Equipment World Digital Magazine
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/136260
rentsmart | by Marcia Gruver Doyle MGruver@randallreilly.com Be prepared to answer these 9 questions when renting an air compressor What are you planning to do? Air compressors drive tools for a variety of jobs, including small scale tasks – such as nailing or chipping – up through cleaning, painting, blasting, demolition, drilling and boring. The two most important statistics for any compressor is pressure (measured in pounds per square inch gauge, or psig) and volume (referenced in cubic feet per minute, or cfm). These numbers are either stamped on the tool, or stated in the owner's manual, says Jenny Products. 1 Rental compressors come in a variety of sizes, including single tool air compressors, and compressors large enough to power rock drills in quarries. Contractor-grade portable compressors generally run from around 15 cfm/100 psig up to about 2,232 cfm/175 psig. According to Kaeser Compressors, the most popular contractor rental size is 185 cfm, which will comfortably operate two 90-cfm pneumatic tools. Most general construction applications, including the use of light pneumatic tools, require a compressor with operating pressures in the 100-psig range, says Doosan Portable Power. tools will you 2 Whatrental dealer willbe using? interested in Your be especially giving you the right tool/compressor match. Applications such as blasting or painting often require compressors with operating pressures in the 150-psig range. Higher pressures are needed in applications such as drilling or boring, which need 250- to 350-psig compressors. Many times, contractors will rent the tools along with the compressor, which simplifies tool/compressor matchups, says Kaeser. How many tools do you 3 need to drive at one time? A rental supplier wants to make sure it gives you enough power for your requirements. They will add up the air requirements for each of the tools that may EquipmentWorld.com | June 2013 39 EW0613_Rentsmart.indd 39 5/29/13 3:09 PM