What compressor?

[johnny-b]

Any recomendations for a home garage compressor mainly for topping up tyre pressure may get some air tools at some time. Been looking at Machine Mart loads of different ones Costco have one at about £100 I think it was. Any advice appreciated.

[paintman]

You need to think the other way round. Decide what air tools you would like then see what their air requirements are. Then see what compressors are up to it.
Don't be fooled by companies that give the air displacement figure for their compressors, the important figure is 'free air delivery'. Displacement is always MUCH higher than FAD!
A £100 compressor is likely to be fine for tyres, but I can't see it being up to running air tools. I have a 2hp & whilst its happy with gravity feed sprayguns (runs continuously), tyre inflation & will run a rattle gun if you keep stopping & waiting for it to refill the tank it WON'T run air sanders, polishers, drills & the like.
Do a 'Search' as this question has come up many times.

[johnny-b]

Thanks, will do a search, I posted in frustration waiting for a little 12v plug in to get up to 40psi

[static2010]

I have a Wolf. Cant remember where it came from, but as I recall it produces around 14cfm.
(I was always told most tools require a minimum of 9.5cfm)


It has a separate compressor & motor which keeps the noise down a bit.
It was also the highest HP single phase I could find for the money.

I think this is the same one...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/370756973128?lpid=8...

Good for what I use it for & will operate a rattle gun no problem.

[texaxile]

Hi,
I recently got a Michelin MB24 compressor from Halfords, they were on offer at £99, but when I canned it, it came out as £89, so a nice touch there. Spec is fairly standard for this price range , 7cfm, 2hp, 24 litre tank and up to 200 psi.

Reviews vary, saying it's ideal for small paint jobs, inflating tyres and general light compressor duties. I got a JCB air tools pack for £33 which has a hose, tyre pressure gauge & nozzle, washing gun with can, spray gun with can and an air blower. I've used it a fair bit this week and it seems pretty well up to the job of blasting out the dust & dirt from the OH's Mazda wheelarches.

If you buy from Halfords they come pre filled with oil (or rather mine did) if you buy from Screwfix though, they supply the oil and you need to add it, however there is simply not enough to bring the dipstick level up to max, only just enough to run it on min.

Otherwise, a decent good value bit of kit which I hope will last me some time, and meets my needs, but I don't intend to use any tools with it though.

[mygoldfishbowl]

texaxile said:

7cfm, 2hp, 24 litre tank and up to 200 psi.

I'd be very surprised. I think you may find the max pressure will probably be 116psi. That's a very good price though.


Op, when talking about compressors bigger is always best. The Wolf 90 litre mentioned above is not a bad home compressor but if you go smaller don't waist your money on anything expensive because they're really only any good for pumping up your tyres & blowing grass off your lawn mower, & even that may become tedious.

If you do decide to go small & can't get the same deal as texaxile got then there's this oil free type from Einhell. comp But bigger is always better.

Edit, Just saw this from static2010's link. £99.98+11.99p+p comes with some tools as well.. But bigger is always better.


EDIT>> THE LINK TO TOOLUP .COM WAS NOT ADDED BY ME. I HAVE NEVER USED TOOLEDUP SO WOULD NEVER LINK TO THEIR SITE, I HAVE USED AMAZON ON MANY OCCASIONS & FOUND THEIR SERVICE EXEMPLARY.

Edited by mygoldfishbowl on Tuesday 10th September 16:47

[texaxile]

Hi,
Yep, my mistake! 8 Bar max pressure & 200 litres per min (according to the box), not 200 psi, dunno what I was thinking lol. B & Q at Ransomes Ipswich still have about 6 left, I'm not sure if this is a national sale though, probably just the result of a local stock clearance. They're also doing a Michelin air "tools" kit (as the JCB one above) for 33 ackers.