Air compressors are essential tools for workshops, construction crews and home hobbyists alike. Knowing which accessories are optimal for running your unit will go a long way towards ensuring you can get the job done in your timeframe. Breaking the options into the hose, air supply and unit accessories can help make finding the right items easier.
Hose Accessories
The first accessory to consider is the hose. Some compressors will come with either a recoil or retractable hose, but the stock item may not be ideal for your setup. A recoil hose has loops and bends to stretch and retract like a spring, making it easier for tire shop employees, for instance, to quickly fill a tire to pressure and get the hose out of the way. Retractable hoses are designed to be spooled around a reel and are ideal for home garage situations or jobs further from the compressor. Reels can either be portable or fixed, meaning that they can follow your compressor from project to project, or they can mount to the wall. You can find hose and reel varieties through air compressor products Jacksonville FL companies.
Air Accessories
Your air supply line will need to have accessories designed to regulate pressure, filter out contaminants and condition the air for the tools you are using. The pressure output of your unit can be different from the optimal one of your devices and accessories, so a regulator will help reduce the pressure when needed and help the whole system run better for longer. Filters and aftercoolers can also extend the life of your system by keeping the air flowing through the compressor, hose and attachments without depositing grime or moisture on internal workings. It is vital to change or clean your filters regularly and drain the moisture buildup from your aftercooler.
Compressor Accessories
You might want to consider other accessories, including a roll cage, if your unit did not come with one and an air line lubricator. Roll cages are designed with a low center of gravity to help keep your compressor from tipping over and bars to protect against puncturing the tank. Many compressors will come with these cages, but it is a good investment if yours did not. Look for low-to-the-ground ones which have a skid plate to protect the base of the tank.
Whether your air compressor is a countertop unit meant for home hobbyists or an industrial one designed for auto shops and construction sites, having the right accessories can extend the life of your equipment. You can find accessories to help protect the compressor from impacts, filter grime or moisture from the air, or keep your hose handy without being in the way.
