Did you know that Air Compressors are great for Ho…

An air compressor is actually an essential tool in the arsenal of any hobbyist or crafts person. A compressor saves you time because compressed air tools have the power to perform tasks such as spraying, nailing, hammering and sanding in a fraction of the time required by manual work.

Air compressors are the far more efficient, and less strenuous option for completing do-it-yourself projects. Most importantly, it gives your projects the professional finish it needs for aesthetic value and functionality.

In everything from painting and sewing to crafts and woodworking, many people are using air compressors for personal hobbies and for business ventures in crafting.

Air compressors can be used on many arts and crafts projects such as:

• Airbrushing
• Ceramics
• Engraving
• Glue guns
• Sewing machines
• Stapling/nailing/framing/riveting
• University research projects

Selecting Your Air Compressor

Now that we have established the benefits of using compressed air in your craft, the question is, “What type of air compressor should I buy?” To narrow it down, you need to consider two factors:

1.The environment in which you will be operating the compressor, and

2.The amount of power required to complete your projects

The environment is important for a number of reasons, safety being one. As a general safety rule, electrical compressors should be used indoors where conditions are free of moisture. Gas-powered compressors should only be used outdoors where it can be properly ventilated. Gas powered compressors are handy because they will work in practically any setting as they don’t require an outlet. However, a gas engine does add weight, so they are not the best light-weight option. Electric powered compressors, on the other hand, are super light-weight, but limited in range. That’s why it is important to consider your environment when choosing an air compressor.

It is also important to determine the amount of power required to complete your projects so that in choosing your air compressor, you can be certain it has enough strength and capacity to get the job done. In order to determine the amount of power necessary for your line of work, you’ll need to verify the necessary air flow (CFM) and choose the most appropriate tank size (PSI) — These two measurements decide the efficiency of a compressor in various settings. A surefire way to avoid being underpowered is to choose a compressor that offers at least 1.25 to 2.5 CFM higher than what a given tool requires.

Helpful Terms to Know

• PSI—PSI is a unit of pressure expressed in pounds of force per square inch of area. It stands for Pounds per Square Inch. Each type of air compressed tool requires its own rating. For example, a spray gun usually needs 50 PSI, while a nailer often requires 90 PSI. Single-stage compressors can normally handle a combined 135 PSI, which will suffice for most garage-scale operations.
• CFM—CFM stands for Cubic Feet per Minute. When choosing a compressor, the most critical factor to note is its CFM rating, because that will determine the number of tools that you’ll be able to operate at one time, as well as the overall power capacity. Each tool that you connect to a compressor will have its own CFM needs, so it’s best to choose a unit with maximum CFM. This will ensure that your compressor properly runs the full array of tools in your supply. Tools that demand the highest CFM include grinders, sanders and other pieces of equipment that often run continuously. Tools that are only used intermittently, such as glue guns, tend to require lower CFM ratings.
• Horsepower—An air compressor’s power measurement is known as its horsepower (HP). In a compressor, this would apply to the motor. Depending on the size or design of a compressor, it could boast anywhere from 1.5 to 500 HP. Compressors with high HP tend to be more flexible and generate higher CFM/HP.
• SCFM—This stands for “Standard Cubic Feet per Minute,” which means CFM on the extremely rare machines that have nothing but standard conditions. Though this term rarely applies to air compressors anymore, it’s worth knowing about should you ever encounter this acronym.

Our Recommendation

For most of these projects we would recommend one of our Panther Silent Mini Air Compressors, or one of our Panther Oil-Free Mini Air Compressors. Both types of compressors offer outstanding performance and value for those who demand the most quiet, dependable, clean air systems. Oh, by the way, they can also be a big help in inflating balls, air mattresses or beach toys!

Trust the Experts

At AVP, we know a thing or two about air compressors. Call us for an expert recommendation at (281) 866-9700 or check out our store at shop.airvacuumprocess.com.