What To Look For When Buying An Air Compressor
- May 13th, 2010
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It seems that many woodworkers do not have an air compressor, simply because they sound complicated.
Some of the convenient 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 – 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 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 are planning on running tools like sanders, buffers, grinders and so on you will 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 consider a large fixed base compressor like Campbell – Hausfeld or Ingersoll-Rand. These will have around six hp and a storage tank of fifty gallons or more. If you are a hobbyist woodworker, who is searching for a nailer or stapler, one of the small cartable 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 will need. But this isn’t the end either, because you need to look CLOSELY at the air tools you are considering as the same tool can alter seriously in the amount of compressed air it will consume. That is’s enormously important, and it implies the difference between getting 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 research you must make that hard call, but what ever you do, make certain you ensure you get a workable compressor for your choice of tools.
Next, get to know what more you can discover about 12 Volt Air Compressor that you can find at the Discover Air Compressors site.