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By Doityourself Staff
Air
compressors are available in horsepowers of 3/4 to 5, or even larger, with a
variety of tank sizes up to 80 gallons.
The
capacity and the frequency and duration of use will determine the horsepower
and tank size you'll need for your own projects.
A
2hp or smaller will be adequate for most tanks around the house.
Typically,
these size units will have tanks from 7 1/2 to 20 gallons.
Choose
an air compressor for quality and protective features.
Certification
by ASME-the American Society of Mechanical Engineers-is the only guarantee of
quality in workmanship and materials, and is a main measure of quality.
The
ASME label will appear on the tank. All compressors do not have ASME certification.
Only ASME certified compressors can be sold in some states.
Other
features that will be found in a quality compressor include:
An
ASME certified safety relief valve which will allow air to escape automatically
if pressure in the tank should ever exceed the maximum. This valve will have a
pull ring attached to it to allow you to check the valve to make certain the
valve is not clogged or corroded.
An
oil level sight glass, a tank pressure gauge and, of course, a pressure
regulator and gauge are important, as each tool and job has a specific pressure
requirement.
The
tank maintains air at maximum pressure from 100 to 125 pounds of pressure per
square inch.
PSI
is the force of the pressurized air delivered to the tool. Projects and tools
have both pressure and volume requirements.
Volume
is measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM) or standard cubic feet per minute
(SCFM).
When
selecting and using a compressor, it is the relationship of CFM (volume of air)
and PSI (force or pressure of air) that is important.
A
manual thermal overload button is important in case of overloads or if the
motor overheats. If the motor overheats, it automatically shuts off.
This
protective control button must be pushed for the compressor to run once the
motor has cooled down, preventing a sudden and unexpected restart.
The
best air intake filtration system will be enclosed and mounted on the side of
the compressor. This does more to protect the filtering foam, inside the
housing, keeping the compressor cleaner, longer.
A
belt guard is indispensable protection and the compressor should never be
turned on without the guard in place.
A
hose rack is desirable for convenience and for protecting the air hose when not
in use.
One
other feature, most desirable to the do it yourselfer, is a toll-free number to
call should a question or problem arise.
There
are five basic steps in the operation of an air compressor.
Check
the oil level to make sure the compressor is properly lubricated.
Plug
the unit into the correct grounded, 3-pronged outlet. Turn the pressure switch
on and close the tank drain valve.
Adjust
the pressure for the tool you will be using and the job you will be doing.
Never exceed recommended pressure for the tool or the job.
When
finished, shut off the motor, unplug the unit, and turn off the regulator
valve. Then bleed the air out of the hose, remove the tool and open the
regulator to bleed the air in the tank.
If
you have a quick connect, you must either remove the hose to bleed off the air
from the tank or bleed the air through the drain cocks.
After
storing the hose, open the drain cock to release any accumulated moisture.
Leave it open until the next time the compressor is used.
Attachments
Now
let's talk about the available tool attachments. If kept properly cleaned and
lubricated, air tools are virtually indestructible.
With
few actual moving parts, maintenance is minimal. They run cool, since their
power source is the compressor.
Perhaps
two of the most obvious and useful tools are an inflation kit and quick connect
couplers. The quick connect couplers make it fast and simple to change tools.
The
inflation kit attachments allow you to inflate everything from beach balls to
automobile tires.
Blo-gun. This attachment is great for blasting away dirt,
grease, and dust from hard-to-reach areas. Never point the gun at the eyes or
other parts of the body.
Nail
gun. Always be sure the gun is flat
against the surface being nailed and know what is on the other side, so you
won't cause damage or injury with the high pressure of the gun.
Air
stapler. Again, be sure the stapler
is flat against the surface being stapled. Larger staplers are available for
attaching roofing shingles and so forth.
Air
sander. The dual-action air sander
should always be touching the surface when it is turned on. This type sander is
frequently used in automotive work but many other uses around the house, such
as rust removal or paint preparation, make it a handy tool to have.
Spray
gun. This speeds up paint application
and gives a smooth finish. There are a variety of spray gun designs on the
market for various types of painting. Many times you can reduce the time
required to do a job by 50% or more.
Sandblaster. This works well for removing rust and old paint and
for preparing surfaces for painting. This same equipment can be adapted for use
with soap and water for pressure cleaning such as degreasing auto engines and
lawn and garden equipment.
Caulking
gun. This tool takes the toil out of
caulking, by giving a fast, uniform bead. Uniform and consistent pressure makes
for a stronger bead. This tool can be used for any tube material such as
adhesive or grease.
Air
ratchet wrench. This is great for
tightening bolts, whether building a deck, working on an automobile engine or
installing a muffler.
Air
hammer/chisel. The masters jobs from
masonry to tailpipe removal. It must be up against the surface when started.
Air
drill. An air drill makes drilling
into any surface an effortless task.
Impact
wrench. This is used in automotive
and assembly work.
Most
air tools are available at hardware stores and home centers. Specialty air
tools can be rented. Instructions for each tool attachment are included with
the purchase or rental. Read these instructions carefully before attempting to
use the tool.
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