26 Jul
What To Check For When Purchasing An Air Compressor
It seems that many woodworkers don’t have an air compressor, simply because they sound difficult.
Some of the handy terms that you should truly know about when watching out for a compressor include:
PSI – Pounds per square inch
CFM – Cubic feet per minute
Duty Cycle – how long 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 2 Stage – where there are two pistons that work in cooperation to squeeze the air.
If you’re counting 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 will need to think about a large 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 tiny cartable compressors is excellent. Makers like Porter-Cable or Delta will work fine.
The real trick to buying a compressor is to realise beforehand what you are going to use it for and what the air-tool rating is in PSI and CFM. This may give you a better indication of the duty cycle you will 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 change noticeably in the amount of compressed air it’ll consume. That’s’s enormously important, and it suggests the difference between buying a mid-size compressor or massive fixed compressor. A compressor and associated air powered tools may 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 guarantee you get a workable compressor for your choice of tools.
Now, discover what more there is to know about Air Compressor varieties which you can access via the Discover Air Compressors site.
