Cfm For Air Tools

The real deciding factor in selecting the proper size air compressor is the cfm that it can produce.

Cfm for air tools. The key difference between the two terms is that scfm is calculated using standard factors for pressure and temperature both factors affect air density. For 70 cfm you can run three sizes of impact wrenches an oil pump a grease gun a tire inflator and a washer all at the. In contrast a nail gun requires only about 2 2 scfm to operate. However most tools require a great volume of air to run at peak performance.

Depending on how many tools and which types you plan to use knowing your compressor s cfm and sizing accessories accordingly will help you get the. For automotive air tools you will need to add up the total of your tools cfm air requirements and most workshop garages will need a 70 cfm air compressor to accommodate a fairly complete set of automotive air tools. Air tool equipment average free air consumption cfm air bushing. On the other hand a framing nailer requires 2 2 cfm whereas tools like a pneumatic stapler require only 0 3 cfm to run.

Reference this chart to determine what continuous cfm rating is required of your air compressor. Air tools are often rated as average cfm average cfm is typically based on a 25 duty cycle 15 seconds out of a min. Anywhere from 4 to 5 scfm up to 15 to 20 scfm or more. In this article we re going to help you better.

Different air tools require a different level of cfm to operate. How much cfm do i need for air tools. Noted as standard cubic feet per minute scfm or cfm this number will need to at least meet the minimum cfm rating of the air tool you ll want to use. Your tools cfm requirements give you an idea of what you need your air compressor to do but it s not enough to simply match the air tool s rating and the compressor s rating 1 1.

The amount of airflow an air compressor produces is the most important rating you ll want to pay attention to when shopping for a compressor. Air tool cfm requirements. Cfm cubic feet per minute and scfm standard cubic feet per minute are the terms used to measure airflow or the rate at which a tool needs air delivered to it to operate properly. Even the smallest compressor can provide 60 and 90 psi of pressure needed to run an air tool check the tool s manual for specific recommendations.

Like a general impact wrench requires about 5 cfm to operate. Cfm is a vital spec in sizing any air compressor or accompanying air tool. Air hoist 1000 lb. The chart below includes some common air tools and their average cfm measurements.