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When it comes to air compressors, there's a lot to keep in mind. Between the industry jargon, technical terms and units of measurement, it’s easy to confuse the details. The following is a guest post from the Zero Sick Days blog by RolAir Systems, detailing the top five most common air compressor myths reported by customers. Don't let the headlines fool you, the devil's in the details.
1. Focus on displaced CFM.
Displaced CFM is calculated by multiplying the pump’s bore and stroke by its RPM. The result might look good in marketing collateral, but it won’t give you an accurate idea of how much air you’re actually getting out of your air compressor. Delivered CFM (or free air delivery) is what really matters, as it factors in the regulated pressure setting (PSI). It’s a measure of the actual air you have at your disposal.
2. It’s all about tank size.
Tank size is an important factor, but it won’t make up for a small pump. If the pump doesn’t deliver enough CFM, the reserve air will get used up very quickly - and you’ll have to wait while the tank refills.
Determine the amount of delivered CFM you need, and then think about how your pneumatic tools operate. If they operate in quick bursts like nailers and staplers, you’ll be fine with a tank that holds 10 gallons or less. If they run for longer stretches, like grinders, sanders, or spray equipment, go with a larger tank. RolAir offers models ranging from 30 to 120 gallons.
3. Single-phase vs. single-stage. Same thing, right?
The terms single-phase and single-stage have a similar ring to them, and, for someone with limited air compressor experience, it’s easy to confuse.
Single-phase refers to the power supply in most homes and small businesses throughout the U.S. The alternative is three-phase power, which is commonly found in industrial and manufacturing settings.
Single-stage refers to the number of times air is compressed in a reciprocating pump. Single-stage pumps compress air one time. The alternative is a two-stage pump, which compresses the air twice. In general, two-stage pumps produce more CFM and operate more efficiently.
4. Overvaluing PSI.
Some people focus solely on the maximum PSI rating of an air compressor. They know the pressure at which their tools operate, and assume as long as the air compressor can meet those requirements, they’re good to go. The problem with this scenario? A key factor is being overlooked. You can’t have pressure (PSI) without flow (delivered CFM). As your pressure increases, the flow will decrease.
All pneumatic tools use a certain amount of CFM while in use. If your air compressor doesn’t produce enough air for a particular tool, that tool won’t function properly - regardless of the pressure setting.
5. Hung up on horsepower.
Comparing size of an air compressor based on horsepower equates to asking your pharmacist for any medicine available in 250mg pills. Clearly that’s not very effective.
Now imagine calling Nail Gun Depot and asking for a 2 horsepower air compressor. Not all 2 horsepower air compressors are created equal, so you’d likely receive a flurry of questions like, “portable or stationary? Direct drive or belt drive? How many, and what types of tools are you using?"
At the end of the day, you may not end up with a 2 horsepower compressor.
Conclusion
A simple line of questioning is usually enough to clear things up. Before you buy, arm yourself with information. Know the tools you’ll be using. Know their CFM requirements. Know what type of power is available at your job site. Knowing the answers to these questions will help ensure you end up with the right air compressor.
~ The Nail Gun Depot Team
It's time to wrap up another year of new tools, project tips and video demonstrations. To capture the essence of 2016 at Nail Gun Depot, we've compiled a sampling of our top articles and videos for the year, to relive some of the Nail Gun Network's best of 2016!
NGD's Top Picks: Hall of "Frame"
Viewer's Choice: Most Popular
And with that, we conclude our last post of 2016. From everyone at Nail Gun Depot, we wish a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all. Stay tuned, we'll be back to blogging in January 2017!
~The Nail Gun Depot Team
If you haven't heard, we've moved! As many of you already know, 2016 has been a BIG year for Nail Gun Depot. In the shadow of our 15th Anniversary celebration last year, we launched a brand-new, mobile optimized website last spring, expanded our already expansive online product lineup for the summer, and have now extended our physical footprint - by 40,000 square feet - to round out the year.
Our new headquarters and fulfillment center, located at 1740 Carillon Blvd. in Cincinnati, is our largest location yet. Boasting an expansive 50,000 square foot structure, our new facility includes a full-service repair center, corporate offices and call center, a showroom, and a spacious distribution and fulfillment center.
As always, expect the same great service as before. Our website, phone and email will all remain the same, as we transition into our new home.
So, what does this mean for you?
With a larger distribution center, we will now have the ability to stock more products and maintain a greater inventory. Stay tuned to NailGunDepot.com for inventory additions, and be sure to subscribe to the Nail Gun Network for the latest product news and updates!
On behalf of everyone at Nail Gun Depot, thank you for your continued business. We look forward to growing with you in the years ahead.
~The Nail Gun Depot Team
Ever find yourself looking to purchase a new tool, but not quite sure which one will suit your project best? Instead of forcing a square peg into a round hole, take a look at Senco's tool and trade chart, below. Then, find the corresponding tools by visiting Nail Gun Depot's "Shop By Project" application builder.
Finding and comparing the right tool for your project is easier than ever on Nail Gun Depot. Give it a shot, and let us know what you think below!
~ The Nail Gun Depot Team
Welcome to the all-new Nail Gun Depot - your everything source for fastening and construction supply. Whether you're looking for a tool, fastener, how-to advice or expert tips - we've got it all. With competition online as fierce as ever, we're going the extra mile for our customers - ensuring you get the right product for your project, at a competitive price.
Don't take our word for it, check out some of the great new features all visitors can enjoy on Nail Gun Depot:
Want more? We've only just begun. Stay tuned as we continue to expand our product selection, and roll-out new features on Nail Gun Depot. Whether you're a contractor, expert, DIYer, amateur - or anywhere in between - we've got something for everyone on Nail Gun Depot and The Nail Gun Network.
Have questions, comments or feedback? Feel free to contact us.
~ The Nail Gun Depot Team
~The Nail Gun Depot Team
At the end of 2013, we posted about the various components of a nail and offered some in-depth explanations as to the importance of these components. If you missed our previous posts on nail components, here is a quick refresher - with some added knowledge.
The first step is to determine what collation angle your tool is designed to run. Some degrees include 20 °, 35 °, 28 ° and 15 °. The next step would be to classify what types of collation the tool handles. Collations include plastic, wire and paper - which can be used in place of plastic.
When you have completed the nail classification, you will then determine the tool range. The length and diameter are known as the range. Length is the size of the nail, each tool will have a minimum and maximum length. Note: some nails are sized in pennies (symbol, D). Diameter is the thickness of the shank or wire gauge. The bigger the number, the thicker the nail.
The type of nail can be broken into three categories; head, point and shank. Head types include duplex, headless, finish, drywall, clipped and full round which is the most common. The type of point determines how the nail will penetrate into your application and the splitting severity. The most common is chisel (diamond) point and the easiest to drive. It is ideal for soft wood applications. Blunt point allows minimal penetration resistance and is commonly used in pallet construction. Flat point, also known as chisel point, requires the most drive power and is frequently used with a screw shank nail.
The nail shank is the part on the nail which does most of the holding. The shank is one of four types: smooth, spiral, ring or screw. Smooth shank nails have exactly that: a smooth appearance and has the least holding power. Spiral shank nails have either a threaded appearance, like a screw, or they can have a helical twist to them. Screw shank nails are used in hardwood applications. Ring shank nails have a series of rings punched into the surface of the shank and offers the most holding power.
The nail finish can be bright, cement coated, electrogalvanized, hot dipped galvanized, flash-coated with zinc, hardened steel, stainless steel or aluminum. These different finishes, coatings or material of nails give different levels of protection of resistance to rusting or other special properties to certain applications.
The factors mentioned above such as degree, collation type, nail size and shank diameter can all affect the compatibility of nails with any nail gun. Contact Nail Gun Depot Customer Service to confirm compatibility and determine the best nail for your application. You can also use Nail Gun Depot's Fastener Finder Tool to locate the right nail for your tool.