So yes it a work shop compressor, cost a couple of hundred notes. It does have a airfilter on it . . . if its any good i dont know ? I have not real plan to use it other then filling (If i can) tanks so i should be able to keep it pretty clean etc . . .
- 2.5 HP motor
- Ergonomically designed handle and wheels for easy movement
- Air displacement: 262 l/min, 9.3 CFM
- Compressor speed: 2850 1/min
- Rated voltage: 230V/50HZ
- 8 Bar max. working pressure
- Operating pressure approx. 8 bar
- Outlet pressure regulator
- Theoretical intake capacity: 262 l/min
- Protection type: IP20
- Sound level: 97 dB
- Twin air outlets
Personally I would still advise against it.
The filter may be fine, but they still aren’t designed for high pressure use. Site compressors run to breathing air quality as they are the same as scuba compressors and for uncontaminated safety under high pressure.
8 bar is a little over 115psi. I’m from the paintball world and that’s half the operating pressure of most paintball guns so would shoot but at a pathetic range and velocity.
In airsoft with lower operating pressures you could probably get some shots off
(Noting that this is really an advert for an airgun shop) This is the Tom Kaye ‘shoebox’ brand of shoebox compressor. It was for a niche market and is now discontinued. Other similar ones are available from Hong Kong etc but I can’t make any recommendations
Note that he refers to only topping up his 4500psi cylinder - he’s an airgun user so won’t be drawing off much air in a days shooting, and he can top up in 30-60 minutes, a complete fill
would be much longer
My top recommendation is to use the sites compressor (but in airsoft you might not always have that option)
Rather than a compressor, if you need self fills then the best recommendation is a scuba cylinder filled at a dive shop and a full station adaptor.
My next recommendation would be a high pressure stirrup pump (again with filter)
This will give you plenty of exercise and muscles, but if you use a stirrup to fill a small 13ci to 3000psi it’s doable in a reasonable time.
Normal advice for self filling from scuba’s etc is to top up a little and often (to maintain the source pressure for longer), but with a stirrup you could argue the subject either way:
The stirrup operates starting from atmospheric pressure (0 psi on the gauge) so you have to pump up to as much as your cylinders pressure before you are achieving anything. If you stop and disconnect then all you have done is some muscle building and released the air back to atmosphere.
You can top up ‘little and often’ - less pumps per session, but more pumps before you are actually filling
Or you fill ‘lots and rarely’ by using as much as possible which means you have a lower pressure in the cylinder and you need less pumps to open the valve - but you then need to pump as much as necessary to achieve your required pressure. The ‘benefit’ of this is you’re achieving something from your effort earlier and can stop when you want a rest. (If you stop to rest and leave connected then thats not a problem - come back in half an hour and continue from where you were
Whatever method you are using, when anything gets hot stop for a break and let it all cool down. Both for
safety and as hot air expands if you get a hot fill then the pressure in the cylinder quickly drops again when it cools
Have a quick read of the UKPSF air safety HPA1:
https://m.facebook.com/nt/screen/?params={"note_id"%3A796094531191401}&path=%2Fnotes%2F{note_id}&_rdr
Note that the lifetimes for cylinders is a bit out of date:
An aluminium 3000psi cylinder actually has a 10 year lifecycle between fills in the UK, not 5. But not all sites will let you fill an aluminium after 5 years without testing, and if the markings state a 5 year test cycle then sites ought to stick to that
A small (13ci) 3000psi aluminium cylinder is exempt from testing in the UK so can be used forever. (If it’s in good condition) Again if the markings say it is subject to a 5 year cycle then that should be complied with
A new ISO standard allows for fibre wrapped cylinders that have an unlimited lifetime - they can be used worldwide, do need a 5 year test but if it’s in good condition does not expire at 15 years. If it’s an ISO cylinder and still has a final date then the date does apply and the cylinder will expire
Back to your original question on fittings, ‘standard’ air filling fittings are the male/female quick disconnect and 1/8” NPT screw fittings. A male nipple on the cylinder or equipment and a female from the fill station:
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