What To Check For When Purchasing An Air Compressor

Posted by on July 26, 2010 | No Comments

It seems that many woodworkers do not have an air compressor, merely because they sound difficult.

Some of the convenient terms that you must actually know about when keeping a lookout for a compressor include:

PSI – Pounds per square inch

CFM – Cubic feet per minute

Duty Cycle – the amount of time a compressor can run compared to the quantity of rest time over a thirty minute period. Like it can operate for ten minutes, then rest for 20 without making major head wear

Single Stage – where the compression piston compresses all the air in one stroke

Versus two Stage – where there are 2 pistons that work in cooperation to squeeze the air.

If you’re planning on running tools like sanders, buffers, grinders and so on you’ll need to think about something in the mid-size or perhaps bigger shop size of compressors.

If you’re planning on employing grinders, sanders, buffers and the like, you’ll need to think about an enormous fixed base compressor like Campbell – Hausfeld or Ingersoll-Rand. These will have around 6 hp and a storage tank of fifty gallons or more. If you are a hobbyist woodworker, who is looking for a nailer or stapler, one of the small lightweight compressors is excellent. Makers like Porter-Cable or Delta will work fine.

The genuine trick to buying a compressor is to realise beforehand what you’re going to use it for and what the air-tool rating is in PSI and CFM. This could give you a better indication of the duty cycle you’ll need. But this isn’t the end either, because you must look CLOSELY at the air tools you are considering as the same tool can alter significantly in the quantity of compressed air it will consume. That’s's enormously important, and it implies the difference between getting a mid-size compressor or big fixed compressor. A compressor and associated air powered tools might be a real time saver, even for the hobbyist’s work shop.

In the final research you’ll have to make that difficult call, but what ever you do, make certain you guarantee you get a workable compressor for your choice of tools.

Next, you can find more on 12 Volt Air Compressor for you to review.

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