What To Check For When Purchasing An Air Compressor

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

Some of the handy terms that you need to really know about when looking 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 thirty 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 squeeze the air.

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

If you’re planning on employing grinders, sanders, buffers and the like, you will need to think about a giant fixed base compressor like Campbell – Hausfeld or Ingersoll-Rand. These will have around 6 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 cartable compressors is ideal. Makers like Porter-Cable or Delta will work fine.

The genuine trick to purchasing a compressor is to understand 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 need to look CLOSELY at the air tools you are considering because the same tool can change seriously in the quantity of compressed air it’ll consume. That is’s massively important, and it indicates the difference between purchasing a mid-size compressor or massive 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 research you’ll have to make that complicated call, but what ever you do, make certain you ensure you get a workable compressor for your choice of tools.

Next, discover more on Air Compressor varieties or click here.

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