DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, I receive a commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
When your tank is low on pressure, your tool stall, and the air compressor wheezes in protest. Maybe you’re using it to paint a fence; maybe you’re framing a deck. And there it goes, you reach for the trigger, but all you get is a hiss, no action at all.
Now the motor rattle into life and there you go again: waiting. It’s bad enough if you are doing delicate work, because it ruin the finish. Beyond that, this pattern interrupts your rhythm, draining your patience and ultimateley ruining the job.
Compressors come in many sizes, from small portable models to large stationary tanks. With such a wide variety, it can be difficult to know what fits your workflow. What you don’t want to do is buy more power then you can reasonably store or less than you actualy require.
There’s a good selection of compressor available at Northern Tool + Equipment. So the ideal compressor change based off what you want to do. A casual homeowner has different needs than a weekend carpenter.
If you’re a contractor moving from site to site every day, then there are other considerations entirely. We’ll discuss some of those trade-offs, including weight/portable vs. Noise/long-term use vs. It provides continuous airflow. Ultimately our hope is to point you toward a compressor that keep pace with whatever you need to do.
How to Pick the Best Air Compressor
Choosing the Right Compressor Type
Pancake compressors are dominant in the low-end of the market. They’re light-weight, flat (so they can sit in the back of a truck or under a car hood), etc… You can find a bunch at Northern Tool; they offer competitive pricing on several models. For short spurts of air they’re great.
They are perfect for using as a nailer for small trim jobs, blowing dust off your workbench, or simply inflating a tire. But they don’t store much air. When you are trying to operate a high-demand tool from your pancake unit it will show its age.
The motor will turn itself on and off repeatedly which add noise and shortens the motor’s lifespan. You see a higher PSI rating and think “wow this thing will last forever” but that is where folks miss the point. PSI is pressure, not volume.
To maintain a continuous use of a tool you must have CFM. A pancake does not have reserves to sustain work.
Hot Dog Style Compressor Benefits
Hot dog style compressors increase capacity without taking up much space.
They look like horizontal cylinder and usually hold around twenty gallons. The design also stores more air than a pancake model, allowing you to go just a bit longer on tools before you has to recharge your tank with the motor. You can find some good ones at Northern Tool that balance cost and durability well.
For smaller jobs, these units can power a spray gun, a ratchet or even staple drywall. For most DIYers, that’s a sweet spot for a compressor. It’s light enough to be moved about a job site but has enough extra weight to notice the increase in performance.
This is a good place for a practical compromise between not having enough air to do anything worthwhile in one session and constantly interrupting your workflow.
Large Stationary Compressor Power
If you’re going to have multiple tool in operation simultaneously, perhaps a large impact wrench or a sandblaster, then you’ll want something like this, which holds 50+ gallons and sits stationary, either on wheels or legs. These are the big guns in your garage; meant to be used for extended periods of time.
On the flip side, you know what the downfalls are, noisy, big, cumbersome. It take up valuable space in your garage or shop. It uses a lot of juice and gets hot.
What do you get? You get raw power and endurance. This makes sense if you’re working intensely at one spot.
It allow you to keep going hour after hour without interruption. If you need portability, that is the main concern for most buyers. You have to balance ease of transport with performance.
For example, a bigger tank lets you stay in one place with more power, while a small tank lets you move between zones but gives you less time doing so. No magic bullet here. It just depends on your projects and what’s most important to you.
Understanding CFM and PSI Ratings
Look closely at the CFM rating at the PSI your tool requires; watch out though, as many times manufacturers list CFM at zero PSI, which is misleading. Look at the specs at 75 PSI, because that’s what you’ll use in the real world. Compare that to your tool needs.
If the tool asks for seven CFM and your compressor only supplies five, guess what? You’re not going to ever catch up. It’s simple math.
Noise Levels and Maintenance Tips
Another thing people forget about is the noise, and guess what: Older piston compressors are loud. They are not just loud; they are startlingly loud, to the point that you can’t have a conversation. Look for something with an oil free pump or some sort of blanket for noise reduction.
They are quieter, but they will last less time under heavy abuse. Most things at Northern Tool list their noise level so check that information out before purchase and keep your sanity. The last point in longevity is maintenance.
Oil filled units require periodic change of oil and checking for leaks. The oil free units will go faster but are grab-and-go. Either way, take care of the dust filter and drain valve.
Neglect will kill a compressor more quickly than heavy use. A little care will extend the life of any unit much longer. Selecting the proper Northern Tool air compressor boils down to being honest with yourself about what you really need.
Buy the power you will actualy use. Make sure you can carry the machine and don’t buy one too big for your shop. Get the tank size appropriate for the length of your job.
Match CFMs to your tool requirements and purchase the machine that lets you focus on your work. Let it do all the hard stuff while you concentrate on building. That’s how you’ll get finished on time.