Two-Stage Air Compressor Buyer's Guide

How To Pick The Perfect Two-Stage Air Compressor

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If you've ever worked in manufacturing or visited your local garage, you might have heard a rattling hum. That's the sound of power.

A two-stage air compressor to be more exact. To pick the perfect two-stage compressor, you've got to know what to look for.

Don't worry-we can help you pick the right 2-stage compressor for the job.

HP (Horsepower)

One Horsepower (hp) is the force needed to lift 550 lbs. one foot in one second. If you ask Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor, he'd invariably tell you, "It needs more power." The CFM (cubic feet per minute) the compressor can produce is most important.

Typically though, the more horsepower, the more power the compressor will have and the higher CFM it can produce. This isn't a muscle car so don't shop by horsepower. Shop by CFM needs instead.

CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute)

CFM is the most important factor in determining what air compressor works for you. Every air tool has a CFM requirement. The higher the CFM, the more air volume the tool uses.

Many garages will power multiple air tools off one air compressor. Regardless of how many tools you are running simultaneously, you will need to estimate how much CFM you will need to power at any given time.

Total the CFM of tools in use and make sure the compressor can handle the workload. Tools that require constant power, such as grinders or sanders, will require more CFM than tools which need sporadic power, such as nail guns.

Voltage

The main difference in voltage and single vs. three-phase is where you will be using your compressor.

In a residential setting, you will be dealing with single phase.
Make sure you know what type of wiring you are dealing with before buying a compressor. With many different types available, you'll find one to fit your needs.

Three phase electricity is found mostly in industrial settings. Three phase power is considered more efficient and will result in less wear and tear on your motor. Voltage and phase vary by location so consult your local codes and electrician before purchasing.

Gallons

The size of the tank on a two-stage air compressor is measured in gallons. They can range from 60 - 200 gallons. The size of tank you need is predicated on the how often the compressor is in use.

Start-stop air compressors run until the tank is full of compressed air. As you use air tools, the PSI from the tank is depleted. Once this reaches the low setting, the compressor turns back on and refills. If your compressor is starting and stopping too frequently you run the risk of overheating which can damage the pump.

Constant-run air compressors run 100% of the time but regulate the air output as needed.

Style

Two-stage air compressors come in two styles: horizontal or vertical.

Your space requirements or limitations will determine which style to buy. If you don't have a wide area to run one in, get a vertical compressor.

Likewise, if you are storing the compressor up high and have height limitations, choose a horizontal model. There is no difference in performance and utility of horizontal vs. vertical compressors of equal power. They are the same machines, just built in different styles.

NEXT: Two-Stage Air Compressor Product Selector

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For more information, please visit Double-stage screw compressor.

Virtual Air Treatment - How to Get Clean, Treated Air

Looking for ways to treat your compressed air? Whether you're using your compressor for applying a smooth coat of paint to an automobile or using it for powering air tools, air treatment is an important part of doing the job right.

Removing water and contaminants from your compressed air can prolong the life of your air tools and keep your paints clean and dry so they apply more smoothly. Browse our virtual air treatment guide for ideas on how you can improve the quality of your compressed air.

View Our Virtual Air Treatment Guide

By Melissa C.

Air Compressor Expert

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Rotary Screw Compressor Buyer's Guide

How to Pick The Perfect Rotary Screw Compressor

You work hard and expect the same from your tools and equipment.

When it comes to air compressors, nothing outworks a rotary screw compressor. These workhorses are designed to run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 52 weeks a year - for many years.

If you're serious about your work, upgrade to a rotary screw air compressor!

Why Go Rotary?

1. Get the Job Done Faster
   You'll never have to wait for your compressor to play "catch up" again. With a 100% duty cycle,
   they are designed to run continuously without overheating - saving you time (and a headache).
   
   
2. Use it Longer
   Because the internal rotors are oil-sealed, parts last years longer and maintain the same performance throughout the compressor's life.
   
   

   The internal screws
   don't touch - meaning no
   friction, less maintenance, and
   fewer
   replacements on your investment.
   
   

3. Runs Quieter
   If you run a business, don't subject your employees (or customers) to uncomfortably loud and potentially unsafe environments. Rotary screw compressors run quietly, so they can be mounted close to
   workspaces
   without requiring hearing protection.

4. Cost and Energy Savings
   Although the upfront cost may be higher than reciprocating compressors, what you'll get is longer working life, increased capabilities, and the dependability only superior rotary screw technology can provide.

   Over time, rotary screw compressors pay for themselves
   by running cleaner and more efficiently, meaning you'll have to
   spend much less on filters, replacement parts, and accessories
   - all while enjoying a longer compressor life.
   
   With reciprocating (piston) type air compressors, the cost of energy required to run it can exceed the purchase price in
   one year, while rotary screw compressors will amount to roughly 70% of the purchase price in about
   10 years!
   
   Many of our rotary screw models are even Energy Star rated, using 20-30% less
   energy than federal standards.

   
   

How They Work

The rotary screw compressor gets its name from the way they are powered.


As air enters a sealed chamber, it is trapped and squeezed between two (helically-opposed) rotating screws. As the screws inter-mesh, they reduce the volume of trapped air and deliver it compressed, at the proper pressure level.

Rotary Screw Considerations

• Horsepower (HP)
  - One HP is the force needed to lift 550 lbs. one foot per second.
  
  
  
• Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM)
  - CFM is the
  amount
  (volume)
  of air velocity that passes through a medium. Think of a water hose where you can measure the quantity of water that is possible to pass through in one minute.
  
  
  
• Pounds per Square Inch (PSI)
  - PSI is the measure of
  pressure
  that a compressor can produce (in pounds) per square inch of space.
  
  
  Going back to our water hose example, PSI would be the amount of pressure at which the water (or air) comes out of the hose. Without a nozzle, it may trickle out, while one with a fine tip can blast grime out of concrete.
  
  
  If you ever had a kink in a line, then you would experience no CFM, while pressure behind the kink (PSI), would be building and possibly rupture the line.
  
  
  It's important to pay attention to both CFM and PSI requirements of air equipment so you choose a powerful enough compressor for the job.
  
  
  
• Electrical Phase
  - You need to choose single-phase or three-phase. Single-phase electricity is found in residential settings while three-phase electricity is most typically found in industrial locations & settings.
  
  Consult with your electrician and local codes to determine which type you have.
  
  

Choose Your Speed for Even More Savings

Variable Speed Drive (VSD) rotary screw compressors change the frequency and voltage feeding the motor, increasing its efficiency by calculating air compression needs instantly. Simply put, it only uses the energy required for the task at hand and doesn't overwork your machine by wasting power.

VSD compressors work best when sized correctly and are used for the correct applications. Keep in mind that these units are more sensitive to dirty work environments and should be properly protected.

Should I Buy?

If you're tired of your piston compressor not working as hard as you do, then do yourself a favor and upgrade. With a Rotary Screw compressor, you'll get speed, longevity, quieter jobs, and energy savings over time. For a little more, you can get a VSD compressor that maximizes efficiency even further.

Take your compressor needs to the next level and check out our Rotary Screw selection.

NEXT: Shop All Rotary Screw Air Compressors

By Melissa C.

Air Compressor Expert

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