These tools can include:

• Nailers
• Grinders
• Polishers
• Staplers
• Impact Wrenches
• Paint Guns
• And dozens more

The beauty of Air Tool systems is that once you have the compressor, you can add relatively inexpensive attachments to the system any time you want to expand its usefulness.

Selecting an Air Tool

Before you make any purchase, you should first decide what you want to do with your pneumatic tool system. You can see the types of tools we offer here . Take a look at the specifications of the tools you want to use. They are probably all different. Pay special attention to the required Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM) rating and the required PSI rating. When you find a tool you're interested in, find the highest rating, and add 25-50% to that number. That will give you the minimum ratings you should consider when selecting the compressor to power your system. The key to a good pneumatic tool system is having a compressor that is more than capable of powering the tools you want to use.

With that in mind, let's look at some compressors. 

Selecting a Compressor

In general, all compressors are somewhat similar. They all have some type of motor that drives  at least one piston that compresses the gas, and a holding tank that stores it. After that, the similarities end and you have several features to consider when making your selection.

1. Size – Compressors come in two basic variations. Stationary and portable. Stationary compressors like the Porter Cable to the left are usually much larger and more powerful than their portable cousins, but may require a forklift to move even a few feet. Portable compressors like the Porter Cable on the right usually have wheels built-in but can not power as many tools at the same time. If you are doing a lot of work in one place, then a stationary model is perfect, but if you are moving between jobsites frequently, consider a portable model.

2. Oil-Lubricated vs. Oil-Free – Oil-Free compressors are much easier to maintain, but usually do not have enough power for industrial applications. In general, they work best for Do-It-Yourselfers who are using one tool at a time. Oil-Lubricated compressors are usually larger and more powerful, but they require more maintenance.

3. Stages – A Single Stage compressor has one piston that compresses the gas and delivers it to the holding tank. Single Stage compressors are usually more on the light-duty side and usually have a maximum PSI of 150, which makes them more suitable for Do-it-Yourselfers. A Dual Stage compressor has a second piston that compresses the gas even further before delivering it to the storage tank. This creates more air pressure for heavy-duty applications.

4. Dryers – The process of compressing air creates heat and water condensation. Condensation can rapidly create a pool of water in the bottom of your tank. All compressors have a drain valve that will allow you to remove this water, but a built-in dryer will help remove this water before it even reaches the tank.

Final Considerations

The last thing you need to consider for your Air Tool system are accessories. You need to have all the hoses, fittings and adapters necessary to connect your tools to your compressor. The accessories you need will vary based on what tools and compressor you have selected, but in general are inexpensive. And when you consider that added versatility, power and performance, Air Tools are a great bargain when compared to other options.