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Cheap workshop air compressor?

General Tech Talk

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Cheap workshop air compressor?

Post by Ferwoaza »

I'm after a fairly cheap air compressor to run air tools in the shed. Anyone know of a reasonably good/cheap one? Anything I should look out for when hunting around?

Thanks in advance
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Post by Wooders »

IMHO avoid ANYTHING direct drive.
A good compressor will last for years - hit the Trading post....
I had a thread a few pages back when I was hunting - in the end I settled for a 17CFM 80L tank 3hp 15amp single phase belt drive unit....should arrive early next week.....(bought it from Transquip)....
Cheers [url=http://www.wooders.com.au]Wooders[/url]
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Post by Bodge »

Good question - what are the key things that separate a good one from a slack one...

CFM?


Tank size?


Flashy name?
The Lucas motto: "Get home before dark."
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Post by Wooders »

Here's one that looks ok - if it's in your budget....ebay

My criteria were:
  • Budget - I set myself a maximum of $1000 - spent $800...
  • Drive - Belt drive was MUST have. Driect drive aren't really serviceable - if one part dies you dump the entire compressor (not so cheap then huh)...
  • HP - Minimum 2hp - prefer 2.5 hp - I Got 3hp.
  • Tank - Bugger is better (IMHO). Generally I'd say try not to go below 50L...I really wanted 100L - but settled on 80L.
  • CFM - Although an old way to measure the air delivery it's probably the most widely used....10CFM was my ABSOLUTE minimum. 12 CFM wasok (just)....15 was my target....ended with 17cfm :twisted: ...it's really a case of more is better IMHO....
  • Free Air delivery - is the new "measure" of air delivery. You'll see quotes of Pump delivery and free air delivery (measured a set pressure)....Obviously more=better.....I got NFI what the free Air delivery I ended up with - but my logic was if the pump is doing 17cfm - I'll manage ;)
  • Power - You'll find about 12cfm 2.5 hp is about the maximum you can run on a standard single phase (240v) power point (10amp). I opted for 240v 15amp becuase I wanted to get my garage rewired for it anyways....beyond 17CFM 3hp you are getting into the 3phase (415v) teritory....so keep this in mind before you slap you cash down or you mightn't be able to use the compressor.....
  • RPM - Ideally you want as slow reving pump as you can get. Slow reving measing (hopefully) less noise and less stress on the pump when keeping up....

Anyways that's all that springs to mind - hope that helps.....
Cheers [url=http://www.wooders.com.au]Wooders[/url]
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