Air compressors are an important part of any home or professional workshop or garage where they are useful in a number of different applications including the powering of air tools, the inflation of inflatables, and more (to see all the uses of an air compressor, see our introductory page here). However, as with all popular power tools, air compressors come in a range of different types and sizes making the job of choosing one right for the job a difficult task. In this article, we focus on the small workshop air compressors available in the UK that are most often used in the home and by small businesses. We first look into the features and characteristics found in today's air compressors and determine what aspects to watch out for when choosing one. Then we go on to examining the more popular small workshop air compressors and their specifications available on the UK market today, before completing the survey with more detailed individual air compressor reviews towards the end of the page.
What to look for in an air compressor
The best way to choose an air compressor is to already have in mind the air tools you plan on using it with as different air tools place different demands on the machine. Once you have identified the equipment it will be 'powering', you are then in a position to identify the parameters needed on the air compressor to have those air tools work properly. The two overriding characteristics of an air compressor to pay attention to are the maximum air pressure it can produce, and the free air delivery or air flow at the outlet that it is able to sustain.
Air Pressure
For the air pressure, to keep things as simple as possible, you can assume that all air tools operate at either of two air pressures. They either need an air pressure of around 40 pounds per square inch (psi), such as for spray painting guns, or air tools like air nailers require a pressure of around 90 psi to operate (most air tool categories operate in the higher 90 psi range). In general, air compressors come with an air pressure regulator to regulate the air pressure at the outlet so that you can use air tools with different air pressure requirements - but check this to make sure!
Free Air Delivery (Air Flow)
Parts of an Air Compressor
Most workshop air compressors can reach the higher air pressures required to operate the majority of air tools, so arguably, a more important characteristic to concentrate on when choosing an air compressor is its ability to maintain a specific free air delivery (FAD) or air flow. This should not be confused with the free air displacement of the compressor pump which is often advertised (albeit slightly disingenuously as it is always higher then the FAD) by air compressor retailers as it does not correspond to the air flow requirements of air tools. If you are confronted with an air displacement value only, then you can assume that the free air delivery of the air compressor at the nozzle outlet will be approximately one third less than its air displacement value. The unit of measure that is best used for enumerating free air delivery (and displacement) from an air compressor is cubic feet per minute (CFM, not to be confused with SCFM), but here in the UK, we also sometimes use litres per minute (litres/min).
Different types of air tools have different types of FAD requirements. Some, like air sanders, need an almost continuous flow of air while others, like air nailers, only need air in short bursts. As a result, air tool manufacturers have often had to make certain assumptions on how active their tool will be in the hands of the eventual user in order to derive a free air delivery rating for their tool. So for air nailers for instance, manufacturers usually assume an operating frequency of 30 nails discharged within the space of a minute, or for air impact wrenches, it is usually taken that they will be consuming air for only 12-15 seconds per minute. Therefore, in order to account for higher than average levels of your own air tool use, it is always best to increase the free air delivery that you need from the air compressor by 20-50% before looking for one that can produce this sort of air flow. The table below provides a guide to the typical air flow requirements of different air tools, but it is also important to determine the exact air flow required for the actual air tool you plan to use as they can vary significantly.
Typical Airflow (cfm) and Air Pressue (psi) values for different air tools
| Air Tools | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Air staple gun |  | ||
| Air nailer |  | ||
| Air impact wrench |  | ||
| Air sprayer |  | ||
| Air sander |  | ||
| Air angle grinder |  |
One other point to note here is that an air compressor that is FAD-underrated for a particular air tool can often still produce the required air flow for that air tool to function. However, it will only be able to operate the air tool for very short bursts, sometimes so short as to make the use of the tool unrealistic. In addition, most air compressor motors are not designed to run 100% of the time, and using an air tool that requires more air flow than the air compressor was designed to sustainably provide will overwork the compressor motor causing it to fail prematurely.
Air Receiver (Air Tank) Size
This is the measure of the volume of the tank that holds the compressed air. Compressors sometimes come with more than one tank connected together but the number of tanks is actually irrelevant since the total volume is what counts. The bigger the air tank size, the less often the compressor motor will need to switch on to refill it. In addition, working away from a source of electrical power (that is needed to power the air compressor motor) can be extended when using an air compressor with a larger air receiver.
Motor Horsepower Rating
This is the measure of the power of the compressor motor. Essentially, the higher the horsepower, the faster the compressed air tank is refilled. In general, the more horsepower, the better, but go for too high a horsepower and the compressor will need to be connected to a dedicated high amperage electrical circuit to avoid tripping circuit breakers.
Popular Air Compressors in the UK
| Air Compressor | (cfm) | (psi) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hyundai HY5508 |  | ||||||
| ORAZIO 241184 |  | ||||||
| Hyundai HY7524 |  | ||||||
| Draper DA25/207 |  | ||||||
| Parker PAC 96-24 |  | ||||||
| SGS SC24H |  | ||||||
| Hyundai HY2550 |  | ||||||
| Cobra |  | ||||||
| Wolf Air Sioux |  | ||||||
| Hyundai HY27550 |  | ||||||
| SIP 06242 Airmate TN3.0/50-D |  | ||||||
| Wolf Air Cheyenne |  | ||||||
| Wolf Air Dakota |  | ||||||
-- information not available
Air Compressor Reviews
Hyundai HY5508 Air Compressor Review
If you are looking for a small, low-impact but still capable air compressor, then one option to consider is the HY5508 from Hyundai. Build quality on the Hyundai air compressor is unsurprisingly excellent given the well-established reputation of the company. The machine is almost plug and play out of the box, requiring only the attachment of an air filter before it is ready to get to work. The manual that comes with it is also very well-written, however, it does suffer from a dearth of informative images and diagrams making it more difficult for air compressor-using newbies to understand which parts of the machine the manual is referring to.
The HY5508 has an integrated carry handle
Feature-wise, the Hyundai HY5508 has a 550W or 3/4 hp direct-drive motor instead of a piston-based one which makes it exceptionally quiet relative to equivalent air compressors of other brands. The Hyundai air compressor is also of the oil-free variety making it low maintenance and, due to its size, is also quite portable especially given its relatively low 15 kg of weight and an integrated carry handle.
With its small 8L air receiver that can be charged to around 100 psi, the Hyundai HY5508 air compressor is capable of delivering 2 CFM Free Air Delivery (FAD) airflow, which makes it a little out-gunned when compared to its more capable non-direct-drive motor competitors. The HY5508 motor is triggered to start refilling air when the tank air pressure hits approximately 65 psi although, if air continues to be drawn for use, the pressure in the tank can fall to as low as 30 psi with the motor running continuously. Once air consumption ceases and the HY5508 is allowed to fully recharge, it takes approximately 20 seconds to refill the tank and bring the pressure back up to its 100 psi setting.
The Hyundai HY5508 sports only one air outlet but this is in line with the machine’s overall ability since simultaneously driving more than one air tool is most likely asking too much of this little air compressor. The air outlet itself is the Euro Quick Release type equivalent to the PCL XF specification which is different from the British standard PCL type that has a smaller nominal bore size. Since the Hyundai HY5508 is not a high flow air compressor, the ideal air line to use with it is a 1/4” diameter air hose.
The HY5508 can not regulate outlet pressure
Importantly, one feature that does stand out as lacking on the Hyundai HY5508 is the absence of any sort of air pressure regulator at the air outlet which would allow its outlet air pressure to be appropriately set for the job at hand. Instead, the HY5508 only includes a single air pressure gauge which simply monitors the air pressure inside the air tank. Some owners of the Hyundai machine have resorted to changing a factory-set pressure adjustment screw inside the switch housing as a crude way of reducing the outlet air pressure. However, this is an inadvisable practice since the air compressor was not designed to cut out at very low pressures and will likely shorten the life of the motor. Instead, if lower pressure is required for one's application, then adding an additional pressure gauge and air regulator to the outlet is the strongly recommended method for controlling the outlet pressure.
Another notable difference worth mentioning is that on more recent units of the Hyundai HY5508 (and Hyundai air compressors in general) there no longer is a pressure-release pull-ring which has historically been used to vent tank air through the pressure release safety valve. The pull-ring on Hyundai air compressors has been removed to conform to recently updated safety compliance regulation which has advised removing the ring to prevent users from using the safety valve to vent the tank. Using the pressure release safety valve to vent the tank in normal operations has caused cases of excessive wear on the safety valve whose primary function is to protect users if a malfunction in pressurising the tank occurs. As a result, on Hyundai air compressors, air can now only be vented through the drain valve located on the underside of the air tank.
Notable dislikes with the Hyundai HY5508 include a power cable that is a bit on the short side, although if one is to get a long enough air line, this should not be a serious concern. Another notable inconvenience concerns the push-pull power switch that controls mains power to the air compressor, which can be quite stiff and require significant finger strength to operate.
In use, the Hyundai HY5508 is most suited for lower intensity tasks such as the blowing off of dust and debris from objects and surfaces as well as the inflating of tyres and inflatables. It is also ideal for powering small brad air nailers and air staplers although it will struggle with the larger finishing and framing air nail guns. The HY5508 is also particularly well-suited for airbrushing (when used in conjunction with an air regulator (as discussed above) to reduce the outlet air pressure to approximately 15-25 psi in addition to a moisture trap or filter). The air receiver on the HY5508 is relatively large compared to bespoke airbrush compressors, providing a more sustained and consistent flow of air. In contrast, although the Hyundai HY5508 can run an HPLV air spray gun for a limited amount of time, one will constantly be waiting for the air tank to refill during use, making it inadequate for any serious amount of air spray painting. The Hyundai HY5508 is also too small for heavier air-consuming tasks, such as use with air orbital sanders or sandblasting cabinets.
Overall, the Hyundai HY5508 is an excellent small air compressor. As long as one is familiar with its limited specifications, there is very little negative to say about it.
Orazio Air Compressor Review
The 24 litre Orazio air compressor is one of the budget entries into the consumer air compressor market and is primarily targeted at lower airflow applications such as airbrushing, vehicle tyre inflation or air nail gun operation. It is the mid-sized offering positioned between 9L and 45L machines from the same brand and has a number of similar characteristics to other competitor 24L budget air compressors on offer. However, the 24L Orazio machine also has a couple of standout features that differentiate it from its competitors and which can make it particularly useful for the DIYer.
Like other budget air compressors, the Orazio line of air compressors are imports from China and, as one has come to expect from other products from the Far East, component quality as well as quality control between individual units can be variable. Perhaps it is no surprise then that the technical specifications for the Orazio air compressors are incomplete and even sometimes inconsistent. For example, the airflow for the 24L Orazio machine is given as either 4.77 cfm or as 95 L / min, which is actually equal to 3.4 cfm, and it is not clear as to whether this value represents the air displacement of the compressor or its free air delivery (FAD). Given the low 1 horsepower (hp) of the motor on the Orazio machine, our inclination is to assume the lower of these two values (95L / min) should be taken as the correct airflow amount (it is also assumed to represent the FAD rather than air displacement).
As for air pressure, the 24L Orazio machine is officially supposed to reach a maximum air pressure of 116 psi or 8 bar before its motor cuts out. However, several buyers have found their machines, out of the box, actually cut out at around 7 bar (100psi). Whether this represents poor factory quality control, or whether it is done intentionally to reduce wear and tear on the machine is anyone’s guess. Fortunately, if one’s air tool or application requires it, the maximum air pressure can be notched up to its advertised specification relatively easily by using a tensioner screw located underneath the black plastic cover of the device. However, this is something that should have been done at the factory as the tensioner screw was clearly not designed to be user-friendly. The 24L Orazio air compressor also comes with an air pressure regulator to control outlet pressure for different applications, and an air hose connector that is of the 1/4” BSP kind, although this can be changed if one so desires.
The motor on the Orazio machine is one of the smaller motors available for a 24L air receiver operating at only 750W or 1 hp. This means that although it can attain the same maximum pressure level as other 24L machines, it takes longer to do so, and will not be able to produce the same level of consistent airflow as air compressors with larger motors. However, it is not all bad having a smaller motor as the flip side is that the 24L Orazio air compressor is one of the quietest in its category emitting an operating sound of only 65 dB. The smaller motor also means an overall lighter weight machine which is easier to carry around and manoeuvre compared to its competitors.
Quality-wise, the Orazio 24L air compressor does not necessarily use the highest quality components nor is the workmanship to produce it consistent. In fact, like other somewhat generic power tools imported from abroad, quality control on the machine is variable with some units arriving in a flawless state, while others have parts missing or damaged. Unfortunately, customer service from the seller is somewhat variable but at least buying through Amazon affords a certain level of protection. However, it needs to be remembered that return postage costs for the Orazio machine are usually borne by the buyer which can be relatively high for a bulky and heavy item. The ‘Orazio’ brand is marketed by AIM Tools or KATSU Tools which is essentially the same small online retailer, with the AIM TOOLS LTD and KATSU TOOLS LTD companies having been registered at Companies House to the same address and to overlapping company officers.
As for the standout positive features of the 24L Orazio air compressor compared to its competitors, these are, firstly, that it is one of the few oil-free air compressors of its size readily available to the UK consumer. Oil-free air compressors have a number of advantages over oil-dependent ones including being cheaper and requiring less maintenance. One disadvantage of oil-free air compressors is that they are usually louder than their oil-bearing equivalents. However, as alluded to earlier, this is not the case for the 24L Orazio air compressor and in fact represents its second standout feature, which is the ability to easily hold a normal conversation over the sound emanating from it. Keep in mind though that the ‘hissing’ sound at motor cutout, typical of most air compressors, is still just as noisy on the Orazio machine as it is on other machines but fortunately very brief in duration.
Overall, the 24L Orazio air compressor is a reasonable budget machine for the DIYer so long as one is not using high airflow tools. In addition, coming from a small online retailer, one also has to be a bit more cautious when buying, scrutinising and testing the machine immediately on arrival in order to make sure that it is functioning faultlessly and to one’s requirements. One should also be prepared to send back any substandard units that slip through what is clearly a limited quality control process from the manufacturer. However, assuming a faultless machine, the 24L Orazio air compressor can be particularly useful if a quieter air compressor is needed while its lack of a need for oil bodes well for low maintenance requirements and a cleaner work environment.
Draper DA25/207 Air Compressor Review
Draper Tools sells a wide range of air compressors of all shapes and sizes designed to cater to a range of users both professional and of the DIYer persuasion. One of the more popular air compressors of their range is the DA25/207 (model number 24980) which is a good fit for the regular non-professional consumer. The Draper air compressor has a 24L air receiver which is filled by a 2hp or 1.5kW electric motor up to the standard maximum pressure of 116 PSI. This translates into an air displacement figure of 7.3 CFM and a more important metric for free air delivery of 4 CFM (which is the number to use when determining whether air tools are compatible). This free air delivery value is relatively low compared to competitor machines of the same level and is mainly the result of the lower power motor taking slightly longer to fill the air tank.
However, the Draper DA25/207 air compressor can still be used with the majority of air tools that other compressors in its category can power, including air nailers, tyre inflators, and the like. It can even be used with air chisels and impact drivers if the tools are used intermittently. One positive characteristic of the Draper air compressor's electric motor is that it has thermal overload protection meaning that if the motor becomes too hot in operation, it will shut itself down in order to protect itself from damage. A typical situation where this may occur is when an unsuitable air tool, which has too high an airflow requirement, is used, causing the air compressor motor to run continuously (something most consumer machines are not designed to do).
The Draper DA25/207 has two pressure gauges
As with the majority of air compressors, the Draper machine has two gauges, one for monitoring the overall pressure in the air tank, and the other for setting the air pressure in the outlet hose, which can be set to any air pressure up to the maximum 116 PSI. However, there is only one air outlet on this air compressor, meaning that it can only be used by a single person and can only connect to a single air tool at any one time. This shouldn't present a problem for most of DIYers as one generally uses one tool at a time anyway. Changing between different tools is a relatively straightforward affair of simply unclipping one tool and replacing with another at the end of the air hose. Importantly, the air outlet on the Draper air compressor itself comes with the common Euro-type quick connect coupling which connects to the hose.
Most air compressors are heavy machines, and the Draper DA25/207 is no exception. Like other air compressors, it is made more portable by the addition of wheels and a handle so that it can be moved around the workshop with relative ease. In addition, the Draper machine is a relative lightweight in the air compressor domain coming in at only 24kg. One notable characteristic of this Draper machine is that it is not oil-free, which means it has to be transported in an upright position to minimise any chance of oil leaking from it. Unfortunately, delivery couriers are not always that careful about box orientation, and this can lead to oil leaking from the air compressor during transit creating a cleanup headache for the new owner upon delivery.
Noise-wise, the Draper machine is about average, which means that it is quite a noisy air compressor, but not more so than its competitors. It can be used without the need for ear protection, but it can get quite annoying if used for extended periods at close proximity.
Overall the Draper air compressor DA25/207 is a reasonably good machine that is reasonably well-built and with a set of standard features. It has slightly lower specifications than other air compressors of the same level, but in regular DIY use, this is unlikely to make much difference. Other than that, it does not stand out from its competitors in what is quite a crowded field, so purchasing this device above others is more an issue of price than anything else.
Cobra Air Compressor Review
Like other air compressors in its class, the oil-lubricated Cobra air compressor can output a maximum air pressure of 115 psi and provides an air displacement of 9.5 CFM not to be confused with the more useful metric of free air delivery or free air flow which is not provided by the manufacturer but can be estimated to be approximately 6.3 CFM based on the 50L air receiver and the 2.5 hp motor. This means that the Cobra air compressor is capable of operating a number of different air tools but not those that require large volumes of air flow such as air angle grinders or the larger air sanders. Functionally, it has two air outlets that come with female euro-style quick connectors which means that air hoses to be used with the air compressor will need to fitted with compatible male couplings. As with most other air compressors in its class, it is quite a noisy air compressor with a sound pressure level of about 94 dB.
The Cobra air compressor is clearly of Asian manufacture (but isn't almost everything these days!) and comes with a manual that is written in poor English, however this is not a major issue as assembling the compressor can be easily achieved using a little common sense. However, quality control during manufacture and packaging is clearly not to the highest of standards as several users have reported missing parts when buying their Cobra compressor. In addition, air tightness on the air compressor can occasionally be substandard with some users reporting a slow air leak from the air compressor during longer term storage of compressed air. This is usually not a major issue since it is generally not recommended to leave compressed air in the air tank when the air compressor is not in use, however, it is recommended to test the air compressor’s integrity over an extended period of time shortly after receiving the machine to ensure that the air compressor meets your expectations. Importantly, the Amazon seller of the air compressor is quite responsive and usually deals with any issues promptly.
Overall, the Cobra air compressor is a pretty capable machine while at the same time being a relatively inexpensive air compressor that should be within anyone's budget. It is ideally suited for the DIYer at home or in the home garage but would not be recommended for use within a higher-demand professional setting.
SIP 06242 Airmate Air Compressor Review
The SIP Airmate TN3.0/50-D compressor is a powerful machine that can generate up to 130 psi of pressure. Together with its 50L air receiver and relatively high Free Air Delivery of 9.5 CFM (air displacement of 14 CFM), it is a compressor that is capable of running the majority of air tools out there. Unlike some of its competitor products in its category and even though it has a powerful 3 hp motor, it is still able to safely operate off a normal 13A household plug. Some of that electrical efficiency comes from the twin, V-shaped pump motor design that it uses.
SIP Industrial is a very reputable British company that has a history of manufacturing tools for both industrial and domestic users, and has been making air compressors of its own since the 1980's. Today the company is involved in producing a variety of different machinery and power tools for a variety of different industries including the consumer market. SIP Industrial sells some of the best air compressor machinery in the UK, so if you are a professional tradesman or just an overactive DIY-er and you have the money to spare for this quality product, then it definitely gets our vote!
Click here for the official webpage of the SIP 06242 Airmate TN3.0/50-D air compressor
Wolf Air Compressor Reviews
Wolf is a power tool company whose products are marketed through a number of online outlets including Amazon, the UK Home shopping network, and SportsDirect.com, to mention a few. Their range of tools also includes a range of air compressors for the home and professional user which have become very popular with both DIY enthusiasts and tradesmen alike due to their relatively high specifications at an affordable price. In addition, their range of air compressors on offer caters to a wide range of requirements. As a result, several of their air compressors are positioned in the top ranks of air compressors popular in the UK.
Wolf Air Dakota
Currently, this is our all-round favourite in this category of air compressor based on overall value. The Wolf Air Dakota air compressor is a large capacity machine that is more suited to the professional or semi-professional who uses air tools regularly. With a 90L air receiver (air tank), the compressor is suited to operating the majority of air tools. The one downside to having such a powerful compressor is that it requires having a dedicated high amperage circuit to operate it. If used on a normal household ring main, the compressor will risk tripping the circuit breaker each time it switches on to refill the tank which can be several times during a job. It is quite a simple job for an electrician to add a dedicated high amperage circuit addition to the common household RCB, so this is not such a deal-breaker even for the home garage or DIY user. The unit displaces 14 CFM or 397 litres/min of air, which equates to a Free Air Delivery (FAD) of between 9 and 10 CFM - a metric that is more relevant to deciding which air tools it is capable of operating, and this FAD is more than enough for the majority of air tools. The unit comes fitted with an air outlet pressure regulator and twin outlet quick release couplers although check that the connectors on your air tools are compatible as not all quick connectors are the same. Another point to consider is that the machine is pretty weighty coming in at 80 kg (for comparison, that's close to the average weight of a man), and although the wheels do make it somewhat portable, don't plan on lugging this around too much!
Wolf Air Cheyenne
For the user that needs the high air pressure (150 psi) but not as much air capacity as the Dakota, Wolf has produced an air compressor model with a tank that is approximately half the size of its bigger sibling. In addition, it uses a different V-shaped motor allowing the device to be more efficient. Together, this makes the Wolf Cheyenne almost half the weight of the Dakota which some might find appealing if they plan on moving the air compressor around somewhat. Once again as with the Dakota, the Wolf Cheyenne also needs to be operated off a dedicated high amperage circuit and not via a regular household ring main if you don't want to keep resetting the circuit breakers on your mains circuit board on a regular basis. As with other Wolf compressors, the Cheyenne comes with Wolf-branded Uni Hi-flow Quick Release couplers that are not universally compatible with all air tool connections, so you may need to opt for alternative fittings for compatibility.
Wolf Air Sioux
Not everybody needs the high air pressures possible with the Wolf Dakota and the Wolf Cheyenne, so to cater to those individuals with lower requirements, Wolf has a couple of compressors with lower maximum working pressures in the form of the Wolf Sioux 50 and the Wolf Sioux 25. These air compressors have a smaller 2.5 hp motor that can produce a maximum working pressure of 116 psi, and the compressed air is stored in either a 50L or 24L air tank, respectively. However, even with the lower air pressures, one is not greatly limited on which air tools can be used with the Wolf Sioux air compressor which can still produce a Free Air Delivery rating of greater than 6 CFM, well within the range of most air tool requirements. One notable advantage of a less demanding motor is that these machines can be operated from a regular household circuit without the worry of tripping the circuit breaker on the mains circuit board.
SGS Engineering SC24H Air Compressor Review
The SGS SC24H air compressor is suited to the average consumer with more modest needs. Here, you are paying more for the quality of the machine than you are for its specification. Similar to other compressors in its category, the SGS SC24H can deliver 116 psi of compressed air but from a relatively small 24 litre air receiver tank that can put a limit on the type of air tools and the size of the job for which the compressor can be used for. This SGS Engineering air compressor is a good buy for small jobs and for air tools that don't have high air flow requirements such as tyre inflating, finish nailing, and stapling, but it will struggle with most air impact wrenches, sanders and grinders. But for the household user, such high intensity DIY work might not be important, rather the fact that the unit can easily run off a normal household socket might be of more significant value.
SGS Engineering itself is a reputable British company that makes a wide range of high-quality engineering tools, and this hand-built small air compressor is no different. Once again, you are buying quality here rather then 'quantity', and as the company is located in the UK, you can also rest assured that spare parts, oil and oil filters are all easily available, further prolonging the life of the machine.
Parker Richmond 24L Air Compressor Review
The first and overriding impression of the 24L Richmond air compressor PAC 96-24 from ParkerBrand is that it is almost identical to the SC24H air compressor from SGS Engineering save for the company logos and branding - even the operating manuals look similar. Both SGS Engineering and ParkerBrand class themselves as manufacturers but clearly almost all of the components for the two machines have been sourced ultimately from the same supplier. So for these two 24 litre air compressors at least, production in the UK is likely to be more akin to product assembly rather than full-blown manufacturing. Even so, just like the SGS air compressor reviewed elsewhere, the ParkerBrand 24L Richmond air compressor is still a good quality machine with a reasonable level of features and capability.
Like the air compressor from SGS, the ParkerBrand 24L machine has a 2.5 hp motor and a relatively small 24 litre air receiver, which together maintain the air pressure in the tank at approximately 115 psi and provide a maximum air displacement value of 9.6 CFM. This air displacement figure is equivalent to approximately 6.4 CFM free air delivery which is the metric that should be focused on when trying to determine whether a particular air tool will work as it was designed to when running off the ParkerBrand air compressor.
Portability-wise, the Richmond 24L air compressor has an approximate weight of 25 kg and is relatively mobile with its integrated wheels and handle. Just like the SGS SC24H, the Richmond compressor has twin air outlets, both of which are fitted with 1/4-inch quick connectors for easy attaching and removal of airlines. There are also two pressure gauges on the machine, one of which is to monitor the air pressure in the air receiver, while the second gauge is used to set the desired outlet pressure.
The oil inspection window is useful for monitoring the air compressor's oil level
The Richmond 24L air compressor also uses oil for lubrication of its working parts, and so requires a little extra monitoring and maintenance compared to oil-free air compressors. Fortunately, to make things a tad easier, the ParkerBrand air compressor (like its SGS Engineering equivalent) has an oil inspection window integrated into the machine allowing for closer monitoring of oil levels.
As for ParkerBrand, the company, it is a British online retailer that sources and ships a range of DIY and gardening equipment to consumers across the UK (and to some extent, Europe). Consequently, one can be reasonably sure that ParkerBrand equipment has been designed with the UK consumer in mind (so for instance, the 24 litre air compressor comes with a typical 3-pin UK plug), and a level of after-service that is to British standards. Indeed, buyers of the ParkerBrand air compressor have been quite pleased with how responsive the company is when problems have arisen especially when due to defects or problematic deliveries.
***NB: If purchasing from Amazon, beware of Amazon suggestions for add on items in the ‘Frequently Bought Together’ section. Although one might expect these items ‘recommended’ by Amazon to have been checked on being compatible with the air compressor being purchased, this is not necessarily the case. So for example, a common error is to have recommendations for UK standard (PCL) quick connector compatible accessories when they should have had Euro-style fittings, or vice-versa.
Click here for the official webpage of the ParkerBrand 24L Richmond air compressor PAC 96-24
Hyundai HY2550 Air Compressor Review
We all know the Hyundai corporation as a car manufacturer. But did you know they make other products as well? Well now you do. In fact they make an assortment of other machinery and tools as well as a line of air compressors targeted at the regular consumer and professionals. The HY2550 is one of their smaller ones in their product range providing a Free Air Delivery of 5.19 CFM or 147 litres / min at a working pressure of 115 psi, not dissimilar to other competitor air compressors in this category. The HY2550 has a 50L air tank which makes it capable of handling air tools with more needy air flow requirements. It also has 2 air outlets so that two air tools can be connected simultaneously.
