Air Tool Pressure Requirements-Is it Crucial?

Having a good set of tools can help you out in many situations. Even though you may not need to use them regularly, they will come in handy in some unforeseen situations. air tool pressure requirementsOther than that, if you are self-proclaimed DIY or like to mess around with the tools in your garage, then it is important to have good tools.

There are electric tools, and there are air tools. To understand if you need the air tools or bot, you should learn about the air tool pressure requirements and their advantages.

Also, the air compressor you will use to supply power to your air tools, the right CFM for your air compressor will provide the best output to your air tools and not halt your work.

What size air compressor does need for air tools?

There are different types and sizes of air compressors in the market but the size can’t determine whether it is powerful enough for your pneumatic or air tools. To buy the right kind of air compressor, you will have to find out the right type of air compressor which will fulfill your air tools pressure requirements.

Here are some considerations you’ve to know what you want from your compressor:

Your projects

Are you doing big construction-related projects, or is it just occasional maintenance? Is it for your home upgrade, or are you doing automotive repairs as well inflate off-road truck tires? If you are going to put up a shed in the backyard, then you will need a powerful air compressor than the hobbyists.

Here we have reviewed some powerful 20-gallon air compressors for home garage

The air tools you will use

There are a lot of air or pneumatic tools that you will find fascinating and will want your attention. You will only buy the air tools that you will use, not every tool. Depending on those tools, the air compressor you choose will differ.

For tools like a sandblaster, you will need a big tank 20-gallon air compressor or above to give you more airflow. It will keep a constant airflow. For something like a brad nailer, finish nailer, pneumatic impact wrenches, or other air tools any small compressor is good enough.

For getting buying decision we reviewed top-rated small in size easily portable 6-gallon pancake air compressors

Available power source

Many of the air compressors can be plugged with a 240-volt AC power source in your home standard outlet. Some of these work on 12V DC power outlets like car and truck batteries. There are many air compressors that can operate either AC or DC power sources. Getting you the best AC/DC dual power tire inflator air compressor, click here.

Some run on gasoline if there is no electrical power supply found. That is not the case for most people as everyone has an electrical supply nowadays.

Available space

If you buy an air compressor with a big tank, that will need lots of space. If you are someone who does not have that much space, you should buy an air compressor that will fit in that space. You will find a 6-gallon pancake compressor that will fit inside any garage, also a 30-gallon unit which will need bigger space.

Air tool CFM Requirements

When buying the air compressor, airflow will be the most important factor. The amount it can produce is the most necessary information you need. “Standard Cubic Feet per Minute,” also known as SCFM or CFM in short, this number should have the minimum CFM rating the air tool you use needs.

Most Common Air Tool Pressure Requirements CFM Chart 1

The horsepower is also something you should consider while buying the air compressor. It is less critical than CFM but essential nonetheless. The horsepower will let you know the power of the air compressor’s motor, and CFM will tell you the air compressor outputs to your air tools.

There is a recommended CFM requirement given by the manufacturer of every air tool. Take the highest CFM-rated tool and multiply it by 1.5. if you buy an air compressor that can provide that much CFM, you will be able to use all of your air tools without any worries comfortably. To find out about the required CFM of air tools, check the air tool consumption chart below.

Air tool CFM chart

The Air compressor CFM chart will help you to know about the average CFM requirement for many of the air tools. Remember that air tools are usually rated about 25% duty, which means out of every 60 seconds, they are active for 15 seconds on a continuous use such as grinders. Take a look below at the air compressor CFM vs. psi chart.

Air tool Avg. CFM at 90 PSI Avg. Operating Psi
Air hammer 4 90-100
Angle grinder 5-8 90-100
Blowgun 2-3 90-100
Brad nailer 0.5 70-90
Die grinder 5 70-90
Disc sander 20 90-100
Drill 4 70-90
Framing nailer 2 100-130
Tire inflator 2 125-150
Speed saw 4 90-100
Paint spray gun 4-8 90-100

Air Tools Advantages

Using air tools have their own advantages. Below you should find some of those advantages:

  • Air tools have more power than electric tools.
  • The heat output is reduced.
  • Air tools have a longer lifespan than their counterpart, electric tools.
  • No need to worry about electric shocks and pretty much no risk of getting fire accidents.
  • Air tools are weighed to be less so that the operator fatigue is reduced.

Now the question arises, what is the power source of the air tools? Air, but where does it come from. Well, it comes from an air compressor. Your air tools, consisting of nail guns, impact wrench, paint sprayers are all powered by an air compressor. Let’s find out what type of air compressor will be the one for you.

How much is PSI required to operate an impact wrench?

4-5 CFM @90 PSI is required to run a 1/2-inch impact wrench. It is also recommended to use a 20-gallon compressor, so there is no delay in continuous use.

What pressure my air compressor should be at?

The air tools that use portable air compressors need 0-5 CFM at 70-90 PSI, and larger air tools that use connected air compressors need 10 CFM on 100-120 PSI.

Does air compressor tank size matter?

The bigger the tank, the larger amount of air it will be able to store. In turn, it will let you use more air till pressure drops and refill the tank, the motor kicks in. This should help you avoid being delayed when working with the air compressor.

What size air compressor do I need for air tools? This article should help you to understand this question quite well. If you consider the CFM of your air tools and the PSI they require, you will find the perfect air compressor and will be able to enjoy working without any worry.

The right air compressor will help you to keep working without delay as the air compressor will not need to refill as much. I hope this article on air tool pressure requirements has helped you to understand the workings of air tools and air compressors better.