Screwfix compressor...
 

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[Closed] Screwfix compressor. Decent or doorstop?

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I've wanted a compressor for years and I've got the space to get one but can't really justify an expensive one. I know you get what you pay for but what's the lower limit? I know about the Aldi ones but I've never seen one in the flesh despite raiding all the local branches every time there's a mention of them.

So I'm looking at this- [url= http://www.screwfix.com/p/stanley-8216035scr011-24ltr-compressor-with-5-piece-accessory-kit-240v/48089 ]LINK[/url]

In stock, just around the corner. I want it for car and bike tyres, but I'm interested in the spray gun and whether or not it would run a small orbital sander. There's a DIY painting project that I'm dying to get off my chest. It's got a lot of good reviews but predictably, some damning ones.

Worth a punt or best avoided?

 
Posted : 18/01/2016 3:35 pm
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but I'm interested in the spray gun and whether or not it would run a small orbital sander.

pretty much no and no - small areas of spray painting possibly but driving a sander, definitely not. A compressor that size will work well enough with nailers and similar things that need sharp bursts of pressure (so basically just nailers) but anything that requires a continous supply of pressure and volume is a non runner. By the same measure you don't need the air reserve in the tank for blowing up tyres either really, a little tankless compressor will do that well enough

 
Posted : 18/01/2016 3:42 pm
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I've got the Impax 24L one at £20 cheaper, but no accessories. - it's doing the business for me, car mo'bike and mtb tyres and blowing chains dry so far.

 
Posted : 18/01/2016 3:44 pm
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"it's doing the business for me, same sort of use as yours."

what orbital sander and spray gun are you using ?

i sprayed a few items with my 24 litre compressor .... it would do maybe 3 swipes left to right of a car bonnet before needing recharged - and it wouldnt even run the orbital for 30 seconds.

bought a 150 litre 3hp unit in the end to spray the rest of the car..... with the 150l and the motor going it last longer than i do !

for inflating tires even the 24l is overkill as mac says.

 
Posted : 18/01/2016 3:47 pm
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By the same measure you don't need the air reserve in the tank for blowing up tyres either really, a little tankless compressor will do that well enough.

But if you want to seat tubeless tyres, you do need that big burst of air quickly

 
Posted : 18/01/2016 3:47 pm
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I've got the Impax 24L one at £20 cheaper,

That's actually got much better reviews.

I won't be using it to spray a car or a van or anything. I just want to get creative on some bike frames. I just get these ideas and I like experimenting! Not enough to justify a £300 compressor though.

But if you want to seat tubeless tyres, you do need that big burst of air quickly

I now have literally the worst tubeless tyre and rim combo I've ever had that took forever to set up. Ended up using a mates compressor.

 
Posted : 18/01/2016 3:52 pm
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a 3 or 6litre pancake compressor will do a tubeless tire no bother- the limitation will be the valve at that point.

 
Posted : 18/01/2016 3:53 pm
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a 3 or 6litre pancake compressor will do a tubeless tire no bother-

buy one after wednesday - during the lent sales 🙂

 
Posted : 18/01/2016 4:03 pm
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I've got that one, works a treat to blast those damn tubeless tyres! Not used the rest of the stuff. I bought it to blow up tyres.

 
Posted : 18/01/2016 4:07 pm
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plasma cutter is one of my favorite air tools 😀

 
Posted : 18/01/2016 4:08 pm
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I have a Sumo branded one of similar spec to the one in the OP. It works fine, runs a nailer/riviter no probs. Never tried any heavier air tools. Biggest problem is it's seriously loud! OK for very occasional use or with ear defenders though!

 
Posted : 18/01/2016 4:10 pm
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yeah the direct drive / oiless ones are pretty shrill. I don't know if they are louder than the belt driven ones as such but the noise is really angry.

 
Posted : 18/01/2016 4:12 pm
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That SF compressor is only 1.5 HP. The Aldi/Lidl/etc/ one was 2.5HP IIRC.

I have a similar one (2.5HP) and it will just about keep up with a detail spray gun for small jobs (or spray tanning! 😯 ). No way will it run a DA sander.

Air reservior is handy for using a blow-off gun, pumping up car tyres using stored air, etc.

I think there are a few generic designs that get rebranded according to who is selling them. They're all pretty much disposable, but will probably last for years of infrequent use. I'd by the cheapest 2.5 or 3HP one you can find. Anything that can run a DA sander is unlikely to be able to run of a normal mains plug, and likely to cost ~~£400+

 
Posted : 18/01/2016 5:50 pm
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I think aldi/lidl do various ones.

As noted though, if you want to use it continuously, pay £400+ and get a belt driven one (although it'll need a bigger socket too), even if a cheap compressor can do the l/min, the noise will drive you insane in a couple of minutes.

 
Posted : 18/01/2016 5:58 pm
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I've got one of the 24L Parkside ones, it's been fine for car tyres and driving an impact wrench so far, I'm planning on having a go at shot/soda blasting small items with it, just to see what that's like/whether I want a proper one...

 
Posted : 18/01/2016 6:02 pm

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