Air Compressors help please??

[diyfromusa]

Hi I have an Clarke Air Compressor which I tried using for the 1st time today.
It saysit goes up to 8 bar but only maintains pressure at 2 bar!!!

Is this normal? If yes is it because the air tank is small?

What size tank is necessary to get 8bar continuous output/pressure without waiting for air tank refill, or am I missing something else?

Can you tell me what you think about the Revolution Air Boxy Compressor 1.5HP from B&Q? It says 8 bar on the box and it does not have an air tank. Does that mean it will do 8bar output continuous or is it misleading? What is the significance of the 1.5hp?

Finally, please let me know if it is possible to purchase a power washer attachment for a compressor.

PLEASE PLEASE help.

Thanks.

 

[Burnerman]

The size of the receiver tank is irrelevant here - your compressor needs to provide around 120 psi to be of any use at all.
I guess the air pressure switch is shutting the thing off prematurely, so I'd be taking it back.
For using any air tools that require substantial CFM of air, your compressor needs to be capable of providing about 14 CFM which will give a continuous use of around 11 CFM. A machine with a minimum air tank of 50 litres is needed, preferably 100 litres. These machines tend to have a 3hp motor though, which requires them to be hard wired.
So - if you want your compressor to be a serious tool - and they are really indespensible - you need to spend somewhere in the region of £400, not including any accessories.
John

 

[trialscot]

Exactly as Burnerman says, a 14cfm compressor is the minimum for any half serious use.
Looks like you have something like the Ranger 25 @ 7.8cfm?.
If it's just not putting out 115psi or whatever, do you have the pressure regulator set correctly.
Manuals here - http://www.clarkeservice.co.uk/portable_compressors.html

Never seen a power washer on a compressor myself.

 

[diyfromusa]

Thanks for the very-useful reply.

My compressor is a Clarke ZX500 with only 5cfm so maybe that is the issue.

Realistically, I am looking for a compressor to use as a spray painting system, for sandblasting paint off old doors etc, for pressure washing @ 8 bar
http://www.diy-compressors.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=29_62&products_id=179 and air cleaning and maybe airbrushing... diy use.

I really don't want a huge tank so I prefer the revolution packaging so I hope to find out what is possible with this product range...

Thanks

C