Needs Pictures: 0
Results 1 to 15 of 21
-
10th November 2021, 09:25 AM #1GOLD MEMBER
- Join Date
- Aug 2016
- Location
- Brisbane
- Age
- 57
- Posts
- 1,315
Air compressor in the age of battery tools
TLDR; I am going to buy the Chicago Air HUSH100 - which is a lot of coin for me. Is this a wise choice in my circumstances?
My Supercheap Auto made in China POS air compressor died. No longer will the entire street get to hear its melodic tones which could drown out a choir of screaming banshees. This is bad timing since we are building a new house and money for hobbies is a causality. It is good timing because in the new house I was worried about alienating our new neighbours. Whereas now I can buy a 'silent' air compressor and begin our neighbourly experience as friends. Rather than have the new neighbours longing for the relative peace and tranquility of living next to an airport runway rather than me.
I did do some research and I found there may be a kit to repair the old 2,387 decibel compressor. However the kit is not available. Then I started looking for the individual parts. But really, what for? To delay buying a new compressor for one year? When I consider the cost of trying to build a sound reducing hut for the China POS compressor, it's just not worth it.
So the great news is that dear wife has agreed I can buy a new air compressor for my birthday and she will chip in $300 towards a decent one. Yes!!!!!
So I've done extensive research. Which in reality means I did none except, I went straight to Sydney Tools, got a free sausage and looked at a line of Chicago Air Hush 'silent' compressors sitting doing nothing. Perfect. Well actually I did watch a Youtube video which tried to convey the actual sound of one of these. So yeah, much more reasonable sound level. I'm guessing my China POS was likely 90db so one of these Chicago Air will be many times less sound.
I was thinking I'd get the HUSH50 as about the limit of what I could justify money wise. It is approx $850. So a lot more than lunch money. I mean a lot of tools are battery powered now so just how important is compressed air any more?
With compressed air I have, a blower, a reciprocating metal saw, a stapler, a moulding nailer, a pin nailer, and 2 spray guns. Plus tyre thingy (that's a technical term). I would have more and would use what I have more if the China POS was not so loud and was setup and plumbed in ready to use. But it's neither. Well it is dead now anyway but I mean if the new one was properly installed. Yet when I think about that, and the cost of battery tools, I'm thinking it is still worth setting up a proper compressed air system in the new shed next year. Am I wrong? Should I forget about investing much into compressed air because battery tools have taken over the world?
I am planning my dream workshop next year in the new place. Finance permitting it will be a big new shed. 10.5m x 18m or thereabouts. The dimensions have shrunk from 24 long to 18 due to the huge price increases. But it will be as big as I can afford next year. Many times my current single garage.
So I'm looking at the HUSH50 and it's 50L tank is smaller than my China POS. My China POS tank seemed to be what I needed to keep up when spraying. However I am not sure what it is. Probably 70L - 100L is my guess. The HUSH50 is 2 oil free motors with 4 pumps. It is not clear to me but it seems that the larger HUSH100 is actually less noise. Not sure, but it would cycle less.
The next model up is the HUSH100. Which has a 100L tank, 3 individually switched motors and 6 pumps. But it is another $500 more.
Then again, the HUSH50 plus an auxiliary tank would cost even more than that, if I decide I need an auxiliary tank.
I have not had such a large workshop before. I'm guessing the lines will hold a few liters of air. I'm not sure if it is wise to have a more grunty compressor for a larger space so that it does not run too long to charge up the system. What do you think?
Because I don't know much, I am thinking I'll go for the HUSH100 on the basis it is better to have some over kill than be sorry. Plus you can switch each of the 3 motors separately. 1 motor less noise than 3 motors but longer to cycle. Fortunately my wife agrees with this. However I note that plenty of woodworkers have very small compressors so I wonder if I am wasting money we really need for the all the other stuff I need in the shed. Like a mezzanine floor for example.
Am I getting all carried away with the "ooooo a new shiny tool!!!" syndrome or is the Hush100 a good fit for my dream shed next year?
I would love to read your thoughts.My YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/2_KPRN6I9SE
-
10th November 2021 09:25 AM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
- Join Date
- Always
- Location
- Advertising world
- Age
- 2010
- Posts
- Many
-
10th November 2021, 10:19 AM #2SENIOR MEMBER
- Join Date
- Sep 2014
- Location
- Australia
- Posts
- 663
Have you looked at trade tools? Most people I know on the tools use renegade, which is (or used to be) made here in QLD. MY renegade compressor has been in continuous use now for about 15 years and has been part the latest house I have just built. The only problems I have had are regulators, I am about to install the 4th one. Might not be as queit as the hush but they are reliable
They still have a use. Mine is mainly used now for a coil gun, and until I purchased my Hikoki framing gun this year I still used a pneumatic framing nailer for jobs where the paslode did not have enough power.
In the shed, I still use the same compressor for the spray gun, and I also used it for an 18g brad nailer until I recently bough a makita brad nailer to replace it. I have a paslode gas brad nailer, but never used it because it was too large compared to the pneumatic version.
BTW, you dont need a big compressor for most air tools. The spray gun probably is the biggest consumer of air apart from the air duster.
-
10th November 2021, 11:43 AM #3GOLD MEMBER
- Join Date
- Aug 2016
- Location
- Brisbane
- Age
- 57
- Posts
- 1,315
If you look at the 'Renegade Industrial 2HP Single Cylinder 130LPM Air Compressor 25L 2 Wheels - HP130-25' - it is the same machine as my dead one. Except that my dead one has a larger tank and a better loop over handle. They are cheap, elsewhere, and I got it a few years ago on a big sale discount so it cost me 5/8 of F..... not very much.
The thing is, that reducing the noise for my future neighbours is important to me. The last set of neighbours moved out and demolished their house. Just saying.
Seriously though, we are moving to a nice semi-rural area where people come for a bit of tranquillity. That air compressor was friggin loud.
Yeah the spray gun is a thing. I have not done much spraying and don't know what I am doing but I definitely want to do more spraying in the new shed.My YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/2_KPRN6I9SE
-
10th November 2021, 12:30 PM #4Member
- Join Date
- Dec 2013
- Location
- Laharum Victoria
- Posts
- 45
You could use the tank from your old compressor as extra storage.
It probably also has a drain valve.
A friend uses 3 x 45Kg gas cylinders as storage but I'm not sure how he gets rid of the condensation.
I use 30mm high pressure PVC pipe running the length of my shed ceiling with drop points to connect to. The compressor is outside.
Cheers John T
-
10th November 2021, 12:48 PM #5GOLD MEMBER
- Join Date
- Apr 2019
- Location
- NSW
- Age
- 38
- Posts
- 1,161
I personally only use my tiny air compressor for a handfull of things.
filling up the very occasional tyre
using a brad nailer
everything else is done with battery or powered tools, I'd even consider moving to a battery brad nailer/stapler just so its another item I don't need a compressor for.
It's probably slightly more expensive way of doing things, but I would just get another 2nd hand cheap thing off gumtree to get you by UNTIL your shed is built and then see if you're really going to be doing much spraying etc to justify sinking that much into a compressor setup.
-
10th November 2021, 01:06 PM #6GOLD MEMBER
- Join Date
- Aug 2016
- Location
- Brisbane
- Age
- 57
- Posts
- 1,315
Hey! That is a great idea! Yes it has a drain valve, designed for the tank to be on its side.
I'll have to look at the fittings but I think that is going to be straight forward. Hopefully there is no check valve to worry about.
That does it, I am going to keep the old beast for its tank.
Yeah I wasn't really sure what pipe and where to get it from for the install. However that is months and months away. I have to find budget for a lot of other fitout first.My YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/2_KPRN6I9SE
-
10th November 2021, 01:22 PM #7GOLD MEMBER
- Join Date
- Aug 2016
- Location
- Brisbane
- Age
- 57
- Posts
- 1,315
Yes your view is the other voice in the back of my head and hence my post. This is why I said it is bad timing. I was thinking of all the other 101 things I need to pay for before considering what to do with the air compressor. Until it up and died.
I am going to need to do various tyres much more often but I could get one of those 12v pumps for that. As you say I could just get the cheapest compressor I can find to do me for the next year or so. The problem there is once we do move next year, I'll want to limit the noise and we will have so many other things to pay for.
I looked at the Hikoi cordless brad nailer, but aside from the cost it is way too bulky. One advantage of air is that once you have it setup the actual tools are cheap.My YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/2_KPRN6I9SE
-
10th November 2021, 03:19 PM #8GOLD MEMBER
- Join Date
- Oct 2018
- Location
- Dandenong Ranges
- Posts
- 1,916
Hi Dave. I have just purchased the Hikoki battery powered framer and bradder and they are brilliant. But they can't totally replace compressed air nail guns. The air guns are both quicker to fire and lighter to hold and for framing and fixing a whole house I think you would be mad to use anything else. The actuator on the battery framer requires more resistance to push against and was hard to nail studs to plates laying on the floor (trialled on a recent framing job).
-
10th November 2021, 04:14 PM #9GOLD MEMBER
- Join Date
- Aug 2016
- Location
- Brisbane
- Age
- 57
- Posts
- 1,315
Thanks for the quick review. I got all excited when Hikoki first came out with a cordless brad nailer but when I saw it, I think it is more for construction detail trim work than woodwork. I didn't realise the battery framer was harder to use but I guess it is no surprise. I'm an 'office' worker by day so I'd probably just get worn out too fast.
I don't have a proper air framing gun but I have the next size down air tool. Which is really more for moldings, skirting etc so I call it a molding gun. Not sure what is it supposed to be called. My next framing job will be a big one to create a frame inside the new shed, almost a year from now. Almost the same as a whole house (minus the roof) when I think about it. I don't usually do any framing but for that job I could justify an air framer. But I doubt I could justify the cost of a cordless framer. Later I want to build a pergola and things like that but frankly, for any nailing, it is going to have to be ye good ole swing the hammer or drag the air compressor onto the patio and use a long hose.My YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/2_KPRN6I9SE
-
10th November 2021, 04:20 PM #10.
- Join Date
- Feb 2006
- Location
- Perth
- Posts
- 27,814
Don’t forget you can always put a cheap compressor in a noise reducing enclosure. My compressor is in an enclosure outside my shed and I leave it on most of the time. My guess is it goes off maybe once a week in the middle of the night but after 10 years of this no complaints from even the fussy neighbor over the back of our place. Plenty of examples of how todo this on these forums and other places on the web.
-
10th November 2021, 05:02 PM #11SENIOR MEMBER
- Join Date
- Apr 2015
- Location
- Brisbane
- Posts
- 306
If you are after a compressor that lasts with great service & in Brisbane look at Compak.
My father was a builder & purchased the compressor second hand many years ago (late 70’s maybe). It spend most of it’s life on his work Ute running multiple nail guns until he retired. In recent year it lives in my shed. It is a bit noisey these days and could do with a rebuild but still doing well for the amount of hours it has run. Not used very often these days but very handy when needed for nail gun or spray painting.
-
10th November 2021, 05:14 PM #12Intermediate Member
- Join Date
- Jan 2020
- Location
- Sydney
- Posts
- 33
I just bought a Hush 30 as my first compressor, I've not done a lot with it yet but I can confirm that it's very quiet.
I debated a lot whether the extra cash on the quiet model would be worth it but I think it is having heard it. Much more likely to get used if it doesn't deafen everyone around.
Steve
-
10th November 2021, 05:59 PM #13GOLD MEMBER
- Join Date
- Aug 2016
- Location
- Brisbane
- Age
- 57
- Posts
- 1,315
This was my original plan. Inside the shed or just behind it but in it's own hut with some sound reducing walls. I could prevent any night activity with a simple timer.
However when you add that up, at today's material prices, it's worth it to go with a 'silent' compressor. Which if required, I can do further noise reducing with. Also I don't really have an ideal place to put it because it is either close to the neighbours or close to the office I have planned. So like most people, it's kinda awkward to get it far away from where it might be annoying.My YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/2_KPRN6I9SE
-
10th November 2021, 06:04 PM #14GOLD MEMBER
- Join Date
- Aug 2016
- Location
- Brisbane
- Age
- 57
- Posts
- 1,315
-
10th November 2021, 06:30 PM #15.
- Join Date
- Feb 2006
- Location
- Perth
- Posts
- 27,814
I wouldn't pay std retail for materials to make a compressor enclosure.
My materials came from leftovers of building the shed (tea screws, Colorbond sheet and flashing), skips (melamine wall panelling) old machinery box (Chipboard and ply) and various verge collections (concrete slabs, assorted framing timber). I think I paid for two sets of galv hinges and
Mine is 750mm from the back fence of the very fussy neighbour. Haven't heard a peep from him about it in a decade. Because I failed to put any sound reduction between teh enclosure and the shed I can hear it inside the shed but its nothing compared to when it was inside the shed.
If you were doing it inside the shed even a new sheet of 18mm MDF and an old foam mattresses is not that much compared to the price of the shed.
Here it is after 10 years outside.
I added the PVC snorkel so that it sucks in air from higher up above the ground otherwise it sucks air from the gap under the door down near the ground which often has a high moisture content due to sprinklers or rain etc. I have extensive moisture trapping systems in my air lines but this makes a significant difference.
Snorkel1.jpg
Similar Threads
-
AEG Battery Tools
By Brian45 in forum HAND TOOLS - POWEREDReplies: 23Last Post: 23rd February 2024, 06:17 PM -
Battery Question - Cordless tools
By smidsy in forum HAND TOOLS - POWEREDReplies: 4Last Post: 11th October 2018, 09:56 PM -
Alum Ion battery discovery has implications for power tools
By FenceFurniture in forum HAND TOOLS - POWEREDReplies: 13Last Post: 31st May 2015, 10:59 AM -
Cordless/Battery Powered Tools
By rod1949 in forum HAND TOOLS - POWEREDReplies: 8Last Post: 11th August 2013, 01:27 PM -
Air Compressor Tools
By Mal F in forum WOODWORK - GENERALReplies: 5Last Post: 31st January 2009, 10:25 PM