What To Search For When Purchasing An Air Compressor

It seems that many woodworkers don’t have an air compressor, merely because they sound tricky.

Some of the convenient terms that you must actually know about when looking out 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 amount of rest time over a 30 minute period. Like it can operate for 10 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 compact the air.

If you are planning on running tools like sanders, buffers, grinders and so on you’ll need to think about something in the mid-size or maybe 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 six hp and a storage tank of 50 gallons or more . If you are a hobbyist woodworker, who is hunting for a nailer or stapler, one of the little portable compressors is ideal. Makers like Porter-Cable or Delta will work fine.

The genuine trick to buying a compressor is to grasp beforehand what you are 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 because the same tool can vary seriously in the amount of compressed air it will consume. That is’s hugely important, and it suggests the difference between purchasing a mid-size compressor or gigantic fixed compressor. A compressor and associated air powered tools could be a real time saver, even for the hobbyist’s work shop.

In the final analysis you’ll have to make that hard call, but what ever you do, ensure you ensure you get an agreeable compressor for your choice of tools.

Now, discover much more regarding Air Compressor varieties for you to review.