Thread: Air Compressor

Hi there,

Well with a 2HP 24L Compressor, you can really only use the Low Pressure spray guns. The High Volume Spray Guns are not really appropriate for this size compressor. You will find that even with the low volume guns that the compressor will probabyl be on most of the time maintaining the air supply to the tank. BUT if its only for small jobs or occassional sparying use, then it will do fine and save you some money.

I have the same compressor.... 2HP 24L with 7.5CFM. I got mine from Bunnies as well about a year ago for about $230. You can get them cheaper now though... BUT make sure you get a compressor that uses oil. Don't get an oil-less one. They die after a few years.

The 7.5CFM is enough to use almost all common air tools like air dusters, brad/finish/framing guns, low pressure sprasy guns, engine degreasers, car tyre inflators, airbrushes, die grinders, impact wrenches and more...

You will notice that with toiols that use a continuous flow of air.. like a die grinder or spray gun, that the tank will empty relatively fast. The only way around this is to get a bigger compressor with a bigger tank, but that will cost more $$.

I have found that my 2HP 24L compressor has handled everything very well so far... If you can afford bigger, then its not money wasted, but remember that buying all the accessories to go with it can add up fast too.

You can pick up one of these compressors for as low as $140 these days (Big W) or around $170 at Supercheap.

Just make sure it uses oil, has at least 7.5CFM and has good taps and a regulator fitted as standard. You will need to buy a moisture trap/regulator as most lesser-priced compressors won't have one. This is important for paint work more than anything else.

Also, oil your air tools daily (unless they are oil-less tools of course) and drain the tank at least once a week to rpevent rust, if not after each use. These 24L tanks don't take that long to fill and I always empty mine after each use.

For the woodworker, go for these accessories when you can afford them:

Brad Nailer - Can get em at Supercheap for $79 on special on occassion..

Finish Nailer - If you want one that is.

Air Duster - Extremely useful for cleaning your power tools and blowing all the duust and crap from the motors.

Spray Guns - As required.

You can get packs of assorted attachments for blowing up tyres, inflating balls and other tasks. There are $50 kits going around that give you an air hose, low pressure spray gun, engine degreaser, air duster and tyre inflator. these are really good value and well worth buying. Perhaps a better spray gun will server you well but still good value.

One tip: Don't buy any accessories from Bunnings for your Compressor. You can get them up to 60% cheaper elsewhere!
Bunnings are a ripoff for most air compressor accessories and fittings.

Hope that helps!

Sarge,

A couple of extra points to add to Deans. I have a 40L tank and even it empties quite quickly using the Spray Gun. I want to buy a Porter Cable HVLP Gun on day which will reduce the air usage and improve (I'm told) the finish. Even my new PC Finish Nailer manages to cause the compressor to top-up quite frequently so, IMHO, get a 40L tank if you can.

With the connectors - make sure you get all the same type! There are several (3-4 I believe) different connector 'standards' (ha) and they are not compatible with each other!!! (I got my fittings from Tradetools in QLD for much less than Bunnings and much better quality as well).

BTW Carbatec now have a 25L compressor which they recon is reasonable quality for $179 (http://svc010.bne011i.server-web.com....html?cache=no) I THINK this would be better quality than the supercheap type ones.

Wayne, I've seen the Carbatec compressor and its basically same quality as the Supercheap ones. Even looks fairly identical.. Carbatec one is only 1.6HP, 7CFM though. I'd go for the Supercheap one over it in my opinion for the same price.

Fair enough - I had not checked it out as I already had one. Just mentioning it for Sarge to have a look at.

Thanks for all the advice guys, I will go back to bunnies and see if any of the compressors they have fit the details you have given me

Thanks again

When I bought my compressor about12 years ago I asked around and what I consider the most important bit of info was that for any spray painting get at least a 10 cfm (cubic feet per minute).I haven't got the specs handy for mine ,it would be about a 40lt tank and it is a direct drive type. The motor does run a lot when I do any type of work, so I think that it is only just enough cfm. It vibrates a lot and will go walkabout if its not on a bit of rubber or even rag, also fairly noisy
There is a good article in the latest Australian Wood Review no.38 on air compressors.If I ever need a new one it will be at least a 12 cfm and belt drive, probably a Renegade from TradeTools Direct in QLD, www.tradetools.com.au

That website doesn't work for some reason.Its what they have in the paper though.

works for me

Originally posted by Sir Stinkalot
works for me

Yep - me too. Perhaps try this link which skips the redirect (which my proxy server had trouble with).
www.bids.com.au/TradeTools/

Sarge

I'm not convinced that an air spray paint gun is the best way for DIY spray painting.

Efficiency is an issue, they do not seem that efficient.

An airless spray gun is more efficient, and maybe more versatile.

If you are really buying the air compressor for the spray painting then consider an airless spray gun.

You may not need such a big air compressor.

I would have to add I have had little experience.

I managed to borrow an airless spray gun; just seemed better than an air spray gun.

However I have no idea of the size or quality of the air compressor or spray gun, it was too well used to identify the specs.

I would add I intend to buy an air compressor which will be around a 40 litre tank, belt drive, and at least 10cfm.

Check the internet about the difference between airless and air spray guns.

A good air compressor should last for a long time.

Good luck

Pulpo

Always buy the biggest compressor you can because sooner or later you WILL want to connect other things to it.

Once you get a taste for air tools you wong get enoug of them.

I recon 12 cfm is a minimum for serious work I regularly have to wait for mine(12cfm) to catch up. but its about as big as you can go on a 10 amp circuit. I have measured mine and it draws 12.5 amps at the end of its run. If I reduceD the cut off preasure I could bring it into spec.

The cheap smaller compressors are ok if you want ocasional use of small staplers, nailers & the like, but if you want to spray continuously or want to use air drills or othe power tools it wont keep up.

Also bear in mind that the cheaper compressers are about the price of a decent filter regulator and some fittings.

Given my choices again I would not buy a trade tools compressor and I would buy a 15CFM unit.
I would probably look at hare & forbes(hareles) or similar.

PS I use a second tank with my system I has eliminated any water problems I was having.

cheers

remember you can safely use an air drill in the pooring rain up to your chest in water. Don't tray that with an electric drill.