Quality Matters: How to Decide between the Variety of Air Compressors Available
Any handyman knows the importance of a good quality air compressor for projects around the home, but choosing the right air compressor for your needs can be a tricky and expensive task. Air compressors aren't cheap, and you should evaluate your home improvement needs before making a substantial investment in one.
Your first step is to evaluate the horsepower and tank size that you will need for your compressor to have. Horsepower can be as high as 5 or greater, and some tanks hold as much as 80 gallons of air. If you are only doing simple home improvement projects, then an air compressor with a horsepower of 2 and a 20 gallon tank should be sufficient. If you plan to work with specific tools or do a specific project, you simply need to be aware of the pressure per square inch (PSI) and the volume of air required, which is communicated in cubic feet per minute (CFM), and match these requirements with a suitable air compressor.
In addition to suitability, safety is an important issue when you buy your first air compressor. The safest air compressors are typically certified by the ASME, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and bare an ASME label on the tank. When debating with yourself about how important ASME certification is, consider that some states won't even allow uncertified compressors to be sold. When working with pressurized air, safe is better than sorry, even if it takes a little more money from your wallet.
Wonder why ASME certifies some air compressors and not others? Certain features on an air compressor indicate quality. A safety relief valve, for example, reduces air pressure if it builds to unsafe level. Safety valves should be inspected regularly for blockage or corrosion. In addition, a gauge that indicates and regulates air pressure will insure quality results for your home improvement projects, and a sight glass that allows you to view the oil level will help you keep your air compressor in working order. If the motor begins to overheat or becomes overloaded, it should shut itself off, and an air filter should be on the side of the compressor in order to keep the compressor clean. Finally, a belt guard and a hose rack are necessary protective mechanisms. In the end, if all else fails, a phone number that you can dial for assistance is an indispensable tool and a measure of the manufacturer's investment in his product.