Air Compressor Buying Tips
While all you need to do with your electric power tool is to plug it into a power outlet, you will need additional equipment to run your air tool –an air compressor. Air compressors come in different types, ranging from small inflators, which are not really intended to power up air tools, to huge compressors capable of squeezing air up to 10,000 PSI and which are used for industrial and manufacturing purposes.
For running air tools, the kind of compressor you need is somewhere between these two extremes. But even within these boundaries, there are still plenty of options. You will still need to carefully consider a number of items before going out to buy or putting your order online for an air compressor.
First you need to determine your intended use for the compressor. Do-it-yourselfers who only do occasional light work can settle for single stage compressors with maximum pressures of 150 PSI or even 100 PSI. These can handle brad nailing, stapling, or airbrushing. Heavier work, such as in a commercial shop where multiple tools need to be powered, requires two-stage compressors with pressures higher than 150 PSI.
The tank capacity you require depends on the type of tools you plan on using. Air tools that require a continuous supply of compressed air, such as sanders and impact wrenches, need a big tank. If you will only be using your compressor with small tools requiring intermittent bursts of air, a small tank will suffice. Compare the CFM rating of the compressor and the requirement of your air tools. Get the tool with the highest CFM and add 50% to it. The result should be the CFM rating of the compressor.
Air compressors can either be powered by electricity or gasoline. To help you make the proper choice between the two, determine if you want your compressor to be stationary or mobile. Electric-powered types are more convenient as you do not need to pour gasoline into the motor’s fuel tank. However, this limits mobility.
If you want your compressor to be mobile, you will need to reconcile such factors as its weight, size, and power. Weight and size are directly proportional to power, so that if you are concerned with portability, you may have to give up some power.
A higher horsepower can deliver higher PSI. It can also be operated for longer hours. However, if you do not need the higher pressure and long hours, you will only be wasting money on the unused capabilities. CFM is a more important number in this case.