How does a compressor work? Can I convert an aldi to belt drive?

[skotl]

Got a £70 2.5hp (allegedly) compressor and it's okish, but it seems underpowered and it's bl**dy noisy.

I've been on the lookout for a bargain ebay/gumtree option but haven't seen a contender in ~six months.

So... how does a compressor work? Can I power the moving parts from a standalone belt-driven motor?
Already thinking about linking another tank for extended run time so wondered whether there was any mileage in replacing the built-in motor?

 

[Wedg1e]

I wouldn't be surprised to find the motor shaft machined in such a way that it forms part of the crankshaft, i.e. removing it wouldn't leave you with anything like a keyed shaft end. Some (liquid) pumps are designed this way; removing the pump casing removes the motor shaft end support bearing so the motor's effectively unusable by itself.

All small compressors are bl**dy noisy, they're usually spinning at stupid RPM to shift enough air.

 

[skotl]

Ahhh... ok.

I was going to replace the solid mounts with rubber ones but the, err, airfeed (? hence the question "how does a compressor work"?) is a solid pipe.

I know the obvious answer is to flog it on ebay and buy a better one but was keen to see whether I could hack this one.

 

[Rig Pig]

Your best bet is to keep hunting for a bigger belt drive compressor then flog the little direct drive. There is no point trying to improve it.
ask about, I just got a massive old 3ph compressor for free when It was pulled out to make way for a screw (bet that won't be running in 36 years time! )

 

[skotl]

Cheers guys - it was worth asking.

I did go into machinemart armed with a 20% off voucher, willing to splurge ~£200 but even at 1.5x what I paid for the Aldi unit there was nothing that was going to be a massive improvement.
Gumtree and ebay it is, then!

 

[Rig Pig]

Go get some classic cast iron!

 

[Wedg1e]

I have three compressors - actually 4 if you include the direct-feed Burgess that was my old man's - one (100L SIP) was free, the second (150L Bluepoint) was free but cost a fortune to replace missing bits only to find it probably has shot piston rings and the third (Clarke 270L) was, er, free... 'cos it was a birthday pressie from Nursy

I did have first shout on a monster 3-phase of about 10HP and 300L that was decommissioned at work but couldn't justify it and it was bought by a forum member in the end.

 

[skotl]

I just put a wanted ad up! Teeside's close to Edinburgh, right?

 

[Wedg1e]

If you could rustle up another 70 quid or so, Machine Mart do a couple of 100L 3HP compressors that would probably be on par with my old SIP, I've run the sandblast cabinet off that for hours on end and it keeps coming back for more. Of course it's probably 20 years old or more so whether a new one actually would be as robust, only time would tell.
There must be a 'direct compressors' website, surely...?

EDIT: Hmmm, apparently not. Well there is, but only if you want to pay professional prices.
Nothing on Ebay that I can see as a viable alternative... I'd say bite the bullet, do without a few beers for the next month and get yourself to the Mart of Machinery

 

[Wedg1e]

I just put a wanted ad up! Teeside's close to Edinburgh, right?

Oh aye. Tell you what, why don't I deliver it as well? In fact I'll even fill it with some free air into the bargain, can't say fairer than that

 

[skotl]

If you could rustle up another 70 quid or so, Machine Mart do a couple of 100L 3HP compressors that would probably be on par with my old SIP, I've run the sandblast cabinet off that for hours on end and it keeps coming back for more. Of course it's probably 20 years old or more so whether a new one actually would be as robust, only time would tell.
There must be a 'direct compressors' website, surely...?

EDIT: Hmmm, apparently not. Well there is, but only if you want to pay professional prices.
Nothing on Ebay that I can see as a viable alternative... I'd say bite the bullet, do without a few beers for the next month and get yourself to the Mart of Machinery

Hah. To be fair, the monthly beer bill would pretty much do for the extra £100 or so.

Hmmm... the truck's finance is paid off this month. That's £230 in the bank...

 

[skotl]

Oh aye. Tell you what, why don't I deliver it as well? In fact I'll even fill it with some free air into the bargain, can't say fairer than that

No, no. The air is above and beyond.
I'll fill your tyres when you're up here, how's that?

 

[Wedg1e]

That's £230 in the bank...

Shhh! Don't let the wife hear you say that!

 

[Wedg1e]

No, no. The air is above and beyond.
I'll fill your tyres when you're up here, how's that?

With Scotch?

 

[skotl]

Shhh! Don't let the wife hear you say that!

It's a thought though, right? I'd said I was going to sell it this month but haven't got round to it.

So, does that mean I have £230 a month to spend on tools until I sell it?

 

[skotl]

With Scotch?

For the tyres, it'll be Teachers, Bells or (boak) Clansman - your choice

 

[Wedg1e]

It's a thought though, right? I'd said I was going to sell it this month but haven't got round to it.

So, does that mean I have £230 a month to spend on tools until I sell it?

Well, I've run it through a couple of spreadsheets and accounts packages and all I can say is, the man-maths look fine to me. Slip her a twenty, tell her to pop down to Wynsors World of Shoes and treat herself and while she's out, nip to MM and get tackled up. What could possibly go wrong?

 

[richie00boy]

I've had my eye on this to replace my 3hp 50L. Within your budget too...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007VOLOHG/

 

[mr migwire]

I've had my eye on this to replace my 3hp 50L. Within your budget too...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007VOLOHG/

that's the model I have and I cant fault it, runs my die grinder, nibblers, impact gun and chisel no probs at all, for the money its actualy a brilliant machine and deffo worth considering.

 

[skotl]

I've had my eye on this to replace my 3hp 50L. Within your budget too...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007VOLOHG/

that's the model I have and I cant fault it, runs my die grinder, nibblers, impact gun and chisel no probs at all, for the money its actualy a brilliant machine and deffo worth considering.

Oh - that's a thought. I'd been just looking at the Clarkes, but I recall this model being mentioned on here before.

Thanks - I couldn't see an equivalent Clarke for less than ~£330 even with the 20% discount.