Guide to Supplies for Air Compressors

Locate optional, required and maintenance accessories for air compressors

By J.R. Glass

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The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look to suppliers of air compressors for purchasing compressor maintenance kits

Maintenance is an import part of equipment upkeep for gas-powered, electric and reciprocating air compressors. Each type of compressor will require slightly different supplies for maintenance. Refer to the owner's manual of your particular air compressor for the recommended maintenance schedule and supplies. Look to the air compressor company that sold you your compressor for maintenance kits when you cannot find information online.

I recommend: A supplier of air compressor maintenance kits is Grainger. It carries various kits for the models of compressors and breaks down its maintenance kit categories by manufacturer and model. Another provider of air compressor maintenance kits is Drill Spot.

Locate providers of required accessories for industrial air compressors

Gas-powered air compressors are typically the only compressor type that requires additional supplies, beyond what come with the air compressor. Gas-powered air compressors require the obvious: a gasoline and lubricant to keep the engine running smoothly.

I recommend: Harris is a supplier of lubricant for air compressors. Its oil and lubricants are compatible with all makes of air compressors, and it offers competitive pricing for its products. Kluber Lubrication is a manufacturer of oil and lubricants. Create an account on its site to view a full listing of the materials it provides.

Find air compressor companies that supply accessories and safety gear

Safety is an important aspect of air compressor use. There are many air compression solutions available with it comes to safety and other needs. Suppliers of air compressors carry a wide range of accessories for air compressors, including gloves, goggles, hoses and couplers.

I recommend: McKenzie is a provider of air compressor accessories that has a large inventory for many makes and models of air compressors. A sampling of the accessories it carries includes silencers, couplers, air valves and thermometers. Magid Glove is a vendor of safety equipment with a wide range of gloves and safety goggles to choose from.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Talk with an air compressor supplier or the manufacturer of your air compressor to find out which required and optional accessories you will need for the operation of your air compressor.

1. Make sure the air compressor you choose is powerful enough to fill your medical or commercial needs.
2. Consider an air compressor’s tank capacity, airflow and pressure.
3. Determine how air compressors will be used before deciding on the type of model to buy.

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Choose an air compressor powerful enough for all your tools

Some air tools, like ventilators, require more air than others so it's important to select an air compressor that is appropriate for medical or commercial purposes. Air compressors are measured by the cubic feet per minute, or CFM, of air they produce. Choose air compressors with a CFM rating 1.5 times higher than that of your most powerful tool. If you plan to run more than one tool off the same air compressor, however, add the CFM ratings of all your tools and multiply by 1.5 to gauge the CFM rating you will need.

I recommend: Check the CFM rating of your air tools before buying any air compressor and then comparison shop by CFM rating at Air Compressors Direct.

Select air compressors that can handle all your projects

Whether you need a medical air compressor or an industrial air compressor, the type you choose depends on how you plan to use it. Portable air compressors can handle small jobs like filling tires or powering a nail gun. For more complex tasks like sanding or grinding, select a larger model that will provide enough air flow and pressure to keep power-hungry tools operating efficiently. Air tank capacity should also be considered.

I recommend: For smaller commercial or medical jobs, choose air compressors from vendors like Max Tool, that offer a PSI, or pounds per square inch, rating of 125 or 150 PSI and a CFM rating of 6.0. Northern Tool + Equipment offers industrial strength air compressors with higher horsepower for heavier workloads. Check Compressor World for air tanks — an air tank capacity of 30 gallons should be adequate for smaller commercial and medical users, although high performance jobs may require a larger capacity.

Decide on gas or electric, reciprocating or rotary screw air compressor models

Gas-powered air compressors can be used almost anywhere but are more expensive and must be vented when used in enclosed spaces. That makes them impractical for medical, dental and laboratory users. Electric air compressors are a convenient and inexpensive alternative and are ideal for both the medical and commercial buyer who doesn't need the flexibility of off-site use. Reciprocating air compressors, also known as piston-driven compressors, are the least expensive and are adequate for many applications but are not suited for continuous use. Rotary screw air compressors, on the other hand, are workhorses which can run continuously and are well suited for high-demand applications.

I recommend: Tools USA offers a good selection of air compressors, including rotary screw models. Find gas-powered air compressors at National Tool Warehouse, reciprocating air compressors at Air Power Products Limited. Not sure which type of air compressor you need? Air Compressors Direct offers a simple selection tool to help you find the best one for your needs.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Know the air-powered tools you will be using and the type of projects you plan to complete before shopping for an air compressor.
• •  Determine where you will be using the air compressor before deciding on a gas-powered or electric model. Gas-powered air compressors are the most versatile but should be used only in well-ventilated areas while electric models are ideal for commercial, medical, dental and laboratory use.
• •  Ask for guidance from air compressor suppliers if you are unsure of the type of air compressor you need. Most air compressor suppliers are experts in their field and can easily find a suitable model in your price range.
• •  Ask air compressor suppliers about their support services and warranties.
• •  Don't skimp on price. A medical air compressor or commercial air compressor can range from several thousand dollars for a low-end model to more than $100,000 for industrial brands. Higher end air compressors will be more durable and cost-effective over time.
• •  Before finalizing any deal, calculate the long-term cost of the air compressor acquisition to determine the real cost of your purchase.

Guide to Pricing and Costs of Air Compressors

Use your equipment to find the best gas, electric or reciprocating air compressors

By J.R. Glass

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Locate suppliers of air compressors that specialize in reciprocating air compressors

Reciprocating air compressors are best for intermittent use. They can be portable or stationary, depending on the size and intent of use. Reciprocating air compressors start in the low $500 range and increase from there depending on the horse power and air tank capacity.

I recommend: A company that stocks reciprocating air compressors is National Tool Warehouse. This company sells air compressors for discounted prices. The Air Compressor Super Store carries a wide variety of reciprocating air compressors, including name brands at competitive prices.

Find air compressor companies that carry gas-powered, portable air compressors for industrial use

You can use gas-powered air compressors in almost any well ventilated area. This makes them perfect for construction use and any other industry that requires a portable compressor. Gas-powered air compressors are the most expensive and the most powerful air compressor. Expect a price of $12,000 and up for a gas-powered air compressor with around 180 CFM at 120 PSI and $700 and up for a small 5.5 HP compressor.

I recommend: Northern Tool + Equipment is an industrial supply specialist that carries a wide range of gas-powered air compressors. It carries small compressors that you can transport in the bed of a truck, large compressors that you can tow behind a vehicle and everything in between. ToolBarn.com is another provider of gas-powered air compressors. It offers discounted prices on all of its compressors to contractors and home users.

Price an electric air compressor for stationary medical and commercial use

You can safely use an electric air compressors indoors. Because electric compressors must constantly connect to a power source, they are not ideal for portability. The price range on electric air compressors starts in the low $300 range for a basic air compressor and extends to $5,000 for one with 10 horsepower, two stages and full electric-driven functions.

I recommend: Ohio Power Tool offers many electric air compression solutions. Choose from a single-stage, double-stack air compressor or a 10 horsepower, two-stage, fully electric driven, fully packaged air compressor from this vendor. Grainger is another air compressor company. Its inventory of air compressors includes a wide variety of electric compressors from 1.3 to 5 horsepower, each having differing features.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Choose an air compressor that has 1.5 stronger CFM than your tool requires. When multiple tools will be running on an air compressor, add each of the tools CFM together then multiply the sum by 1.5 to get the CFM you will need in an air compressor.

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The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Rotary screw compressors

Rotary screw compressors push air into a void between two screws. To reduce air volume, the operator turns the screw, which increases the air pressure.

I recommend: Blackmer describes the function of screw compressors and includes photographs.

Rotary sliding vane compressors

The rotary sliding vane compressor works by means of a rotating shaft covered in sliding vanes that control the compressor's pumping capacity. These efficient compressors are typically air- or water-cooled.

I recommend: Integrated Publishing supplies diagrams and explains how rotary sliding vane compressors work. Northey Technologies describes the different types of rotary vane compressors.

Piston compressors or reciprocating compressors

A crankshaft drives the pistons in a reciprocating compressor. The reciprocating compressor received its name because of the piston's back-and-forth movement inside the cylinder. In this positive-displacement compressor, the pistons deliver gases at high pressure.

I recommend: Noria Corporation explains the basic design of reciprocating compressors and provides pictures and diagrams to show how they work.

Centrifugal compressors or radial compressors

The blades of a centrifugal compressor spin like a propeller, but they are closer together. These compressors are also called radial compressors because they force the air to flow radially.

I recommend: NASA describes how centrifugal compressors work.

Variable speed drive (VSD) air compressor

A variable speed drive (VSD) air compressor saves energy because it uses a special drive to control the speed. Although they cost more and react more negatively to moisture and heat than other compressors, VSDs deliver steadier pressure and lessen power surges.

I recommend: Advantage Business Media explains the advantages of the variable-speed air compressor.

Air compressor unloader valve

The unloader valve releases the air left after use so that the tank is not under excessive pressure. Releasing this pressure also reduces the load for the engine when it starts up.

I recommend: Compressedair describes the function of the air compressor unloader valve and its features. ABOUT-air-compressors.com provides a simple explanation of the unloader valve operation.