Getting a compressor... a few questions

[theaxe]

So I've decided to get an air compressor. Mainly for inflating tyres but also to run an impact wrench.

Looking at an Airmaster Tiger and something like this wrench.

So my first question is how to connect the two. Does the compressor/wrench come with a standard fitting? If I buy this hose would I need anything else.

Also, what about airline oil? Do I just oil the wrench directly? Any other general maintenance to be aware of?

All other tips (or recommendations) appreciated!

[littleredrooster]

Be very careful if you need to wheel that compressor about. The wheels are badly attached and fall of readily, then it keels over and busts the high pressure line off the tank or switch. I was mightily unimpressed with it

[theaxe]

littleredrooster said:

Be very careful if you need to wheel that compressor about. The wheels are badly attached and fall of readily, then it keels over and busts the high pressure line off the tank or switch. I was mightily unimpressed with it

I shouldn't need to move it around (hence the 15m hose), any suggestions on a better option for similar money? I have very little to go on TBH.

[sunbeam alpine]

That compressor doesn't look man enough to successfully drive an impact wrench.

(Mine wasn't, and although not identical it was very similar)

[With these feet]

Get the biggest tank you can afford/fit in your garage. Otherwise the guns performance will drop off as the compressor cuts in as soon as you pull the trigger. For tyre inflating it should be fine, I have a Sealey one thats been dragged round in the van for just that. SIP also make some good budget compressors.

Ive found most guns like that ok but struggle sometimes with really tight wheelnuts and end up undoing them with a breaker bar first. Some of the Sealey battery guns are just as powerful and are circa £100.

[mph1977]

there's two ways to get 'power' with compressed air

1. have a compressor with a high output in terms of volume / time at the pressure you desire .

2. have a big tank and accept that a smaller compresser will have to run for longer and high use tasks may need a break to allow the tank to recharge

the combination of CFM from the compressor and the size of the tank will depend on the uses you put it too e.g. lots of using a high consumption impact wrench needs a nice meaty compressor , where infrequent use of it you'd get away with a smaller compresser as long as the tank has enough pressure stored

[theaxe]

I'll really only be using it occasionally so I don't mind waiting for it to 'charge' the tank from time to time. If the wrench can remove 5 wheel nuts without too much hassle that'd be fine.

Any idea on the best compressor for less than say £200?

Also, can anyone help with the connector questions? Thanks!

[ch427]

you will need pcl airline fittings to screw into the tool and the airline, machine mart are pretty good and stock them all.

[BlueMR2]

I got one of these more powerful compressors and it had no way near the grunt to run the impact wrench. http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/...

10M hose loses you about 1 bar so you are under 6 bar before you start.

I couldn't get any tight nuts on a car undone, I couldn't even get it to undo any wheel nuts I tried, then got a 600mm breaker bar and undid them all by hand easily.

Took them back and will look at getting a more powerful compressor / impact wrench combo in the future.

[theaxe]

So it sounds like I'd be better off with a cheaper compressor for the tyres and a mains powered impact wrench. Thanks for the advice guys.