Air compressor/brad nailer/finish nailer
I have a question about small compressors & brad nailers. I am a serious home renovator but do not do finish carpentry work for a living. I have never owned an air compressor nor a brad nailer. I intend to purchase one in the near future to install a lot of molding in my home and also build a room of bookcases for a library. A tool salesman told me that the Porter Cable package deal ($200) with a 135psi (6 gal.) pancake compressor and a bn125a brad nailer would serve me well for 20 years of my type use. I have also looked at small oil bath type compressors and purchasing the brad nailer separately at a higher cost. What is your opinion of the Porter Cable pancake compressors and brad nailers? I normally purchase professional quality tools and use them for many years.
Thanks,
Stan
Replies
I have the brad nailer you mention and it's OK. Most PC air tools, IMO, are not professional grade, with a couple of exceptions; one being my pneumatic floor nailer.
For long term use, the airless compressors sold in the tool stores have somewhat limited lives and are pretty noisy compared to the oil-bath type.
With your described use schedule, you're probably OK with the package described, but I would bet you a beer that, in a very short time, you'll enjoy the benefit of air tools to such an extent that you'll be shopping for more!
"...the airless compressors sold in the tool stores have somewhat limited lives..."
Never heard of an "airless" compressor. How would that work ???
(Sorry - Couldn't resist poking a little fun)My mom said the only reason men are alive is for lawn care and vehicle maintenance. [Tim Allen]
They are the ones that NASA uses on the space station; they compres a vacumm
I have the air compressor you are thinking of buying. It's my first and I would describe myself the way you describe yourself. I am elated with mine (which I bought used through a pawn shop). I have a 16 ga. PC finish nailer, a $15 brad nailer (18 & 19 ga.) and a PC narrow-crown stapler. I LOVE compressed life and use my tools for everything. About to learn how to re-upholster my dining room chairs b/c a stapler is perfect for the job. Go for it!! The ONLY thing I'd say is: look on ebay for your nailers and get a no-name brad nailer. They're much less complicated and the china brands work just as well and at $20 A LOT LESS than name brands. I'd get name brand finish nailers and framing nailers. And DEFINITELY look back in your old FH subscriptions for their reviews - very helpful. Happy pinging!