How to Choose the Right Air Compressor

When it comes to picking an air compressor for automotive jobs, there are four major specifications you’ll need to decide on: pump configuration, tank size, output, and electrical requirements. Your optimum combination of these specs will most often come down to your available space, the tools you’ll be using, and your shop’s electrical configuration.

There are three basic types of pumps commonly used today.
* Lightweight invector compressors are best-suited for casual use, such as inflating tires or cleaning off parts with an air gun.
* Direct-drive compressors feature standard induction motors are perfect for the occasional- to moderate-use owner who doesn’t want to deal with servicing issues.
* Belt-drive pumps are quieter than their oil-free counterparts and are best suited for do-it-yourselfers and professionals who frequently use their air compressor.

What about tank size?
Air compressor tanks vary widely in size, ranging from two gallons to 120-plus gallons. And some huge commercial models even have 240-plus gallon tanks! Tools that work in short bursts—an impact wrench, for example—work reasonably well with a small tank. Tools that continuously use air such as die grinders, paint equipment, and sand blasters require a larger tank. If you can’t decide between two comparable air compressors, buy the one with the larger tank.

When it comes to output ratings, you can rate an air compressor in a number of ways.
Some do it based on the pump output pressure or by the electric motor’s horsepower output. The real compressor performance gauge is output at a given pressure. The rate at which a compressor can deliver a volume of air is noted in cubic feet per minute (CFM). CFM actually varies with atmospheric pressure, air temperature and humidity, so manufacturers created a standard called standard cubic feet per minute, or SCFM. This is CFM corrected to sea level with 68 degree air at 36-percent relative humidity.

[ivans]

You answered all my questions! Thanks!

[MrAlkhe]

*This does exactly what I was wanting **MyBest.Tools** Price was fantastic, lower than Harbor Freight-and it included hose and attachments, and IT IS MADE IN AMERICA, unlike Harbor Freight*

[johnbehneman]

Great video and education. Something I have been thinking about as well. My dad taught me about using high-quality tools to get the job done. Thanks for sharing.

[Airflores]

Excellent instructional vid, thank you for this. 😊

[Montanho]

So far the best vid on AC. Thank you for posting it!

[rabbibacongrease]

As a general rule you should be able to produce 20CFM on a 25 amp 220v circuit And you should be able to produce 40CFM on a 50 amp 220v circuit.
My Quincy 390 produces 36CFM on a 50 amp 220v circuit with a 10 horsepower single phase motor.
You can always purchase a pump twice as big as you need and spin it at half the RPM. If you want something bigger later, you can just add a bigger motor and spin it faster. My Quincy 390 is capable of producing 70CFM at 200 PSI with a 20 horsepower motor, But I'm only spinning it at 560 RPM to produce 36CFM with a 10 horsepower motor.
If I ever need more air I could just get a bigger motor and spin the pump faster.

[theol]

I have a 60 gallon air compressor, with a good regulator it is enough to constantly use tools at 90 psi. Keep the tank blown down and a good compressor should last 30 years.

[MobileTech-AutoLLC]

I couldn't help but notice that you had 12 tools listed and was trying to follow it over to the 13 cfm numbers at 4:13

[austinlane]

How could you upload a serious video on April 1. Holley Performance killed it.

[BrassLock]

I had to slow down the talking speed to 75%. People always speak too fast when they're just reading a script.

[rogerjohnson]

Damn he talk so fast I’ll have to watch this video 10 times to catch all that 🤷‍♂️🤦‍♂️