Woodworking shops use compressed air for nailers, sanders, spray guns, clamping systems and dust blow-off. The finish quality depends on dry, oil-free air, because moisture and oil in the line ruin paint, stain and clear coats.
Sizing by tools
List every air tool and its CFM at working pressure, then add the demand of tools used at the same time. Spray guns and sanders run continuously, while nailers use short bursts. A receiver tank helps smooth the bursts so a smaller compressor can keep up with intermittent tools.
Air quality for finishing
- Refrigerated dryer to remove water that causes fisheye and blushing
- Coalescing filter to stop oil carryover on sprayed surfaces
- Point-of-use regulator and filter at the spray booth
Workshop layout
Keep the compressor in a ventilated area and slope the pipe runs with drains at low points. A looped header with generously sized pipe reduces pressure drop when several machines run at once.