Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Auto Addict on 28 December 2007, 08:00:28

Title: Air Compressor
Post by: Auto Addict on 28 December 2007, 08:00:28
Bought an air compressor from Aldi a while back with accessories and also an impact wrench but having a few problems.

I can't get a proper seal plugging any of the accessories into the end of the air hose, I've tried PTFE tape with no success, anyone got any ideas please?
Title: Re: Air Compressor
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 28 December 2007, 09:55:14
What type of connector is it......?

I suspect its a cheapo thing.....I use PCL connectors from machine mart (the clarke equivalents) which are excellent, reliable, standard and well priced..
Title: Re: Air Compressor
Post by: Auto Addict on 28 December 2007, 10:00:27
Quote
What type of connector is it......?

I suspect its a cheapo thing.....I use PCL connectors from machine mart (the clarke equivalents) which are excellent, reliable, standard and well priced..

Push in...
Title: Re: Air Compressor
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 28 December 2007, 10:03:10
Yes but, there are a few different types......

I suspect its just a poor quality coupling with an iffy or displaced internal O ring.
Title: Re: Air Compressor
Post by: Auto Addict on 28 December 2007, 10:04:28
I'll investigate Machine Mart.
Title: Re: Air Compressor
Post by: TheBoy on 28 December 2007, 10:28:28
I had same issue with my cheapo. It appears they use a european standard.  Halfords kit, IIRC, uses same.

I got so cheesed off with it, I went to put a PCL on one of the outlets (mine was twin outlet), but unfortunately split the tube on compressor (it was a crappy die cast thing).  Acquired a better compressor after than with pcl...
Title: Re: Air Compressor
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 28 December 2007, 10:29:11
I note also that screwfix have a good range of PCL and UNI connectors on clearence.

Screwfix clearance (http://www.screwfix.com/search.do;jsessionid=EMN1ZWGEXKIRCCSTHZPCFFQ?action=search&fh_reffacet=categories&fh_location=%2f%2fscrewfix%2fen_GB%2f%24s%3dclearancespecials%2f_specials%3dstock_clearance%2fcategories%3c%7bscrewfix_w1_power_tools%7d&fh_refview=search&fh_search=clearancespecials&fh_sort_by=price_1&fh_sort_order=1&fh_start_index=0)
Title: Re: Air Compressor
Post by: Auto Addict on 28 December 2007, 10:34:48
Thanks for that lads :y

Got a VAT free day at Machine Mart next week.
Title: Re: Air Compressor
Post by: TheBoy on 28 December 2007, 10:35:51
Quote

Got a VAT free day at Machine Mart next week.
Think my VAT free day is this weekend :y
Title: Re: Air Compressor
Post by: Markie on 28 December 2007, 13:01:42
.....which begs the question - any recommended Air compressors in Machine Mart as i will be visiting on 6th ( vat free clarke day)  ;D
Title: Re: Air Compressor
Post by: TheBoy on 28 December 2007, 13:26:28
Quote
.....which begs the question - any recommended Air compressors in Machine Mart as i will be visiting on 6th ( vat free clarke day)  ;D
What do you want to use it for?

Power tools need a good airflow capacity.  Spraying needs a big reserve (to ensure smooth airflow)?
Title: Re: Air Compressor
Post by: Markie on 28 December 2007, 13:31:39
Quote
Quote
.....which begs the question - any recommended Air compressors in Machine Mart as i will be visiting on 6th ( vat free clarke day)  ;D
What do you want to use it for?

Power tools need a good airflow capacity.  Spraying needs a big reserve (to ensure smooth airflow)?


"general garage work" wheel removal etc. Probably everything except spraying  ;)
Title: Re: Air Compressor
Post by: TheBoy on 28 December 2007, 13:36:20
Quote
Quote
Quote
.....which begs the question - any recommended Air compressors in Machine Mart as i will be visiting on 6th ( vat free clarke day)  ;D
What do you want to use it for?

Power tools need a good airflow capacity.  Spraying needs a big reserve (to ensure smooth airflow)?


"general garage work" wheel removal etc. Probably everything except spraying  ;)
I'll have a flick through catalogue later when I get back...
Title: Re: Air Compressor
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 28 December 2007, 14:03:08
More importantly.............how much do you want to spend?
Title: Re: Air Compressor
Post by: Markjay on 28 December 2007, 14:06:30
Quote
Bought an air compressor from Aldi a while back with accessories and also an impact wrench but having a few problems.

I can't get a proper seal plugging any of the accessories into the end of the air hose, I've tried PTFE tape with no success, anyone got any ideas please?

..so when is the 4-post lift coming in, AA?  ;D



Title: Re: Air Compressor
Post by: Markie on 28 December 2007, 14:07:44
Quote
More importantly.............how much do you want to spend?


oh come on Mark  ;D being a jock as little as possible.....not far over a ton as it starts to get unjustifiable to the head accountant
Title: Re: Air Compressor
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 28 December 2007, 14:18:39
The best compressors are belt driven piston units (most direct drive use a rubber diaphram) such as:

For just over 200 quid (vat free), this is a nice unit.

Clarke Racer 55 belt drive (http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/racer-compressor/path/diy-semi-professional-air-compressors-2)

240 gets this nice all rounder....goof FAD so will drive most things you want.

Clarke Boxer 55 belt drive (http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/boxer-55-compressor/path/diy-semi-professional-air-compressors-2)

After that you get onto 14cfm 100 litre jobs (like mine)....


For the cheaper end...

This is a reasonable compromise....still fair at 7.8cfm.....which will do most things. The tank is a little samll for spraying and long use of air tools but, an old empty propane cylinder works well as a reservoir if it proves problematic.

Tiger 8/44 (http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/tiger)
Title: Re: Air Compressor
Post by: Kevin Wood on 28 December 2007, 14:28:07
Just bought a tiger 8/44 myself. Like any direct drive compressor it's a bit noisy but appears to be nicely built. Have only used it to pump up a few tyres and blow the dust out of my PC so can't comment much further but it looks to be one of the better quality compressors I've seen at that money.

This is an oiled piston type compressor but they do a similar range of oil-free ones at about the same price with slightly lower air delivery. They might be a better bet for spraying, I suppose.

Outlet is a 1/4" union, not a decent coupler, but it's easily upgraded - see Screwfix link above :y

Kevin
Title: Re: Air Compressor
Post by: Markie on 28 December 2007, 14:29:26
Quote
The best compressors are belt driven piston units (most direct drive use a rubber diaphram) such as:

For just over 200 quid (vat free), this is a nice unit.

Clarke Racer 55 belt drive (http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/racer-compressor/path/diy-semi-professional-air-compressors-2)

240 gets this nice all rounder....goof FAD so will drive most things you want.

Clarke Boxer 55 belt drive (http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/boxer-55-compressor/path/diy-semi-professional-air-compressors-2)

After that you get onto 14cfm 100 litre jobs (like mine)....


For the cheaper end...

This is a reasonable compromise....still fair at 7.8cfm.....which will do most things. The tank is a little samll for spraying and long use of air tools but, an old empty propane cylinder works well as a reservoir if it proves problematic.

Tiger 8/44 (http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/tiger)


thanks Mark, i`d love one of the first two but with another vehicle about to be purchased im going to go for the third in your list as a compromise. Can always upgrade in the future...
Title: Re: Air Compressor
Post by: Auto Addict on 04 January 2008, 11:04:16
PCL adaptors work great :y

Thanks Marks :y