What Air Compressor?

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PostPosted: Fri Mar 26, 2021 1:54 pm
Can anyone tell me a what sort of air compressor I need to get for spray painting occasional small jobs.

I was looking at this one from SGS https://www.sgs-engineering.com/sc50h-5 ... or-air-kit

What are your thoughts, is this going to be good enough for what I want?

Also what sort of paint does one use for spraying car/motorcycle parts?

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PostPosted: Fri Mar 26, 2021 3:25 pm
It's hard to tell, they don't give a PSI for that 9.5 cfm rating.
If it's 9.5 at no pressure in the tank, it's probably going to be half that
when trying to refill a tank that's at 115 psi, the compressor can't keep up
with what you're using. Be weary of high CFM outputs that are at low PSI numbers.
It's a common advertising trick.
You need to know the CFM capability of a compressor at the cutoff pressure. That's usually what it's pumping against and trying to replace.
JC.

(It's not custom painting-it's custom sanding)



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PostPosted: Fri Mar 26, 2021 7:39 pm
JCCLARK wrote:You need to know the CFM capability of a compressor at the cutoff pressure. That's usually what it's pumping against and trying to replace.



:bighug: :goodjob: :goodpost: :wink:

And you wont see those numbers listed tell you start looking at the GOOD Hi quality compressors!!!!!!! Forget the cheap China made import junk!
Dennis B.
A&P Mechanic, FCC General radio Telephone Operator
Line Maintenance A&P Mechanic and MOC Tech specialist.

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PostPosted: Sat Mar 27, 2021 12:29 am
What the guys are saying is 100% true, but putting the horse back before the cart means you need to first define exactly what it is that you want to do and what kind of equipment that you want this compressor to run.

The other thing you need to consider is what power you have to run it. IIRC UK power points are less than 15A, (13A?), meaning that the compressor that you linked is possibly the biggest you can run from a standard power point. Of course, there are power points with larger amperage capacities but can your supply lines handle that?

If you're sure that it will only ever be motorcycle parts then that little 2.5hp direct drive will work if paired with a mini/midi gun. If you think that you might be able to do really high quality work and invest in a premium gun then it may be touch and go whether the compressor will cope. Likewise if you think that this hobby might extend to doing a panel or three on your car.

The next step up (3.0hp) will take you up to about 300 quid but do the job better and probably be a lot quieter that that direct drive one. 97dBA :shock:
Chris

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