Air is crucial not only for weather changes and for our very own existence, but also for tools that help us save a lot of time and effort. However, to make use of air tools, one must use either a fixed or portable air compressor system. Air compressors are made to be used with different types of power and hand tools as long as you get the specs right. Not every tool or piece of equipment is made the same, thus, it doesn’t have the same features or requirements.
Features to Consider
FAD
All air compressors have a certain FAD or free air delivery rating, which affects the amount of CFM or cubic feet per minute they can deliver. FAD refers to the volume of air delivered to the outlet side under specific conditions. The higher the FAD of your new air compressor, the more air it can deliver continuously.
Power Supply
The power supply of air compressors in Canada can be 240V or 120V, however, you can get a compressor that can combine both types so you can use it for different projects. Keep in mind, though, that with this type of unit you should also expect to pay more, as the versatility it offers is unlike any other model.
PSI
The working pressure of a compressor is expressed in PSI or pounds per square inch. The higher the pressure, the quicker the air gets through the system, thus you can use more powerful tools. Usually, most compressors are 115 PSI and anything higher than that makes them heavy-duty, shop-grade units. Anything with less PSI makes for a straightforward, DIY-friendly piece of equipment.
Capacity & Flow Rate
The capacity at which the compressor can deliver the maximum amount of free air at a certain RPM (revolutions per minute) is equally as important as its flow rate. The latter is the volume of air being delivered per unit of time. The two are fundamental when it comes to funding a compressor that can be used with certain tools, as they need to match the requirements of your air tools.
Oil-Lube vs Oil-Free
You can get an air compressor that either uses oil or doesn’t when it comes to its operation.
Oil-lube compressors are the more traditional choice as they require regular oil changes to keep everything running smoothly and for a long time.
Oil-free compressors, on the other hand, make use of polymer rings, which do the job of oil, without the maintenance, resulting in a cleaner setup. This also means oil-free compressors don’t last as long as oil is still king for longevity. However, they are a lot simpler and easier to use.
HP
The more powerful the compressor, the higher its FAD and flow rate and the more powerful the tools you can use with it. Usually, compressors with a lower PSI rating have smaller motors and thus produce less power because of it, however, there are some portable units that can pack a punch, so don’t be fooled by their size. Keep in mind that the PSI and CFM should correspond to the amount of HP the compressor makes.
DBA
Compressors produce noise and the amount they produce is measured in dBA or weighted decibels. However, if you work near a compressor for an extended period, you should consider getting a low-noise compressor that produces less than 70 dBA.
Direct vs Belt Drive
When it comes to the way the motor moves all the components in a compressor, you can get a direct drive or a belt drive compressor.
A direct drive air compressor for sale works by having the motor connected directly to the pump. This means fewer parts and better efficiency alongside less maintenance and usually a longer lifespan.
Belt drive air compressors in Canada are known for their quiet operation and are more versatile since they operate on belts to drive the pump. This makes them usable with different tools but requires more maintenance.
Types of Air Compressors
Pancake
With a pancake compressor, you get an air tank capacity between 4 and 6 gallons and usually an output of 2.6 SCFM at 90PSI. These compressors are lightweight and affordable, with many of them being oil-free. However, pancake compressors are noisy and only usable for light-duty tasks like inflating tires, stapling and using a nailer.
Wheelbarrow
A wheelbarrow air compressor for sale is a gas-powered model that can be used in off-grid applications where heavy-duty tools and equipment are needed. That’s because it offers anywhere between 9 and 15 or more CFM. Wheelbarrow models are rather heavy, loud and require quite a bit of maintenance.
Long Cylinder
Also known as hot-dog, long cylinder compressors have a tank capacity between 1 and 8 gallons, making them portable as long as they have wheels. However, long cylinder compressors have low CFM and thus aren’t that versatile.
Twin-Stack
With twin-stack compressors, you get an output of around 4 or 5 CFM at 90PSI, however, they are more durable than pancake compressors since they are oil-lubed. They are also much heavier and louder, but are better at handling continuous use.
Stationary
A stationary or vertical compressor gives you a CFM between 11 and 15 and a 60 to 80-gallon tank. Since there are two-stage stationary compressors, you can use them in any fabrication, woodworking or auto shop with ease. But, since they are heavy and power hungry, they are not common for DIY projects.
