Air Compressors - One Size Does not Fit All

Air compressors have been in use around our homes, on job sites, and in our factories and manufacturing businesses for many decades. Air compressors allow us to get jobs done in a safe, clean and efficient manner. They are reliable, convenient, and in many applications, indispensable.

There are many types of air compressors ranging in type and function from those used for simple tasks around the house, all the way up to those used in more industrial applications where the job just wouldn’t get done without it. If you’ve ever tried to blow up one of those inflatable mattresses (you know, the kind you set up when your long lost uncle comes for a visit) without some sort of air compressor you know what a monumental task that can be. Even just a simple battery powered model saves tons of effort and lots of time. These simple little air compressors are ideal for filling toys, sporting goods, and other things that don’t require a lot of pressure. Not only that, air compressors are also ideal for operating small air tools like staplers and nailers.

If you have a bigger job to do then you have to consider which one of the air compressor to use. Last summer I had the absolute pleasure of operating a power washer to clean twenty years of dirt off of a brick facade on a house. What a kick! I couldn’t believe how powerful air compressors can be. The guy at the rental counter told me to be careful with it so that I didn’t do any damage. Boy was he right. If I lingered to long on the brick it would literally blast it away. Without the power of the compressed air behind the water I would have just been spraying water from a nozzle and not made near as much progress as I did; or had near as much fun!

If you enjoy woodworking, auto-body work, or other hobbies or tasks where you have the option of using air-powered tools then you need something that can move the right amount of air. Since air compressors vary by how much air flow they produce, you need to choose one that will do the job. Let’s face it, a sandblaster just isn’t going to operate properly with a small battery powered model. Most power tools require 90 PSI to work right. The main thing to look for when considering air compressors is to get one that has plenty of air flow for the tool and job at hand. The air flow is measured in cubic feet per minute (cfm). If your application needs more power then you need more cfm. Pretty simple stuff. But you may wonder, “how do I know?”

An air tool will give you the required or suggested cfm it needs. Generally speaking, air compressors for small tools like nailers need to move 1-4 cubic feet per minute, while tools like spray guns or impact wrenches need 2-5 cfm. Sandblasters and sanders will usually require from 6-13 cfm. Obviously, professional grade tools may require a higher cfm.