What sort of air compressors have you got?

[Zac]

I'd just like to elaborate Ben,
If you connect the two unregulated outputs directly, it is quite easy to suck air out of one tank (from the regulated output) faster than it can be refilled by the second. So it is better to have the outputs meet up to a T piece before going directly to the air hose and tool on the output that you chose to use. Keeps the unregulated output free too.
Ben I remember yours is set up like this, but I just thought I would let someone who is setting this up know.

[Jim]

i have a little 8cfm $99 cheapie. it's there when I need it, and the few times I need to spray or use big air tools I can suffer it having to recharge all the time. it works fine, no complaints from me!

[matt b]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I think I'll just buy one of the $99 GMC ones and if it's not enough I'll hook 2 up together. I really don't want to spend heaps on something I won't use alot.
Matt b

[Turbo 351]

I have a 16CFM 'Snap-on', quite/efficient. I'm very happy with it. It is made for snap-on by a italian company.

[shaolin]

I'd just like to elaborate Ben,
If you connect the two unregulated outputs directly, it is quite easy to suck air out of one tank (from the regulated output) faster than it can be refilled by the second. So it is better to have the outputs meet up to a T piece before going directly to the air hose and tool on the output that you chose to use. Keeps the unregulated output free too.
Ben I remember yours is set up like this, but I just thought I would let someone who is setting this up know.

So then...When you hook the two up in parallel and they may be 8cfm each, will it supply 16cfm or not quite???
Also for anyone like me .... Here is a site with some good basic info

[Chris Rogers]

2.5 hp unit with a 40 litre tank. sits in the back of my van. runs everything except an impact wrench.

[matt b]

Thanks Shaolin! That is a very informative site.
Matt b

[Ben Wilson]

So then...When you hook the two up in parallel and they may be 8cfm each, will it supply 16cfm or not quite???
Also for anyone like me .... Here is a site with some good basic info

If you hook up two 8cfm compressors in parallel, they should be 16cfm. Mine got a fair workout on the weekend running my new sandblasting cabinet and didn't miss a beat.

[(pennywise)]

I got a ingersollrand, cost around 800? its fucked :/ been stuffed when we bought it, fucken valve fucked in it, waiting for them to fix it

[biteme]

I got given a 40 year old Ingersoll Rand type 30 for free. It looks old, but I'm thinking it would probably work ok, since the previous owner was one the fastidious types.

It looks like the 3rd one down (bloody heavy bugger).
http://www.airtechnology.com.au/pdfs...s_Brochure.pdf

Interesting note in that document...
"Finally, the machine for the serious-minded machine shop user.
The Ingersoll Rand Type 30 is so called because it was first built
in 1930. In the year 2000 we ran a competition to find the oldest
operating Type 30 in the country and found one in a service
station near Swan Hill that had run continuously since 1934! The
cast iron construction, two stage intercooled design and
computer-optimised cylinder head and valve layout gives the
Type 30 it’s unique ability to operate up to 175 psig (1205 kPa)
on a continuous duty cycle, and still run cool. The Type 30
epitomises a design philosophy which allows all wearing
components to be individually replaced (no "unit" replacements
here). There is unquestionably no better, more reliable or
longer-lived air compressor than an Ingersoll Rand Type 30."

My only concern is getting it checked over by a service type person vs. buying a cheapie?

If the tank isn't rusted and the service isn't expensive is it worth keeping the bigger compressor?

I was thinking of throwing it out, but perhaps I might get a few bob on eBay?

Thanks

Byron

[trent from punchy]

what sort of power would u need for a decent rattle gun?
ie to take wheels off.

[BigMuz]

I would buy a quality compressor before I would look at a gmc or whatever..

But I paint for a living so it is a bit different I guess. 15 is good for using smaller guns that say they need about 10 cfm- they all lie so don't use their brochure to decide what compressor you need.

A good hvlp spraygun will use a lot of air, however it can be regulated to quite low pressure, which makes it easy for the pump to keep up- ie you won't notice that it is getting low if you only need 40 psi.

I have a 17 hp petrol compressor that makes 25 cfm, and that is the size you need if you want to use big air tools regularly or paint big items- trucks, boats etc.

The best thing you can do with your little compressor that will be over stressed and hot, is to make a good air cooler and water trap. An air con condensor can be used, and that will cause the water to drop out of solution in the compressed air, and then you can drain it under the condensor, rather than the water coming out the end of the gun you are using.

Another way is by using a big diagonal pipe up your wall with a drain at the bottom, the steel will tend to cool the air down, and the water will gather at the bottom of the pipe.

Another thing, put a good regualtor and filter in the line after the cooling pipe or condensor. And drain it often.

I would also drain the oil fron the pump after a few hours running, and replace it with a good straight gear oil with no friction modifiers in it- ie old school oil- any additives can come through into your paint...

Muz

[HoonBoy]

kula, a $99 Bunnings/Supercheap will do for light duty rattle gun use. Don't know how long it would last for, but they have a good warranty.

[sssgtr]

2.5hp Fini twin cylinder belt drive unit with a 50L tank, was approx $650 about 3years ago. Never missed a beat, runs everything perfectly. Only the die grinder chews up a lot of the air, but it's one of the super cheap ones. does the job well and is always oiled.

[Jim]

I have a bunnings $99 jobbie, and it's fine for everything but my big rattle gun. it'll power the gun but it doesn't have much balls.

nice necro thread BTW