How to Buy an Air Compressor

If you're in the market for an air compressor, you may have already realized the options available to you are numerous and you most likely are feeling a little overwhelmed. With so many makes and models, various horse powers and tank sizes, choosing the right unit to suit your needs and price point can be challenging to say the least. This article will cover some of the key considerations when purchasing and outline specifically how to buy an air compressor that will power your tools without breaking your bank.

New VS Used

One of the first things to consider when shopping for a compressor is your budget. How much can you realistically spend? If sky's the limit, you may want to purchase a brand new out-of-the-box machine. By doing so you are certain of the compressor's history (there is none yet so you know no damage has occurred before you) and will usually be given a warranty which will give you peace of mind.

If you're on a tight budget you may want to consider buying a used air compressor. Many people sell their machines, not because anything is wrong with it, but because they require a unit that offers more power. Purchasing used means you can generally get a machine that will give you the power you require at a fraction of the cost. You won't get a warranty, but the money you save up front can go toward any necessary repair should your compressor require it.

Portable VS Stationary

The next thing to consider is your exact application and whether you require the unit to be portable or stationary. If you will mainly be using the air compressor at home for DIY projects, say, then you most likely would want a smaller more portable machine. If this will be used at your place of business, such as an auto body shop or factory where more than one person will need to use the compressor at the same time, powering multiple tools, then you would definitely require a larger unit that can supply a continuous supply of compressed air. These units tend to be stationary in nature and are usually bolted directly into the floor.

Define Your cfm Requirements

An air compressor is only as good as the power it can supply your tools. For this reason, one of the most important things you need to consider when shopping for one is how much power do your tools require? Every pneumatic tool comes with a cfm (cubic feet per minute) rating. Find the tool with the highest cfm rating and you will have the number you need to check against the compressor you wish to buy. If the unit can adequately power your toughest tool, it will easily power all the rest.

If you need any more information on how to buy an air compressor, check out some of our other articles.

Jason is the creator of Air Compressor Ads - which can be found at http://aircompressorads.com/ - a resource for individuals and businesses looking to purchase used air compressors. His latest blog post gives insider tips on how to purchase a used industrial air compressor.

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