Air Compressors - Info required

[Bling]

In the market for an air compressor soon so would like to hear peoples experiences with air compressors. Their pluses / negatives etc.

What brand / model do you have?
What is the FAD (free air delivery) of your compressor?
What have you successfully used the compressor for?

I intend to do some sandblasting / painting at some stage so want to know what specs i'll be looking at. Not really after just 'opinions' moreso actual experiences as I want to get one that will cover my usage but not waste money on air I don't/wont need. From what I can tell the above uses require more than the likes of sanders/rachets/nail guns etc which I may use at some stage.

Current specs I'm looking at:
12cfm (9FAD) - $900 - Hindin
16cfm (12FAD) $1500 - Marquip
Both 3HP, 50L yadda yadda.

Will be sticking to good brands as I am willing to pay for the quality.

Any help/advice will be greatly appreciated

[ee904age]

Is the 16cfm one a green 3 cyl? If so, thats the one to get. Sandblasting uses alot of air and theres nothing worse than spending ages waiting for your compressor to catch up. We've sold them to panelshops all over the place and have never had a problem, they are up to the task. They also have a feature that lets the motor keep running offloading excess air so the motor isnt starting and stopping too much, which isnt good for them. The only precuation is do not run them on a long extension cord and make sure you have good voltage.

[xsspeed]

I would be looking at at least 16cfm, hence why I havent got one yet cos they are pricey. Whats the tank size and psi?

[ee904age]

Whats the tank size and psi?

Psi is irrelevant really, any compressor sold these days should be good for 150, which is more than enough for most tools. Its a bit like the repco/supercheap ones being sold as a 2.5hp compressor, while it may be 2.5hp but only produces 4cfm.

[fangsport]

i have an Ingersoll Rand belt drive single cylinder 15? or 16CFM (on loan can'T quote).
free air is around 11-12(as above).
purchased for spraying furniture when i was making it for a crust. was (at the time) the largest free air displacement single phase available, there were bigger CFM 2-3 cylinder units at the time, but didn't provide the same free air spec.
have used it for sandblasting/ car painting no worries, but is gross overkill for air stapler/ pin-guns etc(i know have a much smaller direct drive unit for this.
best $1600 i have spent went building up the business, but i suspect a simlar machine can be purchased for around the $1K mark.

buy a reputable brand preferably with an Italian pump as they seem to produce more , dry air than other options.

[Bling]

The marquip is 3cyl and green yep.

[KinLoud]

I looked around a couple of years ago and worked out that it was better and cheaper to buy 2 cheap compressors from bunnings when they were on sale.
Just got an extra airline to connect them together.

2 x 2hp direct drive compressors with 25L tanks? I think.
Gave good volume delivery and big air reservoir.

Also - BEST STEREO COMPRESSOR SOUND EVER!

Another advantage is that I could easily put one in the back of the car if I needed to take one for a smaller job.

Ken

[fangsport]

The marquip is 3cyl and green yep.

Hindin Marquip used to be the same company. the 3 cylinder ones i mentioned in comparision were a cheaper unit, blue receiver.

[ee904age]

Yeah Hindin Marquip are still the same co. The compressors branded Hindin are imported from italy ready to go, where the Marquip ones are the more industrial ones, assembled in nz using Italian pumps and tanks, and motors from Australia.

[Bling]

The compressors branded Hindin are imported from italy ready to go, where the Marquip ones are the more industrial ones, assembled in nz using Italian pumps and tanks, and motors from Australia.

Someone at Hindin Marquip told me today the hindin 12cfm model comes from China, but they have the patent on the pump or something or rather. which is the truth Italy sounds better!

Very reliable units though aparently. Spoke to another reseller/repairer and they said the same thing about reliability. Also said the bunnings / similar ones are arse quality something I don't find hard to believe. Thats why i'm leaning towards getting a decent branded one that parts will be available in the future. If ever needed. Buy it once etc. Marquips last for YEARS, its just a matter of having the wallet to match

Keep the info coming

[xsspeed]

Whats the tank size and psi?

Psi is irrelevant really, any compressor sold these days should be good for 150, which is more than enough for most tools. Its a bit like the repco/supercheap ones being sold as a 2.5hp compressor, while it may be 2.5hp but only produces 4cfm.

I thought cheaper ones around would still struggle to make 100. I used one the other day that couldnt get my road bike tyre above 80.

[Distrb]

got a 3cyl hinden marquip compressor. Does 16cfm (cant remember free air off the top of my head) 50L tank. Largest motor i think you can run on single phase. Wont run on an extension cord any longer than 2 meters. Run external water trap with 20m of line off it with minimal pressure loss

Does everything i ask of it. Have sprayed my race car, can use any air tools (sand blaster, die grinder, cuttoff tool, orbital sander, rattle gun, air wrench) with ease.

when i bought it, it was retailing for around $1700 (but i didnt pay that - thanks B1NZ )

[Dell'Orto]

Yeah as I said to you the other day, those green 3 cylinder Marquip ones are the business, heaps of my customers use them. I'm so very slutted I missed out on the ones Repco cleared out for $980ish

[Bling]

For the deal you got anyway i'm sure theres no need to haha.

[tsoob]

Is the 16cfm one a green 3 cyl? If so, thats the one to get. Sandblasting uses alot of air and theres nothing worse than spending ages waiting for your compressor to catch up. We've sold them to panelshops all over the place and have never had a problem, they are up to the task. They also have a feature that lets the motor keep running offloading excess air so the motor isnt starting and stopping too much, which isnt good for them. The only precuation is do not run them on a long extension cord and make sure you have good voltage.

thats the one i have here im sure, its brilliant, i do painting as well as run tyre machines, air tools, belly hoists all that stuff works awesome.

[Bling]

Thanks for the info, looks like i'll have to sell a kidney + soul on trademe and grab the Marquip.