On Wed, 23 Nov 2005 23:22:00 GMT, "Mark" wrote:

Rick typed:

Intend buying a new Air Compressor, up to now have used an 8 bar
Clarke model.

SNIP

Anybody any idea ?

The most important thing with a compressor is Volume, CFM
Bigger is _always_ better, since most air tools run below 150psi you are
pursuing the wrong spec.

While the cfm is important it can (and is) so bodged by the various
manufacturers to make their compressors always look better than they
actually are. For air tool use like a nailer it makes little
difference but this fraud really comes to light when you are using the
compressor semi-continuously (for paint spraying for instance)

On just about *any* new compressor from every discount supplier
costing sub 500 quid take the discharge cfm with a bag of salt. On
anything sub 2000 quid take it with a pinch of salt. Above 2000 quid
they just start to get into trustworthy territory because they usually
quote the free air delivery (FAD) and that is what matters. Also don't
believe the "HP" figures either, they are usually pure story book
fantasy - witness 2HP compressors driven by 1.2kW motors. James Watt
would be turning in his grave.

That 15"cfm" compressor complete with a 150psi, 50 litre tank may
realistically only be able to produce 60psi @ 9cfm continuously.


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