An air compressor serves as an invaluable tool to create compressed air for powering various appliances. By utilizing either an electric motor or gas engine, the device draws in outside air and pushes it to a pressure that surpasses the natural atmospheric level, supplying the necessary thrust for drive guns, paint spritzers, or impact wrenches.

Pressurized air has become a foundational part of the modern world, playing a role in everything from helping power essential tools to inflating automotive tires. It is all made possible by an air compressor, which takes regular atmospheric air and compresses it, allowing for convenient delivery to the user in the form of an air hose.

In the early nineteenth century, air compressors became a part of the mining industry, when George Bailey, a pioneering English engineer, patented an air compressor to drive a rock drill. Unfortunately, this bulky contraption was too heavy and immobile for many applications. Only after the later decades of the 1800s, were lighter and more resourceful air compressors designed to meet the demands of society.

For an array of applications, air compressors can be found in various shapes and sizes. Portable models are light and compact, making them suitable for everyday use at home or even in the garage. If higher power is needed, then a stationary version would make a better selection, especially in an industrial or commercial setting.

An electric motor or gasoline engine harnesses the power needed to draw in atmospheric air, which is then compressed to a pressure higher than that found in the atmosphere. This powerful pressurized air is then delivered to whoever requires it via an air hose.

An air compressor typically features two tanks: one to store pressurized air for power tools, and the other to hold a lower-pressure flow for tires and other objects that require less pressure. Alongside the larger reservoir is a smaller tank to store the compressed air at a reduced level, which is mainly used for activities such as pumping up vehicle tires or activating devices that don’t request a forceful flow.

Depending on the tools you’ll be deploying, and the intensity of the air pressure required, the appropriate size for your air compressor could either range from portable, miniaturized versions to larger, permanent models.

To ensure maximum satisfaction when buying an air compressor, it is wise to pay close attention to the manufacturer’s details and make sure that the model picked out matches up with your specifications.