One of the best investments you can make if you work with power tools a lot is an air compressor. An air compressor will make your job easier and increase your efficiency. There are many good choices among compressors, the best being Copeland, Husky and Quincy. Which you pick depends upon the kinds of tools you usually use.

How you intend to use an air compressor is the main determinant. Review what tools you use frequently and determine how much power is needed to run them. A nail gun, for example, does not need an air compressor with a high volume, because of its sporadic nature. A drill or sander, on the other hand would need it because they are operated steadily.

If you are concerned about the costs of an air compressor, it is all the more important to get the right one, rather than spend money on features you really don't need. Another option to keep costs down is to shop for a used one.

There are different kinds of pumps, and the compressor you choose will be determined by the type of pump. A direct drive pump lasts for about 500 hours, does not require a lot of storage room and does not need oil changes. They are typically used in an air compressor that will not see a lot of use. A belt drive pump will last for about 1500 hours, but they are bulkier and require an oil change every 500 hours; they are intended for professional use, or the very busy amateur.

The power of the compressor is the most important consideration you have to make. Horsepower and PSI pressure determine the power. If you get a compressor that has more power than the most powerful tool you use, you will be covered.

The next most important consideration is tank size. Tanks can come in sizes ranging from two gallons to 100 gallons. The size of the tank you want depends on how much you plan on using the compressor. Get a tank size a little larger than you think you need, so you will not run out of air when you need it the most.

Shopping around will ensure that you get the most value from purchasing an air compressor. As with most sizable purchases, it would be wise to compare brands on the Internet by reading unbiased reviews. You may see differences of hundreds of dollars on compressors that have the same exact features.

A real bargain may be a rebuilt compressor; in this case, the damaged or old parts of a compressor are replaced. In most cases, the original compressor was not used very much, so replacing some parts yields a compressor that is like new, and they are thoroughly inspected and warrantied, usually for one year. You can shop around for rebuilt compressors on the Internet as well, and if your order comes straight from a factory dealer, you will save the middleman markup and probably save taxes as well. Watch for sites that offer free shipping, or compare shipping rates; this is frequently an item that adds significantly to the cost of a large heavy item such as this.