[Closed] Compressor q - NOT which one

you proabably want oil free - the oily ones literally inject oil into the air flow to lubricate power tool mechanisms.

if you're going to operate tools that need oil you can buy a spearate oiler to sit in the airline if you need it.

Edit: Further explanation [url= http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/air-compressor-types-d_441.html ]here[/url] (far better than the above)

I got an oil one but the oil free need less maintenance/oil changes etc - I don't think it matters if your just using it for air/bikes 🙂

That's great. Thanks 🙂

Oil. The oil free ones generally seize up given enough time (I think they use teflon lined bores, which die after a while). They don't oil into the air at any kind of noticeable rate - you can paint with an oil compressor using a normal filter reg (which you'll need to get rid of water anyway) but you still need an oiler for air tools.

That said, it really depends on the duty cycle you're using it for. If you end up deciding to paint something with your oil free compressor, you may well kill it, but an oiled on will stand it better. They're generally about the same price.

So and oiled one is more versatile by the sounds of it...?

An oiled one will always outlive an oil free one. The oil free will need no maintenance, but it'll pack up sooner. If you do very intensive work (ie, spray painting large objects, or anything else that uses a reasonable amount of air) then the oil free will pack up much sooner.

If you're sure that you'll only be pumping up the odd tyre and blowing stuff down, then you buy whichever is cheapest. Normally, that means oil free. If you think you may go down the route of using it for longer jobs and with air tools, then get an oiled one.

The key thing is to think about the duty cycle - most home compressors will throw out 7CFM or so. Most air tools consume air at at least that rate - a spraygun needs 14CFM, a rattle gun needs 5CFM). So you end up with a compressor that is running most, or even 100% of the time, rather than running for 30 seconds, then cutting out for 30 seconds on a 50% cycle. An oiled compressor will bear that kind of work a lot better than an oil free one will.

Brilliant answer, great help, thanks Tron 🙂

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