An air compressor is a versatile tool able to get various projects done quicker, better, easier. Indeed, by being able to compress air and transform it in precious energy, it is not surprising these machines are the foremost workmates assisting professionals as well as hobbyists for both crucial and routine operations.
You may have never even thought about it but, even air that is invisible, is one of the top 3 energy sources today when compressed. Let’s deepen this topic and find out why and how it can become a fundamental tool almost everywhere from your home duties to hobby times.
Can I use a compressor for cleaning? It goes without saying the answer is yes! However, it is important to understand the air compressor market is vast and a compressor exists out there for each and every specific aim. In other words: cleaning the pc and removing rust from the railings of your garden are certainly not the same. By carefully choosing the machine – and the tool – you will be able to perform your application without the risk of damaging objects or surfaces (the filtering and drying systems availability become crucial in this choice). The same goes for the average air displacement needed. Don’t worry, in the following chart you will find compressed air consumption levels for the most common activities.
EQUIPMENT | AIR DISPLACEMENT (L/MIN) |
Drill 10 mm | 500 |
Angle Grinder 5" | 900 |
Impact Wrench 1/2" | 450 |
Chipping hammer | 400 |
Varnishing Machine | 500 |
Pressure Cleaner | 350 |
Paint Gun | 300 |
Small Pressure Cleaner | 300 |
Light Work | 50 |
Pneumatic Doors | 60 |
Blow Gun | 90 |
Nail Gun 2 bar | 60 |
Nail Gun 3,5 bar | 120 |
Grease Gun | 120 |
Tire Changer | 30 |
Tire Inflation (car) | 60 |
Hammer (small) | 90 |
Another rule of thumb to keep in mind is: understand the tools you need, the type of air compressor will follow. This doesn’t mean you’ll be completely limited to that specific tool but it will sufficiently narrow your options.
A blowing gun is the right tool when it comes to removing dust form electronics or bringing new life to your golf shoes- but not only. The same goes for cleaning your car, motorbike or bicycle. Bear in mind for these specific applications you might want to evaluate an oilfree air compressor able to provide dry, clean air.
Are you specifically interested in learning more about bike maintenance? Take a look to our online guide!
The wider the surface the more air displacement that is required, think about your roof, yard or shed clean up for instance. Moreover, have you mowed the lawn? Well, with a portable air compressor you can quickly remove the excess weed and clean the shears as well.
Air compressors come with a lot of configuration: wall mount, wheels, feet and handles. The potential interest depends, as usual, on your needs. Generally speaking, if you need a high amount of air a big compressor will be needed. Even if the compressor is not a stationary one, moving the machine here and there is never a chore (usually the medium to big sized ones come with wheels). On the other hand, average air-demands for home and hobby applications can be met with compressors that are put together and easily transportable. Indeed, handy and wheel-based compressors are flanked by wall-mounted solutions. In summary, once you’ve understood what is the main use of the air compressor, it won’t be a problem to choose among the several market opportunities.
What could be better than getting your motorbike back in shape with a lick of paint? You could evaluate brushing it but the results wouldn’t be the best: let’s be honest! On the contrary, the use of a spray paint gun would assure a quality of a professional work thanks to a uniform casting. By painting at home like a pro you won’t have to worry anymore about vehicle renovation, from small car body parts to bike frames.
How to paint a bike frame at home in few steps
Picture taken by https://it.freepik.com/
If you are in love with small DIY repairs and maintenance tasks, you’ll be well aware the applications of compressed air are almost endless. However, one can always learn something new, this is why it’s worth going back through the main operations an air compressor will help you with when repairing and fixing objects at home.
There’s no perfect air compressor for home use, look for the best air compressor for your specific needs!
Often it is not even a matter of a single problem you can sort out thanks to compressed air, think bigger: why don’t you equip you garage with a full compressed air working station? This would lead you in complex task management like small car body parts fixing or replacement as well as motorbike frame sandblasting. Many mechanical home jobs usually rely on pneumatic tools such as; angle and axial grinders, car body saw, blasting devices and grease guns. Are you thinking about a home renovation? No problem, you can remove the old tiles and plaster up with a chisel hammer and a plaster sprayer. The replacements of baseboards or door frames as well as the duct cleaning and fixing are only some of a long list of compressed air domestic application examples.
Have you ever tried your hand at crafting? Woodworking and modeling are a matter of versatility and precision: the more knowledge in treating material you have the better you are in choosing tools and shaping your art crafts. Compressed air technologies are the perfect solutions for each of us is in the need of energy, powering crucial tools like precision painting gun or drills. That said crafting doesn’t happen only in your garage or studio, one of the main places to begin is the garden! Compressors are those machines you should be thinking of when ambitious projects arise: from greenhouse ventilation system to automated gates, from spraying vegetables to even snowmaking for your kid’s birthday.
This article has given an overview about main applications compressed air can help you with when carrying out hobbies and home operations. With a quite simple machine you will be able to perform tasks in your garden, inside the garage and in your studio as well. We pulled together compressed air applications in order to get a clearer scenario:
· Cleaning
· Painting
· Repairing and maintenance
· Crafting
As said several times, it is once more worth remembering the right choice of compressor is accomplished when the right questions are answered correctly, this is why we dedicated a few lines to crucial elements as:
· How to choose the right air compressor based on the amount of air consumption?
· Where to place the air compressor?
· What is a good size for your home air compressor?
· How to choose the right pneumatic tools?
DIY is a mantra for millions as we strive to be less dependent on the mechanic at the end of the road who is never open. And an air compressor can be man’s best friend when it comes to a quick repair, home renovations and improvements, for a house is a home when you can add a personal touch. Compressed air cannot substitute one’s spark and passion in doing what they love but it can lead to success and extra free time to move straight onto the next project.