Choosing the Right Air Compressor

An air compressor is a tool, specifically it is a tool to run other tools, unless you just need a volume of air compressed for an air tank or to inflate a tire. What sort and how big of a compressor you need is going to depend a lot on what kind of tools you need to run with it. A body shop running DA sanders and a paint booth all day long needs a much more robust compressor than an engine shop running impact guns and occasionally a media blast booth.

Shop use or portable? – if you are setting up shop you likely want something big and 220v powered that can provide air all day without breaking a sweat. If you are headed to the race track, or use a compressor for both automotive and roofing or carpentry tasks, you likely want a portable compressor with wheels on it, or small enough to carry.

Before you begin, you should to write down what tools you want to run with the compressor, and how many of them at the same time? If you are buying one for your home shop, the answer is usually just 1 at a time, but if you have a thriving business with several employees that should be taken into account. A good rule of thumb when buying a compressor is to look for one rated at 1.5 times the CFM requirement of the tools you are likely to use continuously for a long period of time.

Refer to this Air Tool Useage Chart as a reference for what you will need when choosing your new air compressor.

 

30 GALLON
SINGLE-STAGE

60 GALLON
SINGLE-STAGE

60 GALLON
SINGLE-STAGE

80 GALLON
TWO-STAGE

80 GALLON
TWO-STAGE

Electric Motor

31436

31437

31438

31439

31440

Running HP

1.9 HP

3.7 HP

4.7 HP

5 HP

7.5 HP

Voltage

120/240 Volt AC

230 Volt AC

230 Volt AC

230 Volt AC

230 Volt AC

Phase

1-Phase

1-Phase

1-Phase

1-Phase

1-Phase

Amp Draw

15 Amps

17.2 Amps

22 Amps

24 Amps

31 Amps

Recommended Breaker

20 Amp Breaker

25 Amp Breaker

30 Amp Breaker

30 Amp Breaker

40 Amp Breaker

Certifications

CSA

CSA

CSA

CSA

CSA

Magnetic Starter

No

No

No

No

Yes

 

Tank

31436

31437

31438

31439

31440

TanGallons

30 Gallons

60 Gallons

60 Gallons

80 Gallons

80 Gallons

Tank Certification

ASME

ASME

ASME

ASME

ASME

Tank Outlet

1/4 Inch

3/4 Inch

3/4 Inch

3/4 Inch

3/4 Inch

Electronic Drain Valve

No

No

No

No

No

 

Pump

31436

31437

31438

31439

31440

Pump Type

Single-Stage

Single-Stage

Single-Stage

Two-Stage

Two-Stage

Pump Cylinders

2

2

3

2

2

Pump Drive

Belt Drive

Belt Drive

Belt Drive

Belt Drive

Belt Drive

Pump Material

Solid Cast Iron

Solid Cast Iron

Solid Cast Iron

Solid Cast Iron

Solid Cast Iron

Oil Type

Synthetic Blend

Synthetic Blend

Synthetic Blend

Synthetic Blend

Synthetic Blend

Oil System

Splash Lubricated

Splash Lubricated

Splash Lubricated

Splash Lubricated

Splash Lubricated

Low Oil Shut-off

No

No

No

No

No

Oil Sight Glass

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Decibel Level

77 db

83 db

82 db

75.8 db

83 db

CFM @ 40 PSI

7.0

13.4

16.1

X

X

CFM @ 90 PSI

5.7

11.5

14.0

17.9 @ 100PSI

22.1 @ 100PSI

CFM @ 175 PSI

X

X

X

17.0 @ 175PSI

21.2 @ 175PSI

Max Pressure

155

155

155

175

175

 

Specifications

31436

31437

31438

31439

31440

Dimensions

24.25 x 29.25 x 48.5

31 x 27 x 70

37 x 29 x 73

31.5 x 34.75 x 80

40.25 x 32.25 x 80

Weight

185

228

287

475

715

Warranty

2 Years Limited

2 Years Limited

2 Years Limited

2 Years Limited

2 Years Limited

 
For more information about Eastwood Air Compressors, CLICK HERE to email our tech center or call 866-759-2131.