How to Find the Best Air Compressor for Home Improvement Projects
When it comes to working on your next home improvement project, there are several factors that you must consider before proceeding with your desired renovations. Depending on how thorough of a home renovation project you’re working on, you will need to replace all points of critical infrastructure within your home with high-quality components that will last and provide the functionality that you expect.
Things like water heaters, electrical control units, flooring, paint, lighting, plumbing, and more are all very important pieces of the puzzle in terms of completing your home improvement project successfully however nothing is more important than finding the right air compressor so that you can install all of these various components safely and correctly.
Air compressors provide a wide range of different functional purposes for those who are undergoing or interested in starting a home improvement project which is why it’s so important for you to choose the right model before beginning your home improvement project.
How To Choose The RIght Air Compressor
There are several different air compressor models available on the market, all of which provide different levels of operation and capabilities in terms of what you can accomplish by using them.
Before you make the final decision about which air compressor model is right for you, you need to consider several different factors that will play a major role in the quality of results that you’ll be able to achieve with your selected air compressor model.
Air compressors can be used for a wide range of different purposes including inflating flat tires, doing woodwork on your home, replacing and fixing broken structures, and a lot of other unique functions.
If you’re currently undergoing or starting a new home improvement project and are looking for the right air compressor to meet your specific needs, you need to consider your focus areas in terms of the capabilities that you need most before making a final purchase decision. If you’re someone who can relate to the statement above, you’ve come to the right place.
In this guide, we’re going to take an in-depth look at all of the various components that air compressors use to provide high-quality functionality and all of the different features you need to look for before deciding on which air compressor model is right for your specific needs.
Make sure that you read this entire guide in full so that you’ll have a knowledge base upon which you can judge the quality, power, capabilities, and effectiveness of all the air compressor models that you come across when shopping for the right one that will provide you with the desired results you’re expecting.
To begin, let’s look at some of the basic elements that make an air compressor function and how they operate in general.
Top Recommended Air Compressor
PORTER-CABLE C2002-WK Oil-Free UMC Pancake Compressor with 13-Piece Accessory Kit
The PORTER-CABLE C2002-WK Oil-Free UMC Pancake Compressor with 13-Piece Accessory Kit comes with a maximum PSI pressure of 150 which is more than enough to handle all of your small project needs. It comes with a 2.6 CFM rating, which gives you more than enough surface area coverage when using the air compressor.
In addition, the compressor comes with an air coupler and an integrated air hose that reduces the number of leaks the machine experiences and provides you with prolonged periods of use over time.
The PORTER-CABLE C2002-Compressor also has a 6-gallon air storage tank which provides more than enough space for you to hold a lot of air to handle any project you’re currently working on.
This compressor has a very long operational time, which makes it perfect for industrial projects
See how Porter Cable compares to Dewalt.
How Do Air Compressors Work?
Air compressors come in various different models and configurations, all of which operate by using different means of mechanical parts and overall system designs. One of the most common types of air compressors that you’ll find on the market is a single-state or piston-operated air compressor.
These modes are commonly used for small home improvement projects and other DIY tasks that are performed in small workshops or other residential settings. Air compressors use two different types of power supplies, which are either an electric motor or a gasoline-powered engine all depending on the specific type of air compressor model that you decide to purchase.
Regardless of what type of air compressor your buy, they all work using the same basic mechanisms and components. At their core, air compressors work by taking in air from your surrounding area and environment in order to compress it for your desired uses and intended home improvement tasks. Once the air is captured, it will be compressed in a tank on the system which will then store the air until you enact the piston inside of the air compressor.
As more air is captured in the tank, the piston will begin to force more air into the tank slowly but gradually increasing the overall pressure inside of the tank. This will allow you to handle several different projects of varying sizes and complexities with ease. All air compressors have integrated gauges that monitor the air pressure inside of the tank in order to stop intake once the air pressure reaches a certain level.
Once you begin using the air which was stored before work, the air compressor will automatically begin taking in more air to accommodate your usage without the need to manually increase the air pressure once the initially stored air is completely gone once the machine is active.
Two-stage air compressors who by using two separate pistons which have dedicated functions for the machine. These air compressors work by allotting the first piston the job of compressing the air and the second piston is used to push the air out through the check valve which compresses the air even more and ultimately delivers it to the storage tank on the air compressor itself.
Two-stage air compressors are generally used for more heavy-duty applications that require higher volumes of compressed air at higher pounds per square inch of air pressure, which is measured in the unit of PSI. Two-stage air compressors are great for those who need to use two separate tools at one time or for those who want a continuous flow of air for their desired purposes.
Now that you know a little bit more about how air compressors work, it’s time to take a look at some of the different air compressor designs that you’ll find when out shopping for the right one that will provide you with the power and functionality you’re looking for.
Different Types of Air Compressors
Air compressors come in several different models and designs, which is why it’s so important for you to learn about how they all operate differently before deciding on which air compressor option is right for you.
All of the various types of air compressor models that we mention in this section are designed for specific uses and types of work environments, so you need to make sure that you understand the difference between each air compressor design before deciding on which one is right for you.
We’re going to cover all of the air compressor models that you’ll find out on the market so that you can make the best decision about which machine will provide you with the power and capabilities you need in order to complete your job successfully.
Stationary Air Compressors
Stationary air compressors are the most commonly used type of air compressor that you will find available for purchase. Stationary air compressors as their names imply are designed for use in a stationary location largely due to their size and overall power.
Stationary air compressors have very high horsepower ratings which will allow you to store large amounts of air for more power and torque when you need to handle tough projects.
Stationary air compressors also have very high long run-times so you will be able to continuously work on your projects without needing to stop and refill the tank or wait for more air to be compressed.
Stationary air compressors are commonly designed in a vertical manner so that they take up as little space as possible while still providing you with the power that you need to complete your projects successfully.
Portable Air Compressors
Portable air compressors generally have smaller storage tanks, and they come with either handles or wheels in order to make it easy for you to move the compressor whenever you need to.
Portable air compressors come in various different configurations and model types, all of which offer varying levels of design and functionality. All of the air compressor models listed below are portable air compressors however they all have different designs and intended usage purposes.
Hot Dog Air Compressors
Hot dog air compressors are generally made with a horizontal design, and they come with a single air storage tank, so they are commonly used for smaller projects and tasks.
Pancake Air Compressors
Pancake air compressors have a round design in addition to a flat air storage tank that is usually mounted at the bottom of the air compressor itself. This design outline is done in order to provide more stability, and they often times take up less space than other models of air compressors that you’ll find out on the market.
Twin-stack air compressors
Twin-stack air compressors are designed with two horizontal tanks that are in a cylindrical design which increases the overall volume of the tank allowing for more air storage.
This allows you to get more access to higher amounts of compressed air without the compressor taking up too much space. Twin-stack air compressors are great for a small workshop and DIY projects that don’t require too much air pressure to get the job completed.
Wheelbarrow Air Compressors
Wheelbarrow air compressors usually have two cylindrical air storage tanks and come with handles or wheels which make them very easy to move around to accommodate your specific project needs.
Inflatable Air Compressors
Inflatable air compressors are the smallest out of all the air compressors out on the market. Inflatable air compressors don’t come with storage tanks so you must continuously run the air supply in order to use the machine correctly. Inflatable air compressors are commonly used for inflating things like tires, sports equipment, and floats amongst other things.
Now that you know more about all of the various types of air compressors that are out on the market, it’s time to look at some of the key features that you’ll want to look for before deciding on which air compressor is perfect for your intended use.
Key Features to Look for When Choosing an Air Compressor
When it comes to finding the right air compressor for your specific needs, there are several factors that you must consider before making your final purchase decision.
All of these various factors will play a huge role in determining how successful you’ll be at completing your project with the air compressor selection that you choose.
Make sure that you consider all of these various factors before buying an air compressor to ensure that it’s the right model with the proper functionality and power that you need.
All of the features and capabilities that we mention will vary depending on the type of air compressor that you choose so always read the product description of your desired air compressor model before buying it.
Horsepower
The amount of horsepower that your selected air compressor is rated for will determine the overall power output of your air compressor. Higher rates of horsepower will allow you to handle such large projects and tougher material types than with lower horsepower rated air compressors.
The amount of horsepower that your selected air compressor model has will depend largely on the model type that you choose and for what industry the air compressor was made for.
PSI Rating
PSI stands for pounds per cubic inch, which measures the amount of air that is compressed within any given space. Air compressors with higher PSI ratings will give you more overall blasting power and storage capacity when it comes to the level of compression the air your collect receives while in its storage tank.
If you know that you’re going to be working with very large or difficult to manipulate material, you need to choose an air compressor that has a high PSI rating to ensure that you’ll be able to complete the tasks you need to.
The PSI rating of your selected air compressor will also determine how much air can be stored in a given amount of space in addition to how long you’ll be able to operate your air compressor.
CFM Rating
CFM stands for cubic feet per minute, and it determines how much surface area is covered by your selected air compressor. The CFM rating of your selected air compressor will determine the volume of air which is released at any given PSI level during operation. This is an important factor to consider when working on large projects that require huge amounts of surface area coverage in order to complete.
The CFM value of your air compressor will change depending on how much PSI is applied during any given moment so you can also determine the CFM rating of your air compressor by its PSI capacity also.
When you lower the amount of PSI in your air compressor, it will also lower the value of CFM, giving you more space to cover with your air compressor. Air compressors with higher CFM ratings are great for using large tools that require more power to operate.
Tank Size
The size of your sir storage tank will play a huge role in how effective your selected air compressor will be for your particular job. Most air compressor manufacturers will measure the capacity of their tanks in gallons so you can easily decide on which air compressor is right for you by simply looking at the storage capacity of its tank before purchase.
Larger air storage tanks will be able to store more air at higher pressure levels generally making larger tanks more powerful than small tanks. Larger tanks are also commonly used for projects that require a steady flow of air for continuous use over extended periods of time.
Now that you know more about the essential features you need to look for when choosing which air compressor model is best for you, it’s time to look at the various power sources for these different air compressors so that you can understand how they will affect your productivity as well.
Types of Air Compressor Power Sources
Air compressors use two main sources of power for the operation being electrical and gasoline-powered. Both of these power sources offer their own advantages and disadvantages depending on the specific type of project that you’re working on and your intended goals.
In this section, we’re going to detail all of the main benefits and negative aspects of using either electrically powered air compressors or gasoline-powered air compressors.
Gasoline Powered Air Compressor
Gasoline-powered air compressors are generally used for outdoor projects and other areas which do not have readily available electricity nearby. Gasoline-powered air compressors also usually have higher amounts of horsepower which make them perfect for large projects and other tougher work that needs high pressure at a prolonged period of time. This means that most types of gasoline-powered air compressors will have higher PSI ratings then electrically powered air compressors.
Electric Powered Air Compressor
Electrically powered air compressors are the most common types of air compressors that you’ll find o the market. They generally require less maintenance than gasoline-powered air compressors.
The compressors typically have quieter operating sounds and are great for areas with access to electricity easily. Electrically powered air compressors are great for indoor work in dry areas and for home use purposes; however, large models of electrically powered air compressors typically have different designs and power requirements.
The Porter-Cable C2002-WK features a maximum PSI pressure of 150 which is enough for all of your projects. It's constructed with a pancake-style tank that offers great stability and longer air tool performance to work on your projects.
Top Air Compressor Recommendations
We’ve covered all of the different types of air compressors that are out on the market today and how each of their designs will vary, helping you achieve varying results and goals depending on your intended results.
There are a lot of different air compressor options out on the market for you to choose from which can make finding the right fit difficult. To help you in the purchasing process, we’re going to go over all of the tops recommended air compressors out on the market today so that you can reduce the amount of time that you spend looking for an air compressor and get straight to work on your desired project.
We’re going to recommend several different types of air compressors, all of which fall into either one of the categories that we mentioned above. Before deciding on which of our recommendations to go with, remember that these are not the only options out there and you need to choose the right air compressor which will meet your specific needs.
1. Senco PC1010 1-Horsepower Peak, 1/2 hp running 1-Gallon Compressor
The Senco PC1010 1-Horsepower Peak, 1/2 hp running 1-Gallon Compressor comes with an easy to use system that delivers about 20-44 drives per minute which is more than enough to handle small DIY home renovations.
The compressor comes with a standard 1yr warranty in addition to a 1HP motor that can be adjusted to ½ HP with a 1-gallon maximum air storage capacity so that you can work on projects with an endless amount of time.
The Senco Compressor has a lightweight design and is very easy to carry around, which makes it great for portable work sites.
2. California Air Tools CAT-1P1060S Light & Quiet Portable Air Compressor
The California Air Tools CAT-1P1060S Light & Quiet Portable Air Compressor operates at a very quiet noise level of about 56 decibels, which makes it the perfect option for working indoors. The compressor comes with a 1-gallon steel tank that provides you with a prolonged amount of use without having to refill the air tank manually.
This is a very lightweight compressor and only weighs about 29.5lbs, which makes it very easy to transport and move around different work projects with no issues.
The CAT-1P1060S Air Compressor has a very powerful motor that operates at about 06. HP and is rated for operation at about 1.20 CFM and 90 PSI max pressure, which makes it a very versatile option for working on the project of all sizes and complexities.
The California Air Compressor has an oil-free pump that requires minimal maintenance and operational costs, which makes it perfect for those who are working on DIY projects.
3. Makita MAC700 Big Bore 2.0 HP Air Compressor
The Makita MAC700 Big Bore 2.0 HP Air Compressor is made using cast iron materials which power the big bore cylinder that packs an integrated piston that will give you ultimate power.
The compressor comes with a standard one-year manufacturer warranty, and it has an oil-lubricated state which makes the air compressor run at cooler temperatures, and it will also decrease the amount of wear that your air compressor experiences over time.
The Makita Air Compressor has a low-amp operation which makes the air compressor less prone to faulty voltage or breaker functionality while in use. It has a 1,720 RPM rating and operates at really quiet noise levels, which makes it great for indoor use on small project or DIY home renovation tasks.
Air Compressors: The Facts
When choosing the right air compressor for your next project, it’s important to consider any integrated thermal protection capabilities that come with the machine. Most air compressors can operate at very high temperatures, which can become dangerous when the device is in use for prolonged periods of time.
Two-stage air compressors who by using two separate pistons which have dedicated functions for the machine. These air compressors work by allotting the first piston the job of compressing the air and the second piston is used to push the air out through the check valve which compresses the air even more and ultimately delivers it to the storage tank on the air compressor itself.
Two-stage air compressors are generally used for more heavy-duty applications that require higher volumes of compressed air at higher pounds per square inch of air pressure, which is measured in the unit of PSI.
Two-stage air compressors are great for those who need to use two separate tools at one time or for those who want a continuous flow of air for their desired purposes.
Air compressors come in various different models and configurations, all of which operate by using different means of mechanical parts and overall system designs. One of the most common types of air compressors that you’ll find on the market is a single-state or piston-operated air compressor.
These modes are commonly used for small home improvement projects and other DIY tasks that are performed in small workshops or other residential settings. Air compressors use two different types of power supplies, which are either an electric motor or a gasoline-powered engine all depending on the specific type of air compressor model that you decide to purchase.
FAQs About Air Compressors
What is the use of air compressor?
Air compressors are devices that are made to convert power into electrical energy. The compressor forces more and more air into the tank increasing the pressure, so once the tank is filled the compressor shuts off and the air stays inside the tank until it needs to be used.
Is higher CFM better air compressor?
CFM (cubic feet per minute) indicates the compressors flow rate, so yes, higher CFM compressors are able to provide more air, making them ideal for large use and application.
Why do air compressors explode?
Air compressors can explode for many reasons, but one of the most common is because of corrosion from water condensation. This is why you always have to drain it regularly so you can prevent the bottom from corroding.
Does tank size matter air compressor?
Tank size can be very important if you need to use more air before the pressure drops. Their size is usually from 1 to 6 gallons, so try to select the best option for the job you are planning, and you can always consult with experts who will advice you on choosing the right one for you if you can’t decide.
Conclusion
As long as you use all of the tips and information included in this guide, you will have no problem finding the right air compressor for your particular project. We’ve covered all of the various features, components, and aspects that you need to look out for when choosing which air compressor is right for you.
It’s important to look at all of these factors before making a final purchase decision because it allows you to get a clear picture of the machine that you’re purchasing before actually deciding to buy the device itself.
As long as you consider all of these various factors before making your final purchase decision, you’ll have no problem completing your next home improvement project at a professional level.
The Porter-Cable C2002-WK features a maximum PSI pressure of 150 which is enough for all of your projects. It's constructed with a pancake-style tank that offers great stability and longer air tool performance to work on your projects.