How to Choose an Air Compressor for a Shop
Shop owners understand that air compressors power many common tools. They inflate tires quickly and easily, and they power such devices as sanders, nailers and polishers. Air compressors come in a wide variety of models, so it's important that shop owners know how to select the best compressor for their individual needs. Fortunately, if you follow a few simple guidelines, you will find the air compressor that's right for you. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Instructions
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Determine how many cubic feet per minute, or CFM, you require. For home use, air nailers or grease guns rarely require more than 5 CFM. Businesses, however, require greater capacity. For instance, an auto-body shop that uses spray painters or polishers might require compressors capable of 10 CFM or more. Dual sanders require at least 11 CFM.
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Make sure the air compressor fits your budget. Smaller air compressors cost less than $100. Higher-end air compressors cost between $600 and $1,200.
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Check customer ratings and warranty information. Customer ratings provide buyers with a good idea of previous customer satisfaction. Warranties vary widely. For instance, some air compressors have warranties spanning only 90 days. Others have warranties of up to one year.
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Review the operating horsepower. Operating horsepower indicates the amount of power the motor provides during operation. Do not mistake operating horsepower with peak horsepower. Peak horsepower indicates the maximum amount of horsepower the air compressor provides during start-up. For home use, look for operating horsepower of at least one-half. For business use, look for horsepower of at least 2.
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Determine if you need an electric- or gasoline-powered air compressor. Gasoline-powered air compressors are more mobile, but they require adequate ventilation. If you require an electric-powered air compressor, make sure you get the right plug-in because air compressors can have either 110-volt or 220-volt plug-ins.
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Tips & Warnings
Compare prices. Because air compressors can be pricey, even a 10 percent discount might save you $10 to $50.
