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Posted

Hi Guys,

 

I've asked for the model no. but looking at this because it's not far from me to collect and price seems good for SnapOn.

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/leichhardt/power-tools/snap-on-air-compressor-large-size-240-volt/1081964465

 

Given it's a SnapOn model rather large tank etc.. I figured it must be ok? Could possibly paint a car with this?

 

Unfortunately the label with HP rating etc.. seems a bit hard to read.

Posted

Mine is 12cfm,  I've had it for 30 years, 4 months and 6 days and the only thing it struggles with is sand / bead blasting. Fine for painting and most air tools.

 

Sellers claim that the large tank means it will run less often is oonly partly correct. It may not fire up as frequently, but will run for longer when it does.

 

Oh, and I know exactly how long I've had mine as it was a 21st present  ;D

  • Administrators
Posted

Mine is 12cfm,  I've had it for 30 years, 4 months and 6 days and the only thing it struggles with is sand / bead blasting. Fine for painting and most air tools.

 

Is your 1 a SnapOn unit?

Posted

No, mines a McMillan branded one from Gasweld.

 

I was more commenting that 14cfm is quite adequate for home-type work.

 

Pressure isn't a problem, no matter what compressor you get, they can all get up to quite high presures. The "cfm" rating is how much air the compresor can stuff into the tank. The tank size is how much of a "buffer" you have.

 

It is quite possible to run a tool that draws, say, 20cfm, off a 14cfm compresor. You just need to be aware that it won't run all the time, you will need to stop and let the compressor build up pressure. This is where a larger tank comes in handy, takes longer to drain it before the compressor kicks in. There is the downside, it will also take longer to re-fill the tank.

 

So yeah, have a look at the tools you are planning to use, see what cfm they draw and what the compressor can provide. Also consider how constant the use of that tool will be. That's the problem with my compressor and sand blasting - you blast continuosly so it can't keep up. Some of my other tools actually draw a higher rate of cfm, but aren't "constant use" tools - ratchet gun, etc and these work fine on my compressor.

  • Administrators
Posted

Is there anyway to determine if a compressor is flogged out or in poor shape? So if I look at this 1 is there anything to look for to determine if it's in good working order?

 

I've heard they shouldn't be too loud (in that you shouldn't need ear plugs standing next to it) as 1 indicator of condition when it's on.

Posted

Hey Gav

 

You can tell roughly by how fast it charges the air tank.

IE: watch the gauge and if it seems to go up relatively quickly with out much rattling then your pretty right.

Take a rattle gun with you and see how well it maintains the flow of air once you have depleted the air-tank and see if it cuts out again even with the air-gun going.

 

Thats about all you can do.

 

 

 

 

  • Moderators
Posted

I agree with the previous comments re condition.

Two things I do when buying stuff second hand.

Look at the condition and quality of other stuff in the shed etc.

Ask why is it for sale ?

 

Don't forget to get a water trap for your airlines  ;)

Posted

Like all tools maintenance is important

with compressors the metal tank should have a relief valve at the bottom

charge the compressor and then unscrew the valve to see if any water has collected in the tank

if the water that floods out is very rusty and is a lot then the tank is rusting inside.

 

this will give you an indication of the condition of the metal pressure tank.

 

this is sometimes forgotten by users as a maintenance requirement

this should be done every 6 months to release the water that is inside the tank that the air intake  into the tank.

the water capture valve is on the output that stops contamination of moisture into your attached tools and spray gun

 

 

cheers

Phil

  • Moderators
Posted

unscrew the valve to see if any water has collected in the tank

if the water that floods out is very rusty and is a lot then the tank is rusting inside.

 

this will give you an indication of the condition of the metal pressure tank.

 

this is sometimes forgotten by users as a maintenance requirement

this should be done every 6 months to release the water that is inside the tank

 

Maybe I am slightly OCD, but I drain the tank on mine at the end of the days work.  :o

Seriously though if the water is rusty, it is indeed a bad and potentially dangerous sign.

Posted

I also drain my tank after every use, and leave the plug out so it can dry out a little. Water usually comes out a bit rusty looking regardless.

Posted

Yeah i have a relatively  new pilot air compressor and can confirm the water comes out abit rusty anyway. I also drain my tank daily, and putting a water trap inline with your hose reel will protect your tools, also oil them every other use.

 

Try and find out if the 397L/M and 14 CFM is piston displacement or free air delivery, because it can make a difference.

 

Eg: my compressor piston displacement is 455L/m, but it only has 328L/M of free air delivery.

 

In saying that it looks like a pretty decent buy for the price. It should be a able to take nearly anything you throw at it. 

 

The most demanding tools i use are my air grinders and sanders, which i use for grinding down all my welds. They use about 12cfm, or around 6L of air per second, which means the compressor runs pretty much all the time while im using it. In saying that i have used them for up to 15 minutes straight finger on the trigger with no issues, apart from me not feeling my hands due to them being frozen due to the die grinder exhaust!

 

As for noise, Even the belt driven compressors scream, if its in a enclosed garage, you will have to wear earplugs or ear muffs. Sure they aren't as loud as a el cheapo direct drive, which tend to Rev a lot higher, but its still way above a comfortable noise level, its uncomfortable for me and i already have industrial deafness!

 

The only issue i see with this compressor is aftermarket support if it breaks. Who will fix it and where will you get parts from, if it needs to be send away, where will it go?

 

That's the main reason i went with an Australian company. Pilot are located in Silverwater, So you have local service and support available. And if it needs warranty it wont have to go half way around the world.

 

Other brand i would consider is Peerless, same same as pilot except they are based in Victoria i believe.

 

But like i said, for a third of the price that mine cost, hey maybe go for it!

 

Rudolf.

 

 

  • Administrators
Posted

Thanks guys,

 

I thew the guy an offer last night, will see what he says. Told me he picked it up for a bike project to use with a sander and now that's done it just sits there. So I figured I'd throw an offer in and see what happens.

Posted

Thanks guys,

 

I thew the guy an offer last night, will see what he says. Told me he picked it up for a bike project to use with a sander and now that's done it just sits there. So I figured I'd throw an offer in and see what happens.

 

It's made in Italy so at least it's not a cheap poorly made Chinese one.

Its a overpriced poorly made Italian one!

  • Administrators
Posted

Its a overpriced poorly made Italian one!

 

Much better.

Posted

Much better.

 

Gav,

 

Snap on charges $1850 for new aircompressor with the same specs for the 100 litre one.

 

Put it this way, if you do not want that compressor then please let me know and i would like to buy it as i would love to restore my control arms and such.

 

 

 

  • Administrators
Posted

I'll let you know mate, just waiting to hear back from him. He's located close by to me so that was part of the reason I was interested, that and I'm long overdue to have 1 of these in my garage.

  • Administrators
Posted

Unfortunately by the time I got around to chasing this up he had sold it.

 

@Rudy, you mentioned Pilot and Peerless but what about a Forbes ProAir unit?

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/surrey-hills/power-tools/proair-air-compressor/1082281152

 

Specs here(Model = 12021)

http://www.forbesaust.com.au/compressor_single_ph.html

 

Anyone got any feedback on this brand?

 

Also ad says Around 15.5 cfm. 13.5 amp. spec but website states more like ~10 cfm of free air delivery, enough to paint a car I'd imagine yes?

 

 

  • Moderators
Posted

Also ad says Around 15.5 cfm. 13.5 amp. spec but website states more like ~10 cfm of free air delivery, enough to paint a car I'd imagine yes?

 

Gidday

 

13.5 amps is beyond what a standard domestic powerpoint can safely deliver, does it have a 15amp plug ?

Just a thought.

 

Cheers

 

PB

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