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9th July 2005, 04:31 PM #1Senior Member
- Join Date
- Nov 2003
- Location
- Melbourne, Australia
- Posts
- 95
Information on a Cheap Air compressors
I start this thread for the sake of Hobbyist/DIY woodworkers thinking of getting a low cost air compressor.
There are a lot of misleading information out there in the market so I have collected the following for my own compressor which I bought from KMART at $199 comes with free 5-in-1 tools kit and a bonus nailer-stapler.
Information shows that a cheap compressor is useful, safe & reliable and NOT just something made from "recycled beer cans" as someone in this forum puts it.
OEM ARLEC
Retailer K-MART
Model: KMAR2540
Compressor Type: Single Cylinder – Reciprocal. Directly-Drive
Single-Phase 240V Induction Motor
Splash Oil Lubricated
Cylinder Bore 47mm
Compressor Stroke 46mm
Motor Power: 1850 watts (2.5 hp)
Motor (no load) Speed 2850 rpm
Motor Duty Cycle 50%
Current 8 A continuous (over 15A starting)
Motor Thermal Overload switch Yes with reset button
Receiver Tank AS1210-3 certified air tank
40 Litres (10.5 Gal) Tank Designed for 900 kPa
& tested at 1350 kPa
Tank Operating Pressure 800KPa (about 115 PSI)
Tank Design Temperature 150 deg C
Auto Pressure switch YES
Cut-in Pressure 600kPa (87 PSI) – adjustable
Cut-out Pressure 800kpa (116 PSI) – adjustable
400kpa (58PSI) to 800kpa 96 secs
600kpa (87PSI) to 800kpa 43 secs
Pump Displacement 233 L/m (8.2 CFM)
Free Air Delivery = FAD
@400kpa (58PSI) 208L/m (7.3 CFM)
FAD @600kpa (87PSI)
to @800kpa (116PSI) 110L/m (3.9 CFM)
FAD (average) aprox. 163L/m (5.75 CFM)
Safety (anti-explosion)Vent Yes (900kPa?)
Water Drain Valve YES
Air outlet size 6.15mm (1/4 inch)
Noise 82dB?
Weight 35Kgs
Dimensions 685mm x300mm x720mm
Air Tools Compatibility
Blow Gun YES
Long nose Air Duster YES
Engine Degreaser YES
Tyre Inflator YES
Air Brush YES
High Pressure Spray Gun NO - Intermittent use maybe
Low Pressure Spray Gun YES
Gravity Feed Spray Gun Some models only
HVLP conversion Spray Gun Some Models only
LVMP Spray Gun YES
Touch up spray gun YES
High T.E.C Spray Gun NO
Air Hammer/Chisel Small models only
Sand Blaster YES
Die Grinder Low Speed version only
Angle Grinder YES
Air Sander NO or Intermittent use only
Air Brad Nailer YES
Framing Nailer YES
Air Stapler YES
3/8 Screwdriver YES
Rachet Wretched YES
Impact Wrench YES (up to ½ inch?)
Ait Riveter YES
Air Grease Gun YES
Air Nibbler YES
Air blower/Vacuum YES
AIR Polisher NOReuel
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9th July 2005, 04:35 PM #2
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9th July 2005, 09:13 PM #3
Mate, I have had to work hard to justify my tool purchase to my wife but who cares what anyone on the BB thinks.
By the way my compressor is even cheaper than yours and I don't care who knows.Specializing in O positive timber stains
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9th July 2005, 09:26 PM #4New Member
- Join Date
- Jul 2005
- Location
- Melbourne
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- 1
I had an 20y/o old Sharpie 12cfm and the elec motor died,I ended buying a 10cfm 3hp from bunnings($399) and linked the pair up with all the water filters etc so its a bonus having a spare 10cfm to play with and I can get away with running an air sander for short periods at a time.
Downside is that your compressor is running longer to fill both tanks.
Might even lash out and get a 2nd one to make 30cfm.
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10th July 2005, 11:03 PM #5
So what's involved in linking them up?
Could I for instance buy another $97 one from supercheap and have a 4hp 45 litre monster instead of a 2hp 24litre toy?
No, I'm serious. Could I? Will it work? It is certainly a cost effective way out.Cheers
Jim
"I see dumb peope!"
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10th July 2005, 11:25 PM #6
hovo
your air tanks would have to be connected with a larger connection than your discharge hose and have no restrictions in the line
Then your two compressore would cut in at diffrent times and pressures unless you had a lead lag pressure switching device
It is possible to buy an air tank and connect your compresser to that with a feed off the tank but your usage will still proberly be greater than your compresser output using a low cost compressor
Bottom line you can but the advantages would not be great , lead lag would be a problem and do you need it ie cost against end result
If you need a proper, say spray paint set up, then go to a proper set up not a fly by night coupling of two compressors .
Earth is the insane asylum for the universe.
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10th July 2005, 11:36 PM #7
Ashore
Thanks mate, I thought it sounded too good (easy) to be true.
My cheap little compressor is fine for pumping up tyres and driving the brad nailer, so I'll stick with that.Cheers
Jim
"I see dumb peope!"
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1st August 2005, 10:17 PM #8
reuelt.... did you actualy used all that gear on your compressor or you are just reading from the manual?
Because I have one just like that, and when it drives any nail gun even two at the time, it cannot drive an air nibbler for any lenght of time, not even enough to cut one sheet of colorbond fence, not even half whitout kicking in and stay on permanently, and the air flow provided in "direct" mode is not enough for the nibbler to work properly. Good compressor but limited to nail guns and pumping up tires and,,, not sure what else. Would hate to paint with it. May be with one of those mini paint guns they use to do signs.
Sand blaster?...must be joking.“We often contradict an opinion for no other reason
than that we do not like the tone in which it is expressed.”
Friedrich Nietzsche
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23rd August 2005, 11:28 PM #9Novice
- Join Date
- Apr 2005
- Location
- Rowville
- Posts
- 5
Reuelt,
I would be interested to know if you have used your compressor for painting ( not necessarily the whole house) and what limitations you have found. I have seen a similar compressor 2.5hp 40lt for $128 which looks to be a bout the same as the arlec ( will have to check it out properly first)
and if it is good for nail guns /and a bit of painting /lacquer then I may go a get one . If not then I save a bit.
thanks
Bugger should have searched better before...according to other threads it should be ok....
Now anybody used /informed opinions of the el cheapo nupower compressor?
(fully understanding they are not trade quality)Last edited by Shavings; 23rd August 2005 at 11:47 PM. Reason: did a better search
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23rd August 2005, 11:40 PM #10
Home hardware had a similar type compressor a few days ago for $89.
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24th August 2005, 02:19 PM #11
Home Hardware's one (green) is a rebadged GMC.
Check the manual in the box for proof!
GMC are not doing it to hide their name as far as I could tell, it was that Home Hardware wanted green ones."Clear, Ease Springs"
www.Stu's Shed.com
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24th August 2005, 05:06 PM #12New Member
- Join Date
- Aug 2005
- Location
- Brisbane
- Posts
- 3
Air Compressor Question
I seem to fit this thread perfectly. I picked up an Arlec 2hp 24litre 7.9 cfm air compressor from Kmart the other day for $50 (they are trying to clear this stock). I wasn't sure about what I needed in the compressor but I want to run a finishing and framing gun. The price was too good. I emailed Arlec if it would run a Senco framing gun. They told me that it would depend on the cfm of the gun. What does cfm mean? I gather it has something to with rate of flow.
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25th August 2005, 06:00 PM #13New Member
- Join Date
- Aug 2005
- Location
- Brisbane
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- 3
Please ignore my question I posted a new thread
see title
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12th September 2005, 03:25 PM #14
NuPower - yes
Now anybody used /informed opinions of the el cheapo nupower compressor?
Very happy with my compressor which makes up air quickly. The only complaint is the plastic wheels which are meant for smooth cement and not gravel/stones. The new 2.5 has much better wheels. Would buy again, especially if the wheels have been improved.
BreakerBreaker
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13th September 2005, 05:29 PM #15
my experience
CFM = cubic feet per minute.