Air Compressor Purchasing Guide

An air compressor is a valuable piece of equipment for operating power tools. They are better in terms of efficiency and are easier on you. The type you need depends on the tools you will be using. Good choices include a Copeland compressor, Husky air compressors or Quincy compressors.

Factors to Consider in an Air Compressor

Consider how often you will use air compressors and how it will be used. What tools will you be using and how much power will be needed to operate them? Some tools, like nail guns, don’t need high volume compressor. Others, such as drills or sanders do need high volume because they require steady air flow.

Set a budget for your purchase. The price for these machines varies significantly from brand to brand. Buying a used compressor is one way to make your budget stretch further.

The style of the pump is another consideration. The most common are direct drive and belt drive. Direct drive pumps will last up to five hundred hours. These take up less room in your workshop. They are well suited for moderate uses. Another benefit of these is that no oil changes are needed. Belt drive pumps require oil changes every five hundred hours and will last for about fifteen hundred hours. These are good for do it yourself as well as professional use.

Consider the power of the compressor. Consider both the horsepower and pound per square inch (PSI) pressure. Make sure it is more powerful than the most powerful tool you will be using. Check your tools before purchasing the compressor.

The tank size is another important consideration. These come in sizes from two to one hundred gallons. The more you will use the equipment, the larger the tank you will need. Always go a little larger than you think you will need. This will ensure that you can get the optimum use from the compressor.

Finding an Affordable Air Compressor

Shop around before purchasing air compressor systems. Compare brands and read reviews on the internet. Compare the machines and features of each. Similar machines can differ by hundreds of dollars.

Consider a reconditioned machine. In these, the machines have been completely inspected. Worn or damaged air compressor parts are replaced. Many of these have gotten very little use and are in nearly new condition. You can find equipment at a considerable savings. Look for a model with a one year warranty to be sure you are getting a quality product.

Consider shopping online. Often, the prices are considerably less than in some stores. Many ship straight from the factory, saving retail mark up. This savings can be significant. In many cases, you won’t need to pay sales tax on the equipment, which can add up. Many sites offer free shipping on these purchases, so it won’t cost any additional money for shipping.

Power Tool Batteries

Advantages and Different Popular Brands

Power tool manufacturers now offer many more cordless power tools than before, so the demand for power tool batteries has gone up as well. Power tool batteries vary by brand. Some of the most popular brands are DeWalt and RYOBI. Black & Decker is also another favorite. Power tools are built with a specific design of power usage that cause batteries to differ greatly from tool to tool, and from brand to brand. A new cutting edge lithium ion power tool battery has recently been released on the market which will make power tool batteries even more effective. The invention of cordless power tools has made construction and other tasks involving power tools much easier.

Specific brands have their own specific batteries. DeWalt Tools have a specific battery serial number for their different tools. For example, a certain DeWalt tools use an 18V whereas other will use an 9.6Volt. DeWalt battery serial numbers begin with the letters DW followed by 4 numbers. Black&Decker has a long list of batteries as well, ranging in voltage from 9.6Volt to 18Volt. RYOBI brand power tools have a much smaller list of batteries than does DeWalt or Black&Decker, and none of these batteries can be interchanged between brands. However, brand makers have started making batteries interchangeable between tools so consumers can purchase a package set of a good variety of tools, that all use the same interchangeable, rechargeable battery. For example, RYOBI has a set that includes a saw, a drill, and a flashlight that all use the same 18Volt battery. These sets usually come with two batteries so the user will almost always have a charge battery in stock.

Cordless power tools and power tool batteries have been improved greatly in design since they were first released. Higher voltage batteries make cordless power tools more powerful and weigh less. This enhanced design makes power tools more user friendly, more ergonomic, and easier to get into hard to reach spaces.

Most current power tools use a NICD batteries. However, a new lithium-ion battery has recently been released for Black&Decker that is said to last ten times longer than traditional lo batteries. It is also said to charge to 90 percent capacity in 5 minutes. Lithium ion batteries used for power tools are only 3rd in demand behind laptop and cell phone batteries. The release of this new battery be very useful to users because they do not suffer from the same memory effect that is found with NICD batteries.

Cordless power tools have changed the way many people work. Higher voltage allows batteries to work much better and last much longer. For the price of power tool batteries, upwards of $50, users want to get the most for their money. The release of the new Lithium Ion batteries will only further enhance cordless power tools.