Shopping around for an air compressor and was hoping people could chime in with there experience. I won't be painting just cutting panels, impact wrench and buffing/sanding. Was looking for a 2.5hp, possibly ones at Bunnings or super cheap. Happy with brand suggestions & what you had worked well for you.
I bought a McMillan 3hp. Biggest single phase one I could find. Was just under 1k.
does 348L/min FAD. Italian made alloy pump, tank made here and assembled here, German pressure switch, Taiwanese electric motor( well known TECO industrial motors). They are Aussie company.
I chose them because I seen some 40 year old Mc Millan comps still going and local parts and support.
Mine hasn't missed a beat and is powerful enough to drive die grinders non stop, spay paint and such.
I wouldn't waste money of bunnings comps. they will just piss you off and fail. china shit.
71 notchback,
Past owner of, 70 NB, 73 SB and 72 FB TLE
It's best to figure out the air usage of the most air hungry tool you will want to use and then take it from there.
Most stuff in Supercheap etc can just about keep up with air saw and 3 inch grinders but have no chance with a 6 inch sander.
So take the tools normal psi running rating and then it's CFM or LPM rating. Cubic feet per minute or Litres Per Minute. then you'll know how big a compressor you need as the HP rating is rather vague as to what it can actually handle.
I spent $800 inc shipping on a Unimac compressor. 17CFM with 150L tank and 7HP petrol motor. Good enough for HVLP paint spraying 🙂 And runs a 6 inch sander with no worries.
Oh, and if you house has 3 phase capabilities then that opens up the range immensely.
oh, and Tradetools are a much better option for better output yet reasonably priced items than Supercheap 🙂
madness is in the eye of the beholder 👍
Buffing / sanding just about rules out the cheaper compressors, you can get better ones from Masters / Bunnings but you would be better off looking at a proper recognised tool store, I have three compressors, the biggest and best by a long shot is an old one I've had for at least 15 years and I bought it second hand, belt drive twin cylinder, quiet and I recon it'll outlive me, never done thing to it except check the oil, can't remember ever needing to top it up. The other two are elcheapo ones, one a two tank job that I carry in my van, reasonably light (much lighter than the one first described) the other elcheapo is one i got from autone or some such place, I've had it for about 5 years and had to repair it a few times ( though the parts are cheap on eBay) both the cheapies are direct drive. So given all that the previous advice about air delivery is good advice, then how often are you going to use it, if it's going to be seldom used then the cheapie may be all you want / need, but you do get what you pay for. My 2c worth
I dream of a day when a chicken can cross a road without being asked for it's motive!
I have had a McMillan 16cfm for 24 years, and used it a lot for panel and paint. Probably about 100 restorations. I finally had to get a new pump, and it was $450. This is the old original MC that was all made in Australia except the pump. It is a triple piston cast iron Feng Shu (or similar name) and a reliable brand.
The twin piston alloy pump model they have is definitley going to be enough for you. You will have it for the next twenty years and beyond. Be aware that the big compressors are single phase 15Amp power, and do not like extension leads, or low amp power outlets. You are better with a longer hose than a longer power lead. If the current can't get through, the motor will burn out. Like trying to suck honey through a straw
Thanks all great advice.
helbus wrote:I have had a McMillan 16cfm for 24 years, and used it a lot for panel and paint. Probably about 100 restorations. I finally had to get a new pump, and it was $450. This is the old original MC that was all made in Australia except the pump. It is a triple piston cast iron Feng Shu (or similar name) and a reliable brand.
The twin piston alloy pump model they have is definitley going to be enough for you. You will have it for the next twenty years and beyond. Be aware that the big compressors are single phase 15Amp power, and do not like extension leads, or low amp power outlets. You are better with a longer hose than a longer power lead. If the current can't get through, the motor will burn out. Like trying to suck honey through a straw
If a true 15amp then the plug is meant to be different and your normal double outlet socket changed for a single 15amp style socket. This is assuming the outlet is being feed by a 20amp CB in the fusebox. Then if you use the correct 15amp extension cabling and extra 5-10metres should be fine but more than that will cause the motor to struggle and heat up. In saying this though a 20m hose from Bunnings is only $45 and rated at 300psi. Gives you options though
🙂madness is in the eye of the beholder 👍
Even with a 15A outlet and a 15A plug, you will get voltage drop with an extension lead. Any use of an extension lead on a 15A compressor will reduce the life of the electric motor.
Assuming, of course, you are getting good power supply in the first place.
My brother would buy a new compressor every year.
His business was located in the heart of a major wine producing area.
8 months of the year he had top quality power.
When vintage started everyone turned on the lights, compressors, chillers, etc. etc.
Voltage would drop and a few months later, the compressor motor would die.
And the cost of a new electric motor was the same as a new compressor!
Took quite a few years to work this out, though.
And when he did, he rang ETSA (the SA power authority) and told them he wanted
to be compensated for his loss due to their poor quality product.
They, of course, found his claim to be very amusing.
So, if you have bad power supply, better off with a smaller compressor which will pull less power.
Make up the difference with another larger receiver.
helbus wrote:Even with a 15A outlet and a 15A plug, you will get voltage drop with an extension lead. Any use of an extension lead on a 15A compressor will reduce the life of the electric motor.
What is the difference between an extension lead and the mains wiring?
I read it on samba, so it must be correct.
Sometimes Volkswagen dealers sell spare parts. Amazing isn't it!😂
AA003 wrote:helbus wrote:Even with a 15A outlet and a 15A plug, you will get voltage drop with an extension lead. Any use of an extension lead on a 15A compressor will reduce the life of the electric motor.
What is the difference between an extension lead and the mains wiring?
Larger cross sectional size of copper wire on the mains wiring being 2.5mm squared.
An extension lead will cause more voltage drop.
Hmm, I know it's been many years since my electrical degree but if the extension lead is correctly matched to the load then the extension leads impedance will barely affect the motor just as if you ran household wiring as the extension lead.
Now if you run a 10amp extension lead you've got more to worry about than voltage drop but a 15amp lead should be rated at a few amps more than this so it doesn't fail at exactly 15amps. Of course if the wires are manufactured to barely cover the 15amps then the motor will struggle as those 15amps will never truly be seen by the motor.
You can always wire a 3 phase plug as a 15amp one and use a 3 phase extension lead. No worries on the current rating for that then. Just a case of making sure you remember which wire colour of the 3 phase corresponds to you single phase household wiring. 🙂
madness is in the eye of the beholder 👍
helbus wrote:AA003 wrote:helbus wrote:Even with a 15A outlet and a 15A plug, you will get voltage drop with an extension lead. Any use of an extension lead on a 15A compressor will reduce the life of the electric motor.
What is the difference between an extension lead and the mains wiring?
Larger cross sectional size of copper wire on the mains wiring being 2.5mm squared.
An extension lead will cause more voltage drop.
If it's a 2.5 sq mm extension lead it will will make no difference at all. The little electrons cannot tell the difference.
I read it on samba, so it must be correct.
Sometimes Volkswagen dealers sell spare parts. Amazing isn't it!😂
I have had a Renagade 16CFM compressor for 15 years, great machine, 3 cylinder compressor, has been very reliable.
