Buying The Wrong Air Compressor For Woodworking?
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Woodworking requires skillful hands and the right tools to create beautiful and functional pieces. While saws, sanders, and other power tools are essential for this craft, it's worth noting that having the right air compressor can also be incredibly beneficial.
There are instances though when starting carpenters invest in a small air compressor. This can be a big mistake that will quickly be realized when the air pressure generated by such a small air compressors will not be sufficient, even to the point where your air sander will no longer be functional, leaving you very frustrated.
Making such a mistake with your air compressor purchase may not be so bad if you are only running a hobby, but what if you have a shop and you hired people to work for you?
Table of contents
To help you avoid some of the common mistakes made when purchasing an air compressor for your wood working tasks we have put together this little guide. Lets get going.
Know the Specifications of The Air Compressor
Understanding the specs can be a tricky situation. In fact, not everyone understands what to look for in an air compressor.
As rule of thumb, here are some things that could simplify your selection process.
Sizing Your Air Compressor
Before making your purchase it is important that you do the maths, it is imperative to know just how much horsepower is needed. As a general guide one sander must have at least 5 horsepower of air compressor to function correctly.
Of course, you also need to make sure about the efficiency of the motor. Will the motor of your air compressor consume way to much electricity? when sizing your compressor needs you need to facto in that single phase will be more cost effective to run than a three phase motor.
If you want to save a bit of money every month, especially if you regularly use the air compressor, you should stick with a single phase motor.
You also need to make sure that you check how many amperes are needed by the air compressor, since you don’t want to be adjusting after you have already bought the product.
Airflow Keeps you Working
Most people think that the higher the air pressure or PSI the better, but this is not correct, the thing that most people fail to understand is that CFM, or the cubic feet of air, it what makes your air tools perform at there best.
So to determine which compressor is suitable for your tools, you need to identify the tool that requires the most airflow. Then, search for a compressor that has a pump rating which matches, or is close to, the needed airflow, you also need to make sure that this air compressor has a tank that can store enough air as a reserve.
For instance, if you plan to use a paint sprayer that requires a continuous airflow of about 7-12 cubic feet per minute (cfm), a compressor with a 30-gallon tank or larger is likely to have a sufficient pump.
If you are not sure of all of the specific air compressor terms then you can check out our guide here.
Tank Size
Failing to take the tank size into account can cause you problems so why does the size of the tank matter?
Buying an air compressor with to small tank for your needs, will cause the air compressor to cycle often, this means your tools will run out of air and you will have to wait for air pressure to build before being able to run your tools again.
The temptation to solve this problem is to buy the largest tank available, but this can also lead to problems as you could quickly exceed your budget resulting in an expensive air compressor that is not necessarily fit for purpose.
This is why sizing your air compressor to your needs will save you money and time.
Noise
Noise can be a major hinderance to not only you and your workers health, but also keeping the neighbors happy. This is why you can also get quiet air compressors.
Quiet air compressors come in a variety of sizes and styles, and can be powered by electricity or gas. Whether you are looking for a portable or stationary unit, there are a variety of quiet air compressors to choose from.
When thinking about what air compressor best suits your needs you must remember that investing in a large air compressors can result in a lot of noise.
Of course, the noise of the air compressor must be weighed against the benefits that with size comes with efficiency and performance. Which could make it the right investment mainly because it can provide you with the necessary performance so that you don’t need to worry that the sanders will not be working well.
To help shed more light on quiet air compressors we have written an article Quiet Air Compressors - What You Need To Know.
Single vs Two Stage Compressor
An air compressor can be categorized as either single-stage or two-stage. Single-stage compressors typically use a one-cylinder pump to draw air into the pump and compress it directly into a reserve tank. These compressors typically run on 110-volt electrical supply.
On the other hand, two-stage compressors utilize a cast-iron pump housing two pistons, which share the workload. The first piston compresses air to approximately half the required pressure and then sends it to the second cylinder through an inter-cooler. The second cylinder compresses the air further before directing it into the reserve tank at a higher pressure.
Two-stage compressors typically come with larger tanks, around 80 gallons or more, and can produce about twice the airflow of single-stage compressors. This makes them suitable for high-demand tools such as impact wrenches, large sprayers, and dual-action sanders, without running low on air pressure. They also typically run on 220-volt electrical supply which can add to there cost.
For most home woodworking shops, a two-stage compressor might be excessive, there are plenty of single stage compressors on the market the are quite capable of servicing the needs of the the home wood workers needs at a reasonable price. If you are a home wood worker then you may ge interested in our article Best Air Compressor for Home Use.
Oil or Oil Free
Air compressors typically use an oil bath to lubricate the piston(s) and reduce friction. This results in increased longevity and reduced noise. However, the oil needs to be changed regularly based on usage hours.
Oil-free compressors require less maintenance but tend to be louder due to the metal-piston-in-metal-cylinder action. Many oil-free models generate noise levels above 85 decibels, requiring hearing protection.
Fortunately, some manufacturers have developed small, portable, oil-free compressors that produce remarkably low noise levels (less than 70 dB), even quieter than comparable oil-lubricated models. These compressors use a slower motor speed and two pistons, which enables them to achieve the same airflow as a single-piston, high-speed compressor. This lower noise level can greatly benefit a workshop.
If you would like more information you can check out our article Oil Vs Oil Free Air Compressor. Which is better?
Portable or Stationary
One of the things to decide is whether you will be needing to transport your compressor from job to job or will it be permanently fixed in your shop?
For a compressor to be deemed portable, it must either be light enough to carry or equipped with one or more wheels for easy rolling.
Hand-carry units typically have tanks ranging from 1 to 6 gallons and are capable of delivering 4 to 5 cfm at 90 psi, while wheeled compressors can have tanks up to 30 gallons and provide airflow up to 10 to 12 cfm at 90 psi.
When it comes to consumer-level stationary compressors, they generally have larger tanks, typically 60 gallons or more, with pumps capable of sustaining 15 to 30 cfm of airflow.
Industrial models can have even bigger tanks and generate far greater airflow. Many stationary compressors utilize a two-stage pump to maximize efficiency. If you choose a compressor of this size, it's important to dedicate a space in the shop and anchor it to the floor or wall to prevent movement.
Maintenance
And lastly, you have to make sure that you maintain the tank whenever you get an air compressor. Why? If you will look at the construction of compressors, whenever they squeeze air, you have to consider water that can damage the tank. This can ruin your air compressor and even do physical damage.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to choosing an air compressor for your wood working needs, like any other industry, you need to take your time and understand how to work out what your requirements are before plunging into a purchase.
Hopefully our article has been able to provide you with some clear thought provoking information that will enable you to purchase an air compressor that will suit your needs.
If you would like more information then we have written A Quick Air Compressor Guide that may also be helpful in your decision making.
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