For instance, pancake air compressors, in addition to being lighter and smaller than most other compressors, have short, cylindrical tanks that give them their name. Rotary-vane compressors are considered more durable and efficient than reciprocating compressors, but reciprocating compressors are more affordable - at least in the short run.Ī compact pancake air compressor, like this Craftsman unit, can be handy in the garage and inside the house.Īir compressors are broken down into further groups, often based on their shape or their specific method of functioning. Rotary-vane compressors use rotation to contract chambers and raise air pressure reciprocating compressors, also called piston compressors, use pistons to compress air. Two of the most popular types of positive-displacement compressors are rotary-vane compressors and reciprocating compressors. Read more: Best car vacuum to buy for 2021 Dynamic-displacement compressors make use of rotating components that use kinetic energy to compress the air. Positive-displacement compressors (the more common type) draw air into internal chambers that get smaller, thereby compressing it. While there are many different types of air compressors, the methods by which they perform the task fall into two categories: positive displacement and dynamic displacement. Since many of these applications have automotive benefits - like filling tires or powering paint sprayers and pneumatic tools - many car enthusiasts choose to keep air compressors in their home garages.Īir compressors work via internal pump mechanisms that are designed to increase the pressure of air. What are air compressors and what do they do?Īn air compressor is a machine designed to take air from the ambient environment and, using a power source (typically electricity or a combustible fuel), compress it with a pump to the point where it can be used for specific applications. The Briggs & Stratton BS0232041 offers the right mix of size and tank capacity to move around the garage. Then, we've compiled more information about air compressors in hopes of answering any other questions you may have. How can you find the air compressor that's best suited for tire pressure? Read on, as we've detailed the best air compressors across a variety of categories, based on customer satisfaction and expert recommendations. Using these tools for anything mechanical helps to reduce touchpoints, which can help to keep you and your items clean." "Whether you're working on your car, motorbike, or even bicycle, an air compressor can be a fantastic tool. "An air compressor can be used for so many different domestic projects, even though so many people mistake them for something that only commercial areas need," Says Andy King, founder and managing director of, a UK-based online service devoted to car-buying comparisons.
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Some common auto tools that use pneumatic power include impact wrenches, tire inflators and paint sprayers. As the name suggests, an air compressor takes air from the atmosphere, increases its pressure and then sends it through a tube to deliver the compressed air to the attached tool. For pneumatic tools, you'll need to have an air compressor. Of course, sometimes the right equipment needs some power behind it. Whether you're changing spark plugs or freshening suspension components, you won't get very far without the right equipment. If you like to work on your car at home, you know how important it is to have the proper tools.