|
|
Post by shaggy33 on Aug 19, 2013 22:19:15 GMT
I was just about to buy some new cordless tools for my pending rocket build (drill/driver, right angle drill, maybe grinder) when I suddenly thought hang on why don't I buy an air compressor as my dad has loads of air tools from his work days.
I already have a hobby comp from machine mart, 25 litre 8/44 but when I tried to test drill on it it lasted for about 2 seconds before slowing down to a snail pace. I have found 3bhp 90 litre tank comps going for about £250 on eBay which is the price of a decent cordless drill, question is would this be man enough to power air tools needed for building a rocket?
Anyone using a comp if so what size is it etc...
Cheers
|
|
|
|
Post by minuit on Aug 19, 2013 23:24:05 GMT
Also interested in hearing about peoples experience with air tools. I just bought a house and looking to fill up the empty garage  |
|
|
|
Post by 6704nathan on Aug 20, 2013 7:26:20 GMT
couldnt live without mine but iam ex motor trade! you need to see what cfm output the comp has 8-9cfm with 50 or 60 ltr tanks is fine for tools without sustained use ie air guns or ratchets but stuff like grinders it will struggle to keep up.
you will need 100 ltr tank min and a cfm of pref 14cfm but a minimum of 10 or 11cfm.
you can adjust what pressure it cuts out at psi, and raise the pressure it cuts back in at so it doesnt drop to low.
but the most important figure to find is what cfm it puts out!
|
|
|
|
Post by shaggy33 on Aug 20, 2013 7:41:09 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Paul (madeye) on Aug 20, 2013 8:38:06 GMT
grinder and 90 drill, maybe a torque gun. i like to do everything else with 1/4 kit and a torque wrench. more because i work on tanks and usually use 3/4 kit and im a little heavy handed with nuts under 19mm
|
|
|
|
Post by 6704nathan on Aug 20, 2013 10:26:01 GMT
that will happily run 1/2 inch impact gun air ratchet drills etc grinders use a lot of air but that should be ok
if it wont quite keep up you can always adjust the pressure it kicks back in at a little higher.
my advice is buy quality branded impact gun ingersoll rand snap on chicago power etc and the rest can be cheap and cheerfull! my sealey 3/8 air ratchet big and small have outlasted snap on ones!
but when it comes to impact guns do not scrimp you will be very disappointed with its performance my ingersoll rand 1/2 gun will undo just about anything is at least 10 years old and still performs as well as the day i bought it
|
|
|
|
Post by minuit on Aug 22, 2013 23:07:31 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by casesensitive on Aug 23, 2013 7:26:04 GMT
I bought a lidl-special, Parkside 25L 2.5 hp compressor, delivers about 9cfm as far as I remember. I bought it to drive my air impact wrench, which I love, but does run out of steam; I supposed I expected it to turn nuts I couldn't.
I find it handy, the air-blower is great for clearing out debris, and in a pinch is a fun way to clean the workshop floor, just blow it all out the door!
The water sprayer attachment I got is flawed (it's never 'off') but basically handy, mine doesn't take a detergent bottle.
The sandblaster I got is either a bit crap, or I used too coarse sand, because I can't say it has much effect. Runs out of pressure pretty quickly.
Make sure you get plenty of PFTE (plumber's) tape, as the unions can be very leaky, and a pair of ear-protectors, I hang mine on the compressor, when it goes on, they go on, loud bugger.
But for things like a sander, drill etc, why not just get proper electric ones? Using air for them would be overkill, unless you've got a monster compressor handy.
You'll find yourself buying air tools where the alternative would've been more appropriate.
|
|
|
|
Post by shaggy33 on Aug 23, 2013 9:19:12 GMT
thanks again for imput. you are probably right in that electric tools would be better for certain jobs. I guess my main thought behind going for air power is the tools are so much cheaper. I am looking at £500 for 3 decent cordless tools with batteries whereas an air tool is around £20-40. once I have a large enough and powerful comp
I can just add tools as and when.
I'll think on...
|
|
|
|
Post by daveisom1 on Aug 27, 2013 20:36:20 GMT
Little bit of air compressor information you all may find usefull. There are 2 figures that are quoted for compressor output, displacement and free air delivery. Displacement is the theoretical amount the piston can deliver with no loses or temp rise, free air delivery is the actual amount of air that the compressor delivers at the outlet and nearly all figures work on a pressure of 7 bar. The one you should be looking for is the free air and as a rough guide its 3cfm per hp. All air tool consumption figures are worked on free air delivery at a rated pressure of 6.5 bar. The largest compressor you can run at home on a standard ring main is 3hp any thing larger should have a dedicated power supply direct from the consumer unit. Having said all that you can run an air tool from any sized compressor but the time it will run at full power will depend on stored volume and compressor size.
I have been in the compressed air business for a lot of years and have my own 3hp 50ltr unit at home which is great for small amounts of spraying, pumping up tyres plus a little extra work but does require stopping work to allow the pressure to build back up. My advise would be to stick to electric tools unless you can install a compressor of about 7.5hp with a 150ltr to 200ltr receiver.
|
|
|
|
Post by shaggy33 on Aug 28, 2013 21:27:42 GMT
That is very helpful, thanks for taking the time to explain it. I guess it's electric tools then because while I have found the perfect comp unit it's only 3bhp so not really man enough for the job. Added to that its £500 ad I could buy a lot of battery tools with that!
Shame because I have endless air tools at my disposal but no point if I can't use 'em for long enough at a time!
|
|
