Understanding Air Compressors

This site has guides to help you understand how your air compressor and parts work, air compressor maintenance and DIY advice, and answers to common air compressor problems and questions.

Air Compressor Manufacturers

Our buying guides help you find the right air compressor for you.

Air compressors are used for power to air tools for construction, gas-filling of cylinders, divers’ supply, the power to HVAC systems, then to pneumatic tools, filling vehicle tires and similar. For household usage, you can use it for blowing up balloons or all inflatable products you might have, pumping the vehicle’s or bicycle’s tires, cleaning crevices with air pressure, painting with an airbrush, and more. For business use, you can use it for: sanding in repair shops, painting over the vehicles, use them for pneumatic roofing nail guns, for making fake snow for entertainment, powering automotive tools, and similar.

air compressor extension cord

Use Caution With Your Air Compressor Extension Cord

Why is it important to use caution with your air compressor extension cord? Since an extension...
Compressor Capacitors

Compressor Capacitors: The Complete Guide

A Guide To Capacitors For Compressors A capacitor may seem tiny, but very effective gadget in...
air compresor car tire

Connect A Compressor To A Car Tire

Those of us that use compressed air all of the time, take for granted that...
water separator for air compressor

How to make a water separator for air compressors?

A visitor to my site used this search string "how to make a water separator...
cfm and psi

Understanding compressed air CFM, PSI, Force & Flow

When it comes to applications for compressed air, a user must consider both CFM and...
what is cfrm

What is CFM?

CFM is an abbreviation that stands for Cubic Feet per Minute. By definition, it is...
large air compressors weigh

How Much Do Air Compressors Weigh

What weighs more; 500 lbs. of lead, or 500 lbs. of feathers? It's not a...
compressed air filters use

Do You Need A Compressed Air Filter

If you have acquired or purchased a smaller air compressor for your home or garage...
New Compressed Air Plumbing Solution

Plumbing An Air Compressor

This page provides information about, and a visitor question page on, plumbing an air compressor. Information...
plastic pipe for compressed air

Use PVC plastic pipe for compressed air?

Can you, or should you, use PVC plastic pipe for compressed air? What prompted this...

If you are having issues with your air compressor, we have some answers and advice for common problems. This includes when your air compressor won't shut off, or start.

Air Compressor Will Not Shut Off

Air Compressor Will Not Shut Off

So it seems like the air compressor has been running for far too long. You...
Speedaire Compresso

Older Speedaire Compressor Parts Issue

Speedaire compressor is a brand by Grainger Company and the only that they manufactured for...
How Much Oil Does My Air Compressor Need

How Much Oil Does My Air Compressor Need?

How much oil does my air compressor need? It's often a straightforward question, but sometimes...
compressor air hose

Does The Length Of An Air Hose Make A Difference?

In a word, yes! How does the length of an air hose affect whether or...
air compressor shut off automatically

Do All Air Compressors Shut Off Automatically?

Do all air compressors shut off automatically? A good question that came in from a...
air compress at 100 PSI

How much does air compress at 100 PSI?

Interesting question from a visitor recently, how much does air compress at 100 PSI?   What Is...

Using compressed air for breathing air?

Air from an air compressor is not for breathing. Do not breath air from an...
How To Use A Compressor To Inflate Tires

How To Use A Compressor To Inflate Tires

So how do you use a compressor to inflate tires? It seems to be a...
Compressor motor

Compressor motor hums and blows breaker

This issue: The compressor worked just fine until I shut it off for about 1 minute...
Air Line Lubricators

Air Line Lubricators – do you need them?

An air line lubricator’s purpose is to deliver measured amounts of lubricating oil into the...

It is important to maintain your air compressor to keep it running in optimum condition, for safety and a long life. Besides doing precautionary steps, you will also save money and time that would usually be needed for repairs. Daily maintenance: Checking the level of the pump oil, checking for oil leaks, draining the tank water, checking for unusual sounds or noises, checking every single air leak, and inspection of belts. Weekly maintenance: Check all of the air filters, and if needed clean them, or replace them. Monthly maintenance: Do a checkup of the safety relief valve, check belts (if needed), tighten the bolts, and do a detailed check of possible leaks in the connections. Yearly maintenance: Once a year, you should service the engine or the pump.

Speedaire Compresso

Older Speedaire Compressor Parts Issue

Speedaire compressor is a brand by Grainger Company and the only that they manufactured for...
How Much Oil Does My Air Compressor Need

How Much Oil Does My Air Compressor Need?

How much oil does my air compressor need? It's often a straightforward question, but sometimes...
Compressor Capacitors

Compressor Capacitors: The Complete Guide

A Guide To Capacitors For Compressors A capacitor may seem tiny, but very effective gadget in...
water separator for air compressor

How to make a water separator for air compressors?

A visitor to my site used this search string "how to make a water separator...
speedaire compressor oil change

Speedaire Compressor Oil Change

If you have a Speedaire compressor but don't have a Speedaire compressor manual, then this...
compressed air filters use

Do You Need A Compressed Air Filter

If you have acquired or purchased a smaller air compressor for your home or garage...
Air Line Lubricators

Air Line Lubricators – do you need them?

An air line lubricator’s purpose is to deliver measured amounts of lubricating oil into the...
Pressure Relief Valves On My Air Compressor

Why Are There Two Pressure Relief Valves On My Air Compressor?

Air compressors with one cylinder typically have only one pressure relief valve (PRV), so why...

Why Are There Two Air Gauges

Why are there two air gauges on a typical air compressor? A visitor that is...
NPT fittings

How Sizing NPT Fittings Enhances Airflow

I'm finally plumbing my shop for air distribution. This site has a lot of great...