How to Buy An Air Compressor That Meets Your Needs
How to Buy An Air Compressor That Meets Your Needs
For the modern day do-it-yourselfer the time ultimately comes when you need to buy an air compressor. In the beginning turning wrenches by hand may suffice but as the jobs get tougher and more elaborate the help of an air compressor can’t be beat. If you are the type that basically change light bulbs or air filters from time to time there’s no need to rush out just yet and buy an air compressor, but if you’re doing a host of jobs including automotive, major household jobs and even painting, an air compressor can become your best friend.
Maybe you’ve been using an air compressor for years and it’s about to crap out. Whether that’s the case or you’re ready to buy an air compressor to expand on what you can accomplish, there are some things you should think about before pulling out your wallet. Don’t worry, when you enter the store to buy an air compressor there will plenty of salesmen there to try to sell you the latest space age compressor. You may or may not need all the features that these machines have to offer.
Since you will most likely being using your compressor in the home most of the time it’s important to buy an air compressor that’s not overly noisy. When most people go out and buy an air compressor for the first time the only priority they have is cost. Well if you’re really strapped for money this is understandable but please know that you maybe getting one of the noisiest machines available. The quiet, oilless types of compressors may cost more but they go along way in keeping the peace around the house. You may want to use your air compressor while your wife is watching her favorite TV program or is entertaining guest from her book reading club. A noisy air compressor in this case can be just enough to spark an argument that no one wants.
Mobility is a question you need to answer before you buy an air compressor. Is this a stationary hook up where you’ll be able to run a hose long enough to reach every area you plan to work in or can you benefit from a system that is easily movable by way of attached wheels. This might not seem like a big deal right now but if the air compressor is stationary in a shop out in the yard you may some day need to inflate a tire on a vehicle in the front of the house and won’t be able to get to it. Just something to jot down and think about before making a purchasing decision.
How much patience and more importantly, how much spare time do you have on your hands. This is something you need to think about when it comes time to buy an air compressor. Before you can use your compressor it needs to build up the required pressure for the job. If you plan to use it for small quick jobs that don’t take up a lot of your time you may want to get one that builds up pressure rather quickly. If you’re doing major jobs or can afford to keep the compressor plugged in at all times, the slower pressure building models will probably work just fine for you.
Storage must be consider before we buy an air compressor. By that, take measurements of the area that the compressor will be store in. If this is to be strictly an auto air compressor, is there room for the compressor and the vehicles you plan to work on. Of course the more room you have the better but this is not always feasible. If you’re press for space you will want to take a look at the vertical compressors available.
With all the work you’ll be able to accomplish with your air compressor will you have time left over to pull maintenance on the compressor itself. If not, before you buy an air compressor at least consider a model that’s maintenance free. Some models require simple maintenance such as oil from time to time and also draining water. If you go with one of these models make the salesman demonstrate how to accomplish all the maintenance needed. If he can’t do it chances are it’s not an easy job as he pretends it to be. Remember, the oilless compressors are among the quiet models so you can kill 2 birds with one stone if you go this route.
There are other need specific things you should consider before you buy an air compressor. This article contains items that will be important to most people but you should right down and visualize just what you intend to accomplish before you buy an air compressor and you’ll be more than satisfied with your new purchase.
