The right compressor: good air for pneumatic tools

There are compressors of different types. The motors of the compressors sold by bildhau for operating compressed-air-tools are powered by electricity.

Compressors also differ on the basis of their performance and durability. This results from various factors: apart from the design, these are primarily the quality and strength of the motor and the size of the air tank. They determine how much air can be drawn in, compressed and delivered in how long.

The quality of the motor is also important for how long you can work at a stretch: The compressor's motor always starts when there is no longer enough pressure in the air tank. Once the preset bar number is reached, it switches off again. If intensive work is now being done and a lot of air is being extracted continuously (depending on the type of air tool, among other things!), the motor has a lot to do. Very high-quality motors are suitable for continuous operation; with others, work must be paused again and again.

Compressor and tool must fit together

If you want to work with compressed air, make sure that the output power of your compressor matches the air requirements of your compressed-air-tool. If your tool requires more compressed air than your compressor can deliver, you will not enjoy your work.

The output capacity of the compressor should therefore be AT LEAST equal to the consumption of the pneumatic tool. Roughly speaking, the output capacity (litres per minute) is equal to two-thirds of the intake capacity or one hundred times the power of the compressor expressed in horsepower (for specifications in KW: 1 KW is equal to 1.36 hp). As a rule, compressed air hammers require less air to drive them than, for example, compressed air grinders.

What else to look for when buying a compressor

There are various coupling systems that connect the compressor to the air hose and this in turn to the air tool. Make sure that the couplings are compatible. Particularly practical are universal couplings (e.g. the one-hand safety couplings from Stürmer), which can be used with the various plug-in nipple systems from Germany, Italy, Switzerland and the USA.

When you buy a compressed air hose, the diameter of the hose also plays a role: If you want to set up the compressor a little away from your actual workplace, for example, you will need a long hose whose diameter should not be too small, so that enough air then arrives over the long distance.

When the compressor is running, you can usually hear it. There are differences here too: compressors with two cylinders are much quieter in operation than single-cylinder ones. Compressors with a larger air tank run less often and emit correspondingly less noise. Very simple compressors often need more idle time in order not to overload the engine – this also leads to less noise generation, but at the same time also to longer forced work breaks.

To have less noise in the working area, the compressor can also be placed e.g. in another room or – if you work outdoors – further away. To be able to regulate the air pressure remotely, we also recommend an maintenance unit, which you can attach directly to your workplace.

The bildhau compressors are all powered by electricity. The particularly powerful ones among them require a 400 volt (= heavy current) socket to be connected. When choosing a compressor, please pay attention to the connection requirements.

How much maintenance does a compressor need?

Most units require little maintenance. Normal work with a compressor involves emptying condensation and oiling the unit regularly. If you want to save yourself these activities, you can also equip your compressor with an water separator and an oiler.

Compressor accessories

Apart from compressors, at bildhau you can also get the corresponding accessories such as compressed air hoses, couplings, combination maintenance units, oilers, water separators etc.