Looking for air compressor advice . . .

**routercnc** · 06-02-2022

I've been too long without an air compressor, and as some of you might have seen on my CNC videos I could really do with one to help clear the chips !

In terms of what I want to do with it in priority order:
1) Create a fog buster type set up to clear the chips / lubricate on the CNC machine
2) Use a hand held airgun to momentarily blast chips off a lathe, workbench, drill press etc.
3) Random tyre, paddling pool, other misc inflation around the house
4) I don't need to run a big paint sprayer (I know these can be air hungry), and I'm not planning to use other air tools.
5) It absolutely must be quiet, so 65 dB(A) or less.
6) Budget up to £250 if possible
7) Small enough to fit in a cupboard (which will be vented), so max 600l x 550w x 780h (if possible)

I've had a look around and there are quite a few to choose from, and they tend to have specs of:
Capacity 24-30 litres
Airflow 135-201 l/min (4.8-7.1cfm)
Max pressure 8 bar
Weight 24-28 kg
Cost £180 - £250
Oil-less

The 3 models in the running are:
SWAN DRS-207-22 - Axminster Tools
Hyundai HY7524 - Amazon
NuAir S-B4CA304FPS572 - SGS Engineering

However the Swan unit has been out of stock for a while, on back order but no date for shipping. I can't find another retailer for it.
Any experience of the units above, any comments on the requirements and specifications ?

I've read that there can be different air outlets ¼” BSP, ¼” PCL and 3/8” NPT. Any preference ? Can they be changed over ?

Any thoughts on the above? Thanks

**Ollie78** · 07-02-2022

I can say that I have a NU Air (though a bigger one than you are looking for https://www.sgs-engineering.com/s-28...ompressor-150l)
it is decent quality and has performed very well since I got it.

I think they are a bit better than the equally priced machine mart stuff.
I did not pay SGS prices, they crack me up with the save £155, from what ?
Try these guys https://airlinkcompressors.com/produ...SABEgLSNvD_BwE

I would say bigger is better with compressors, have a look second hand as well. I used to have a 50 litre one and it was annoyingly small.
Also its nice to have a built in output pressure regulator on the machine.

Not sure why oilless is required, you will need an oil/ moisture trap on the line anyway. I think oil is good for longevity.

The air connections can be adapted quite easily, though of course its best to start with a bigger size and keep the flow as unrestricted as possible. The best thing is to put a moisture trap on followed by a female quick connector then its quick and easy to swop it.

Ollie

**routercnc** · 07-02-2022

Thanks Ollie that is very helpful. I didn’t need oil-less it was just that all the units which were silent and around that price range were oil-less.
I may struggle to fit anything larger than 24l in the one remaining space I have and hoped this would be OK for the main job of chip clearing using a small nozzle near the cutter.
Thanks for the airlink info they look good. I’ll have a search around there.