Step 2 once all the air requirements have been determined total the cfm needed for the air compressor.
Average cfm for air tools.
Please note this is only a guide.
Air tools made for general use with portable air compressors typically require 0 to 5 cubic feet per minute cfm at 70 to 90 pounds per square inch psi whereas with larger tools connected to stationary systems the requirements usually exceed 10 cfm at 100 to 120 psi.
Reference this chart to determine what continuous cfm rating is required of your air compressor.
The chart below includes some common air tools and their average cfm measurements.
Air flow rate data.
This article defines air flow rate or cubic feet per minute cfm as the term is used to describe building air conditioners heating systems or building air movement rates.
Air tools are often rated as average cfm average cfm is typically based on a 25 duty cycle 15 seconds out of a min.
Use the chart below to determine your average cfm requirements per tool or check with the manufacturer.
Air hoist 1000 lb.
In the example below we are sizing the compressor for a typical auto body shop.
We ve put together a handy air tool consumption chart to help give you an idea of how many cfm you need to run your air tools.
In this example that would be 80 cfm.
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.
Here are some of the most common air tools and their average cfm requirements.
We ve also included 6 tips for choosing an air compressor the average cfm at load 100 duty cycle the suggested air compressor cfm and our recommended rotary screw air compressor based on your cfm needs.
Whether it s an impact gun grinder or breaker there are various ranges of air consumption each of these tools use.
We have put together an air tool consumption guide that includes common air tools in various sizes.
Table pneumatic air tool cfm 90 psi pneumatic air tool cfm 90 psi angle disc grinder 7 6 cfm grease caulking gun 4 cfm air drill 1 2 or 3 8 4 cfm hydraulic riveter 4 cfm.
A common question we get revolves around how much air a particular tool uses.
As a general reference here are some popular tools and their average cfm requirements.
Air tool equipment average free air consumption cfm air bushing.
