Best Compressors for Your Workshop or Garage

Compressors are widely used in various fields of human activity: construction, workshops, car repair shops and other enterprises, where one cannot do without a compressed air force. This unit is essential for car body painting with a spray gun, tightening and loosening bolts and nuts, grinding the surfaces or purging the vehicle fuel system. The matching type of the compressor can be chosen according to the tasks to be performed, the quality of air, pressure and flow rate required, as well as the frequency and duration of the working process.

The main compressor types

There are two main types of compressors: pistons (with a belt or direct drives) and screw models. Piston models provide compression due to the reciprocating movement of the piston in the cylinder. Screw compressors are equipped with two closely spaced spiral rotors. Their operation principle is as follows: the air enters through the air valve to the screws, mixing with oil and injecting into the pneumatic system. Then the air is cleaned of oil in the separator and is cooled in the radiator. Unlike the piston mechanisms, there is no reciprocating motion and strong heating, which greatly reduces wear.

What model matches your workshop?

Choosing a compressor, you should take into account your work particularities and the tasks to be performed. If you are a large workshop owner and your pneumatic equipment works non-stop, there is a reason to buy a professional Sealey screw compressor. This unit is manufactured to operate around o’clock with minimal downtown. There are very few moving parts, so the maintenance and service are very simple and not expensive. The insulated engine is very easy to control due to a digital display, indicating oil temperature, air pressure and maintenance schedule. Some Sealey models are equipped with a built-in air dryer, allowing the compressor to deliver more pure air, which is essential in the process of paint spraying. Moreover, the dryer prevents corrosion, which is one of the main reasons for airways’ clogging.

Concerning the piston compressors, they can have direct or belt drive. In the first case, the energy is transmitted directly from the engine to the crankshaft. Such a drive heats relatively quickly and is quite noisy. Its parts wear quite often.

In a belt-drive compressor, the energy is transmitted through the belt. Units of this type are much more durable than their direct-drive counterparts. Moreover, they are more productive, since the operation principle significantly reduces the wear of moving parts, so the device heats less and runs quieter. These features are very important when the compressor is constantly utilized as in the case of a large workshop with a number of people working.

Some important features

• Compressor capacity varies from 100 to 2600 litres per minute. First of all, you should know how many pneumatic tools will operate from the compressor. Then you should consult the manuals of your tool and find out the level of air consumption for each of them. If you use several instruments at the same time, sum all the values. If you do not calculate the consumption correctly, the compressor can get very hot. This will significantly reduce the service life of your unit.
• The working pressure can be individually adjusted for each pneumatic tool. The maximum value can reach 14 atmospheres. Though there are units designed to produce only 2 bars. The system is turned off as soon as the compressor reaches its maximum pressure. When the pressure drops to the minimum value, the system starts up again. It is noteworthy that the working pressure of the tool should slightly exceed the minimum value at which the compressor should turn on. Otherwise, the machine can be quickly worn out.
• Receiver capacity is another essential feature. It varies from 10 to 500 litres depending on the model. Some people believe that the larger the receiver the better. But this is not completely true. The larger the tank, the more time it requires to pump the air and respectively takes more time to recommence operating.

Final Thought

Without any doubt, most workshops and car service stations require a reliable compressor. And whatever price it has, it will always have its advantages and drawbacks. The key issue is to choose the most matching unit for your individual requirements. If you are still lost in the assortment of our catalogue, please contact our managers to get free professional advice concerning the model you need.