Small compressor. What will it be able to run?

[Zebedeewesty]

I just picked up a bargain priced small compressor off ebay.

Specs on the side say:
2.5HP
270L/min
9.5 CFM
8 bar
115psi

I only really bought it for blowing dust off stuff and inflating tyres and as its just got a wee 24litre tank it won't be up to more air intensive stuff like painting a car or using a DA sander but what tools will it be able to run?

 

[thebeekeeper1]

Maybe a nailer. Otherwise, nothing.

 

[Rico.]

Obviously constant use tools like sanders and polishers won't work, but it will easily
run an Impact wrench for maybe 4 wheel bolts before it needs to recharge... depending
on how long the impact is hammering for of course.

Short burst of a die grinder, air hammer, and one or two bolts worth of an air ratchet also.
Tyre inflator, nailer and blow gun no probs... It can be very useful, you will just need to be
a bit patient with it as it will cycle on quite often.

 

[DekeT]

Ibut what tools will it be able to run?

12 staples
11 turns on ratchet
10 clipped nails
.........
6 seconds grinding
5 pop rivets
4 seconds dusting
3 lug nuts
2 small tire filled
1 sq cm of sandblasting,

pick any one of these before the pump runs again

 

[Rico.]

12 staples
11 turns on ratchet
10 clipped nails
.........
6 seconds grinding
5 pop rivets
4 seconds dusting
3 lug nuts
2 small tire filled
1 sq cm of sandblasting,

Oh, we have to come up with a 9, 8 and 7....
and this is definitely going to be my 2015 Christmas song....

 

[smiffy]

We use a compressor this size for spray painting at work we have the type of setup with a big 25ltr paint bucket on the floor and a remote gun
does very well for painting buildings and machinery
never have to wait for the compressor
Also charge it up and can carry it down to a machine to get enough air into a tyre to move upto a workshop where a big compressor is

 

[theoldwizard1]

Specs on the side say:
2.5HP
9.5 CFM
115psi

I only really bought it for blowing dust off stuff and inflating tyres and as its just got a wee 24litre tank it won't be up to more air intensive stuff like painting a car or using a DA sander but what tools will it be able to run?

if it is really 9.5 CFM at 115psi it will run an impact wrench/gun/ratchet and most air hammers. Nailer, stapler, etc. It should run a HVLP spay gun (the HF gun specs say 12 CFM at 45 PSI).

Find another air tank, even if it is small, and plumb it in inline. It will help.

 

[User_Name]

I just picked up a bargain priced small compressor off ebay.

Specs on the side say:
2.5HP
270L/min
9.5 CFM
8 bar
115psi

I only really bought it for blowing dust off stuff and inflating tyres and as its just got a wee 24litre tank it won't be up to more air intensive stuff like painting a car or using a DA sander but what tools will it be able to run?

Geez, not this thread again.

If the numbers are legit then you can do a lot more than you'd think, depending on the duty cycle of the machine.

With an even smaller machine I've used an air hammer, impact wrench, small recip saw, hand shear, needle scaler, and nailers. You'll get some minor die grinder use out of it (roloc sanding small areas). Don't even think of using a cut-off tool. Never tried a wrench but doubt it would work very well.

Start with a small 1/2" impact (IR 231C, CP 734H) and a proper 3/8" hose and see how it goes.

 

[G_P]

What Pressure does it deliver the 9.5CFM at? Some will publish high CFM numbers but at something like 40psi.

If it can do 9.5 CFM @ 90PSI then that will run most anything short of a sandblaster or sander.

 

[99LeCouch]

Don't forget quality fittings on the compressor, hose, and tools. The cheap fittings leak more and flow less than good ones. That's wasting air that could be doing work. Milton V-style high-flow fittings are popular in the States for applications that depend a lot on airflow like impact guns or HVLP sprayers.

 

[rick carpenter]

You should be good to go with air hammers, I ran a small air hammer off my 8 gal (4 scfm @ 90 psi) all day long chiseling up tile mortar.

 

[sam.coll]

Run a single nail gun easily good size because its portable

 

[Zebedeewesty]

I've been trying to find an online manual for it to see what the specs are as i have the feeling the sticker on the side might be a bit optimistic.


Its got European standard 320 series high flow quick release couplings on it and the basic tool set (tyre inflator, blow gun etc) i got with it.

Still trying to get my head around the CFM rating of tools and how it relates to the compressor.
Most tools i've seen for sale seem to run 90psi but the CFM rating varies.

 

[nickjj]

That's from Aldi, but the people who imported them went bust:

http://www.diyweek.net/news/news.asp?id=12657

so not much hope of factory support.

As a garage compressor it will be fine for blowing up tyres, using with a blow gun and even short bursts with an air impact gun.

Might pay to change the fittings to PCL?

 

[Zebedeewesty]

It seems to be the exact same model as dozens of others that are branded as Clarke Ranger or Air master, SGS, Wolf Air, Hyundai etc.

What difference will changing to PCL fittings over the euro fittings make?

 

[nickjj]

They're nicer to use, and made in Sheffield.