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A Guide To Choosing The Correct Air Compressor For The Job

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You know you need an efficient and compatible air compressor for your task, but you may not be sure how to choose the right one. Well, the following guide will help you understand some basic differences between air compressors and help you choose the right one for the job.

Types Of Compressors

There are 2 compressor stages that you can choose from, which are stage 1 and 2.

Stage 1

The air is compressed with one piston stroke with stage 1 compressors, which allow them to reach pressures as high as 150psi. You may also get a higher CFM number with stage 1 compressors.

Stage 2

Stage 2 compressors use a two-step compressing system, which allows the air to cool between pistols. This is important because these types of compressors can reach pressures up to 200psi.

Understanding Your CFM Needs

The next thing you should understand is CFM values and how they relate to the air compressor that your are thinking of obtaining. CFM stands for cubic feet per minute, which is the number that tells you how much power your tool needs for your compressor to function correctly. 

You need to know how many tools you are going to need at a time, so that you can add their individual CFM number requirement and ensure that your compressor can meet that number. For example, the average CFM number for a air-powered brad nail gun is 2 CFM, just to name one.

You should check the other tools that you will use, and add the CFM numbers together. This will give you the total CFM value to make it easier to choose the correct compressor for your needs.

Portable Or Stationary Compressor?

The last thing you want to consider is if your air compressor will be near a power outlet. There really is just one other option if you are not going to be near an electrical outlet at all times and that is a gasoline-powered air compressor. You might want to invest in a gasoline-powered compressor if you are not sure what you will need, to give yourself more flexibility should you ever need it. 

Hopefully this guide will help make it easier to choose the right air compressor. Do not hesitate to ask your air compressor specialist any other questions that you may have regarding the compressor you are considering; he or she will be able to further assist you.

Why not find out more about air compressors here?


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