HOW TO Pick THE Best Pneumatic COMPRESSOR

Are you aware that every air compressor cannot be used for every kind of job? Air compressors differ both in power level and in size. If you want to get an estimate what kind of air compressor you’ll need, first check the air tool that you’re using for its power requirements. After that, all you need to do is pick a compressor that’s a bit more powerful than you think you need. That way, if you want to you can later buy an air tool that requires a slightly higher level of power.

Ordinarily you will probably run across portable rotary screw compressors. There will be a dizzying assortment of choices to make. The cheap ones are just that, cheap ones, thus you should probably stay away from those, unless all you want to do is put air into your tires occasionally.

Air compressors are sometimes rated by horsepower or hp. Dont be swayed by the hp listing. It all depends on how much power it draws. Often the hp listed is inflated.

You’re much better off looking at the PSI — pounds per square inch — when choosing your air compressor. 90 PSI is the rating that works with most air tools. If your compressor is listed at 125 to 135 PSI, even though it seems like it should, it’s not going to work with an air tool that requires 90 PSI. The reason for this is that PSI really measures shut off pressure, and the value doesn’t acknowledge when there is pressure lost in the line. If you want to make the most of a 90 PSI tool, consider a two-stage pressure shut off type of compressor. At 90 PSI the first stage will turn off, and the second stage will shut off at 175 PSI.

Also think about cubic feet per minute (CFM). For most air tools you’ll find in the store today, a CFM of 4 to 6 is common. This will make your life easier because at 90 PSI you should be getting exactly 3 to 4 HP. The CFM is a measurement of how much air moves through the system.

Another thing of import, depending on how you plan to use the compressor, it’s tank size. A regular pump and motor with the normal 30 gallon tank is just fine if what you are doing only needs you to use short bursts. But for heavy use, you’ll be much better off using a smaller tank with a significantly stronger motor and pump, of course with attentive consideration to the stored air in the tank.

This is why you’ll often see contracting professionals using multiple air tools simultaneously; they know that a 150 PSI rated compressor is a superior choice when using the compressor on a long-term, continuous basis.

Truck mounted compressors differ from portable ones because they use the truck itself as a source of power. Of course a problem with this is a fact that the truck has to keep running to keep the compressor going. If you need to keep the compressor in use for long periods of time, the best choice is a compressor that is deck mounted. Deck mounted compressors are similar to truck mounted ones in that they sit on removable beds for the truck. This makes it feasible to let the compressor stay at the worksite instead of forcing you to lug it every day.

Also you can find compressors that are electrically and gas powered. If you think you’re going to be working on a site that does not have electricity, then go with a gas powered compressor.