Andy - thanks for such a detailed response - your experience makes me
comfortable that this is the way to go. In answer to your question on
price for the T3/150 it is 350 inc vat with a 40 piece set of tools
(which I have not seen but assume will be next to useless - perhaps
unfairly). Looking on the web the price is ok but not the cheapest by
20 quid or so but Costco's after sales (i.e. any problem full refund/
no questions) is worth 20 quid. Do you know who are the leaders for
supplying compressors in the uk?

The tech guy at SIP told me that for the past 12 months or so their
compressors are SIP badged FINI which I took to be a good thing - is
that sound?

Finally - am I being a bit over excited getting this size machine for
running a Senco FinishPro 25 brad nailer? I realise I could go
smaller but past (limited) experience has been that small compressors
are a pain - esp. as you mention when the noise is higher pitch and
they keep cutting in and out. I discounted the smaller one in Costco
(T2/50.0) as it is oil less direct drive for this reason. Any other
suggestions for what I should consider (bearing in mind I would like
not to have to buy a larger compressor in the future for spraying etc
if avoidable) but if there is a suggested good quality smaller and
perhaps quiet machine it could be worth a look...


Sorry to ramble.

Cheers.

John

Andy Hall wrote in message . ..
On 27 Oct 2004 09:47:36 -0700, (John
Durham) wrote:

Does anyone have experience of the recent models of SIP compressors
available from costco (or anywhere else for that matter) the one I am
hoping for comment on is the T3/150 SRB which is 3hp 150L belt
driven(i think). Good or bad - any comments - especially regarding
noise level and reliability/ build quality.

Many thanks

John

Yes. I have the SIP model up from this one - the P3/150. They are
essentially similar except that the P3 has cast iron cylinders and
slightly higher output. I don't think the T3 (aluminium cylinders)
was out at the time.

I use it in my workshop where it is about to be hooked into a
distribution system. It covers all of my needs including air hungry
tools and sprayers with continuous running (or continuous as I need).

I had a small SIP one before and found it pretty good, so when I
needed something larger, went for this one.

The product is well made in Italy and has been completely reliable.

It comes with three wheels - one being a castor - so can be moved
around reasonably easily. The P3 is 77kg, but can still be moved
around flat surfaces - the T3 is 55kg so a bit easier.

There is a regulator with two PCL connectors and at the other end an
unregulated output with valve.

Even doing nothing, the noise is not objectionable - it is at a much
lower frequency range than the smaller machines so is more of a
thudding sound. With the compressor just sitting in the garage and
running with the doors closed, the noise is not very noticable 20m
away - about like a car engine idling at similar distance.

I've put my compressor up at ceiling height - i.e. in the roof space
and instead of using the wheels made two stout wooden frames fitted
together with four antivibration mounts (RS do them). The compressor
is bolted to that and it sits on the boards. With the trap door
closed, the noise is very low and one can comfortably have a
conversation in the workshop below at normal voice levels.


What are Costco doing it for? There may be even better prices
elsewhere....



.andy

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