Last Updated on August 9, 2023 by Marc Smith
If you have ever considered buying an air compressor, you’ve probably asked yourself the question: Is an air compressor worth it? The short answer is yes, it is definitely worth adding an air compressor to your arsenal of tools. Air compressors are extremely useful for DIY or professional use.
Contents
7 Reasons Why You Need An Air Compressor
In this article we look at the reasons why you should get an air compressor for your home garage or tool shed. For any tool to be worth it, it should be useful. By this I mean that you will actually use it when working on DIY projects or performing tasks around the home.
The reason I say that an air compressor is definitely wort it is that few people are aware of just how versatile an air compressor is and how many applications it can be used for.
Before we go into the reasons why you should get an air compressor, let’s have a look at the advantages and disadvantages of air compressors. Please keep in mind that in this article we focus on portable air compressors for home use and not massive industrial models.
Advantages Of Air Compressors.
Let’s start by looking at the pros of owning an air compressor.
Versatility
An air compressor on its own is not very useful, you need air tools to get the job done. The beauty of an air compressors is that it can power a massive range of different air tools to perform almost any task imaginable.
The PSI on any air compressor can be adjusted to run any air tool, from the smallest Dremel tool to a heavy duty impact driver. There is a wide range of different air compressors to choose from in today’s market, making it possible to find one tailor made for you.
Power
Air tools are more powerful than their electric counterparts, making it the ideal choice for heavy duty jobs. Some pneumatic impact drivers can deliver up to 2500 ft.lbs of torque, something the electric models can’t dream of achieving.
Exclusivity
By this I mean that there are some tasks that can only be performed by using compressed air. This includes jobs like spray painting and all inflation applications.
Having an air compressor in your tool shed will enable you to tackle all these tasks with ease.
Disadvantages Of Using Compressed Air
Set Up Cost
To get started you will need to purchase an air compressor and air tools. This can be costly at the start but is wort it in the long run. Air compressors can cost anything from $100 up to $3000. It all depends on the type of work you want to do with it and what type of setup you want.
Another point to remember is that you need to purchase air hoses and couplers to complete the setup. Some brands sell hose and coupler kits included, something worth looking at.
Noise
Air compressors can be noisy. Most models run between 55db and 90db. Noise at the higher level of this scale will certainly wake up the neighbours and make you very unpopular. This kind of noise is also not good for your hearing and can do harm over a long period of time.
There are alternatives though. So called quiet air compressors run between 55db and 60db which is not much louder than normal conversation levels. This is a good choice if you live in a suburban area.
Reasons Why You Should Get An Air Compressor
1. Cost Effectiveness
Earlier in this article I have listed setup cost as one of the disadvantages. The good news is that the initial cost is probably the only downside. Air tools are cheaper than electric tools and last much longer, this means that over time it will work out cheaper to operate pneumatic tools.
2. Inflating Tyres And Other Inflatables
If you have ever had a flat tyre, you will know the frustration of having to change the wheel with the spare and taking it to the garage to get fixed. It is so much easier to just inflate the tyre and drive the car to the garage.
Compressed air allows you to inflate just about anything that needs inflating, from tyres to air beds. This is very handy in any emergency. You don’t need a big compressor for inflating, a small pancake air compressor will work fine.
3. Cleaning And Drying
Compressed air is great for cleaning and drying. Cleaning attachments can be used to blast soap water solution on to a surface, providing an effective way to clean parts or outdoor furniture.
Dirt stuck in hard to reach places? No problem, blast it away with air!
Air is an extremely effective way to clean power tools, air vents and air filters on cars. Almost anything can be cleaned with air.
4. Spray Painting
This is my favourite application and probably the most fun. There is no comparison between the finish you get from spray painting and a surface painted by hand.
Spray painting is not just for automotive use, but can be used to paint surfaces in and around the home. I recently upgraded my kitchen and decided to spray paint the kitchen units. I was in two minds whether to buy new units or paint the existing ones. Spray painting was definitely the right choice as the outcome was totally amazing. My kitchen now has that showroom look, something I would have paid a fortune for if I decided to purchase new units.
5. Carpentry
I prefer to use air tools for carpentry purely for the extra power. Pneumatic nail guns and staple guns are much more powerful than electric models and get the job done properly.
This is also where the cost factor comes in to play. Electric nail guns can cost around $200, while pneumatic models are less than half the price. You can get a whole set of carpentry air tools for the price of a single electric nail gun.
6. Sandblasting
Sandblasting is the best way to clean any metal surface before painting or any other treatment. Remove rust and old paint easily by sandblasting the surface.
One thing to remember is that you need sandblasting sand or blasting grit for sandblasting. Sand from the back garden will not work.
7. Automotive Repairs
Air tools are used in almost every automotive repair shop. The power and versatility air provides makes it ideal for this kind of application. If you are a petrolhead and likes fiddling with cars, you may want to invest in air tools to make your life a bit easier.
Popular Air Tools To Use With Your Air Compressor
Nail Gun – Makes driving nails quick and easy
Staple gun – Great for DIY and crafts.
Impact wrench – Effortlessly fasten and loosen bolts and nuts.
Pneumatic Angle Grinder – powerful grinder that will last a lifetime.
Air hammer – Bits can be changed to use it for different applications
Paint sprayer – Get the perfect paint job on any surface.
Blow Gun – For cleaning purposes.
Final Thoughts
I use an air compressor and air tools almost every day and don’t know how I would cope without it. Once you get used to using compressed air, it is hard to see how you you ever managed without it. Obviously it is not for everyone, you have to be someone that would from time to time do any of the jobs mentioned in the article above.
The initial setup cost is a bit of a drawback, but if you can get over that, your air tools will provide you with a lifetime of service.
