Squeezing air
I've been on the scout for an air compressor for my workshop over the last few weeks, a search that so far has been fruitless, but not through lack of options.
I am currently air-compressorless. Well, to be honest I have a couple of high-output portable units for tyre (tire) inflation out in the field when I'm off-roading but those units, whilst excellent, are 12V and not the 240V unit with more sustainable output, I require for the workshop.
An air compressor is a simple device that quite literally uses power [electric, diesel or unleaded fuel, for instance] to compress air into a storage tank under pressure. Eventually the air being pushed into the tank will reach a pre-determined pressure-limit at which time the compressor will shut off. The air is held in the tank and the kinetic energy is used for various things as the pressurised air is released via a tool like a rattle gun, nail gun, air-ratchet, drill, sander, sand-blaster, spray gun or nozzle among other things. After use the tank-pressure will deplete to a set low-pressure-limit and the compressor will restart and begin to fill the tank again. The benefit of this system is that the operator will have use of the energy stored in the tank on a continual basis provided the compressor has the fuel to operate.
I've decided I need a 2HP compressor with a minimum 50L tank which will provide the air I need to complete the tasks I require. But it's not that simple. Is anything?
Air compressor units range in price from about $150 up to thousands of dollars, millions probably for industrial units. But for my application $150-$1000 is about the target range. My budget is was $200.
Whilst doing my research I've discovered that there's direct-drive and belt-drive compressors with the latter being more quiet and having a longer life span. Of course the belt-drive units are more costly, upwards to around $600 as a start-price. Problem one.
In addition there's a water issue to consider. You see, when air is compressed it squeezes out any moisture present; The more compression the more water is extracted which is also affected by humidity of course. This water builds up in the tank and needs to be bled off regularly. If this isn't done the tank capacity is reduced and the water will make its way down the air line and into air tools or onto anything the compressed air is sprayed onto - Not good as that water will also contain rust from inside the tank. Problem two.
The fix for that problem is to retro-fit a filter which catches any water that makes its way out of the tank prior to making its way down the air line into the air tool or out of the nozzle. Imagine spray painting something with flecks of rust and water spraying out onto the surface!
OK, so more money. This filter set-up is fitted in-line on one of the air outlets from the tank and will also incorporate a regulator (regulates air-pressure) which is a good thing as different tools or applications require different air pressures. So once done the air then travels as follows: Ambient air>Compressor > Tank > Tank regulator > In-line regulator > In-line filter > Air hose > Tool of nozzle. Simple. Any residual water is held in the small filter tank and drains out automatically. The main tank needs to be bled-off regularly too though, even with the retro-filter attached.
So, there are unit's that have these inline filters pre-attached but those units are upwards of $1,000 and I simply don't want to spend that sort of money considering I don't have a commercial use for the air. The unit I'm looking at purchasing is the cheaper unit at around $199 for the air compressor system. It's the Ryobi Airwave 50L 2.0HP as pictured from the Bunnings website. I'll purchase 30 metres of air line plus the filter/regulator set up I mentioned above and the fittings to go with it. I think all up I'll be up for about $400 give or take, so about 100% above my budget. im src
This direct-drive compressor is not the one I really want but I don't want to spring for the AEG unit at over $600 as I don't think I'll get the use out of it regularly enough to justify the cost (considering $600 really means $800 as I'll still need the other wherewithal for the filter and air hose etc. I can afford the more expensive compressor however I always try to work around need over want and so I think the cheaper unit will serve me well enough.
I'm still determining the best course of action however hope to make my purchase in the next few weeks. It will be great to have good quality compressed air to blow my guns out in the cleaning process and I also intend to use it to blow excess water out nooks and crannies of my vehicles when I wash them. I'm a stickler for vehicle-washing and am OCD when it comes to water drips ruining my freshly washed vehicles. Yeah, I know I should get a life huh?
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default and aim small, miss small.
Discord: @galenkp#9209 🇦🇺
My first compressor was 112l capacity I think a three piston belt drive bought some 25 years ago for around $1800 + accessories. I needed a decent size unit as I was just starting to spray paint vehicles. I was quoted some $5000 to have my mini panel van resprayed that was huge money to an 16 year old. So I bought all the gear to paint and did it for about 2/3 the cost and still had all the gear to paint more👍.
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That's a lot of air...Way more than I need. I'll probably not paint anything.
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Didn’t realise how involved those things could get 😳 sounds like you know what you need now so hopefully that will be money well spent if the thing does what you need without being overkill and lasts you a while 🙃
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Yeah, is anything ever easy? I'm hoping to grab it soon but am still just weighing it up.
Hey, @galenkp.
Since this was nine hours ago, you may already have the compressor. If so, disregard my comment. Actually, obviously, you can do that regardless. :)
I can't say I've had any experience with compressors, but I have a little bit of experience with Ryobi hand tools (drill). Enough to know that I won't ever buy another Ryobi product. It underperformed in about every way I can think of.
So, circumstantial evidence at best (hopefully their compressor is better built). I just thought I should throw that out there. :)
Thanks mate, I haven't decided yet, still evaluating and weighing up my options.
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Good luck getting what you need/want.
Thanks, we’ll see how it pans out. I know what I’d rather, but have to logic out and justify the cost. It’ll shake out though I guess.
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I used to service and install air industrial compressors in what now seems like a previous life, back in the day when Australia had heavy industry and we actually made things here. It was mostly pigs dick pumps (screw compressors) but the basics are the same.
You're probably on the right track with a 2hp model but by far the most important stat for an air compressor is the volume of air it can deliver. That's generally rated in CFM (cubic feet per minute). If you attach a tool that requires 150 CFM to operate and the compressor only delivers 120 you're screwed before you start. The tool will run for a while and then wind down and become useless. The volume of the receiver (tank) can compensate for that to a certain extent but it's a poor substitute for a pump that can deliver what the tool needs or preferably a bit more.
A lot of people kill their compressors at home by running industrial quality tools (with a high CFM demand) on a compressor that can't keep up. The motors run almost constantly while the tools are being used and burn themselves out. Warranty is always important too, a compressor with a short warranty is sometimes an indication of poor quality. I've seen people exploit that though when the warranty period is nearing the end they vent them and run the motor until it dies and then take it back and get a new one free.
So look at the CFM requirements of the tools you'll be using that have the heaviest demand and look for something that can keep up. Typical heavy demand tools are things like sanders and grinders, so if you plan on doing a lot that sort of thing it's especially important. An industrial rattle gun on a toy compressor will give it a workout too.
If you're not spray painting you probably won't need to spend a great deal on special filters and driers, a cheap set off the shelf set from a tool shop or ebay will do if it can handle the pressure the system delivers. Just be sure to open the drain at the bottom of the tank on the compressor (while it's still pressurised) after each use to drain the water that has condensed inside the tank.
A light trickle of light mineral oil directly into the snap on fitting on your air tools every time (once per day or maybe a bit more if you're really going at it) before you use them will make them last up to twice as long as they would without it too, Lucas makes a good one that won't harm the seals or gum anything up. It will get a bit messy for a few seconds when you first start them and some jobs you don't want that mess so pick your battles there.
Good luck with it mate.
Awesome tips man, thanks. My only experience with air is when I worked at GM (auto plant) for 24 years but there the compressors were whole buildings.
I doubt I'll run tools with huge CFM requirements so should be ok. I heard about the drain plug (whilst pressurised) thing also so all good there but not every time I use it...That's new to me so thanks. Also the mineral oil on the couplings is a good tip.
I think my air requirements are fairly domestic, blowing out my guns when cleaning, pumping tyres on my vehicles etc. so I don't think whatever compressor I get will have too hard a life.
I appreciate you taking the time to write this and help me with a few tips. 👍🏼
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