Air Compressors

[Largactil]

Decided to buy one for my brother in law's combined Xmas / Birthday present - He's just started stripping his '89 Renault 5 GT Turbo down, and it's verrrrry salty unfortunately. He did contemplate breaking it, but he's going to dig the welder out and press on. (He's owned it for 7-8 years).

 

Rather than get some crappy present like aftershave / underwear, I'd prefer to get him something of practical use...

 

Budget is around £150 - Any advice most welcome!

[Des]

You would get a reasonbly capable Chinese one for that kind of sum, but quite likely to give a bit of trouble, mostly down to poor assembly, if your man is able to sort out little issues, like loose screws, air leaks, the cut out switch adjusting, etc. then would probably be ok. Plus, usually come with fairly useable air line, spray gun, inflator, blower, that kind of thing thrown in.

[Largactil]

He's very handy (mechanic by trade), but used to using decent equipment (Several £k of Snap On tool chests for work etc), so I don't really want to be tooo cheap & cheerful.

 

I've been looking at a 50l Sealey - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sealey-Air-Compressor-Compressor-2HP-50lt-tank-/350280869515?pt=UK_Air_Tools_and_Compressors&hash=item518e5de68b#ht_535wt_1165

 

or a 24l Clarke from Machine Mart - http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/ranger-46-air-compressor

 

I guess the disadvantage of the 50l unit is that it'll take a while to charge when you switch it on - But would be better for spraying paint / heavier usage, I guess?

 

Hmmmm...

[Guest Tony Hayers]

Clarke stuff seems to be hit or miss. I cant speak for the compressors they make as I don't own one (compressor, that is) but having bought other Clarke branded stuff over the years from MM it can be hit and miss with build quality/reliability.

 

What about those Wolf compressors for sale all over the net? They seem to have been making them for a while, and I recall someone who had one for a few years and it got abused day in and out with the minimum of care for it.

[pdg]

Either of those linked will probably be a bit disappointing... Might be ok for occasional use but they'd really struggle with a windy gun let alone something like a blaster. Running out of puff while spraying might be annoying too.

 

I've got one like that 24l and it needs to charge twice to inflate a 205-16 tyre from flat. First charge takes as long as putting the kettle on and making a cup of tea. Seeing as the 50l has almost the same compressor unit on a bigger tank it may well last longer 'per charge' but will take an age to pressure up.

 

Really, I'd say you need something with a twin cylinder pressure unit to get a usable flow rate - like 10cfm+. Unless you are prepared to go second hand I don't know how much luck you'll have though. (fwiw I'd rather have something used but better, but that's me.)

 

Wolf kit is generally pretty good for the price from what I've seen - may not stand up to full time pro use but then...

[Pete-M]

50l tank ain't very big.

 

Why not just give him £150 in 20p pieces and tell him to use the one on the petrol station forecourt?

[Largactil]

Why not just give him £150 in 20p pieces and tell him to use the one on the petrol station forecourt?

 

 

Well, I ended up ordering this one the other day: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rhyas-50L-14CFM-Compressor-3HP-V-Twin-240V-Compressed-Air-Tank-/250951774278?pt=UK_Air_Tools_and_Compressors&hash=item3a6de43046#ht_2763wt_1165

 

Burst the budget a bit, but my BiL did change the clutch on my Alfa 156 using axles stands / in his drive, so I guess I owe him one...

 

50l is a bit small, but 14CFM / 3HP is a bit more meaty, so it should charge a little bit quicker / be of more use.

 

Thanks for all the advice!