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[martin42]

Im looking for a cheap 240 air compressor,what size ltr tank is best for using air tools,bearing in mind dont want it heavy and not to big as dont have much room in garage to store it.

[MR MISTER]

Im looking for a cheap 240 air compressor,what size ltr tank is best for using air tools,bearing in mind dont want it heavy and not to big as dont have much room in garage to store it.

If it's big enough to be useful, I doubt it will be cheap. Why be a mingebag if you're going to get lots of use from it? Buy a good one and you'll only buy it once.

[hotel21]

It's either aldi or lidl that have compressors quite regularly. If its just for blowing up tyres or clearing out dysons then they are quite adequate for relatively small outlay. If more is required buy a bigger machine and receiver from machine mart or similar but look around first and compare prices. Most machines are made by a small number of manufacturers and rebadged.

[martin42]

Im restricted on space to store it
So what size tank is acceptable to run air tools,its not going to used heavily either,so looking 2nd hand

[MR MISTER]

Im restricted on space to store it
So what size tank is acceptable to run air tools,its not going to used heavily either,so looking 2nd hand

Ermmmmm....hello.....you're the mad mechanic, of course it's going to be used heavily. Esp when everyone finds out you've bought a grandaddy.

[hotel21]

I'm no expert by any means but the larger the tank the greater volume of air that's available to power the tools. The loss of space is an issue though. You can't hide volume in a garage when it's a large heavy steel tank!  Add to that, a small compressor will take a while to fill the tank especially if you are using the air that's in there at the same time and so will run almost continually as a result.

If its on wheels then can be wheeled out to give working space as required? 

[martin42]

Also forgot to say i shall be using a plasma cutter with it aswell 

[MR MISTER]

Also forgot to say i shall be using a plasma cutter with it aswell 

Now we're talking.

[Keith ABS]

  You need to find out what CFM the plasma cutter is going to use. I would have thought it could be quite large. Then find out what free air delivery a compressor model can put out. a 50 litre tank is the minimum size to go for.
Keith B

[r1]

50 minimum but 100 is better
also look  at what power consumption your tools need and buy a compressor that can handelit
all so check your electrics can hande l it

[cem_devecioglu]

dont go less than 100.. if you ever take word "painting" in your mouth you need 200.. and dual head is must..

[TheBoy]

If its for a windy gun, I've found electric impact guns better. Unless you spend very serious money.

[chrisgixer]

If its for a windy gun, I've found electric impact guns better. Unless you spend very serious money.

As he says, for wheel nuts at 110nm it seems to me you need a huge compressor, 100 to 150 litre, to reliably run an air gun to that sort of torque. Cirtainly my old 24litre and now the 50 that replaces it are not up to the job.

So a half decent re chargeable impact wrench, and a 50litre compressor live in my garage. The air tools are very handy. Air hammer for steering idlers and ball joints. Air drill for short reach confined spaces, air ratchet for the oil filter cap once its loose. Etc

Re chargeable Impact wrench comes from hitachi. Its only capable if about 80nm, but it has a very short body for wbone bolts and getting under sills for donut bushes. The price for access is torque, so have to undo big stuff first then wiz it out. Tightening means a torque wrench anyway, so I'd rather have a smaller body wrench for access. Plus smaller is cheaper.

In short, others may have found ways to run am air gun of a 50litre that will undo a 110nm 17mm bolt. But I haven't. (Although I'm all ears) There are cheaper ways IMO.

[Marks DTM Calib]

The cfm of the compressor is more important than the tank size, a 14cfm one with 50 litre tank will be much more useable than a 7cfm with a 100 litre tank.

And plasma cutters use hardly any air, could run one of a basic compressor (and some have the compressor built in).

[chrisgixer]

Yes Aaron mentioned cfm, whatever that is, when we where looking at his air gun issues.

I meant to look into cfm, but the orgazma gizmo impact wrench came along first.