Some_Mook
Member
Just a note, those that use air compressors know all about them but those who do not may not be aware that an air compressor, by it's design, concentrates the air into a confined space, thereby increasing the pressure.
What it also does is concentrate any moisture that is already in the air that is being compressed.
This is why air compressors have a drain valve on the tank so that the excess moisture that condenses within the tank can be drained when finished using the compressor, and also why commercial air compressors also tend to have line dryers to separate the moisture before it gets to whatever the compressed air is being used for to do work. Simply put, typical portable style air compressors will be blowing moisture along with the air, so you could conceivably be forcing moisture into places that may be difficult to dry or apply oil to when finished 'drying' your firearm.
If anyone is considering purchasing an air compressor to use to maintain their firearms, might I suggest instead getting a high velocity pet hair dryer. These can be had for roughly the same amount of money as the typical Lowe's, Home Depot, Tractor Supply Company portable air compressors. They have a heat setting so that not only are you applying a large volume of air but also applying heated air (albeit not as hot as a typical human hair dryer), which can certainly be an improvement in the drying process. A normal hand-held hair dryer will certainly apply highly-heated air with a certain amount of air speed / volume, but a pet hair dryer will push a much larger volume of air with enough force to blow small parts out of your grasp if not careful as would an air compressor.
What it also does is concentrate any moisture that is already in the air that is being compressed.
This is why air compressors have a drain valve on the tank so that the excess moisture that condenses within the tank can be drained when finished using the compressor, and also why commercial air compressors also tend to have line dryers to separate the moisture before it gets to whatever the compressed air is being used for to do work. Simply put, typical portable style air compressors will be blowing moisture along with the air, so you could conceivably be forcing moisture into places that may be difficult to dry or apply oil to when finished 'drying' your firearm.
If anyone is considering purchasing an air compressor to use to maintain their firearms, might I suggest instead getting a high velocity pet hair dryer. These can be had for roughly the same amount of money as the typical Lowe's, Home Depot, Tractor Supply Company portable air compressors. They have a heat setting so that not only are you applying a large volume of air but also applying heated air (albeit not as hot as a typical human hair dryer), which can certainly be an improvement in the drying process. A normal hand-held hair dryer will certainly apply highly-heated air with a certain amount of air speed / volume, but a pet hair dryer will push a much larger volume of air with enough force to blow small parts out of your grasp if not careful as would an air compressor.