Factors to consider when shopping for air compressors
Air compressors come in various sizes, shapes, and models. This is an excellent guideline to take you through the process of purchasing the right, efficient, durable, and pocket-friendly air compressor.
While the industry strives to maintain the same work performance, air compressor manufacturers make constant model changes through enhancing better futures and quality.
Now you are ready for the purchase, right? Let us go step by step to ensure that you buy the best air compressor.
- The first consideration you should make is identifying the purpose you need to fulfill.
- Another aspect you should consider is your budget limits.
- The place where you want to keep your air compressor is also an essential consideration.
- The size and weight of the air compressor are essential if it’s for a home garage.
The aspect mentioned above may not readily come to your attention. Now take a breath and consider them before committing your hard-earned money to purchase an air compressor.
Consider piston air compressors.
Piston air compressors are the most sought after. Their force of pushing the air into the tank when retracting enables them to create a vacuum to suck in the surrounding air into the tank.
Their pistons are driven by the internal crankshaft, which causes friction sometimes hence running hot and can sometimes create a lot of noise, unlike air compressors. In response to this challenge, there is a newer technology to prevent piston-type compressors from running hot so that it can operate without making noise. For those who have a lot of work for their compressors, it is advisable to consider dual-piston and oil-free air compressors.
The most important aspect one must consider in every process of purchasing an air compressor is the quality. There must be an assurance or guarantee that it is capable of serving its purpose as expected and within a reasonable duration before it starts attracting mechanical attention. On the other hand, it is also of great importance to understand the functional mechanism of the air compressor and its technology.
The cost evaluation makes it easy to determine the importance of a specific type of air compressor to have for your needs. It is essential to inquire about how its consumption pattern works. You must be sure if it is designed to suit your needs to void the additional cost of buying other accessories for its functionality. The level of its efficiency also factors in the price because it another indicator of good quality. Sometimes things may fall apart, forcing you to end up incurring extra cost as a result of efficiency deficits.
Horsepower is the crucial factor that will let you know you are on the safe side as far as the workload you have is concerned. When having an air compressor of higher horsepower, you are sure of experiencing higher air pressure. This means the tank will receive enough air hence releasing high pressure. Buy what you need rather than what you can afford. Be sure of the capacity to avoid inconvenience. This is often the most useful factor to consider anytime you think of purchasing an air compressor.
The tools powered by the components that draw mechanically squeezed air to enable their useable force is the aspect that makes the duty cycle complete. This air pressure is measured in squire inch. As is always the norm in most of the pressure machines, the PSI varies from 30 PSI, 90 PSI, and 130 PSI and above, which is quite enough for an air compressor. The second phase runs up to 175 PSI: this is known as the dual-stage, which is only applicable in heavy-duty air compressors. This is a mechanical concept that has increasingly evolved in the industry to stay in line with the changing demands.
- Variable Speed Drive (VSD)
This control system allows you to regulate the speed of your choice as per the demand. The workload determines the amount of air you adjust, and by doing so, you also prolong the durability of the air compressor. To maintain the speed and voltage required is quite helpful in keeping the stability of the air compressor, thanks to the new technology. The VSD is mostly equipped with an oil-free screw to use for adjusting motor-driven speed as per your requirements.
All air compressor storage tanks are rated in gallons. Larger tanks keep airflow by storing compressed air. Unlike smaller tanks, they are designed for big tasks. Smaller tanks with a capacity of between 4 and 6 gallons remain sufficient to take on many jobs like operating nail guns, airbrushes, and many more. Air compressors do not necessarily require extra-large tanks, as long as the motor and pump are big enough. In this case, you will rarely run out of air.
- Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM)
This is the description of the air volume that is released from the compressor at a specific PSI level. The amount of air produced by the compressor to keep the air tools fully operational is the core of the entire working force of air compressors. This volume of air is measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM). The cubic feet per minute ratings are different depending on your choice, model, and manufacturer.