compressortools
Just got a new compressor and I wondering if I should be releasing all of the pressure out of the unit when it is not in use? Or is it better to leave the pressure in so that the unit does not have to work as hard to build up the pressure next time?
I am not planning on using the unit daily. Mostly for weekend projects and regular maintenance (airing up car tires… etc).
You don't really need an "air compressor" in the sense that you don't need something that has a tank and is designed for use with tools. All you really need is sometimes called a "tire inflator", obviously it is actually an air compressor but it is very different from those listed by Jeff's answer.
I have seen two basic types.
There are 12V versions that are designed to simply plug into the cigarette lighter outlet in your car. This is nice because you can refill the tires anywhere. When I had a slow leak in my tire I put this thing in the trunk and drove to work, then before leaving work I would top off the tire again. It worked fine for the day or two until I could get to the shop for a new tire. Usually these are pretty cheap.
The other version is designed to plug into a household receptacle. These seem to be a little more expensive than the 12V versions.
Sometimes you can find these types of tire inflators with standalone battery jumpers attached so you can also use it to jump your car. I would skip that feature unless you think you would actually use it.
If the metal button that you refer to is this one:
Best guess is that you press this when engaging the end of the gun onto and when disengaging the gun from the valve stem. When the gun is fully pressed onto the valve stem letting go of this button helps clamp the tip of the gun onto the threaded end of the valve stem.
Again this is an educated guess because I've not seen your gun first hand. You could probably look at the tip of the gun assembly and toggle the metal tab back and forth and see right away what it does.
Edit
In looking more closely at your picture it appears that the tip of the gun can have various ends slid into it and this lever is designed to hold the tip in place. Pressing the tab (button) releases the catch and allows removal of the tip.
When I refer to the tips I mean one of these from the kit:
Best Answer
The instruction manual for my Sears Craftsman 3 gal., 1 hp, Horizontal Tank states to drain the tank after each use or daily and also for storage. The water that may be in the tank could corrode and damage the tank.