WHAT TYPE OF COMPRESSOR DO I NEED?
Air compressors are available in a wide variety of sizes, styles, and brands. Don't worry if you’re not entirely sure what you’re looking for,
we’re here to help.
Let's start by discussing the two main types of air compressors:
Gas Powered and
Electric Powered.
GAS-POWERED vs. ELECTRIC: WHICH POWER SOURCE IS BEST FOR ME?
Gasoline powered
air compressors are ideal for commercial and industrial applications. This style is usually found in settings that have limited access to
electricity. Gas powered compressors must be used outdoors or in a heavily ventilated area.
Electric powered units are
the most popular type of air compressor. They can be used anywhere that electricity is readily available. This type of compressor is safer
than gas-powered systems because they don’t produce dangerous emissions.
Working with air tools offers a variety of advantages over conventional tools: they generally offer more torque and power, and are more durable
and longer lasting. Air tools are also extremely easy to use - simply connect them to your air compressor with the proper hose and connectors,
and get the job done.
NAIL GUNS:
Pneumatic nail guns are available in two main types:
stick and
coil.
- Stick-type nail guns generally hold approximately 20 to 40 nails at a time.
- Coil-style nail guns can hold considerably more than stick-type units. The nails are housed in a drum canister which can generally
hold hundreds of nails.
Both types of nail guns can also fall into one of these categories as well:
Brad nailer: A brad nailer uses thin and discreet nails. The nail head is very small so it can be sunk into the wood it is fastening.
Brad nails are not designed for heavy-duty projects, but are perfect for fastening thin materials.
Finish nailer: Finish nailers use bigger nails which are driven deep into wood. Finish nails can be covered with paint, wood finish, or
wood stain.
Framing nailer: Framing nailers are designed for heavy-duty jobs. Framing nailers will drive long nails deep into the thickest material.
This requires very little effort from the user.
Roofing, siding, and floor nailer: These specialty nailers are designed for a specific purpose. If you’re planning on fastening shingles,
siding, or flooring, using these tools is the most efficient method of doing so.
IMPACT WRENCHES:
Impact wrenches are designed for rapid removal of automotive and household fasteners. These tools deliver high torque output and require minimal
effort by the user. Impact wrenches are available in every standard socket wrench drive size -- usually ranging from 1/4" to 1". They are available
in varios styles, including inline, butterfly, and pistol-grip.
AIR SANDERS:
Pneumatic sanders are ideal for sanding wood, body putty, metal, fiberglass, plastic, and many other surfaces. These tools are portable, easy to
use, and offer smooth sanding capabilities.
DIE GRINDERS:
Die Grinders are designed to polish, buff, and smooth the interior of cylindrical objects. This type of tool is most often used on metal piping
after it has been cut; the die grinder will eliminate the rough metal spurs that were created by the cutting tool.
AIR NIBBLERS
Air nibblers are ideal for cutting sheet metal. They also work well when cutting steel, plastic, tin, and aluminum. Air nibblers leave the edges
of the material smooth and unflawed.
Air compressor motors range from 1.5 HP to 6.5 HP. Higher horsepower engines will yield greater PSI, and thereby produce more energy. It is very
important to realize that higher horsepower doesn’t necessarily mean better performance. As previously mentioned, CFM is the best indicator of a
compressor’s performance.
Each device that you want to run with your air compressor will require a certain amount of CFM (cubic feet per minute). These units are
used to measure the flow of air. The greater the CFM, the greater the power. It is important to consider an air compressor’s PSI (pounds per square inch)
rating as well as the size of its engine which is measured in HP (horsepower). However, an air compressor’s CFM rating is the best
indicator of its overall capability.
Each tool will have a specific required CFM rating that must be met in order for it to function properly. When purchasing an air compressor,
you must choose one that will produce more CFM than your most powerful tool requires.
Most nailers, spray guns, and impact wrenches need 1-5 CFM at 90 PSI, and most sanders need 6-13 CFM at 90 PSI. Professional grade tools require
more CFM.
Once you know the CFM requirements of your most powerful tool, you should add 50% to that total. For instance, if your air hammer requires 3 CFM
at 90 PSI, then you need an air compressor that will produce at least 4.5 CFM at 90 PSI.
1. Piston-type air compressors come equipped with a tank that is used to store compressed air. The air is stored until it’s ready for use.
When the air is released from the tank, the pressure inside the tank slowly decreases. Once it drops to a certain level, the air compressor
automatically turns back on to build the pressure back up. There are two kinds of piston-type compressors: single stage and two-stage.
- Single-stage compressors have one piston which works to compress air. Generally speaking, single-stage units are for light-duty
projects and won’t generate much more than 100-150 PSI.
- Two-stage compressors have two pistons that compress and distribute air. The second piston compresses the air even more than the first
which allows the compressor to generate more power. Two-stage compressors also allow more air to be stored. This means they won’t have to work
as hard to generate power, which ultimately extends the life of the compressor. These units are ideal for heavy-duty commercial or industrial
applications.
2. Compact air compressors don’t have a tank to store compressed air. Instead, they run continuously to generate air pressure. These models
are extremely lightweight and portable, but they are generally not able to generate enough power for large commercial projects. They are
typically used to run small air tools such as paint guns, glue guns, and caulking guns.
This guide is designed to provide the information necessary to narrow down your search for the perfect Air Compressor, but if you have any
unanswered questions or concerns, give us a call! We’re happy to help.
