Difference between revisions of "Choose an Air Compressor"
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#* If the portable air compressor is for airbrushing, for example, a {{convert|5|L|USgal|sp=us|adj=on|1}} tank capacity and around 30 psi of sustained air pressure would be adequate. | #* If the portable air compressor is for airbrushing, for example, a {{convert|5|L|USgal|sp=us|adj=on|1}} tank capacity and around 30 psi of sustained air pressure would be adequate. | ||
#Choose between piston-type and portable compressors. Essentially, there are two different kinds of air compressors. Piston-type compressors rely on a motor which builds up air pressure when it gets depleted. These store compressed air in tanks. Portable compressors do not have tanks, and so much stay running continuously in order to deliver air. | #Choose between piston-type and portable compressors. Essentially, there are two different kinds of air compressors. Piston-type compressors rely on a motor which builds up air pressure when it gets depleted. These store compressed air in tanks. Portable compressors do not have tanks, and so much stay running continuously in order to deliver air. | ||
| − | #*Piston-type compressors come in two varieties. The single-stage compressors use only one piston to compress air and top out at about 150 psi.<ref>http://www.lowes.com/cd_Air+Compressor+Buying+Guide_875650869_</ref> Two-stage compressors use two pistons to deliver near continuous air pressure, and top out at around 200 psi.<ref>http://www.jennyproductsinc.com/howtochoose.html</ref> | + | #*Piston-type compressors come in two varieties. The single-stage compressors use only one piston to compress air and top out at about 150 psi.<ref name="rf1">http://www.lowes.com/cd_Air+Compressor+Buying+Guide_875650869_</ref> Two-stage compressors use two pistons to deliver near continuous air pressure, and top out at around 200 psi.<ref name="rf2">http://www.jennyproductsinc.com/howtochoose.html</ref> |
#*Single-stage compressors are adequate for more heavy-duty applications at home. Two-stage compressors are more often used in industrial settings where owners expect near continuous usage. | #*Single-stage compressors are adequate for more heavy-duty applications at home. Two-stage compressors are more often used in industrial settings where owners expect near continuous usage. | ||
#*Portable air compressors are more viable for light home use. Powering caulk guns, spray guns, glue guns, as well as for inflating small tires and rafts. | #*Portable air compressors are more viable for light home use. Powering caulk guns, spray guns, glue guns, as well as for inflating small tires and rafts. | ||
=== Making Specific Determinations=== | === Making Specific Determinations=== | ||
| − | # Look at the horsepower (HP) of the air compressor. A common range for horsepower on an air compressor is between 1.5 and 6.5 HP. Air compressors with larger HP capacity exist, but are usually reserved for industrial uses and offer far greater psi.<ref | + | # Look at the horsepower (HP) of the air compressor. A common range for horsepower on an air compressor is between 1.5 and 6.5 HP. Air compressors with larger HP capacity exist, but are usually reserved for industrial uses and offer far greater psi.<ref name="rf2" /> Small-scale uses won't require as much horsepower as industrial uses. |
#*While horsepower is a valuable marker in determining your air compressor, it shouldn't be the only one. More valuable will be a CFM rating, or Cubic Feet per Minute, if you can find one. Read more below for a detailed discussion of CFM. | #*While horsepower is a valuable marker in determining your air compressor, it shouldn't be the only one. More valuable will be a CFM rating, or Cubic Feet per Minute, if you can find one. Read more below for a detailed discussion of CFM. | ||
#Try to look at Cubic Feet per Minute, or CFM. CFM is a measure of volumetric flow. Easy enough, right? The difficult part is that CFM changes depending on the psi of the compressor, meaning that two tools with different psi won't necessarily have CFMs that you can simply add together, which is what you want to be able to do. This is where things get tricky. Let's try to keep it simple: | #Try to look at Cubic Feet per Minute, or CFM. CFM is a measure of volumetric flow. Easy enough, right? The difficult part is that CFM changes depending on the psi of the compressor, meaning that two tools with different psi won't necessarily have CFMs that you can simply add together, which is what you want to be able to do. This is where things get tricky. Let's try to keep it simple: | ||
| − | #*Look for or ask about Standard CFM (SCFM) when evaluating compressors. Standard CFM is measured as 14.5 PSIA, at {{convert|68|F}}, with 0% relative humidity.<ref>http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/scfm-acfm-icfm-d_1012.html</ref> (If you choose not to use SCFM, be sure to use CFM numbers that are all pegged at the same psi.) | + | #*Look for or ask about Standard CFM (SCFM) when evaluating compressors. Standard CFM is measured as 14.5 PSIA, at {{convert|68|F}}, with 0% relative humidity.<ref name="rf3">http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/scfm-acfm-icfm-d_1012.html</ref> (If you choose not to use SCFM, be sure to use CFM numbers that are all pegged at the same psi.) |
#*When you've got the SCFM of all your air tools that you'll be using simultaneously, add up their SCFMs, then add 30% to that as a safety buffer. This should give you the maximum required CFM usage you'll need to complete the job. When choosing an air compressor, you want to get close to this number so that you don't waste time with a too-small unit or waste money on a too-large one. | #*When you've got the SCFM of all your air tools that you'll be using simultaneously, add up their SCFMs, then add 30% to that as a safety buffer. This should give you the maximum required CFM usage you'll need to complete the job. When choosing an air compressor, you want to get close to this number so that you don't waste time with a too-small unit or waste money on a too-large one. | ||
#*Say, for example, that you're using a grease gun (~4 CFM @ 90 psi), framing nailer (~2 CFM @ 90 psi), and dual sander (~11 CFM @ 90 psi) at approximately the same time. Add all the CFMs to get 17 CFM @ 90 psi as your max required CFM. | #*Say, for example, that you're using a grease gun (~4 CFM @ 90 psi), framing nailer (~2 CFM @ 90 psi), and dual sander (~11 CFM @ 90 psi) at approximately the same time. Add all the CFMs to get 17 CFM @ 90 psi as your max required CFM. | ||
