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How to Choose an Air Compressor for Your Home or Garage

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Air compressors are a highly useful source of mechanical energy around the home or the garage. You can use them to accomplish otherwise tough tasks for everything including:

Powering nail guns
Filling up car tires
Powering airbrushes for painting
Blowguns for cleaning machinery

For those who like to do their own repairs and maintenance around the home, an air compressor can be incredibly useful. You can use it in a wide variety of projects where using manual power would take longer. For example, when repairing tables and performing other carpentry work, using an air compressor with your nail gun makes the job quick. What is more, for home repairs, you will get much better results that are comparable to what you would get if all your work was being done by dedicated professionals.

Gasoline Powered Air Compressors

The first major category you will encounter, when selecting an air compressor for the home, is that of gasoline-powered air compressors. These machines use gasoline as the source of energy.

There are several advantages of using these air compressors over their electrical counterparts. Mainly, they tend to have higher power ratings, making them suitable for a variety of energy-intensive applications. In addition, you can use gasoline powered air compressors outdoors and in other places where there are no electrical power outlets.

You can purchase gasoline-powered air compressors at major retailers of household goods, starting around $130 for small units.

Selecting an Electrical Air Compressor

Electrical air compressors turn electrical energy into kinetic energy, thereby compressing air into the compressor tank. Once enough air has been compressed, under high pressure, the air compressor stops adding in more air. When you connect the air compressor to a tool, the air compressor shoots out the compressed air in a finely controlled, high-velocity jet that powers the tool.

You can buy electrical air compressors for home use for around $150 for small units. Larger units, with tank capacity of over 60 gallons, will cost $1,000 or more. There are many advantages to selecting an electrical model. For example, they run quieter, in many instances, than gas powered air compressors. In addition, as long as you have a steady supply of electricity at home, you won't have to worry about fuel refills.

Despite their many advantages, electric air compressors have a few drawbacks you should be aware of. Electrical air compressors are not always suitable for heavy applications since they tend to be lightweight. They can generally not be used in outdoors work unless you bring electrical extensions or another portable electrical power source.

Buying Your First Air Compressor

A good brand for your first-time air compressor is Harbor Freight Tools. This California-based tool manufacturer has a great name in the industry. It manufactures machine shop tools that include air compressors, drills, generators, and everything else you might need while working around the garage.

For your first unit, you can opt for the company's eight gallons 2 HP 125 PSI Oil Lube Air Compressor. For just $120, you get a 2 HP unit that is capable of powering most jobs at home. The air compressor is portable, with wheels so that you can easily move it around your garage or outdoors.

Best Heavy Duty Air Compressors

Gardner Denver is another major manufacturer of high quality, reliable air compressors. The company specializes in manufacturing air compressors for heavy-duty industrial uses. Its products are, therefore, widely used in the auto, manufacturing, and steel industries.

For heavy tasks like work on auto detailing, advanced users will want the Gardner Denver Electra Saver II. You can get the 50 HP version for around $3,000. It enables you to power most work that can be handled in a small professional garage.

Shopping Tips for Air Compressors

When buying an air compressor, whether small or large, there are some general guidelines that can get you the best results. Prefer to buy new equipment from reputable retailers and hardware stores rather than used machinery that you shop from individuals. This is for your own well-being. Be safe, don't go for unsafe bargains, which is what you typically get with a random source. Also, prefer a reliable brand rather than a cheap Chinese copy. Some reputable air compressor brands you can look at include NorthStar, Campbell, Hitachi, and Craftsman.