Compressor advice (Champion)

[Marty K Bird]

Been looking for a half decent compressor for a while, and today i spotted one for sale

Its a Champion 15cp 100 litre

Looks like the type of compressor i need to run air tools and paint

They want 500 ono

I dont even have a decent one for pumping up tyres and was eyeing off a crappy one at Aldis for $150

Im was thinking if i could get this for $400 it might be a better option.

Anyone have any experience on these compressor, i did a quick search and it looks like a good brand

Cheers

[BILLY BLACKARROW]

Dont know about that one but do yourself a favor and buy something decent ( even if you have to stretch budget ) as you get a lot of use out of it,I can't begin to tell you how handy they are. A good one will last a long time.
BILLY

[Marty K Bird]

This is sound advice that i have heeded thus far .... eyed off a supercheap auto 2.5hp 50 litre one on a half priced sale for $378, but i know it wont cut the mustard. I know decent is over the $1000 mark but i never seem to have that amount of disposable cash .... i figured if a good one gives many years of service a good secondhand one might be the ticket.

I've knocked them down to $400 so far for this unit and am looking to inspect it tomorrow to see if i can get more info on the cfm rating ect ... 15 cp i think is a model number.

[Harv]

G'day Marty,

I run a Champion compressor (CC8), very similar to that one, but a slightly smaller model. It was second hand when we bought it (20-odd years ago ), and has done many, many miles since. It's sprayed three cars, pumped up a bazillion tyres, blown out many carbs, and sees routine duty inflating soccer balls.

Never missed a beat, except for once. Be wary of the oil level - they don't like running dry (don't ask me how I know ... I'm thankful that the internals are simple and strong enough to tap out a seized piston... and keep going ). Simple engine oil will do.

Think about getting rid of the drain tap - they are fiddly, tend to seat tight as they are steel, and put your fingers in an awkward spot. A 1/4-turn ball cock from Bunnings tool department fits nicely. Mine grit blasts OK, but only in 3 minute runs (then let the air tank refill). No drama if you are patient and only doing small stuff every now and then.

Well worth the $400.

Cheers,
Harv.

[bootlegger]

Buy the biggest one you can afford and dont buy a china crap one. You can never have too much air.

[vmx-mxr]

I echo what Dave said.

There are plenty of very solid older machines around and well worth looking for. Get one with a decent size receiver (air tank) too as the compressor can get some time to cool down and you will get a more consistent pressure.

Dave Mac

[Marty K Bird]

Harv thanks for the reply, its great to hear of some experience with this brand, and thanks Dave and Dave too ... its all sound advice.

As i mentioned before its been a budget thing for me, heeding the advice and not buying a cheap crap machine .... but not having the bucks for a new decent machine.

I went and had a look at it today, and all checked out ok. Seller is an old guy who brought it new years ago and used it for stuff he used to build, but now in his 80's he dosen't use it anymore although its still plugged in and hooked up to airlines running around his workshop. He has a older smaller unit that he will plumb up when this one is sold. He didnt want to budge any lower than the $400 but i said id take it, picking it up tomorrow with a few airlines and the original parts manual for it that he still has.