AliveBoy Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 Hi All! So, the time has come where I need a compressor at home, but how big should I go? I will be using it mostly for inflating tyres and every now and again running a few small air tools, saw, sander, paint gun etc. I've been looking at a budget 2hp model with a 50ltr tank as I only have a standard 240v power supply at home. Noise isn't an issue and to a large extent neither is refill time, so long as I can use tools for a couple of minutes at a time. Anyone who provides help can use it when needed Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Bradders- Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 I bought an Aldi/lidl not sure which back last year it was on offer for £49.99 it had all the attachments, its a 50lt, 4hp i think, i've used it for tyres and spraying car parts! they might still have them there! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grundy Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 Could try Keyser, may have an old one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbiscuit Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 if you spray with it make sure its one with a moisture trap on it. You don't want to be mixing oil and water in with your paint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky-Ricky Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 A 2 HP with 50lt tank should be sufficient, I have one and have sprayed cars with and used air tools, check the CFM this will give you an idea of what it can run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keyser Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 I only have 3 compressors so none spare 50l 2hp - yes it will spray a car if your not to fast - I do find it is a little lacking for air tools, they usually do about 9cfm a grinder needs 12 or more and my sandblaster takes what it can get lol. My 2 big compressors are 200l 14cfm - does everything and 150l 12cfm - sandblaster mostly - got it cheap from the bay, got a new motor for (not fitted yet) as it was cheap and the bearings are going in mine. The 50l is general purpose mostly used for the air-fed mask when spraying or sandblasting - does that OK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Mcgoo Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 (edited) The lidl /Aldi ones come round once or twice a year and are meant to be pretty good for the money but I'm sure they are only 25 litres. I bought mine from S's this year, and it seems pretty good. It has only had light use so far though. I went for a 50ltr starter kit with some extra hose and a tool kit with a good selection of air tools in it. And they look cool in black and blue lol Have a look here http://www.sgs-engineering.com/air-compressors Edited October 28, 2014 by Sam Mcgoo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grundy Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 Oh sorry Matt He's only got 3, silly me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AliveBoy Posted October 28, 2014 Author Share Posted October 28, 2014 I've been looking at petrol generators so I think I'm going to get one as it's cheaper than running power to my garage. Id never spray a whole car, just small parts and the quality would never need to be amazing Now I've got some inspiration I'm going to sort the garage out! Thanks guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commander Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 It's all about the CFM rating for me - compare what your tools need to the compressor's capabilities and decide from there... Bigger is almost always better! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harryjax Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 Go for a compressor that has a good Air Displacement: 14.5 CFM or higher if you want to run air tools like sanders or ratchets 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harryjax Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 Go for a compressor that has a good Air Displacement: 14.5 CFM or higher if you want to run air tools like sanders or ratchets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keyser Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 According to Harryjax CFM is so important he said it twice Can't beat a good old CFM number I always think 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harryjax Posted October 29, 2014 Share Posted October 29, 2014 According to Harryjax CFM is so important he said it twice Can't beat a good old CFM number I always think Hey Slim, Is one taking the P*ss out of my Stammer? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AliveBoy Posted October 29, 2014 Author Share Posted October 29, 2014 found out that you shouldn't run a compressor from a generator as they draw so much to begin with. More thinking is being done atm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keyser Posted October 29, 2014 Share Posted October 29, 2014 (edited) You can run a compressor from a genny - they do at track - you need a good genny and you must ALWAYS bleed the compressor for first start so it removes some of the load - the problem is the compressor will stop and start as you use it. That is when you get a big draw on the genny, and why they don't recommend it - having said that if it's a permanent solution I would agree it's not a good one. You can get a petrol engined compressor, cost a bit more example http://www.ebay.co.u...D-/161466324043 But that one only has 10CFM - bit of research me thinks is needed Edited October 29, 2014 by Keyser Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AliveBoy Posted October 30, 2014 Author Share Posted October 30, 2014 This is my issue: My house/garden is the bigger red square and the garage is the small one. The pink lines are footpaths which I can't dig up and there's two houses in between mine and the footpath. I'm thinking that I'll put a 50ltr compressor into the shed (blue square) with one hard line out into the fence which I can then plug the flexible hoses into, and one remaining in the shed so I can use tools on the car on the road but still use bits inside the shed. It's a bit of a ballache, but it would offer the best solution for me I think. Anyone have any better ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveM Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 dig the footpath up at night Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keyser Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 Only problem I see in your cunning plan is you lose pressure over distance with hoses so you would need a BIG hose - I didn't think it would make much difference but it does. Just a thought Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AliveBoy Posted October 30, 2014 Author Share Posted October 30, 2014 Only problem I see in your cunning plan is you lose pressure over distance with hoses so you would need a BIG hose - I didn't think it would make much difference but it does. Just a thought I wouldn't use the air lines all the way to the garage, just to the road which is only a pavement's width across. Most things I could do in the shed, so it would just mean a bit of manoeuvring around. I think I need a strong trolley to take stacks of wheels from the garage to the shed 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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