| I know when I purchased my first air compressor | | | | compressor. Because our homes (in North |
| (and my only compressor to date) for some | | | | America, anyway) are wired for 120 volt output |
| reason I was very excited. It was like it was a | | | | you certainly want to purchase a machine that |
| major component of a well run workshop and it | | | | runs on that voltage so you can simply plug it into |
| just seemed like such a versatile tool. So I took | | | | a wall outlet. A good size air compressor to |
| stock of what I would be using the air | | | | purchase would be a 5 to 6 horsepower machine. |
| compressor for. I knew for sure I wanted that | | | | This will be large enough to power any pneumatic |
| nozzle to be able to blow the dust off the | | | | tool that you will use in your own home |
| machines and sanded projects in the workshop | | | | workshop. The tanks on this size machine will be |
| shed. And of course there was inflating of tires | | | | in the 25 to 28 gallon range which will supply |
| and basketballs and air mattresses but most | | | | enough compressed air so that your machine is |
| importantly I wanted to be able to drive my | | | | not constantly cycling and you can run more than |
| pneumatic tools. | | | | one tool at a time. Make sure that your |
| I knew I had to buy a compressor big enough to | | | | compressor has more than one outlet so that |
| power not only my small nailer but tools like | | | | you are able to run more than one tool. Also be |
| air-powered sanders and spray equipment. I took | | | | sure that there is a pressure gauge that will |
| my time and investigated the air consumption of | | | | measure more than 135 psi. |
| those tools and then shopped for an air | | | | A good thing to remember too is to read the |
| compressor that would be able to produce | | | | manufacturers manual. There are always good |
| enough compressed air to drive them. I now | | | | tips on how best to keep your machine in top |
| know that it is best to choose an air compressor | | | | notch working order. You will want to bleed the |
| that will generate at least 20 percent more air | | | | air tank after each days use because moisture |
| than the hungriest tool. | | | | does condense in the tank and will cause rusting |
| There are quite a variety of air compressors | | | | that will eventually ruin the tank. Always check |
| available. There are single stage and two stage | | | | the pressure safety valve ring to make sure it is |
| models with different horsepower and delivery | | | | operating at its peak performance. |
| ratings that signify the output power of the | | | | |