What Can You do With an Air Compressor at Home?

Here are some of the best ways you can put an air compressor to use.

15:14 06 October 2021

Your air compressor is a highly versatile tool with dozens of uses. As a result, they are a must for anyone who enjoys DIY. Here are some of the best ways you can put an air compressor to use. 

 

Inflating 

This is the most well-known use of an air compressor. It will be able to help you pump up your bike tires. If it is powerful enough, it might be able to inflate car tires. You can use an air compressor for much more than tires, though. It can be ideal for pumping up balloons, making preparing for a birthday party a breeze. 

 

Drying 

If you love crafts, you are used to having to dry off your items. This can often be a slow process, taking a few hours. If you want to speed things up, you can use an air compressor. This can help you get rid of water droplets. 

 

This comes with a word of warning, though. It might not be a good idea for delicate items. Too much air pressure can damage them. The good news is that most devices will come with an attachment to help you regulate the force of the air. 

 

Keeping Items Clean

You can also use an air compressor to help you clean items. It can be a great choice for electronics, allowing you to remove dust without using any water. Plus, it will be able to dislodge debris from tight spaces. To do this, you’ll often need to use the trigger attachment. This will give you a more precise burst of air. 

 

It can also be used as part of a pressure washer. The air pressure will force the water through the spout at high speeds. It’s the ideal tool for washing down your driveway or your windows. It’ll cut through any dirt or grime with ease. 

 

Running Power Tools

There are plenty of power tools that will rely on an air compressor to work properly. For example, this can be the case with pneumatic tools, like nail guns. They will rely on air pressure to force the nail out of the gun with speed. Another example of this is pushing paint. It can also be used in sanding equipment. 

 

Making Snow

One of the most unique ways to use an air compressor is by creating the illusion of snow. To do this, tiny droplets of water will be forced out into the air, using the air compressor. As they hit the cold air, the water will freeze before it hits the ground. This is a common trick used by snow resorts. 

 

If it isn’t cold enough for this, you can still replicate snowfall. You’ll just need to use glitter instead. This is a great holiday activity to keep kids entertained. 

 

Paintball Guns

Another interesting use for an air compressor is in a paintball gun. These devices will feature a tank of pressurized air. This will allow them to propel the balls at a high speed. A homemade potato cannon will work on the same principle, though it will take more air pressure to launch a potato. 

 

Airbrushing

For many in the art community, though, the ultimate use for an air compressor is airbrushing. This is a highly versatile tool. Sometimes, it might be used for art. In this case, you will need to spray a small amount of paint or glitter on the piece. Because the airbrushing tool is so small, you’ll be able to control what color paint goes where. This is a great way to customize items. By blending colors, you’ll be able to create unique pieces. 

 

One of the biggest benefits of airbrushing is how simple it is. This makes it a great choice for using with children. The key is getting the right tool for the job. A commercial air compressor will produce too much power for this delicate task. To learn what you should be looking for, check out this list of compressors for airbrushes. Once you have the air compressor and the right blend of paint, you’ll be able to start airbrushing. It might be a good idea to do a few tests on paper first, though.

 

Applying Makeup

Airbrushing is also popular amongst makeup artists. This is a good way of getting a thin layer of makeup. As a result, you will be able to get a natural complexion, unlike the layering techniques used to apply makeup with a brush or finger. However, there is a downside. This might not be a good choice for people who have dry skin. 

 

Interestingly, this skill was also practiced by those who were editing the photos. They would use the airbrushing tool to get rid of any small imperfections in the picture. This is why so many people refer to digitally retouching a photo as airbrushing.

 

Cooking on the Fire

One of the most interesting ways to use an air compressor is to give oxygen to a fire. This can be as effective as gasoline in getting a fire started. The key to getting this right is adding the oxygen at the right time. You’ll need to add it at the base of the flame, just as it is starting to catch. Once you’ve pumped up the fire, turn off the air. If you leave it on, you might blow it out. 

 

Killing Weeds

Finally, you might want to use the air compressor to keep your garden weed-free. In this case, you will need to combine seed pits and shells, to form a tough grain mix. Then, use a burst of compressed air to spray it at the soil. This is a natural way of killing the weeds instantly. The hard material will stop new weeds from sprouting.

 

Conclusion

An air compressor is one of the most versatile tools that you have at your disposal. It’s delicate enough to use for arts and crafts projects. However, it’s tough enough to use to run machinery, like nail guns. So, purchase an air compressor today and experience this versatile tool for yourself today.