Scott Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 I'm thinking about getting a small compressor for odd jobs on the car. It's not going to be used for anything demanding a high volume of air so I'm wondering what sort of size I should go for. Looking on ebay there are a few around the £100 mark, are these ok for the sort of use I'm going to have it for? I'm thinking... Brake bleeding Compression leak testing Tyre blowing up Blowing crap out I would also use various tools if it was possible for that sort of budget (cutting tools, hand drills etc) but this isn't important. The most important is size so that I can stow it away in the corner of my garage without it taking up a lot of room. Any recommendations would be great. I'm not after the best but i don't want to buy a hairdryer either, if my budget doesn't allow one to do the job then I'll just leave it. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shane Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 Mine came from Machine Mart for around that price delivered. It does all the things you mention and even used it for spraying. Had to buy a new air pipe for it as the curly plastic one it came with was rubbish and had a small bore not allowing the volume of air I needed to use my air tools on it and I got a really long good quality rubber one from Toolstation for about £20 inc fittings. One of the better low cost tool purchases I have made. It came with the curly pipe, tyre gauge/inflator, grease gun, air duster and a bulky basic spray gun. I know if it were in everyday use in a workshop it wouldnt last two weeks, but for hobbyist motor repairs maintainance it has been great. Keep your eyes on Lidl or Aldi stores, they have them often and they also carry a 3 year warranty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
st3ven1 Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 This one from Lidl will do the job. They usually have some attachments for a good price aswell. Anything bigger, unless you get it for a good price will be overkill IMO. One thing I would say though is that they don't get a lot of stock for each store, so they usually go pretty fast. Also if anything does go wrong with it, it's easier to return it to store rather than an online shop. Couple of the guys in my work have them and can't fault them for the price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted October 18, 2011 Author Share Posted October 18, 2011 I've been looking around and the highest I can see is 8bar (115 psi). Is that enough for leakdown tests? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellonman Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 its bloody amazing what these super markets sell now days Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kenblockseal Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 Scott ive got a spare lying about you can have if you want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 If you can find a used one with a cast iron cylindered compressor, of known make it will be far longer lived than the alloy cylindered, nikasil type coated ones that are general fodder in the tool supermarkets. Basic rule of thumb is if it's bleedin' heavy it's probably good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellonman Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 scott as you may have seen i have been on the look out and research of the leak down test and found that most the test tools are set at 100psi max, hope that helps bud Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted October 18, 2011 Author Share Posted October 18, 2011 Scott ive got a spare lying about you can have if you want. That would be fantastic mate, what size is it? I only have a small garage so ideally I'm after one as small as possible basically scott as you may have seen i have been on the look out and research of the leak down test and found that most the test tools are set at 100psi max, hope that helps bud Ideal, thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted October 18, 2011 Author Share Posted October 18, 2011 If you can find a used one with a cast iron cylindered compressor, of known make it will be far longer lived than the alloy cylindered, nikasil type coated ones that are general fodder in the tool supermarkets. Basic rule of thumb is if it's bleedin' heavy it's probably good. I've been having a nosey but there aren't really a lot on the go locally (Other than Kenny ). I'm not that worried about longevity as I will hardly be using it to be honest. It's just for the odd job here and there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kenblockseal Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 Its small but a decent size, Needs a plug and a airline, but its a old sturdy one, Come see it and if its no use il get it back off you. its at my Car sales garage in possil not my mot station though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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