As a new homeowner, you may wonder what tools you should have on hand or in your garage. Of all of the things that you might invest in, one of the best things you can buy for your home is an air compressor. Here's a look at four reasons why your garage isn't complete until you add one and what different styles are available.

Why You Need an Air Compressor

Carpentry and Construction Tasks

If you have any intention of doing your own home repairs, carpentry projects or other construction tasks, a pneumatic nail gun is well worth the investment in the saved time and effort. In order to use one, though, you'll need to have an air compressor to operate it.

Painting and Refinishing Jobs

Whether you want to repaint the exterior of the house or just give the cabinets a new look, investing in a paint spray gun will help you to get an even, flawless finish. The air compressor provides the pressure behind the paint, allowing you to paint furniture, fences, cabinetry and other items with ease and without tell-tale brush marks.

Automotive Repair Projects

If you are familiar enough with your car's engine design and you are comfortable tackling repairs and maintenance on your own, you can potentially save thousands of dollars in auto repair costs by investing in an air compressor and some air-powered tools.

Since most bolts and fixtures in the car are tightened at the factory and then replaced by mechanics using power tools, they can be difficult to remove on your own with just a manual wrench. If you want to be able to do your own repairs without having to spend hours pulling on a wrench to loosen parts up, air-powered auto repair tools can save you a lot of frustration.

Simplifying Basic Tasks

Air compressors are great for many very specific purposes, but they are also an ideal investment for many smaller and random tasks around the house. If you have kids, chances are that you've already exhausted your arms with bicycle tire pumps. An air compressor can restore that flat bike tire in seconds with a fraction of the effort that a manual pump requires.

In addition, if you've been working in the garage and have sawdust or other debris on the garage floor, you can use the air compressor to clean things up quickly. You can even install new molding or baseboards in a bedroom in minutes with an air-powered finish nailer.

Different Types of Air Compressors

There are many styles of air compressors. The best one for your application will depend on what you plan to do with it. If you are only expecting to use small tools that don't need a lot of power, you can invest in a hot dog compressor. They're small enough to be portable, and have no belts or oil to deal with.

For larger home tasks, like finish nailers and other home repair tools, consider a twin-stack compressor. They have two air tanks, allowing the compressor to run more consistently without having to cycle as often. They are still considered portable despite being larger than a hot dog style.

Single-stage air compressors are available in portable styles as well as stationary ones. These are more versatile than other options, providing you with air for auto repairs, tire inflation and even painting.

Air compressors are a versatile tool for the home garage. Not only can you save thousands over time in contractor and mechanics fees, but you'll have the satisfaction of knowing that you can do the job on your own. If you aren't sure which one is best for your application, talk with a hardware specialist from places like Kruman Equipment Co for some guidance.