Most air compressors are either of the reciprocating piston type, rotary vane or rotary screw. Centrifugal compressors are common in very large applications.

The two main types of air compressor have pumps which are either oil lubed or, oiless (also spelled oil less and oilless).

The oiless system is more technically developed, but of course it is more expensive. It is also louder and not as durable as the oiled lube pumps. However, oiless units deliver better quality air. The best choice depends on the application that the user needs and can be answered by asking where the air compressor will be used:

Around the house
Around the garage
Around the building site
Around the factory

While a somewhat simplified way to determine the type of air compressor needed, it is a fairly accurate starting point.

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Ten years ago you would have been hard pressed to find an air compressor in a family home. Some of the really keen home mechanic guys might have one, but that would be about the limit. Today, many more people are owning their own air compressor and finding more and more uses for it.

Basically the air compressor uses either a gasoline powered or electrically powered engine to work a pump that sucks in and compresses air on the air tank. Tank size, or capacity, is one of the ways air compressors are rated.

Then the unit pumps the air out and the speed in which it does this is another way to rate the air compressor unit. Often this is rated in cubic feet per minute, or CPM. Some air compressors pump at moderate to high pressure and power tools such as wheel nut wrenches and spray paint guns. Others do their job cleanly and filter out contaminants while filling air tanks for scuba divers. Some operate high precision machinery in factories and even dental surgeries.

Of all these applications, by far the biggest growth in the last ten years has been in home air compressor units. People have them for filling the tires on the car or kids bikes, balls and other inflatable toys. They operate tools such as rattle guns that remove wheel nuts or spray painting guns and cutting tools, saws and all sorts of items.

The air compressors most of us need for everyday jobs are used in 5 ways or div (for divisions). While some are electric, others use small gas motors to power the compressor itself. An air compressor supplies:

• high-pressure clean air to fill gas cylinders
• moderate-pressure clean air to supply air to a submerged surface supplied diver
• a large amount of moderate-pressure air to power pneumatic tools (cfm or cubic feet per minute is the measurement here)
• air for filling tires to produce large volumes of moderate-pressure (psi or pounds per square inch)
• air for macroscopic industrial processes (including oxidation for petroleum coking, cement plant bag house purge systems and so on)

Most air compressors are either of the reciprocating piston type, rotary vane or rotary screw. Centrifugal compressors are common in very large applications.

The two main types of air compressor’s pumps are;

• oil lubed pump and
• oiless pump.

The oiless system is more technically developed, but is more expensive, louder and not as durable as the oiled lube pumps. However, they deliver better quality air. The best choice depends on the application that the user needs and can be answered by asking where the air compressor will be used:

• Around the house
• Around the garage
• Around the building site
• Around the factory

While a somewhat simplified way to determine the type of air compressor needed, it is a fairly accurate starting point. Portable pumps  such as those made by deWalt and new units might produce different power outputs to older, worn units or large fully installed but reconditioned Ingersoll-Rand units. Size of the tank, dual lines and full equipment accessories or kit are all things to consider, not to mention free shipping whether buying from a bricks and mortar outlet or online store for your home workshop or professional repair shop.

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