Lidls Air Compressor

[Alan_M 66 1 Cars]

LIDLs are flogging an air compressor right now for £80. These are the specs.....

 

Compact, powerful and portable

Max. working pressure (bar): 8

Air displacement (1lr/min): 270 works out as 9.5CFM

Pressure vessel capacity (L): 24

Sound power level (dB): 94

Twin air outlets with quick-lock coupling

Tank pressure and air-pressure manometers with bar and PSI scales

Includes 10m compressed air hose and 3m mains cable

Weight (kg): 26.5

3 year manufacturer’s warranty

 

Would this be any good as a DIY compressor for general purpose work (spraying/blasting/tools etc)?

[dino20vt 3]

I bought one very similar if not the same from Aldi for £80 too. Not that powerful ie couldn't undo the wheel nuts on my van, nor would it be man enough for blasting but to be fair you'd need a massive tank for that. But at the end of the day for a similarly specced compressor from Machine Mart (when I bought mine) you'd need to fork out £250. My thinking was if it was too weedy I'd just buy another and link them and still be in pocket.

Edited September 17, 2010 by dino20vt

[Alan_M 66 1 Cars]

I bought one very similar if not the same from Aldi for £80 too. Not that powerful ie couldn't undo the wheel nuts on my van, nor would it be man enough for blasting but to be fair you'd need a massive tank for that. But at the end of the day for a similarly specced compressor from Machine Mart (when I bought mine) you'd need to fork out £250. My thinking was if it was too weedy I'd just buy another and link them and still be in pocket.

 

I've been reading a few compressor sites, and blasting/spraying/impact tools appear to be compatible with the spec. I'd imagine with the small tank it'll constantly be re-charging but I'd only be using it for smallish jobs anyway. Just seemed a bargain to me, because as you say, a similar machine from a 'reputable' outfit is more than double particularly with that 9.5CFM o/p.

 

Looks as though I'm off to see if they have any left.

[mattw 2]

Would this work for spray painting bodywork?

 

They sell a sand blasting attachment too although it might not be up to blasting things like wheels etc.

[boombang 2]

From experience, I'd say using a compressor of this sort of size is a genuine last resort. They are barely acceptable for anything apart from spraying small panels.

 

No good for air tools in the slightest.

[Alan_M 66 1 Cars]

I googled 'Lidls air compressor any good' and it came back with mixed results. Some say it was breathless and pretty much useless on anything bar tyres, others say it did its job with intermittent use on impact tools/blasting/spraying.

 

Shame really as my local Lidls have sold out now.

 

Quite determined to get a compressor now, and the spec of that one would suit my needs maybe with a bigger tank.

[Leet205 48]

Iv read on acouple of forums that people get these compressors and add an extra air tank so it has a longer cycle, you could use an old gas bottle for extra capacity.

[harryskid 193]

A good one will cost at least £250 + !

[Pugnut 9 1 Cars]

Iv read on acouple of forums that people get these compressors and add an extra air tank so it has a longer cycle, you could use an old gas bottle for extra capacity.

 

i'll own up to skip raiding an old compressor for its tank before . works a treat.

[Jez G 6 1 Cars]

I brought the £80 Aldi one as well with a sellection of tools. It was the 13.5 CFM 2.5 hp version? It has been very good and would recomend it. The Lidle one looks a bit less powerul. But I am going to get the little blaster attachment from them this morning.

 

I've not tried spraying a whole car but for pannels its spot on. I was doing a City & Guilds in body work at tech at the time and the lecturer recommended it.

 

Jez

[Veero 1]

For the money and the amount of attachments and tools it came with the little Aldi one in my opinion is good, but not excellent. It's excellent VFM but is a little asthmatic. You need it on and running to power even a small side cutter or die grinder. It's great for tyres and the air nozzle. Not trying spraying or blasting yet but I suspect it will not be fantastic. However if it lasts the full 3 year warranty it will have been a bargain.