Anyone have any experience with El Cheapo air compressors?

[acarmody]

I was at Bunnings and saw some 2.5hp 40L direct drive compressors for $140, now the amps confirm that it is actually 2.5hp and the F.A.D was about 220L/m (can't remember exactly).

I'm going to be painting my sub boxes soon (hopefully) and the cost of pressure packs (custom spray cans) is about $30 each and I'll need about 6 so that's pretty pricey, so I was thinking of investing in a cheap air compressor, it won't be used much at all, probably this job than sit in garage for who knows how long, so I don't want to really fork out big dollars.

I know I'll need a starter kit, a moisture trap, and I'll probably be getting a H.V.L.P gravity gun too.

So does anyone think this would work, or anyone have any experience with these cheapies?

[DANNY8]

My mate painted my wagz with a GMC $99 compressor. Turned out pretty good. Ya don't need a big compressor, it does help tho. Only drama's with the smaller ones is that ya gotta stop for a few seconds every so often to let it catch up lol.

[maginoodle]

will be ok for what you want. as danny said you will have to stop to let the tank fill up. if you can put up with that, thats all you need.
look for a compressor that comes with a starter kit, thay usually have a spray gun that would do the job you are doing.

[acarmody]

Me and my dad worked it out (from reading spray gun specs and compressor spec) that it will last 35 seconds and then need 15 seconds to fill up again, but that's OK with me as the sub boxes are only 0.5m x 0.5m x 0.5m and I'm only going to do half a side at a time as I'm aiming for a two-tone paint job. The one I'm looking at also has a pressure regulator to bring it down to the spray gun optimal pressure and has dual pressure gauges for the tank, so I will just watch them.

I'm thinking it will be OK cause I'm not going to be using a rattle gun or anything.

[vkberlina]

It will be fine for small jobs with occasional use, spray the odd item, pump up the odd tyre or ball etc. Generally I have found the bunning and supercheap stuff is ok for home based occasional use but if you plan on using it a bit it wont last. If you plan on undertaking bigger jobs or if your running air tools it wont keep up. You may find it cheaper to buy a good larger secondhand compressor rather than a new one. The main thing to look at on second hand compressors is the oil most run SAE30 which is the same as 4 stroke lawn mower oil & the air filter. If both are dirty check outs its history, if both are really clean check out its history. Also if they have a tank inspection cover pull it off and see how rusted the inside of the tank is.

I picked up a 24 CFM 3 phase (I know way bigger than most people will ever use It will run a panel shop) for around $400 with regulator & piping. I spent a bit of money on a new air filter, oil, 2 belts and paint I resprayed it and cleaned it right up. It probably cost me $500 all up and I wont need to spend a cent on it for a very long time just 2L of oil once a year.

It takes 60 seconds to fill from dead empyty to 120psi. I was looking at 16cfm 240v single phase units around $1000 when I purchased mine I have 3 phase power at home and understanding neighbours its not the quietest thing. At least with a bigger unit you can run die grinders, air sanders etc without running out of air nothing worse than trying to get a job done in a hurry and having to keep waiting on the aircompressor to gain pressure again.

cheers
Scott

[DANNY8]

nothing worse than trying to get a job done in a hurry and having to keep waiting on the aircompressor to gain pressure again.

Yeah that sucks. We have a bigger compressor now, can't remember wat size, but a belt driven SRT one from Repco, cost about $400. Ran everything fine, then bought a die grinder and yeah spent more time waiting for the compressor to build up air then time spent doing the job. Now just bought a sand blasting cabinet.....that's even worse.

[vkberlina]

You need something like this

12-16cfm will do most if not all home use applications, my dad has a 16cfm 3cyl 240v unit which does everything he wants it to do. It runs die grinders, air drills, air hammers etc. but your looking around $1000 new being 240v they still pull good money second hand maybe $500 best to check out e-scam or Trading Stick
I bought mine at an auction so also keep an eye out for clearance auctions

cheers
Scott

[acarmody]

OK I'm looking at 2 in particular. First is the Supercheap 2.5hp, 200l/min F.A.D, for $230. Or this Peerless Compact 2500 Electric Direct Drive #00332 , both should run a touch-up spray gun well enough and both will run an air ratchet. I'm not going to be painting a whole car or anything so a small touch-up gun should work out better, probably just going to paint my sub boxes, my spoiler (some asshole has scratched it to shit) and maybe my front bar if I do OK. I'm leaning towards the Supercheap as its local and will be cheaper with no freight, and if it needs to back for warranty I won't have to freight it. But on the other hand Peerless are supposed to be pretty good, hmmm.

[vkberlina]

OK I'm looking at 2 in particular. First is the Supercheap 2.5hp, 200l/min F.A.D, for $230. Or this Peerless Compact 2500 Electric Direct Drive #00332 , both should run a touch-up spray gun well enough and both will run an air ratchet. I'm not going to be painting a whole car or anything so a small touch-up gun should work out better, probably just going to paint my sub boxes, my spoiler (some asshole has scratched it to shit) and maybe my front bar if I do OK. I'm leaning towards the Supercheap as its local and will be cheaper with no freight, and if it needs to back for warranty I won't have to freight it. But on the other hand Peerless are supposed to be pretty good, hmmm.

Definitely go for a local item esp on a cheap item, change its oil, keep it cool, also see what repco has to offer also see if a local automotive paint supplier might be able to offer a cheap unit.
My brother had a cheap direct drive unit and the cylinder seized prob lack of oil changes and overheating.
You may run out of air doing a bumper the rest should be ok, an air sander uses a bit of air though.

you can also run 2 aircompressors together with a T piece ont he line so if you need to paint something bigger you might be able to borrow a compressor to give you a bit extra.

cheers
Scott

[acarmody]

I will monitor the oil in that thing as stringently as I do my car, also weirdly it takes SAE 10W30, I thought compressors used single viscosity oil.

I checked Repco, nothing thats cheaper/better.

I wouldn't use an air sander, my dad has a rather nice 240v random orbital sander.

Cylinder seized? Does sound a lot like a oil problem.

What type of spray gun would you recommend, I was looking at this, Tools, Spanners, Clearance, Bargain, quality, Sockets, Powertools | Transquip Direct, but I would think the 2mm nozzle would be too large?

[acarmody]

Can anyone recommend some decent spray guns for spraying acrylic and 2-pak, that won't break the bank.

Like I said in my last post I was looking at this WTS770G , but how would the 2mm nozzle be? My likely compressor would be 200l/min Supercheap model.

EDIT: I have also seen this, SG1000-15G , but I would prefer something cheaper if possible.

[acarmody]

I know no one will care but I'm so excited that I'm telling everyone.

My (great) uncle is an ex-mechanic and is selling me his old compressor, hardly used. Its an Ingersoll Rand 3hp job, a few years old but only been sitting in storage, not sure of the C.F.M but I'm sure its not small, also said something about having a 'Betts' motor. Also comes with low pressure spray gun, 30m hose, a very expensive (about $180) combo filter regulator, air sander and a small sand blaster, and some of stuff that he couldn't remember, all for a bloody amazing $500, hell yeah, he wins Uncle of the year award.

I'm as happy as a pig in shit here.