Air compressor is what we all need, no matter if we need it for home (bicycles) or for something else. The purpose of an air compressor is vast, and we all want to get one with as many perks as they come with, which is why those who use it frequently will surely pick as their first choice the Bostitch 6 Gallon. Now, there are many reasons for that, and one is for sure that it isn’t as costly as others, but the price isn’t everything, and quality also plays a huge role.
Nothing lasts forever, no matter how quality some product is or isn’t, but what we hate the most is when something stops working just when we need it the most. Of course, the more we use something, the more likely it is that some problem will occur, and the same goes for Bostitch 6 gallon. But to better understand the problem, we must first know more about how the whole system works.
How do they work?
To put it simply, every, or at least the most popular ones, have three components:
- pump
- tank
- regulator
The system itself isn’t that complicated, as it gathers air and store it into the tank, compressing it, and it keeps it under pressure until we need to use it. The system is quite similar to those used for paint sprayers or nail guns. They come in different sizes, and depending on which purpose you need them, you can find smaller ones used for bike tires or the large ones used on construction sites to power drills, hammers, and compactors.
Now, when we learned more about some basics, let’s have a look at the FIVE most common Bostitch 6-gallon air compressor problems & how to fix them:
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Low or excess pressure
No matter what you need to do with the air compressor, it always needs to be done with precise pressure, and if it is too low or too excessive, you will simply not be able to finish the work. When it comes to pressure, there are a number of problems that can occur, but the most common one is for sure that the regulator is improperly adjusted. Now, even though this may sound like a difficult problem, it is actually pretty easy to solve. If there is a problem with pressure, the first thing to do is to check the regulator to make sure you set it on the right pressure before you start doing anything. By doing so, you will easily avoid this problem, but if you forgot about it and it’s still failing to provide enough pressure, in 9/10 situations, there is some kind of a leak, and you can check for it by using an ultrasonic acoustic detector.
If there is a loud sound in addition to low pressure, that may be the sign that the motor is getting old, and it is time to change some parts or even the entire motor. For air compressors that start properly but lose strength after a while, the best solution is to check the unloader valve and change it if it is not properly working since fixing is complicated and requires a lot of time. Replacing the whole switch assembly is the best idea if you want to be sure that everything is new and it will work well since problems with the switch can cause the air compressor to produce excess pressure. If you want to avoid repairing them on your own, regular services can prolong their lifespan and make things much easier.
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Condensation
There is one simple thing that many often forget to do, but it can cause severe damage to the air compressor, and it is to remove the drain plug after every use. As the name itself says, they use compressed air for their work, and where is compressed air, we also have condensation. Because of that, they have a tank that collects condensed moisture, and it is necessary to empty it after every use to ensure the proper work of it.
The water can also get stuck in the airlines, so it is important to check twice that they are dry after usage, especially in cold climates, to avoid freezing and cracking. Even a small crack in the can result in leaking and lower pressure, which can make your work much harder or even impossible. If you are living in a humid and cold climate, you should consider installing a water filter on the outlet to avoid freezing the machine.
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You can’t switch it on
Sometimes it may come to the situation when you cannot switch the air compressor on, and realizing what the problem is can be difficult. The first thing to check is power cords because if the connections are loose, the air compressor cannot have enough power to start. If that is not a problem, check the breaker and GFI receptacle, and if they are working properly, you need to check the parts inside the compressor.
Check the capacitors, and if even one of them is melted, the machine cannot work, so you need to replace it. Another common problem is leaks, and it may seem hard to find them, but there is a simple solution. Use the soapy water, spray it around the leak, and wait. If there is a leak, you will see the bubbles, and that is the place that needs to be repaired. When it comes to the belt, it is necessary to see if it spins freely and check the tension. If it is not spinning smoothly, then it is time to dismantle the motor and repair it, and if you are able to move it more than a finger’s width, it needs to be tightened or replaced.
The bottom line
Well, there you have it, as these are some of the most common problems those who have Bostitch 6 Gallon air compressors can face, which means that now when you know what to look for, you will also know how to fix them. One can never predict when some problem will occur or will it occur in the first place, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t anything one can do about it. For those who would like more info or a better insight on what to expect from Bostitch 6 Gallon air compressor, along with further guidance on how to fix those problems, check kylesgarage.com. There is a solution for every problem, so don’t despair, there is always something you can do.