Don’t Go Balls-Out With Your Air Compressor

If you’ve ever heard someone say they’re “going balls-out,” you might assume it’s just colorful shop talk. But the phrase has deep mechanical roots, dating back to the Industrial Revolution.

The term “balls-out” comes from the centrifugal governor, a device invented by James Watt to regulate steam engine speeds. It works like this: two metal balls spin on a vertical shaft. As the engine speeds up, centrifugal force pushes the balls outward. The faster the engine runs, the farther out they fly, they are referred to as being “balls-out”. As they extend, they trigger a mechanism to reduce steam input and slow the engine down. When something is running “balls-out”, it’s pushing maximum speed with maximum effort, on the ragged edge.

While it may sound impressive, running any system at its limit all the time is a fast track to failure. And air compressors are no exception.

Why You Shouldn't Run Your Air Compressor “Balls-Out”

Air compressors that are consistently pushed to their limits. Air compressors have a maximum output based on their design, but an operator could be running tools that require more CFM than the compressor is capable of, and this will impact performance of the tool to do its job. This can result in overheating, excess wear, and premature failure. It’s like redlining your service truck or van every single day. Sooner or later, something is going to blow (or break).

Instead of maxing out your equipment, it’s smarter to know your actual CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) requirements and match them to a system designed to handle the load comfortably. That means calculating the air demands of your tools, understanding duty cycles, and giving your compressor enough breathing room to perform efficiently, every time you fire it up. Learn more about CFM: https://www.vmacair.com/blog/many-cfm-need-run-air-tools-air-tools-cfm-usage-chart

Knowing how much CFM you need in an air compressor to operate your air tools can be tricky. Too little CFM and you won’t be able to run your tools continuously- or at all - and too much CFM could mean you’ve overspent on your air compressor! Here is a helpful air tool consumption chart to help you find the air compressor that’s right for you.

Instead of assessing an air compressor’s capability by physical size, operators should look at how much air it delivers, measured in Cubic Feet Per Minute (CFM). As a guideline, most air compressors for powering pneumatic tools fall in the 10 to 110 CFM range.

Air compressors with lower CFM ratings work well for personal-use tools and applications such as passenger car tire inflation, nail guns chippers, grinders, and sanders. Higher CFM air compressors are designed for commercial tools and industrial applications such as OTR tire inflation, 1” impact wrenches and 90 lb jackhammers. Learn more about what size of air compressor is required for your specific air needs: https://www.vmacair.com/blog/what-size-air-compressor-do-i-need-for-air-tools

VMAC: Built to Work, 100% Duty Cycle

At VMAC, we engineer mobile air compressors that thrive under pressure, delivering consistent, reliable air power day in and day out. Our systems are compact, powerful, and built with the durability and precision you’d expect from North America’s leader in mobile compressed air innovation.

All VMAC systems operate at 100% duty cycle, which means you never have to wait for air. 100% Duty cycle also eliminates the need for an air receiver tank on many systems, reducing unnecessary bulk and weight.

Every VMAC system is designed to be durable yet lightweight. Choosing a lightweight air compressor means customers and upfitters will be able to add more tools and equipment to the truck, carry more materials, take advantage of better fuel economy, or even downsize truck classifications.

So don’t go balls-out with the wrong type of air compressor to get the job done. Go smart. Go efficient. Go with VMAC. Explore VMAC Air Compressor Systems and right size your air compressor to match your tool consumption.