Dear Jim: I plan to do some projects around my house and I am trying to decide if I should get an air compressor and air tools or just use electric tools. Which use more electricity and which work best? – Jerry D.

Dear Jerry: If you are a serious do-it-yourselfer around the house, then you will probably have uses for both types of power tools. Each type, pneumatic (air power) and electric, has its advantages for specific tasks.

From the standpoint of energy usage, using an air compressor and air tools will consume more electricity than electric power tools to do the same task. This is because anytime energy is converted from one form to another (electricity to compressed air), there are energy loss and inefficiencies.

One of the primary advantages of using air tools is you can get occasional bursts of power from a small tool. With an electric tool, you would have to continually use a very powerful, heavy tool just for the few times when you need a burst. The compressor tank stores up the energy (compressed air) so you can get more powerful bursts than the compressor itself produces.

This is similar to how a water heater works in your home. The water heater may be able to heat only three gallons of water in five minutes. In the morning, your family can take three showers simultaneously, using 30 gallons of hot water in the same five minutes because the water heater tank has stored the energy.

Another advantage of air tools is their small weight-to-power ratio. Instead of having a motor built into each tool as with electric tools, only one motor is used in the compressor. The air tools just have a small lightweight mechanism built into them to convert the air pressure to power. Air tools are typically less expensive than equivalent electric tools.

You will find a great selection of air compressors from which to select. Before you select one, first buy the air tools you plan to use. The amount of compressed air they require will determine the appropriate size compressor to select. Oil-free designs are the least expensive and are ideal for the occasional user. An oil-type compressor with a belt-drive is generally quieter and has a longer life.

Most air tools for home or light commercial use will be rated in SCFM (standard cubic feet of air per minute) at 90 psi (pounds per square inch). Standard single-stage compressors can typically produce up to 135 psi of air pressure, which is adequate to operate these tools. Tools with intermittent operation, such as a nailer, use less air than a sander.

The amount of SCFM should be listed on the tool packaging. The following are some typical compressor tank size requirements for various tools: nailer/stapler – 2 gallons; impact wrench – 4 gallons; paint spray gun – 20 gallons; grinder – 30 gallons; and sander – 40 gallons.

The following companies offer air tools and compressors: Campbell Hausfeld, (866) 247-6937, www.chpower.com; Coleman Powermate, (800) 445-1805, www.colemanpowermate.com; Porter-Cable/Black & Decker, (800) 321-9443, www.porter-cable.com; Ridgid Tools, (800) 474-3443, www.ridgid.com; Sears, local retail outlet, www.sears.com).

Send inquiries to James Dulley, 6906 Royalgreen Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45244 or visit www.dulley.com.