Air compressors

Machine Mart's Buyer’s Guide To Air Compressors

The advantages of using compressors and pneumatic tools-
Air tools are:

  • A safe alternative to electric tools - no chance of electric shocks
  • More powerful than conventional electric power tools.
  • Deliver higher torque and more revolutions per minute to speed the job up.
  • Quickly interchangeable
  • Less desirable to thieves!

To successfully choose the correct compressor you need to think about where and what you want to use it for. Machine Mart stocks a comprehensive range with models suitable for the smallest home up to the largest commercial user. 

To determine which model you need look at the list of applications below.

Air Tool
Air Pressure 
(bar)
Average 
Air Consumption 
(cfm)
Air Drill
6.2
4
Angle grinder 4"
6.2
6
Angle sander 7"
6.2
5
Caulking gun
6.2
1
Chisel/Hammer
6.2
4
Cut off tool 3/8"
6.2
4
Die Grinder
6.2
8
Dual action Sander
6.2
6
Dual action sander
6.2
6
High Speed saw
6.2
5
Hydraulic Riveter
6.2
4
Impact wrench 1"
6.2
12
Impact wrench 1/2"
6.2
4
Impact wrench 3/4"
6.2
7.2
Impact wrench 3/8"
6.2
4
Long Bed sander
6.2
8
Mini Die Grinder
6.2
8
Needle Scaler
6.2
4
Orbital sander
6.2
6
Punch and flange tool
6.2
0.3
Ratchet 1/2"
6.2
6
Ratchet 1/4"
6.2
3
Ratchet 3/8"
6.2
4
Shears
6.2
5

 

The average cfm figure shows the output required from the compressor to power the tool on an “average work cycle”. This figure assumes that you will use the air tool for only 25% of the time, on average. (i.e. 15 seconds in every minute). If you need to use the tool in question continuously, you should buy a compressor capable of supplying four times the air supply required by the tool.

Nailing or spraying applications require widely varying amounts of air, depending on the capacity of the tool in question. Small, occasional tacking jobs can be generally be supplied by quite compact compressors, while firing large nails repeatedly will require a large air supply. For paint spraying, because this tends to be a continuous operation, will require a large air supply and a powerful compressor, depending on the spray gun selected.

Air Compressor Uses

Domestic/DIY Use:
Common uses of an air compressor in a home environment include nailing and stapling, drilling, tyre inflation, air brush painting and blow cleaning. 
Generally, the home user’s main concerns are about size and price. 
The compressor will not usually be expected to supply large volumes of air on a continual basis and only one tool will be in use at a time. 
The electricity supply available should also be considered as larger compressors require a substantial ampage supply.
For this reason Machine Mart would normally recommend a smaller unit for the DIY’er or home enthusiast.
These smaller machines usually have wheels and handles to assist with manouvering. Consideration should be given to the “voltage drop” created by long extension leads. Compressors require a high initial current supply to start working and problems sometimes occur when the length of cable reduces its capacity to supply sufficient power.

 

Commercial use:
A professional compressor user will probably have a different selection criteria – the capacity to supply the tools required is more important than the price and a large power supply can be laid on to suit the compressor if necessary. 
Commonly the commercial user will choose a machine with a larger tank and higher Horsepower. 
Due to the size and the fact that larger compressors have to be hard-wired in, only the smaller models will be fitted with wheels. Anti vibration mountings are available for the static models to minimize sound pollution.

Machine Mart also sells very small easily portable compressors which are suitable for service engineers, upholsterers and other mobile users. Several large, petrol engine models are also available for situations where there is no electricity supply. 

Clarke industrial air compressor - SE16C150

Airmaster tiger 8/250 2hp 24 litre air compressor

Clarke kit 1000 - 5 piece air tool kit

Airmaster tiger 16/510 3hp 50 litre air compressor