Air compressor-old or new?

[TRS63]

Hello all,

I am just about to move from my old place to a new workshop (I will make a thread about it as soon as I have the key!) and I am in the process of looking for equipment. There will probably be a lot of topics opened but for now, I am focusing on the air compressor.
My needs are really not that much, just want a small impact wrench, a small paint gun for putting some primer if necessary, and..well, my needs will certainly grow.
I don't want something too big but also doesn't want to be all the time restricted. Not necessary to say that I am also on a budget
I was thinking about 100l (26 gallons?) tank. What do you think?
And would you prefer to buy an old compressor, maybe in need of a rebuild, but from a good brand or look at a "cheap"-new and use it under warranty/improve later if necessary?
Thanks a lot for any tips!
Antoine

PS:for any offer, I am located in south germany..

 

[Superbec]

http://www.tbs-aachen.de/pneumatics/piston_compressors/SBN_1060_Compressor_900/100_i43_15575.htm

I got this one, couldn't be happier, it will take years till you'll outgrow it if ever

 

[TRS63]

Thanks, seems really good but sadly my budget is around half of that

Antoine

 

[454ragtop]

Older true industrial compressor, as large as you can justify, you won't regret it. One of the few tools I followed this advice, more than 30 years later does everything I need, including sand blasting. Just recently had to overhaul the valves, $50. kit, and should be good for another 20 years.

 

[Superbec]

Thanks, seems really good but sadly my budget is around half of that

Antoine

Older true industrial compressor, as large as you can justify, you won't regret it. One of the few tools I followed this advice, more than 30 years later does everything I need, including sand blasting. Just recently had to overhaul the valves, $50. kit, and should be good for another 20 years.

he's not going to find a nice industrial compressor in his budget

maybe at an industrial auction if he's really lucky ...

http://javac.eu/product/tx-3-4hp-compressor/

I think this one is still ok for your needs

I don't want to be near 20 year old compressed air tanks ,

 

[TRS63]

Superbec, I think you're right about the budget too small for an industrial one. I think, I should decide between a used one from a good brand (any advice?) where I can still buy repair parts if needed, or a "cheaper" one that will be new (but then, what can go wrong? If for example the engine die, maybe I can then improve it with a better one?).
Why would you avoid a 20 years old tank?
Thanks!

Antoine

 

[md21722]

How much air do you need?

Here in the U.S. we find a wide spectrum of air needs, from those using air nailers, to those sandblasting. I have 10 HP installed at 6,500 feet above sea level and it's "good enough" for my angle grinders, drills, and so forth.

Many times old tanks have problems with rust and resultant tank walls and shells thinning out if you will. Sometimes the tank drains are so plugged with rust nothing comes out until you really work at them and then you can get 2.5 gallons of water out of a 60 gallon tank! Some tanks were coated and they won't rust.

Decide what you need or want, and they size your budget appropriately. Here we have the saying "pay once, cry once". Because there really isn't anyone who complained of having too big an air compressor.

I see that electric rates in some parts of the world are very low, and others are very high. Germany is up high on the list even though you basically take lignite from the ground, put it on a conveyer belt, and burn it in a power plant adjacent to the mine.

Here in the U.S. we often look for old plants/factories or mechanic shops that are closing and selling off anything of value. Some names we look for are Champion, Saylor Beall, and Quincy. Le Roi, Dresser, Kellogg, Ingersoll Rand (IR) and Wayne are some others going back farther in time (no longer made, or sold the name out to a brand that doesn't represent what once was made). Not sure what ya'll have in Germany. ABAC is a global brand that often sources pumps from Italy. It looks like an ABAC pump in the above posting.

Sometimes you can get a deal on an older compressor, other times you a buying a problem.

 

[TRS63]

Yes, you are right, I need to plan it better. I will consider what I need to do, estimate my needs, multiply by 2 as a possible outgrow factor bounce and then choose one.

Thanks for the help

Antoine