Features of choosing a compressor for home or work

The best household compressors

T.n. Garage compressors are designed for short, small jobs. They cannot be connected to pneumatic equipment with high air flow rates, for example, spray guns with HVLP technology. Painting a car for such a unit is a feasible task, but it takes 2–3 times longer. This is explained by the fact that the duration of its continuous operation usually does not exceed 10–15 minutes, otherwise it quickly overheats and, in the absence of a thermal relay, fails. Hence the conclusion - even a high-quality household compressor must be used carefully and requires competent selection of pneumatic tools based on power indicators.

What is a compressor

A standard compressor is a device that is used to compress air in a receiver and then displace it under pressure. The device is required for the use of pneumatic devices. A mandatory element of the installation is a tank, which is used to store air, and an engine.

Important! When choosing the type of compressor, it is recommended to take into account the type of devices that pump air into the cylinder. Today, piston and screw devices are considered the most popular.

The best semi-professional compressors

Semi-professional compressor equipment in most cases is represented by European and domestic manufacturers and is distinguished by a number of characteristics. They provide a flow rate of over 270 l/min. and pressure 8–12 atmospheres. To support optimal operating mode, the volume of the receiver increases and is approximately 50–100 liters. Non-stop operation of such compressors should not last more than 40 minutes, but this is enough to use them for small service stations and tire shops, car services, and small industries.

Compressor characteristics

The main characteristics of compressors that are relevant for different types of devices are:

• operating pressure;
• power;
• performance.

Working pressure is measured in bars or atmospheres. This parameter determines how strongly the device can compress air. Performance shows the rate at which air is pumped into the receiver over a certain period of time. It is measured in liters or cubic meters.

The power parameter indicates the operating efficiency of the electric motor. It is measured in kilowatts.

Productivity depending on the type of spray gun:

• HP - less than 300 l/min;
• HVLP - 360-520 l/min;
• LVLP - 150-360 l/min.

When choosing a device, you need to consider its main characteristics

The best compressors for professional use

If you paint passenger and truck cars professionally, you will have to forget about inexpensive direct-drive compressors. Car painters need high-power units with a belt drive that do not overheat. They are equipped with similar engines, but due to the difference in pulley diameters, the crankshaft turns much more slowly, therefore, the air injection part does not overheat, and the compressor group has time to be well lubricated. This allows compressors of this category to be used in a more intensive mode, but it must be taken into account that continuous operation is still unacceptable.

Compressor types

Today there are quite a few types of compresses, each of which has certain characteristics. Which compressor is needed for painting with a spray gun depends on the goals and objectives.

Piston

This is one of the first types of compressors that are actively used in domestic and industrial environments. Air is forced into the receiver due to reciprocating movements. They take place in the working cylinder.

Devices of this type have the lowest performance. In addition, they are very noisy. However, such devices can operate in dusty areas and generate high pressure.

It is recommended to choose such a compressor for your home. It allows you to obtain a layer of relatively low quality. The device has compact dimensions and low cost.

Oily

This is a more advanced version of the compressor. It has a low noise level and is considered very reliable. For the device to function, a sufficient amount of oil is required, which must be changed periodically.

Such devices have a more advanced design and are complemented by filters that help degrease the air. The kit also includes thermostats that help determine the oil temperature.

Important! If you choose the right oil compressor, the spray gun will help you get a good professional result. The equipment is resistant to wear.

Screw

Such compressors are characterized by a high degree of reliability and productivity. Air enters the receiver by rotating 2 rotors that fit tightly together.

Such equipment is highly efficient and allows you to pump a lot of air under high pressure. The device can operate for tens of hours without interruption, demonstrating high efficiency. However, it has a very high cost.

The screw compressor is considered the most efficient

Coaxial and Belt Drive Systems

Coaxial drive compressors have an electric motor or internal combustion shaft that is directly connected to the piston group. This type of device is characterized by high engine speeds and many piston strokes, which are carried out per minute. At the same time, the sealing rings in the piston group periodically wear out, so they need to be changed from time to time.

Belt-driven compressors are considered more attractive. The shafts of the engine and piston group are not directly connected. Torque is transmitted through a belt drive and pulleys. When the system operates, a lot of heat is generated. In this case, the engine encounters load surges. This is due to the need to supply air with variable pressure.

Note! The only disadvantage of the device is the high noise level. This is due to the constant operation of the engine at the highest speeds.

Operating principle and design of the compressor

An installation such as a compressor works on the principle of suction and compression of air or gas, and after that it begins to pump under high pressure into the tool. Experts divide devices into volumetric and dynamic. They differ in design and operating principle.

During operation of the first type, air compression is carried out after entering a special compartment, where a forced reduction is ensured. The supply of the required air is carried out using valves, which will open and close in turn. The latter work differently, the essence is the influence of the rotor blades on the gas. This gives more accurate work, which depends on the modification and features of the device.

How to choose a compressor for painting a house?

Both professionals and home craftsmen can apply pneumatic paints. Moreover, using a compressor allows you to get high results on the first try.

Whichever compressor you choose for painting your house, it will provide:

• significant increase in productivity and reduction of work time;
• uniform application of paintwork materials;
• precise flow control;
• easy connection of tools and attachments;
• high-quality work with any paint.

Semi-professional

This category includes models that can do larger jobs. The power and volume of the receiver will allow you to paint individual parts of the car or carry out the technique of switching to another part. To paint the entire car you need an additional receiver.

Denzel PC 2/50-350

pros

• High performance
• Economical energy consumption
• Light weight
• There is a handle for moving

Minuses

• Poor quality plastic on the fan shroud

From 15000 R

Oil piston compressor with two cylinders and a 50 l receiver. Suitable not only for garages, but also for small auto repair shops. Performs blowing, inflation of tires and painting of the body. Equipped with autostart functions, protection against overheating and low oil level. The package includes air filters and breather.

ELITECH KPM 200/50

pros

• Low price
• Stable operation in 195 V voltage mode
• Setting cut-off speed

Minuses

• Performance is lower than stated

From 6000 R

Piston type model with 50 liter receiver. The compressor weighs 35 kg. To simplify transportation, it is equipped with wheels and a handle. It copes well with painting work both for cars and for home decoration. The main thing is to ensure stability of power supply from the network, eliminating the possibility of breakdown.

Aurora GALE-50

pros

• Availability of two cylinders
• High performance
• Two outputs for additional equipment
• Good welding of receiver seams

Minuses

• Low quality filters

From 16000 R

Oil compressor equipped with pressure gauge, oil level indicator and safety valve. Receiver volume - 50 l. The performance is enough to completely paint a sedan. Perfect for both garage work and car service.

Choosing a compressor for a spray gun

To understand how to choose a compressor for a spray gun, you need to consider the following features:

• Select a sprayer for the compressor. Otherwise, the system will not work normally.
• If you do not plan to paint frequently, you should not buy a device at a high price.
• The sizes of nozzles depend on the types of coatings. It is best to buy a device with the ability to replace nozzles or a universal size of 1.4 mm.

What compressor capacity is needed for painting with a spray gun?

Many craftsmen are interested in what specific compressor performance is needed for painting with a spray gun. This parameter varies - from hundreds to several tens of thousands. The indicator is measured in liters per minute.

Paint sprayers require an average of 100-300 l/min. In this case, specific indicators depend on the diameter of the nozzle. The lower this indicator, the lower the consumption.

Note! To paint a car, small diameter nozzles are used. Therefore, the required consumption level does not exceed 180 l/min.

Average performance is sufficient for painting a car.

The best compressor companies

There are more than a hundred compressor manufacturers today, but the worthy ones can be counted on one hand. Taking advantage of the demand for these devices, unscrupulous people literally use their equipment and try to sell it on the cheap to an inattentive buyer. We have chosen 3 reliable companies that have a brilliant reputation.

ELITECH

The ELITECH brand belongs to the Russian distribution company LIT Trading, which imports products from companies such as Bosch, DeWalt, Makita. ELITECH appeared in 2008, its specialization is power electric and gas tools, welding machines. Oil and oil-free compressors are available in different price categories and are highly reliable. Customer support centers operate throughout the Russian Federation and Belarus.

Denzel

A manufacturer from Germany, whose compressors are aimed at buyers with average incomes. A characteristic feature of the Denzel tool is its reliability and unpretentiousness to the conditions.

Fubag

Another German brand that has earned the trust of professionals. It produces professional and semi-professional equipment with all kinds of security systems. Production only in the EU (Germany, Italy, France).

What kind of compressor is needed to paint a private house on your own?

If the house is small, then it is better to choose an oil-free piston device with a power of up to 2.2 kW. In addition to the low-noise compressor unit, the unit is equipped with automation and a receiver. Models on a wheeled chassis are optimal for convenient movement during the painting process.

• lack of maintenance and costs for filters;
• supply of clean air;
• compactness and mobility;
• low price.

The model requires periodic breaks in operation to cool the compressor head.

What equipment to choose for a compressor when painting a house is up to everyone to decide for themselves. This can be a paint sprayer with an upper or lower tank, a pneumatic gun for viscous liquids, tips with an adjustable nozzle shape. Some manufacturers sell a set of pneumatic tools along with the compressor, from which everyone can choose a tool for comfortable work.

The lowest-power unit is suitable for spraying paint; operating pressure over 3 atmospheres is also not useful in this matter, but if you plan to use the equipment with other pneumatic tools, then take the model for the most productive device.

If the house is large, then you need an oil coaxial unit with a longer operating time. But it requires maintenance: adding and changing oil, installing an outlet filter. It is important not to skimp on consumable oil filters to clean the exhaust air, otherwise lubricant will get into the paint, and this will negatively affect the painting result.

Professional

Of course, choosing a high-quality professional-grade compressor for painting a car is a responsible step. Such equipment is quite expensive, but workshop owners want to maximize its service life. By choosing the optimal model, you can even paint trucks and not be afraid of overloads thanks to its high technical characteristics.

Remeza SB4/C-200.LB40

pros

• Produces stable outlet pressure
• Equipped with three cylinders
• Compatible with additional devices for cleaning and preparing compressed air

Minuses

• High price

From 50000 R

Powerful oil compressor with 200 l receiver. The weight is 140 kg, and there are wheels and a handle for transportation. Operates in intermittent mode, automatically adjusting the outlet pressure. An excellent model for tire shops and car paint shops.

Bezhetsk plant “ASO” C416M1

pros

• overheat protection
• Availability of safety valve
• High productivity 1000 l/min

Minuses

• Stationary model without wheels
• Oversized

From 123,500 R

Piston compressor weighing 117 kg. It is widely used in construction and industry, including in the field of car painting. Equipped with wheels for ease of movement and a pressure gauge. There are two “rapid” outputs for connecting pneumatic tools.

Is it possible to paint a car with a low-capacity compressor?

If the compressor capacity is insufficient, the air pressure will drop after a short period of paint spraying. Because of this, the torch of the spray gun changes and the paint application becomes uneven. To continue painting normally, you have to wait some time for normal pressure to be restored. When applying regular paint (not metallic or pearl), it is possible to paint panel by panel with such a compressor, but with large panels (hood, roof) a problem may arise. When applying paint with a metallic effect, pressure surges can cause uneven distribution of aluminum particles, which will cause paint defects. A low-power compressor will have to wait until it restores the required pressure while the paint dries, which is not very good.

It is better that the compressor has a reserve, otherwise it will constantly work at the limit, creating a lot of heat and moisture, or you will have to periodically stop and wait until the supply of compressed air is restored.

Rating of the TOP 7 best air compressors for the home: which one to choose, characteristics, price

14.02.2019

All owners of private houses or car enthusiasts know the problem of blowing pipes, cleaning surfaces from flaking paint and dust, or painting a car, that is, those tasks where a powerful pressure of compressed air would be very useful, including the construction industry, where pneumatic tools are often used, due to their low cost and reliability compared to electric analogues. Here an air compressor comes to our rescue, which will be discussed in today’s article.

Powerful compressors

The more powerful the electric tool, the more kWh it generates during operation. The purchase of such a device must be justified from a financial and practical perspective, because it is not cheap. This section shows the best 2 devices with optimal price-quality ratio.

Denzel PC 3/100-504

• 3 kW
• 3 compression levels
• 100 l receiver
• 3 year warranty
• 10 bar

• without protective cover

The oil compressor is suitable for an equipped workshop, since its operating voltage is 380 V. Ventilation is also important, because the device does not have a dust cover. Now about the positives. The performance of this beast is amazing: 504 l/min, with 3 stages of compression and pressure adjustment. Protection systems in place.

Remeza SB4/F-500.LB75

• 5.5 kW
• productivity 950 l/min.
• 3-cylinder
• 4 posts, 3 compression stages
• build quality
• 500 l receiver

• Expensive

Remeza provides a 10-year warranty on this device. There are all kinds of security and control systems here so that all the power can only be used for good. The compressor operates at 380 V, weighs 230 kg, but has no wheels. A wheelbarrow is required for transportation.