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[JasonH]

Could someone give me advice on air compressors....

I think I'd like to invest in an air impact wrench and compressor. I'd be able to pop my wheels off just like Kwik Fit  

I think a 50litre tank will be comfortable and a compressor with at least 5cfm. The Sealey offering looks good:

http://www.justoffbase.co.uk/Compressor-50ltr-Direct-Drive-2-0hp-Sealey-SA2250-2

But what about couplings, hoses, oil etc.

Do they need special compressor oil or will good old Vx semi do the trick (I have a fair bit of that!).

Do I want a rubber hose, coiley hose. Big bore hose or small?

Then do I need to buy air tool oil for the wrench too.

It's all adding up....all advice welcome.

[Kevin Wood]

Worth checking out Machine Mart too. They have a good range. Have just invested in one of the Tiger ones myself.

As to couplings I'm still working that out. All I can say it that it's easy top buy incompatible ones!

I find the coiley hose that came with mine a pain and will probably ditch that in favour of some normal hose. Oil was supplied with my compressor and, whilst you can buy compressor oil I don't see why VX semi wouldn't do the job. I can't imagine any special properties are required. It's a piston engine that runs without fuel after all.

Kevin

[JasonH]

That's my feeling about the oil too, but there (obviously) seems to be a push to keep to expensive "compressor" oil supplied by the manufacturers.

Hope you get on alright with yours. I think I'm going to try to standardise on 1/4 BSP fittings...

[Kevin Wood]

I think I'm going to try to standardise on 1/4 BSP fittings...

That's what I thought but there appear to be several different tapers inside the unions which aren't compatible!   I'm thinking I need to get a set of quick release couplings.

Kevin

[JasonH]

I've just spoken to Sealey technical support:

Apparently I must use SAE40 compressor oil (and the compressor only uses 0.16 litres) so good job I didn't order 5 litres of oil!

Their air tools use 1/4BSP parallel but some couplings aren't parallel and it's quite likely they won't go all the way in. The chap says don't worry it will seal just fine.

He recommends using 10mm dia hose for the best airflow.

[Marks DTM Calib]

Yep, decent 10mm rubber hose.

I find the PCL type fittings the best of the bunch (you can get boh the PCL's and the clarke pattern items from Machine Mart) and I have standardised on them. They are available to fit onto 1/4 inch BSP so easy enough to fit with adaptors for a few pence for odd sizes, use a bit of PTFE to get it to seal well.

You idealy want a filter/dryer and oiler for air tools and just a filter/dryer plus a seperate clean hose for spraying.

I personaly have one of these compressors:



Its a cracking bit of kit but may be a bit OTT for you.

I do like the Clarke range of compressors as well, they tend to be well put together and reasonably priced to (even better on VAT free nights!)

Do put the right oil in the compressor, its not like you have to change it very often.

I use semi synth for tool lube....

[Kevin Wood]

Yep - meant to mention - buy something small from Machine Mart and get on their books, then wait for a VAT free night. They seem to have one every couple of months.  

Kevin

[JasonH]

Thanks chaps I'll do a bit more shopping around then get ordering..

[Markjay]

Sory, my kbord isnt woking vey well becse I was drooling al ovr it...

I would love an air compressor, any type....  

I was looking at some yesterday while at Costco....

Sadly, living in a flat in London an air compressor is not an option. Even if I manage to convince Mrs MJ (which I doubt), and then solve the problem of getting a very long air line from the flat all the way out to the street, I don't think this contraption will be a hit with the neighbours...  

[Kevin Wood]

I fear mine is not exactly a hit with the neighbours and it's in a detached garage. :-/

Keep finding new uses for it though. Worried it was just an expensive tyre inflator when I got it, but at the weekend I defrosted the freezer and noticed dust caked all over the condenser at the back. Out with the airline and it was gleaming in minutes.

Kevin

[cem_devecioglu]

Could someone give me advice on air compressors....

I think I'd like to invest in an air impact wrench and compressor. I'd be able to pop my wheels off just like Kwik Fit  

I think a 50litre tank will be comfortable and a compressor with at least 5cfm. The Sealey offering looks good:

http://www.justoffbase.co.uk/Compressor-50ltr-Direct-Drive-2-0hp-Sealey-SA2250-2

But what about couplings, hoses, oil etc.

Do they need special compressor oil or will good old Vx semi do the trick (I have a fair bit of that!).

Do I want a rubber hose, coiley hose. Big bore hose or small?

Then do I need to buy air tool oil for the wrench too.

It's all adding up....all advice welcome.

I use one very similiar ..For home is adequate..

[cem_devecioglu]

Sory, my kbord isnt woking vey well becse I was drooling al ovr it...

I would love an air compressor, any type....  

I was looking at some yesterday while at Costco....

Sadly, living in a flat in London an air compressor is not an option. Even if I manage to convince Mrs MJ (which I doubt), and then solve the problem of getting a very long air line from the flat all the way out to the street, I don't think this contraption will be a hit with the neighbours...  

The sound for those compressors are enormous

Impossible to use in an apartment..


And I dont think a silent model exists..

[hotel21]

.....Keep finding new uses for it though. Worried it was just an expensive tyre inflator when I got it, but at the weekend I defrosted the freezer and noticed dust caked all over the condenser at the back. Out with the airline and it was gleaming in minutes. ....

Also good for cleaning out Dyson tubes.....

[cem_devecioglu]

I fear mine is not exactly a hit with the neighbours and it's in a detached garage. :-/

Keep finding new uses for it though. Worried it was just an expensive tyre inflator when I got it, but at the weekend I defrosted the freezer and noticed dust caked all over the condenser at the back. Out with the airline and it was gleaming in minutes.

Kevin

Using an appropriate paint spray nozzle these can be used for painting also..

[Martin_1962]

.....Keep finding new uses for it though. Worried it was just an expensive tyre inflator when I got it, but at the weekend I defrosted the freezer and noticed dust caked all over the condenser at the back. Out with the airline and it was gleaming in minutes. ....

Also good for cleaning out Dyson tubes.....

Animal Cyclones