To help you choose the best air compressor for your home garage, we have put together this short air compressor buying guide. The type of air tools you typically use is a main factor influencing the size of air compressor you need for your home garage. It’s a wise move to involve your air compressor and air-tool accessory supplier when you’re shopping for the right compressor for your home garage.
Air compressors come in many sizes, but the size doesn’t determine whether an air compressor is powerful enough for your air tools. There are large air compressors with low air output, and there are compact air compressors with high air output. If you need 45 CFM of compressor air and you’re deciding between a 40 CFM air compressor and a 60 CFM air compressor, the 40 CFM air compressor with an additional air receiver tank may be the most cost-effective option.
To determine what CFM you’ll need, look at your tool’s CFM requirements, then multiply by 1.5 to determine what capacity you need from your air compressor. An air compressor of this size is great for general home use and smaller-sized air tools. We’ve given you an ideal air compressor size for each of the three common air tools below.
Since most airguns and PCP gun chambers are not that large, air volume and CFM is not the issue here, but you will need a high pressure air compressor to load up your airguns – your typical 150 PSI portable air compressor will simply not cut it without a special valve that lets you gradually build up pressure in the chamber. For automotive air tools, you will need to add up the total of your tools’ CFM air requirements, and most workshop garages will need a 70 CFM air compressor to accommodate a fairly complete set of automotive air tools. Air fed masks require an air source that can put out 6 to 15 CFM, and a pressure of around 65 to 100 PSI. You will also need the proper air filters to ensure the quality of the air going into the air fed masks as well.
To establish the smallest air compressor you can use with your air tools, you’ll need to review the CFM and working pressure requirements of each air tool – then specify your compressor size to suit the CFM and working pressure of the air tool with the highest CFM demand whilst keeping within your compressor duty cycle. The CFM rating of your impact wrench will typically depict what size air compressor you need as almost all compressors are capable of providing 90 PSI. For a small impact wrench which only requires between 3-5 CFM, you could purchase an air compressor that is rated 5+ CFM and potentially be able to provide these tools with continuous use if the compressor has a 100% duty cycle. Stucco sprayers will typically require around 25 PSI of pressure and an air volume of between 5-7 CFM. If your compressor air tank is big enough to have enough air reserve to keep supplying the stucco gun while the compressor is working to keep up with the compressed air demand, you’ll be fine.
Sizing an air compressor is based on airflow, known as Cubic Feet Per Minute, and Pounds Per Square Inch or PSI. Pneumatic tools require a supply of compressed air, and the efficiency of your compressor is measured in these two elements rather than horsepower. The size of the project is crucial when determining the size of the air compressor you need. Some projects require brute force, and if you buy an air compressor that consistently underperforms, it could result in you purchasing a more powerful and more expensive compressor.
what size air compressor do i have Related Question:
How do I know my compressor size?
The general formula used to calculate this is expressed as compressor time on/ (time on + time off) = Duty Cycle percentage. For example, if a compressor is said to use a 100% duty cycle, that would mean that the compressor provides 25 CFM and 125 PSI for 100% of the time it is in use.
What size air compressor do I need for my garage?
For your home garage, a compressor size in the 2.6-gallon to 20-gallon range should do nicely. Sizing your compressor really depends on the type and number of air tools you intend to use.
What is a good size air compressor for home use?
For best results, use a compressor with a capacity of 5-6 CFM. Because you’ll be spraying nearly constantly, a larger, 10-gallon tank will keep you from waiting for the compressor to refill every few minutes.
Why do air compressors have 2 gauges?
The purpose of the two gauges is to differentiate the regulation of air pressure sent to the tank from the pressurization intensity that occurs inside the tank. If the pressure reading on the left gauge is weak, the compressor will not be able to pressurize the air to a sufficient level for your end-point applications.
What are the 2 gauges on an air compressor?
One of them is the pressure gauge to indicate the air pressure in the tank. The other pressure gauge is the pressure gauge that indicates the pressure setting at the regulator. This pressure is the amount of pressure received by the air tool.
What does 12 CFM mean?
CFM stands for cubic feet per minute. This is the air flow or air volume that a compressor can supply – or its output. Many pneumatic power tools require a CFM of about 5, but it really varies.
What do the numbers mean on a compressor?
The higher the number, the more work the air compressor can do to deliver a greater PSI and ACFM. Brake Horsepower —Horsepower delivered to the output shaft of a motor or engine, or the horsepower required at the compressor shaft to perform work.
What do the numbers on a Copeland compressor mean?
Copeland Scroll refrigeration compressors (such as ZBxxKA-PFV) are designated by a “Z” in the first position of the model number. The second position determines the application range (B = high/medium temperature, S = medium temperature, F = low temperature).
How can I tell the tonnage of my Copeland compressor?
Divide the number listed by 12,000. This will tell you how many tons your HVAC compressor is. For example, if the BTU number listed is 36,000, divide it by 12,000 and you’ll see that you have a 3 ton unit.
Does tank size matter air compressor?
Tank size matters—sometimes The compressors we chose have tanks ranging from 1 to 6 gallons. A larger tank holds more air and will allow you to use more air before the pressure drops and the motor kicks on to refill the tank. That might let you avoid stopping work while the compressor refills the tank.
What size air compressor do I need to run a DA sander?
Great for metal and woodwork, dual sanders require 11 to 13 cfm at 90 psi.
How big of an air compressor do I need to run an impact wrench?
The average size air compressor you need is a 4-5 CFM @90 PSI for a ½” impact wrench. For instance, an impact wrench with a 1″ drive will need a 10 CFM @90 PSI, a ½” drive will need a 4 CFM @90 PSI, and ⅜” will need a 3 CFM @90 PSI.
What size air compressor do I need to paint?
Look for a minimum of 15 psi, with some applications, such as clear coat, better-suited to 20 or 25 psi. Horsepower: For auto painting, a 10hp compressor will typically suffice. However, higher horsepower compressors may operate more efficiently, and can be used for other tasks.
Is a 6 gallon air compressor enough?
Air Compressor Tank Size Tools that require only quick bursts of air, like pneumatic brad nail guns and finish nail guns, drain the air tank much more slowly. For these tasks, 2- to 6-gallon tanks are sufficient.
