Air compressor size/spec?

[aesmith]

Hi,

For various reasons I'd quite like to have a compressor. However if I do, it would be worth making sure it has enough "oomph" to inflate tubeless tyres, say up to motorcycle rear wheel size. What should I be looking for in specification? Would it be capacity in terms of litres per minute (I assume that's the pump rating) or is reservoir size the deciding factor?

Any advice appreciated.

Tony S

[yorkie_chris]

Pretty much anything will do tyres.

CFM/litres a minute is how much air it moves... tank size means how much stuff you can do in between it cutting in. Bigger is better on both counts so long as you can supply it enough electricity.

[Bibio]

also consider hose/union size.

[NTECUK]

If your going to use air tools or spray then CFM need to mach your guns.
A General /1/2 impact gun consumes 6CMF even the small ones can cope with them as you don't constantly use the air that stored up.
Paint spraying is a diffrent ball game

[aesmith]

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

Pretty much anything will do tyres.

CFM/litres a minute is how much air it moves... tank size means how much stuff you can do in between it cutting in. Bigger is better on both counts so long as you can supply it enough electricity.

Thanks for both comments. I was thinking tank size would be significant as that would affect delivery rate over a short period (like popping a tyre onto the beads), vs CFM controlling sustained rate (for example spraying).

Electricity won't be a problem - I have an 80A supply into the garage, just newly run in! More seriously I was thinking in terms of something portable, so would plug into a 13A socket, so I guess that means 2HP or less assuming an induction motor.

So blethering aside, does 1.5HP / 6cfm / 24 litres sound any use or should I be looking for 2HP?

[aesmith]

Originally Posted by Bibio

also consider hose/union size.

Indeed? What should I be looking for as the most widely used size or type?

(Glad I posted here, plenty of compressor knowledge it seems)

[Bibio]

having recently done just what your looking at i went for 8mm with proper PCL fittings and seems to run my cheep crap windygun no problem. i have a 50ltr 2.5hp compressor http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/pr...itre-air-compr

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by aesmith

Thanks for both comments. I was thinking tank size would be significant as that would affect delivery rate over a short period (like popping a tyre onto the beads), vs CFM controlling sustained rate (for example spraying).

Electricity won't be a problem - I have an 80A supply into the garage, just newly run in! More seriously I was thinking in terms of something portable, so would plug into a 13A socket, so I guess that means 2HP or less assuming an induction motor.

So blethering aside, does 1.5HP / 6cfm / 24 litres sound any use or should I be looking for 2HP?

Yeah you're right about the popping it onto the beads thing, on the other hand I have pretty much the smallest compressor tank commonly seen... the cheap ching chong aldi special style 25 litres or so... and it works fine on bike tyres.

[NTECUK]

50 lts is big enough 2 hp OK

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

Yeah you're right about the popping it onto the beads thing, on the other hand I have pretty much the smallest compressor tank commonly seen... the cheap ching chong aldi special style 25 litres or so... and it works fine on bike tyres.

I've just got one of these off e-bay for £30. Do you find it adequate for popping the beads? Do you just use the standard tyre inflator?