I need to get a random orbital sander and a air compressor.

Had a look around yesterday and found a Bosch 250W orbital sander for $109 at Mitre 10. Need to start work on the body. Any suggestions?

Also need an air compressor. I assume a 2.5hp, 40litre tank one should be sufficient. Notice offers once in a while going for under $200. Is this worth it?
marc

Whatcha gunna sand with it?

Watcha going to use the compressor for?

What I am going sand with the sander?
Need to remove some bad old paintwork and maybe a bit of surface rust (hoepfully). Preparing the body for a respray.

Compressor is for the respray, and other accessories would be nice too.

The 2.5 HP direct drive compressors work too hard to do a good job at painting imho. They have a short duty cycle and low output for thirsty workshop equipment.

I have two coupled togethere to power air grinders, sand blaster cabinet, burr grinder etc... the pair are still only just adequate, but get the job done...

After 2 years of punishment one makes a pretty interesting noise, I'm slaving it further to see if I can get it to throw a rod

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

The sander sounds dandy. The compressor is too small. I used a 40l 2.5hp for the Moke and it was at best adequate. For a car with doors and a roof 40 l is cutting it a bit fine.

How would a 40l go for just powering air tools? Like die grinders and rattle guns and other fun things?

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Simplify and add lightness

The rings are nylon, and can melt with continuous use.
It'll stop pumping air long before it throws a rod. Q.E.D.

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Too many cars, and too little time.

Kinda saps the fun from that idea then....

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

Most of the direct drive ones are only just a compressor. As said they are only designed for intermittent use.
I'd save your $$$ for a belt drive, 2.5HP one with 55L tank. My SIP one has painted a couple of cars now and works fine with a die grinder etc.
Bigger is better still, but more $$$.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

If your stripping back to bare metal use paint stripper. Less labour intensive.
Bigger the compressor the better

here's a tip for you with regard to removing the paint
http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic ... highlight=

But otherwise I like useing my trusty grinder and wire wheels

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Stop Licking the Dog...I Don't Care Who Started It

Travill is right, when it comes to compressors the bigger belt drive compressor you can get the better an dont buy an electric sander,why plug in two things when you just plug in your man size compressor connect your air sander and enjoy the wonders an cool noises of compressed air sanding. JOY

Thanks Gafmo, that is a great way to strip paint.
marc

I was in your position about 2 months ago. Trying to decide what size compressor to get. Best thing I did was go into a shop and ask. Speak to somebody who knows what they're on about. I even went to a panel beater/spray painter and asked him what he would recommend for painting. Ended up biting the bullet and getting a 19cfm compressor. After talking to the painter and reading posts on here about the little 2.5'ers painting I decided that doing the car one panel at a time while waiting for the compressor to catch up afterwards wasnt for me. Also, the bigger compressor means i can use it for other things too - rattle guns, grinders (wanted to run a 9 inch), air drills etc. Now when i look at air tools, I don't have to think 'can it keep up?', because chances are it will. My compressor set me back $600 (stocktake sale ) and when you think, "I'm going to paint my pride and joy with this", do you want to take any chances? All it'll take is to run out of air 3/4 the way through a panel and you'll be giving it a boot. (painters advice)

Thats my 2 cents anywho.

On another issue, I notice there is heaps of dried up dirt and hardened mud in the wheel wells. I guess its 43 years mud, oil and grease. I have tried taking this out with a wire brush but with no real luck.
Any suggestions how to clean this off.
Also is it normal to paint the wheel wells or is this getting a bit anal for some?
marc