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.

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. How much cfm do i need for air tools. Air tool cfm requirements.

Air hoist 1000 lb. The key difference between the two terms is that scfm is calculated using standard factors for pressure and temperature both factors affect air density. 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. However most tools require a great volume of air to run at peak performance.

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. 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. Like a general impact wrench requires about 5 cfm to operate. 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.

Cfm is a vital spec in sizing any air compressor or accompanying air tool. The majority of air tools operate in the 90 to 100 psi range and most air compressors from the smallest to the largest can easily produce this much pressure. Different air tools require a different level of cfm to operate. In contrast a nail gun requires only about 2 2 scfm to operate.

On the other hand a framing nailer requires 2 2 cfm whereas tools like a pneumatic stapler require only 0 3 cfm to run. Cfm stands for cubic feet per minute and essentially measures the amount of air the unit can expend within one minute. 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. Cfm represents the volume of air that is produced by your air compressor or required by your air tool.

The chart below includes some common air tools and their average cfm measurements. 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. 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 this article we re going to help you better.