Buying a compressor
Buying an air compressor...continued; Here's the first page of information on buying a compressor. And here's where we look at more of the factors you need to consider when looking for and buying your compressor. One manufacturer has a list of included features that another shows as extra cost accessories. What's comes included with each compressor? Here's a page that discusses accessories further. Consider building a spreadsheet with features and benefits of each system from each vendor. This is a useful way to compare "apples to apples" from various compressors and manufacturers.
Maintenance
What is required regarding maintenance for each compressor you are looking at? What are the mean times between maintenance functions; what are the cost of the various consumables each compressor may require, for regular and long term maintenance? If oil lubed, how often between oil changes, and what is the type of oil recommended? Some manufacturers recommend synthetic oils which come at higher cost. If so, what are the benefits you can expect for that greater expense?
Life expectancy
How long will this particular model last when used at the recommended levels? If you've considered under sizing your air compressor to save some capital expense up front, and end up pushing it past its acceptable duty cycle, how will that affect its life expectancy? Will you be buying another compressor much sooner than expected?
Warranty
Not all warranties or guarantees are made equal. To get your business, some manufacturers may improve on their warranty. If that is the case, make sure you get any such promises in writing. You might save a lot of money on a compressor that offers a poor warranty, yet find yourself replacing it completely, long before a more expensive unit, backed by a secure warranty, would have expired.
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Who fixes?Do you have someone in your shop that's capable of fixing your compressor? If not, who will, where are their offices, what's the response time, and how much will it cost? If the repair is out-of-warranty, and you don't have a person in the shop that is qualified to fix compressors, there are many firms that specialize in doing so. We're sure you can find a compressor repair company in most cities, as compressed air is used in almost 70% of all manufacturing firms.
Repair costs - parts
Once you know who will fix your compressor, ask for a parts breakdown, determine from the vendor which parts are likely to fail, and ask what the purchase price is for those parts. There will be significant pricing disparities for similar parts from different vendors.
Capital cost
How much does it cost to purchase each type of compressor you've narrowed your list down to? Some might quote delivered your plant, others not, so add delivery / installation costs to the capital cost of each if the price quoted doesn't include that, so that all vendor's prices are quoted the same.
Financing
Are there any creative financing options available from the various compressor firms to help entice you to purchase from them? Some may "carry the paper" of the loan, and if they will, and you decide not to take that benefit, perhaps refusing it might lower the cost of the unit somewhat? We've spent a lot of time talking about Buying your compressor, about things you need to know to select the correct one. Now, how about the cost? For information on the cost of compressors to help in your buying decision, please select: compressor costs. I want you to stick around here at www.ABOUT-air-compressors.com for useful information about compressed air systems. For a shortcut to get to the information you want on this site....just use the search box below.
Did you know that....
"Air tools ... deliver more torque and higher revolutions-per-minute than electric tools, helping you complete your jobs more quickly and effectively."
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