Thread: Air Compressor Question

Seen this post https://www.woodworkforums.com/showth...or+spreadsheet

In that post Mal F posts a spread sheet listing a wide range of compressors and their various ratings, the prices might have changed a bit since then but most of those models are still available.

As a guide you want as big a tank and as much free air delivery (FAD) as possible and plenty in reserve. Even if you want to clean up a few tools a small tank will run out way too quickly and the air flow direct from a cheap compressor does not do much cleaning.

Rather than moving a compressor around in a shed I think it's much better to leave the compressor in the one place and run a network of hose around the shed and add take off point at various places. If you want mobile air I use a recently out of date BBQ gas bottle (make sure it is not rusty) and pump that up with the compressor and move that around.

Super cheap , have low cost stuff that covers your needs ,They also have package lot of a brad gun , staple gun, boxes of a couple of sizes of each for $59
Usual disclaimer

Originally Posted by STAR

I have been toying with using in Air compressor in my shed. Unfortunately as I have no experience with one only seen what a few friends do and of course my phantom friend Norm who would have to close down his operation if he did not have access to the latest top of the line you - beaut offering from some generous sponsor.

Unfortunately I have to pay for mine since they have made shop lifting a jailable offence.

Hi Peter

An hour ago Hobart M10 had Hyundai 2.5HP 240 volt compressors with 50 litre tanks at $199. (with 25 litre tank, $139).

They seem cheap prices.

Cheers

Graeme

If I can paraphrase your "wish list":

Originally Posted by STAR

From what I can see its main use will be the following:
1. Using it as a brad nailer to help with glue ups.
2. Maybe using it as a nailer up to 75 mm... not really important
3. As an air cleaner for tools and machinery.
...
6. Using it as a Spray Gun does not really come into the equation...
7. Things like Screw Guns, Air tools are... not really necessary for my needs.

So basically, you only really want to use it for brad nailing glue ups and cleaning tools. You don't really want/need it for the other reasons.

To be honest, it doesn't really sound like you need one at all, other than want one out of curiousity.

I hope Norm has not unduly influenced you. Personally, I hate how Norm shoves in "a cupla brads while the glue sets", and would never use it for that reason. Drives me mad whenever he shoots brads through molding.

If you really want a brad nailer, aldi is currently selling an electric one. No idea how good/crap it is.

Originally Posted by John G

If I can paraphrase your "wish list":

So basically, you only really want to use it for brad nailing glue ups and cleaning tools. You don't really want/need it for the other reasons.

To be honest, it doesn't really sound like you need one at all, other than want one out of curiousity.

I hope Norm has not unduly influenced you. Personally, I hate how Norm shoves in "a cupla brads while the glue sets", and would never use it for that reason. Drives me mad whenever he shoots brads through molding.

If you really want a brad nailer, aldi is currently selling an electric one. No idea how good/crap it is.

John.

I suspect you are right, I am really questioning how important it is for my modus operndi and I suspect you are on the money.

I might put it on the backburner and if I see an offer just above stealing I will consider it again.

Thanks for your timely advice.

Peter.

Originally Posted by STAR

I

3. As an air cleaner for tools and machinery.

I rather like using one to blow the dust out of my sandpaper and my workpiece when sanding by hand. I've also used it for blowing the dust out of sawbench, jointer, thicknesser and various power tools.

And, importantly, for inflating tyres, not all of which have been easy to get to the local service station.

Until the smoke got out, it was the most-often used machine in the shop. I'm now looking to upgrade, the old one was a Trade Air from Bunnings, the new one undecided. I note that Malz has one on offer at 399, down from 599. 149 L/min FAD. 15A. Supercheap has a Blackridge BRC-200 plus stuff at $248. 40% off. 200 L/min.

Any of the cheapies would do the tasks you mention above except not sure about the 75mm nails. I use my Super Cheap one that I bought about 4 years ago and its still going strong. I also have an electric nailer/staple gun but it doesn't compare with the one I use with the compressor.

I think that a compressor is a pretty essential machine for any workshop. Don't worry about the paticular applications you may need it for. There's not much around that can't be done with 240 volts or cordless power. But compressors are useful enough just as blowers when you need air to clean things or to pump up tyres and so on. You may not use it all that often, but when you need air, there's nothing else. I think I use mine at least once a week.

Originally Posted by munruben

Any of the cheapies would do the tasks you mention above except not sure about the 75mm nails. I use my Super Cheap one that I bought about 4 years ago and its still going strong. I also have an electric nailer/staple gun but it doesn't compare with the one I use with the compressor.

I bought the $399 one from Malz. It's a Scorpion SRT-2240, came with a 5-part accessory kit that doesn't fit - the hose, tyre inflator etc have the wrong connector - the compressor has a (nitto?) quick-release female connector and all the accessories (except the hose) have 1/4" male connectors. Malz gave me the connector to allow me to connect the standard hose plus one for the hose I already had so overall I'm pretty happy with the service.

I couldn't face all that screwing and unscrewing so I bought some more quick-release connectors.

The compressor is belt-drive, much quieter than the one it replaced. Wife approves it for inflating her tyres, it does a fine job of blowing the dust out of my sandpaper. Since one of the accessories is for spray painting, I expect it will do that too.

While I was screwing things together, I used a little thread tape. Air leakage is minimal and quiet.

So far, I'm pretty happy with it. Except for the instructions.