air compressors - understanding the numbers
 

OK - a guy I wheeled with yesterday let me use his onboard air setup and I'm now instantly spoiled - no more gas station pumps for me! His York blet driven system was probably nicer than what I'll get, but at least I won't have to wait in line for air!

So, I want an electric system, preferably prortable so I can use it on our boat for tubes and such as well. All I care about (I think) is how much air it will move and how fast, and how long it can run. So I think that means I need to compare CFMs and duty cycle, right? Anything else I should pay attention to?

It seems like the ExtremeAir is my best bet... but maybe I'm missing something.

Extreme Air:
continuous duty cycle
4 CFM flow rate
150 PSI max

Quickair 3:
40minute duty cycle
3.64 CFM
70 PSI max

Viair:
not even a consideration.

If you plan to go with the Extreme Air there is the aftermarket version (same spec) available for 1/2 the price.

http://pages.sbcglobal.net/larsdenne...sor/index.html

I do have the extreme aire and love it to death but I figure if this AIM compressor is the same why not save a buck or two right? ;)

Cool, thanks - I was wondering if there were any lesser known outfits making decent compressors for a better price.

2 more questions... what's the determining factor for running air tools? CFM?

and...

How does using a compressor with a tank decrease the time it takes to air up after a run? Logically it doesn't make sense, but I'm sure there's some physics behind it or something.

I went with the Extreme OBA which runs at 150 psi max and 4 cfm.

Here's something for typical cfm values of air tools:
CLICKY

The tank just gives you air that is ready to go, just like on the shop models, so your compressor isn't working to keep up, but to keep you ahead and so you can constantly use the air tool.

:guitar: