Air compressors come in various shapes and sizes. They range from 12-volt miniature batteries (used to inflate car tires) as part of emergency start packages to large rotary pumps used in industrial systems.
To distinguish the functions of these different machines and help you determine the right size for routine car maintenance, there are two important specifications to pay attention to.
The first is PSI. PSI is pounds per square inch, which is the force required to take action. Most tools require at least 90 PSI.
The second is SCFM or standard cubic feet per minute. This is the amount of air that is flowing.
For tools such as pneumatic wrenches that need to run in a short period of time, SCFM is less important, and PSI is more important. In general, it is easier to find a cheap air wrench to operate the air wrench than to find a paint spray gun.
However, for highly fluid tools (such as die grinders, sandblasters, and paint sprayers), you need more airflow (or SCFM) but lower pressure (PSI).
Horsepower is also worth mentioning. When shopping, you will see many tools categorized by horsepower. However, the horsepower rating only tells you how big the motor that drives the compressor. Generally, it is best to use PSI and SCFM as the main unit of comparison when shopping.
What size air compressor do you need?
Now that we have covered the main definitions, the answer to choosing the right compressor size is easy: check the specifications of the tool and find the compressor that matches it.
For impact wrenches or ratchets (the two tool types you will probably use most), you will need about 90 PSI and 4 SCFM ratings.
The Pancake Air Compressor is one of the popular models that contractors use in their homes. However, the nail gun only needs 2-3 SCFM and 90 PSI. These ratings make the pancake compressor's hair too small to be used reliably in stores, especially if you are trying to rebuild the hood.
For your home car store, the best option is to shop in the 20 to 30 gallon range. Not only do they have the power they need, they also retain air that allows you to perform larger tasks, such as running a die grinder or a cutting tool.
You can also use it for painting small projects, such as a quarter panel or a new hood. (The 20-gallon fuel tank will not fill the entire car without hours of practice, as you will need to drain the oil often to prevent it from entering the system. These long waits make it harder to smooth. Finish. If paint is an important task for you, it's worth buying a 60-gallon tank.)
Is your circuit strong enough?
The last thing to consider is whether your shop wiring can support the compressor.
Most 60 gallon compressors require 220 volt wiring. Before you splurge on such a large device, you may need to call an electrician to see how much it costs to run a new outlet for it.
Even a 30-gallon compressor can consume 15-20 amps. Most circuits allow a current of 20 amps or less, which means that if the compressor and beer refrigerator are in the same circuit, it may cause the circuit breaker to trip.
Circuitry is not an issue that you cannot solve, but it requires attention. You might end up putting the compressor in the back corner of the store so you can put it on a separate circuit and then use a longer air hose.
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