Portable here means a proper cast iron trade compressor on wheels, not a 12 volt tyre inflator. These are the same pumps that go into fixed workshop setups, mounted on a receiver you can wheel to the other end of the shed, load into a ute, or take to a job.
All four are SP Tools, from a 50 litre V-twin up to a 100 litre triple cylinder, and all run on single phase power. If the compressor is going to live in one spot permanently, look at the full piston range which includes the larger stationary SP50.
What portable actually means here
Worth being straight about this, because the word gets used loosely. These units weigh what a cast iron pump and a steel receiver weigh. They roll easily on a flat concrete floor and they fit in a ute tray, but they are not something you carry up a ladder. What you get in exchange is a compressor that will actually run air tools all day rather than dying after thirty seconds on a rattle gun.
If you want something you can lift with one hand for tyres, that is a different product and not one we stock in this collection.
Choosing between the four
SP13-50X, 2.2HP, 50 litre
The smallest and lightest of the four. V-twin cast iron pump. Suits a home garage doing tyres, blow gun and occasional rattle gun work, and it is the easiest of the four to move around.
SP14, 2.5HP, 60 litre
Same V-twin cast iron format with more motor and a bigger receiver. The step up if you use air most weekends rather than occasionally.
SP17, 3HP, 60 litre
More power on the same 60 litre tank, so it recovers faster between tool cycles. Good pick if you run air tools in bursts and hate waiting for the pump to catch up.
SP1800, 3HP, 100 litre
Triple cast iron cylinders on a 100 litre receiver. The largest portable in the range and the closest thing to a stationary workshop compressor that still has wheels on it. If you are on the fence between this and the SP17, the extra 40 litres is what you notice during sustained work.
Getting a long life out of it
- Drain the tank. Water collects in the receiver. Drain it regularly or the tank rusts from the inside out.
- Watch the extension lead. A long thin lead drops voltage and makes the motor work harder. Use a heavy duty lead or plug into a nearby outlet.
- Give it air. Do not run it jammed against a wall or in a hot corner. Heat is what kills compressors.
- Change the oil. Lubricated cast iron pumps need oil changes on schedule, same as an engine.
Portable air compressor FAQs
Will these run a rattle gun?
Yes. That is what the cast iron pumps and 50 to 100 litre receivers are for. How long you can keep going before the pump catches up depends on the model, and the larger units recover faster.
Do I need three phase power?
No. All four portable units run on single phase 240 V. Check the amp draw on the product page against the circuit you plan to use, particularly if you are sharing it with other workshop gear.
Can I spray paint with one?
For touch ups and small panels, yes, with a dryer and filter fitted. Spray guns consume air continuously, so for a full respray you want more capacity than these deliver.
How heavy are they?
Heavy enough that you will want the wheels. Check the dry weight on the individual product page before you plan to lift one into a ute on your own.
Do you ship Australia wide?
Yes, free shipping Australia wide. Call 1300 405 581 if you want a hand picking between them.