By . Air Compressor. At Sunday, September 16th 2018, 08:45:03 AM.
One time we were working together on a small project that John had lined up for us. I was all powered up and fully charged with air pressure like normal. Everything seemed just fine. I heard the buzz of electric saws and saw the normal saw dust flying around. Then, all of a sudden, and without any warning, my breath was taken away from me in a gush! I thought I was going to die. John had accidentally set his circular saw down on my hose and cut into it. It alarmed me at first, but before long John had me all fixed up and back to work we went. Ah, such is the life of a portable air compressor.
All reciprocating air compressors throw out some oil with the air they compress. When the tank reaches its designed pressure limit, a switch will interrupt electrical power to the motor. Simultaneously, a certain amount of oily air will be released into the shop environment. You may see oil collecting on the wall behind the compressor and on the pump and compressor as well over time. This is not cause for alarm but periodic cleaning may be needed.
An important factor is also the factor of oil. The oil is used for lubrication of moving parts of the compressor, but it also has some side effects. For example, traces of oil can be found in the tubes that deliver air to your airbrush tool, so it can be mixed with paint. This problem is more pronounced if the compressor is older. One possible solution is to purchase an oil free air compressor.