Installing Compressor Outside Shed

[Tim Brennan]

I've never owned a compressor before but I've watched too many YouTube videos and now I want one for my shed. I'll use it for nailing and cleaning to start and I'm sure will find more tools for it later.

My shed space is limited so I took interest in the CLARKE SHHH AIR 30/9. I like the low noise rating and the size.

The downsides are that its pretty expensive for me and the capacity is very small and so I had the idea to install a standard one outside my shed in a covered area. Something like this SGS 24 LITRE DIRECT DRIVE AIR COMPRESSOR - 9.6CFM 2.5HP 24Lhttps://www.sgs-engineering.com/sc24h-24-litre-high-flow-air-compressor

Is this a good idea to install it outside? And if so, is this a good compressor for my needs? I can see it is 97dB which sounds loud and we have neighbours close by.

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

Hi TBR,

I'd suggest that, at 97dB, that air compressor is going to be a real screamer. If I had a neighbor running something like that outdoors I can guarantee you that I'd be calling the City with a noise complaint midway through the first day.

There are a number of companies who produce very low-noise compressors, and you can further muffle the sound by installing them in a sound-reducing cabinet. California Air Tools produce a number of compressors in this category:https://www.californiaairtools.com/sound-proof-cabinet-ultra-quiet-air-compressors/

If you're running your compressor outdoors, you'll want/need a way to make sure you can properly drain the tank without it freezing (Winter), and in the Summer you'll want to install some kind of drying system so you're not ruining whatever devices you're using with wet air.

If you're using outdoors, you'll want to make sure you're keeping it shielded from the weather to avoid rust. If any part of the pressure vessel rusts-through you run the risk of serious injury.

One option would be to buy a very small compressor that you could put up high in your shed, and supplement it with a separate air tank for greater capacity when needed.

 

[woodferret]

Shed work, so you're not really shooting framing nails or doing HVLP... so silent trim compressor and avoid the hassle of the behemoth.  People would be understanding of the 24L for the 2-day construction crew but not for hobby.

Or just get battery nailers and blowers.

 

[Tim Brennan]

Great points, thanks guys.

I’m in the uk and so I’ve been looking for an alternative option to the California Air Tools available here.

Just found a video about the 8l Hyundai=fFAV9fHJT9bskf2o

Seems like a good option to just tuck away in the shed. Price is £108 so seems good value

 

[jeffinsgf]

Unless you're planning on spraying finish, I would stick to a small portable compressor. Something like the one Peter reviewed or maybe slightly larger. I have a Makita that is more compressor than I'll ever need and couldn't be happier with it. Big compressors take more maintenance are louder and take up an inordinate amount of space for their productivity.

Don't know if you get Senco gear over there, but Senco used to have a tiny tanked compressor that they occasionally gave away with one of their nail guns. I had one and stupidly gave it to my brother-in-law. It was just the sweetest little compressor to take to the job site. I couldn't possibly shoot fast enough to make it struggle. Silly little thing probably didn't weigh 10 pounds.

 

[rvieceli]

[member=21939]TBR[/member] here's the Senco Jeff was talking about:
https://www.axminstertools.com/senc...essor-230v-108645?glCountry=GB&glCurrency=GBP

It is small and quiet but more expensive than the one you linked to.

The big advantage to these smaller ones is you can usually mount them up higher in an unused space and not take up any floor space. Or just tuck it away and pop it out when you need it. The tanks are small but you aren't going to be framing or roofing with them. Most likely a small pin nailer or small brad nailer or stapler.

Ron

 

[GaryA]

I have the little Senco 3 ltr.
It is very quiet and I use it for brad nailers and air blower.
I cut the carrying handle off and put it in a Systainer

 

[bobtskutter]

[member=21939]TBR[/member] the SGS compressor you've highlighted looks very similar to a Parkside one I got from Lidl a few years ago.  It's loud, very loud!  It runs nailers and staplers OK.  I've used it with my 4" framing nailer but I'm not the fastest person using the big nail gun so it keeps up.  The water drain plug is awkward and very small.

I've also used a small "brief case" Draper compressor which just about kept up with the 4" nail gun, until it blew up!  (The ladies at the local post office we not impressed when Amazon made me post it back to them).

If I was going to buy again I would be looking at a small quiet compressor, something like the Senco from Axminster which GaryA suggested.

Regards
Bob

 

[Chainring]

I recently went on a quest to find quiet air compressors. Makita has an awesome line in the MAC Q series. I bought my girlfriend the MAC 210Q and wow, is it quiet. Later on, I wanted something still small but with a higher SCFM rating and I bought the MAC 700. It's rated at 80dB, but I measured it at, IIRC, something like 73dB in an enclosed space and one meter away.

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

I recently went on a quest to find quiet air compressors. Makita has an awesome line in the MAC Q series. I bought my girlfriend the MAC 210Q and wow, is it quiet. Later on, I wanted something still small but with a higher SCFM rating and I bought the MAC 700. It's rated at 80dB, but I measured it at, IIRC, something like 73dB in an enclosed space and one meter away.

I don't have experience with the newer MAC Q series, but the oil-lubricated Makita compressors are great units. I used a MAC 700 as my daily-use compressor for years without issue, and it was mercifully quiet compared to the pancake compressors many of my colleagues insisted on using. Currently using a MAC 2400 in my shop, keeps up just fine with my needs.

 

[Sparktrician]

The Rolair JC10 compressor is said to produce only 60 dB.  I have not measured mine, but it certainly is quiet enough to run inside the house. 

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I had one of those tiny Senco compressors, from a kit with a 23ga micro pinner. It was killed it a fire and I just never replaced it. I don't have to do installs any more, the shop has a pair of screw compressors with a 175 gallon tank, and a 60 gal unit at home. Portable is not really important at this point.
It was very handy, when I did have a use for it. It was super quiet and feather-weight. If I had the need, I would buy again.

 

[Sdwoodwork]

I defiantly agree with looking into the senco. I have a few compressors, but I'd say for the noise level that's just the compressor you need. Its not much on the cfm level but if all you are using it for is the occasional blow off of material or pin nailing and finish you will be good to go. I've had my small compressor for about 5 years. I've switched mostly to battery Nailers but i still reach for it when the need arises. 

 

[jeffinsgf]

I don't have experience with the newer MAC Q series, but the oil-lubricated Makita compressors are great units. I used a MAC 700 as my daily-use compressor for years without issue, and it was mercifully quiet compared to the pancake compressors many of my colleagues insisted on using. Currently using a MAC 2400 in my shop, keeps up just fine with my needs.

A MAC 2400 is what I was bragging about a few posts up-thread. Love that thing.

 

[Mini Me]

I take the view that a larger compressor will run for less time so annoy the neighbours less whereas a small one will always be cycling on and off.