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.

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

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 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.

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.

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.

I have had a Renagade 16CFM compressor for 15 years, great machine, 3 cylinder compressor, has been very reliable.