years, in that time it's had 1 oil change and nothing else. Now I'm confind to a double garage, I find the noise from the air tools too much and it only gets used for the plasma and blowing tires up. It is only wired to a 13amp plug but it's never popped a fuse. Not too noisy. I'd happliy recommend one.

 

[strada]

Sorry if ive hijacked this thread
But decided against using air tools,as pointed out by glyn about the noise issue.Never thought about that.
Just need a compressor for the plasma.
Thanks guys

 

[Tangmere]

I bought the Clarke SE16C150 which has been great

 

[Premiershipman]

Another vote for ABAC here, i have an abac b3914 - 3hp 150l tank rated to about 12 cfm.

I run air tools (car tyre inflator, air grinder, trigger inflator) and my hypertherm plasma from it, i have it sat under my work bench on some carpet tiles, its a belt drive so isnt overly noisy and i feed it to a section of copper pipework and into a set of norgren filters to remove oil and water which gives me a fixed point on the wall to connect to.

 

[garethp]

Another Abac vote I had a cheapo direct drive that was supposed to be 2hp - it was incredily noisy and took forever to build up pressure. I kept an eye out for a second hand comp and eventually found a guy selling 2 Abac's - my only regret is that I didnt buy both as at the time I didnt have any use for the second, now I want a blast pot!