Compressors, 2HP and other. - Brindabella Motor Sport Club

Bogan · 03-09-2003, 01:23 PM

Dudes,

I'm seriously considering buying a 2HP, 24 litre tank compressor. I don't want to buy it if it's going to be useless though.

I know you only get what you pay for but I've no idea what 2HP is capable of when it comes to compressor motors, or how much 24 litres is when it comes to tank capacity. Can anyone shed any light?

If I were using a rattle gun, how long would it take before the 24 litre tank was empty? Could I take off/put on 4 wheels comfortably and/or inflate 4 rally tyres to 26 p.s.i. or would the tank be empty after only part of that?

If I emptied the tank (using a rattle gun, blow tool, tyre pumper, die grinder etc.) how long would it take to fill up again with the 2HP motor?

Anyone got one of these little ones or got any idea about this stuff?

T.

Damo · 03-09-2003, 01:36 PM

Bogan,

I'm by no means an expert, but I’ve also been looking into compressors lately.

I was told that the little 20lt ones were almost useless for the majority of useful car related stuff.
They told me to go for a 40lt as a bare minimum, with at least a 12CFM compressor….. and even that would be marginal for some jobs like spraying & using a die grinder.

Let us know what you find out!

Dave Ferris · 03-09-2003, 01:55 PM

keep saving

remember it's something you can/will have for a very long time.
so cast sleave and about 60ltrs is the go

Daniel · 03-09-2003, 02:10 PM

Hey Boges have a look here

tortfeaser · 03-09-2003, 02:21 PM

I dunno why you can't get two of the cheap $124 20l compressors and stick a pipe between them, but before the reg. Instant 50l compressor for not much. Anyone want to tell me why this isn't a good idea?

Also, if you're just using a rattle gun or wrench which isn't 'on' for long, then big flow isn't important, and you'll be right with a little resevoir. For the same reason, those little compressors will work for nail guns and riveters and such. But tools that you have the air going for a long time (die grinders, drills, sanders), or that need constant pressure (sprayers) need a big resevoir, and a compressor that can keep the resevoir filled at the pressure you need.

Go a cheapy for the rattle gun and stuff like that, then borrow someone elses for spraying

Spac · 03-09-2003, 02:27 PM

Depends on a lot of things. Lots of people do the whole "you can't run air tools on less than xcfm" thing, but you damn well can - IF you're prepared to wait for the compressor to catch up sometimes.
Obviously, a spray gun is not very forgiving in this way. If you plan on doing any spraying, get a 12cfm one at least. Having said that, we painted the RX-2 using Jason Stinky Pant's little baby one and it was fine - enamel is good like that.

I'm thinking very seriously of getting a little cheap crappy one for myself for day to day stuff, and borrowing decent ones anytime I need to spray a car.

tortfeaser · 03-09-2003, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Spac
I'm thinking very seriously of getting a little cheap crappy one for myself for day to day stuff, and borrowing decent ones anytime I need to spray a car.

Great minds, hey Spac! See any reason why plumbing two together wouldn't work?

Bogan · 03-09-2003, 03:30 PM

So Daniel, can you tell me who owns what off that other forum? I read through the thread and it seems the 2HP ones might be OK? You got a compressor?

T.

Daniel · 03-09-2003, 04:51 PM

I've got an 8C FM which is ok for a spray gun (my car was done with it) and a rattle gun, but its a severe PITA for a diegrinder and you can forget running an air drill or air sander off it. If I was to buy a new one (and I am, just after I get my lathe

) I'd not even consider anything under 17 CFM.

At the end of the day - no mater what Spac or Tort try and tell you, you get what you pay for. I listened to some advice about mine and severly regret taking it.

Cheers,
Daniel

Tweety · 03-09-2003, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Daniel
At the end of the day - no mater what Spac or Tort try and tell you, you get what you pay for. I listened to some advice about mine and severly regret taking it.

Agreed, but it really depends on what you want to do. I know if I had a compressor the only thing I'd do with it would be spraying stuff, and I'd imagine that Spac would be coming from a fairly similar point of view?

So, does that mean your current compressor will be looking for a new home in the future Daniel?

Spac · 03-09-2003, 05:20 PM

Daniel, you're right, you do get what you pay for. But how many people buy Porsches for driving down to the shops?
I have little use for rattle guns apart from the odd freak job (like 13B front pulley bolts...), which don't require a huge CFM rating anyhow.

Tort, Funny you should mention that... I was thinking about it as I typed my original reply... You'd need a common regulator, as well as each compressor's own reg, but otheriwse it should work.

Daniel · 03-09-2003, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tweety
So, does that mean your current compressor will be looking for a new home in the future Daniel?

Yes but not the near future - I'm a poor family man now remember

The thing is Tweety - I thought exactly the same thing when I bought mine (originaly bought to spray a car with), but there is so much stuff that is faster and easier to do pnematically. That if you buy a small one sooner or later you're going to say to yourself "damn I wish I hadn't skimped and saved 10% of the purchase of a decent sized one".

JMO

D

Bogan · 03-09-2003, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Daniel
I've got an 8CFM...

Is that a 2HP jobbie? With a 24 litre or so tank?

T.

Spac · 03-09-2003, 05:28 PM

Ah, 8cfm. I see your problem. My apologies for assuming you're (even) more of a tool freak than you actually are.

Seriously, I just assumed that you weren't happy with your 17cfm one or something...

Bogan · 01-10-2003, 11:00 AM

OK, anyone have a 17cfm or bigger compressor that I might be able to borrow for a week or two (yeah right

) or know the best/cheapest place to buy one? I found this place who have one for six fiddy plus freight, but there may be cheaper or better ones around. Anyone have any ideas?

T.