A Buyer’s Guide To Choosing The Right Air Compressor
Whether you’re an avid DIYer or a professional contractor, having the right air compressor in tow is a vital part of ensuring that the job gets done right. If you’re just starting your buyer’s journey, it’s important to understand the differences between gas and electric air compressors.
In this official guide from American Spray Technologies, we’ll walk you through the behaviors, benefits, and drawbacks of air compressor types, so you can make the right choice on your final purchase.
For more information on spray rig equipment and its supplementary components, from air compressors to piston pumps and beyond, be sure to visit our blog for dozens more helpful resources, informative articles, and buyer’s guides. When you’re ready to purchase, simply go to our website to select from our standard inventory, or to build a customized spray rig of your own!
Air Compressor Basics
Air compressors are one of the most versatile and useful tools for personal and professional use. They supply either stationary or portable power for tasks like drywall texturing, paint spraying, and application of countless materials and solutions. The kind of air compressor you choose will depend on your intended use for the machine, as well as your personal preferences and labor requirements.
Gas versus Electric Air Compressors
Air compressors come in two main varieties of design and power source: gas and electric. Gas-powered air compressors work with natural fuels like diesel to offer a portable, cordless source of energy to the machine, whereas electric compressors are typically plugged into an outlet during operation and are better equipped for small-scale jobs that do not require extensive mobility.
For these reasons, you’ll typically find that gas-powered air compressors are used on professional and industrial sites. On the other hand, electric air compressors steal the show in independent contracting work and personal projects. Of course, individuals and companies commonly possess both kinds of air compressors to allow them the flexibility to accommodate a wider spectrum of tasks.
Assessing Air Flow
Beyond the power source of your air compressor, you’ll need to consider its air flow capabilities and whether these are suitable for your intended applications. Air compressor flow capacity is generally measured in terms of PSI (pounds per square inch) or CFM (cubic feet per minute). You want to consider choosing an air compressor with at least 1.25 to 1.5 times the airflow requirements of whatever air tool you’re using, whether it’s a drywall texture sprayer, a paint hose, a nail gun or a different specialized attachment.
Why choose an air flow capacity above the required output? It’s better to have too much power than too little! Selecting an air compressor whose CFM or PSI only meets, but does not exceed, your air tool specifications increases the likelihood of the engine motor becoming overtaxed and experiencing a power failure. By working with a compressor whose air flow maxes out well above your task’s work requirements, you’ll ensure that you have sustained power throughout the job without risk (or hassle) of a frustrating malfunction.
Take Tank Size Into Consideration
So far we’ve covered the types of air compressors (electric and gas) and the importance of air flow specs, but the tank size of your machine is another important factor to take into account before purchasing your part. Whether you have a portable or a stationary air compressor usually determines the size options for your tank.
Portable compressors (these are usually the gas-powered models) understandably have smaller tank capacities, as they need to remain lightweight so as not to exhaust the person using them and to minimize the square footage they take up. Portable air compressor tanks are therefore ideal for personal or small-scale commercial use.
Stationary compressors afford much more storage space than their portable counterparts, with some models accommodating as many as 120 gallons! If you’re preparing for a major project that requires industrial-grade strength, a stationary tank is likely the best option for you.
Look At Location
Ultimately, the choice between a gas or electric air compressor, as well as the air flow and tank size specifications of each will boil down to the environment in which you plan to use it. If you know that the site you’ll be using your air compressor does not have easy access to a power source, then portable or gas-powered is obviously the best option. Stationary air compressors will conversely be best suited for long-term or large-scale tasks that can accommodate more strenuous power requirements and electricity consumption.
Buy From A Trusted Manufacturer
When you’ve assessed all the criteria mentioned above, you’re ready to make the purchase and get the air compressor that’s optimized for your personal and professional needs. Make sure you buy only from a trusted manufacturer with industry expertise, like American Spray Technologies. For more than 50 years, we’ve been serving contractors and DIYers alike with top-of-the-line equipment for spray rigs, texture sprayers, air compressors, and so much more. We wouldn’t still be doing what we do today if our products weren’t reliable, so you can rest assured that when you partner with AST for your air compressor — or any of our machines or parts — you’re getting a quality model that will stand up to any and all tasks.
To explore all of our options for air compressors and to see how you can customize your own rig, please visit our website at SprayRig.com or contact us directly today!