[Wanted: Parts] Wanted: Small compressor

[Endfloat]

I'm looking for a small cheap compressor just to run some basic pneumatic tools. Not looking to do any spray painting with it. Something around 50l and 2.5hp would do me fine and I'd be happy to spend up to €120. Lidl have one coming up for sale soon but it's €200, which is out of my budget. Anyone got one knocking around they'd be willing to sell?

 

[trev]

take it from me Ross, the small Lidl one is actually better for spray painting than for running air tools of any kind. They just use up too much air to run, you're constantly waiting for the thing to build up pressure again. Check the CFM requirements of the tools you intend using and check it against what the compressor will deliver. Even the air tools that Lidl sell alongside the compressors are too much for the compressor.

I've basically given up using air tools and opted for the electrical versions wherever possible. The only one I would still use is the air-joggler tool that we bought on group-buy here years ago but it used SFA in the way of CFM. Oh, and the tyre inflator. Things like air drills, cut-off wheels, spot blasters all run out of puff in seconds

 

[Endfloat]

FFS! Well that tears the arse out of that so! I'm spoilt in work with the air tools we have and the unlimited supply of compressed air that I take it for granted now. I was thinking along the lines of die grinders, spot blasters, windy ratchets and other things like that.

 

[shifty]

ive a 50 ltr ross and its not worth a fuck for grinding an stuff,its alright for small air ratchets and the like but i think a 200ltr is the smallest id be buying next time.

 

[johnnyg]

I bought one of those compressors from Lidl a few years ago.Theres more compressed air in a fart..

 

[Lazy Dog]

I have a 150ltr 3hp compressor, if I'm using a DA or die grinder or suchlike even it runs out of puff quick enough.........!!

 

[Roadcow]

Like Trev says you aren't going to run air tools on the cheep. I have an 80 Gallon 5 hp 11.8 cfm at 120 psi and I own 3 electric DA sanders, way better and I'm using 120 volts to run the electric sanders and 220 volts to run the compressor. I only use the compressor to fill tires and run impact gun and air ratchet.

 

[Endfloat]

Hmm, food for thought so! I don't think I'll bother after all. Even the small ones are pretty expensive compared to going out and buying a rake load of electric tools. I already have a drill, grinder and a load of other electric stuff.

 

[56oval]

i have a 50 litre compresser ( luckily i paid 50 quid for it brand new ), for my needs in the garage its perfect, plus i can stick it in the van and do any framing and nailing jobs with it, but be warned, i only have to blow a carb through quickly and shes running again to feed the tank, if your looking at doing anything other than a bit of spraying, dusting or simple workshop stuff a 50 litre will break your heart.

 

[Bugnut]

What they said ^

All I will add is that I use my 3hp 150 litre for a little spraying, dusting, tyre inflation but I also use some air tools on there.

I have a Die Grinder, air chisel (suprisingly usefull), small air drill, and a few other things which must be shite as I cant rember what they are.

I have a regulator fitted to the airline which makes a big difference to air consumption as a lot of air tools run 6-8 cfm and the compressor puts out 11-12cfm IIRC so a lot of air gets wasted.

Some of the little compressors have regulators on the valve .
I would say use powertools where you can get ones cheaper than comp and air tools - I wanted a decent pro die grinder and a good electric version was nearly 300 quid - so I went for comp and air.

 

[trev]

an electric die grinder would be a handy piece of kit. Any idea why they're so bloody expensive? I have an air-powered one that I got in ALDI for a tenner or so and for the 10 second bursts it works in off the tiny compressor, it's very handy. It's ideal for getting into tight corners where an angle grinder can't reach.

while we're on the subject, you know those "finger files" or miniature belt sanders? They always struck me as another nice bit of kit that would earn its keep but electric ones are hard to come across and look like they're very bulky when you do see them. I wouldn't even think about getting an air-powered one with my setup...

 

[riggsi]

I think I saw one in the sealy catalog at my local motorfactors for around 70quid was going to give it a go.

 

[Bugnut]

I'm fucked if I know trev - the cheapest I found was a Hitachi one in Mc couloughs of all places , not normally known for their good prices, it was about €125 or so.

I use an air die grinder with these.....

http://www.unitedtools.ie/bergen-tools-7pc-professional-carbide-burr-set/

Great bit of kit, expensive mind you , but when it comes to shaping metal in awkward places they are highly recommended.

Yea Im working up to one of those mini belt sanders, they are really usefull but you're right the electric ones are quite unwieldy to say the least.

 

[56oval]

electric die grinders are expensive, and do not give you the on off flexibility that you need when grinding, unless you can find a clutched electric one (which i havnt) then i wouldnt recommend one, thats the beauty of the air fed ones, they can be "triggered" to suit your work, you cannot do this with electric (that i know of)

 

[Bugnut]

Good point Ben !

I also use those mini cylindrical flap discs- really usefull