Thread: Need help with Air Compressor Electric Vs Motor

Lou, The only reason to get a petrol engined compressor would be portability. Are you going to be carrying it around in a ute to work sites? If not then electric motor is the only way to go. If I was buying a compressor here I would go to Trade Tools for a recommendation. I don't know who you would see in Wagga Wagga, but go to a trade supply house, not your local hardware bloke or Bunnings.
Reckon you'll get more accurate info there than here.

Kind regards
Brian

Hi Lou, glad to have you back.

I know a couple of blokes that have compressors with petrol motors on them. They reckon that you should only get one if you have to. The motor is always running in the background when you need air, especially with spraying I think that a petrol churning away at full pelt in the background would me off, not to mention the fumes.

Unless you really think that you will need it, go for electric. Worst case you can always get a little generator which you could sit outside to keep the fumes and noise away.

I've got an older 12cfm with a Honda engine which is supposed to be quieter than some. It has to be kept in a ventilated space aka outside when in use, it frightens the chooks and sends the neighbours deaf . It is always running even if only on idle, unlike electric which shuts up and leaves you alone when the tank is full. I am careful when using it in regard to time of day, never at night, you get the general idea. It was bought because it was originally used well away from electric power, and I inherited it from my father, but one of these days I'll go out and get an electric one and the petrol unit can rust in the shed. For what its worth they are not worth converting it's cheaper to by a Chinese unit.

My two bobs worth is unless you are doing alot of work away from 240V get an electric model, petrol is a pia.

Good on Yas!

Thx Fellas really appreciate the advise and sounds spot on................what features should I be looking out for in a Phase1 Compressor???

I'm a compressor No-Nothing!!!!!!......................but now I've got a half decent shed its time to take the plunge on a few of the bigger purchases!!!!

All suggestions would be really appreciated!!!

REgards Lou:confused:

Lou

You want to buy as big as you can afford in single phase as well as a belt driven model. The direct drive units are too noisy. I have to put mine outside the shed or put my ear muffs on. The bigger you get the less cycling it will do.

Do you have a Gasweld near you. If you have you would get good advice as well as a good deal. As there ads say "Selling Tools Not Toys"

Originally Posted by NewLou

Gidday

. I'm planning on using air tools and spraying in the future eventually kitting out to Brad Nailers; Staplers, ROS, spray gun etc etc.

:confused::confused:

Depends on the rate of use
Brad nailers staplers spraying ( slowly) can be done with cheepest 9-11 cf units
Some air tools , sanders rotary units some spray guns etc use larger quantities of air and need larger more expensive units.
What air tools are you planing to use :confused:
For a woodie who is as far into the dark side as you my advice is go with a cheeper package unit ( super cheep , repco etc) test the waters then move to where you want to be after selling the old unit ( if necessary ) on the way

I still have the cheep unit , put up with its shortcomings because I only need a larger unit 2-3 times a year and can live with that


Rgds

Ashore

Originally Posted by NewLou

Good on Yas!

Thx Fellas really appreciate the advise and sounds spot on................what features should I be looking out for in a Phase1 Compressor???


All suggestions would be really appreciated!!!

REgards Lou:confused:

Lou, I learned the hard way... bought a 2.5 hp 40 litre direct-drive compressor that just simply would not keep up with the spray gun, so it ran continuously, got very, very hot, and even then, didn't deliver enough air. I sold it at a loss to an upholsterer and it is fine for him. My replacement is a 16cfm (it actually delivers just on 10cfm free air), belt drive, 3 cylinder machine that is about perfect as far as I can determine. It has a sort of decompressor switch so the motor goes into free running mode when it doesn't need to be pumping - then cuts in when the tank pressure falls. It has a 3hp motor that looks the same as the one on the TSC-10HB saw and it runs no problem off a regular plug with a beefed up motor fuse. A few years ago in FWW there was an article on air/workshops... "buy the biggest you can afford" was the bottom line. I don't think direct drive is the way to go if you are looking at spraying (or sanding). One last word.... I think compressors is the last free range for misleading labels on capacity/performance. If it says "10 cfm" it is probably only 6.... Good luck

Originally Posted by Wizened of Oz

Lou, The only reason to get a petrol engined compressor would be portability. Are you going to be carrying it around in a ute to work sites? If not then electric motor is the only way to go. If I was buying a compressor here I would go to Trade Tools for a recommendation. I don't know who you would see in Wagga Wagga, but go to a trade supply house, not your local hardware bloke or Bunnings.
Reckon you'll get more accurate info there than here.

Kind regards
Brian

Lou

Same as Brian. I purchased an equivalent of the Tradetools R13 many years ago when I was contracting. It has also been loaned to a coach builder friend and worked great no problems. Fairly quite needs a 15 amp circuit though.

From memory it is over 12 years and has given excellent service.

Current price in yesterday paper was $698. They say a price riseis on the way. the link below may assist

They used to sell kits as well with the complete workshop in one bundle.

It may also be worth looking at the second hand market, they come up from time to time
http://www.tradetools.com.au/ProdVie...&Product=RP13E

Hope this assists
Cheers Sam

If there is an Alltools/QAir outlet near you have a look at the Pilot range of compressors. They are Australian made* and have great specs and a reasonable price for a "buy once" unit.

Reputable compressor mfg. belong to the Compressed Air Association. Their products carry a label showing the true free air delivery rating. My compressor's big label, the one everyone compares, is 15cfm. The small label says 10 cfm. It seems that the real flow is approx 60% of whatever the headline figure used in the advertising.

This unit was only $30.00 more than the 12 CFM, and was highly recommended by several sources before I bought it. Other good brands seem to be McMillan and Ingersol Rand.

*as much as that is possible these days. (it has a 2.2kw TECO motor, everything else is, I think, locally made.)

I hope this helps

Gidday

Yup once again some great tips here!! I have also heard McMillan are a good once only buy. I've been tralling the Net and have come across a few crackers here:

http://secure.global.net.au/otcgi-bi...1:10:C:WTD3017

This is the one I've got my eye on at this stage. Shes pricey but I'd consider her a one of buy that I'll eventually be one of the workhorses of my shop!!!!

Any better alternative suggestions really appreciated!!!!

REgards lou

Well I don't mind the cheapies. They will handle a spraygun unless yer into painting cars and trucks for a living.

But they are right hand left arm tools.

When they stuffup grab em in yer right hand and throw em over yer left shoulder.

Originally Posted by NewLou

Gidday

.....This is the one I've got my eye on at this stage. Shes pricey but I'd consider her a one of buy that I'll eventually be one of the workhorses of my shop!!!!....

REgards lou

Lou, that is pretty much identical to my 3 cyl 3 HP device and the price is good - less than I paid and I got a deal. I don't think you'll regret this for a minute, well, after the credit card thing has gone away. Regards

Looks good Lou

Mine is a smaller unit but the design is similar

Enjoy

Sam

Gidday

Well I've finally got my new compressor on order. I just realised that I'm totally green when it comes to larger machinery!!!!

Could members please give me some advise on the kind of things I should buy to 'kit up' my compressor.

I think there are quick release attachments? is there an industry standard? what would you buy as a starters kit to build upon?

Are there any 'must have accessories' that compressor owners just can't be without??

All suggestions really appreciated!!!!

REgards Lou:confused: