FE-FC Holden Discussion Forum

I have been looking at air compressors and would like to know what people think of this unit. I was wanting it for the occasional spay painting use, and also for use with an airbrush. Would also be considering getting a nibbler and some air tools down the track. I realise this is a cheap unit, but want to hear the pros and cons from experienced users. Price at Bunnings is $199.

2.5HP, 2850 RPM Motor with 7.3 CFM. Direct Drive. Tank Pressure Maintained Between 80psi and 115psi. Provides 206 Litres/min Air Displacement. 40L tank.


http://www.gmcompany.com/index.cfm?ppage=products&pproduct_uuid=23B31FC7-41F8-4210-8B67BF249255C80C

Regards
Alex

Alex,

The best thing to do would be investigate the air consumption of the tools you intend to buy and use in the future, and relate that back to the capabilities of the compressor.

A small compressor may supply the painting equipment, but shall probably run out of steam (or air, most likely) for running air tools. I have a big tank and triple cylinder compressor that runs almost constantly when the DA sander is hooked up.

There is an old school spray painting equipment and compressor shop in Reservoir St, Surry Hills. Fracks I think. If you get a chance give me a call and try and get down one lunch time - my office is just around the corner. I'm not suggesting you buy from them, however their advice shall be more qualified than mine and a Bunnings store attendent,

Regards

Edward

I think you need more cfm for spray painting, continuous spray painting anyway. From memory mine is a 12cfm unit, purchased second-hand from a machinery dealer over 10 years ago. I have used it to paint a whole double garage without it running out of puff, it was running 60-70% of the time though. It runs airtools fine and I am sure the air-brush would be a doddle.

Hi Alex, that is fine for painting but useless for air tools,i have a 13cfm tank with a twin cylinder pump and it wont keep up with air hungry tools,but it is better than that one in Bunnings,bigger is better always with air compressors.

I looked into this for months, eventually bought a 3 hp 50 liter tank that kicks out 17 cfm.
I used it to paint my kombi, it was still running every couple of minutes, If you are wanting to use tools they use a lot of air and you dont want to be waiting for it to build up all of the time.
Also if you get one it is best to have a belt drive, that way if the motor stuffs up you can just get another and nort have to buy the whole thing.
I got mine for $500 and it is the biggest single phase one.
The old saying does apply here, The bigger the better.

The ones from Bunnings etc are only really any good for pumping up tyres and kids toys.
Dont get me wrong they might do the job, but it might not last too long and take ages, if you are going to use it to restore a vehicle you will need the bigger one, that way you can use drills, grinders, nibblers. sanders, hacksaws and also paint gear.

Cheers
Dave

Thanks for the info guys.
I will have to step up to some more specialised outlets for some comparisons.
Regards
Alex

k mart have something simular but much cheaper, I have one, its 40L and 2.5 hp and even has pump up tyres, you can do small jobs and bigger primer jobs.
I got mine to do primer and door jambs and stuff so when the day comes I only need to use someones nice big compressor for a day and everything else is already done.
as you probably know, if you try to apply colour it will just keep running out of puff.
big W have a compressor for i think around $80 but has been on specail for lower, it has a 6L tank and looks like a neat unit for airbrushing and you dont have to cart a big compressor through your house. from memory 15 years ago you would pay $400+ for a hobby compressor to use with a airbrush.