I’m trying to decide upon an all around compressor, and nailers. It will generally be used for siding, cornice, and trim. I will also occasionally use it for framing repair – not production framing. Any suggestions out there?
Thanks!
WorkinMan
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Siding and trim are generally done using SS ringshank nails, and something like a Max coil nailer do that best. You can drive a gun like that with a two horsepower pancake oilless compressor.
Trouble is, you cannot do any framing work with the gun mentioned.
The only tool I know of that might come close to your need for exterior trim, siding, and occasional light framing is the Hitachi coil nailer that handles nails up to three inches.
Contact Optional Sequence
.064(FT3/Cycle@100psi)
10-11/16" x 5-3/16" x 13-5/16"
5.5lbs
Coil, Wire/Plastic Sheet Collation
N/A
1-3/4" -3"
.090 - .131
200-300
Top
3/8"
70-120psi
Edited 11/24/2005 10:56 pm ET by Stinger
Man, I've had a Porter-Cable 4 gallon twin stack, oil-lube I got for $165 (on clearance at HD) and it's done everything from trim to nailing off roof decking. Quiet enough to run inside, but a little heavy. Ridgid has a similar model a friend of mine has and likes, as well. Expect to pay about $250 if not on sale.
Right now my HD has a P-C pancake kit with the compressor, 25' hose, fittings and both a 16 and 18 gauge finish gun. IIRC, it was $299. You can always buy a framing gun when you need one.Jason Pharez Construction
Framing & Exterior Remodeling
We were looking at that one a bud of mine wanted to get a compressor and some guns. Well He got the Boshtich one.. ready for this..We went to Blowes and they had the Bostich one with 2 guns 18ga & 16 ga for 279. We walked around the store and found it on the shelf for 249 same p/n and kit. Told the monkey at the register walked over and showed him. He said it was mis marked but he'd honor it. So we got it for 239. BTW the CFM on the bostich was a little more than the PC.
What the heck does CFM mean and do anyway. I think I know at least I told my pal what I thought it meant. So what is it exactly?
CFM means cubic feet per minute and it is a measure of how much air the thing actually puts out. Basically, how long it will take to get back up to pressure if you nail fast. Low CFMs are bad for trying to nail fast, especially with a framing gun.
Ya beat me. No fair...my phone rang!
Jim, the one I mentioned earlier is oil-lube. I also have a large PC that is oil-less.
Neither have given me any problems. The main-difference b/t one and the other is the oil-lube has oil that must be changed every so often. This in turn delivers quieter operation and (supposedly) a longer life. The oil-free is pretty much maintenance-free, but since there's no way to "top off" the lube, it may cause a shorter lifespan.
The only diff. I see is that on really cold days (under 35-40 degrees) it takes my oil-lube a few seconds to come up to speed the first time it powers up. That could make a breaker trip. (Which may or may not be a big deal for you.)
I'd buy based on how well it met my needs rather than being oil-lube or not.Jason Pharez Construction
Framing & Exterior Remodeling
Thank You for the explanation. Can you recommend a size and brand for doing work around the house...small project type stuff.
A pancake or twin stack will fit your bill nicely...3 or 4 gallon tank.
Jason Pharez Construction
Framing & Exterior Remodeling
Thank You. Are any brands or styles quieter than others? Most my work will be in my basement 'workshop'.
I like my emglo. But I have one before dewalt bought them Thomas are pretty good from what I hear.
Thomas is a good brand, but I've been fine with my Porter-Cable. Bostitch also makes them.Jason Pharez Construction
Framing & Exterior Remodeling
My first pancake was a thomas t 150. Light and quiet and it framed a lot of homes.
In those days, we hand pounded the frame and I used the gun for trim and siding. Later, when I joined up with a like minded partner, I did it all with that 150. We each pulled out our own tools, generator and pancake compressor. We worked together but we were totally set up independently since I left each day at noon.
I learned to do things differntly when using the pancake for productiobn framing. For instance, I always nail off each sheet of sheathing as I lay it. The pancake cycles while I'm shagging and setting the next sheet.
blue
The little Senco would probably fill the bill for you. I have not ran one, but have heard they are quiet and the price is right...$99.
If there is a repair shop that does air compressors in your area talk with them. I friend of mine bought one of those uprights (Campbell Hausfield) that he was bragging about. When I went into the repair shop there were about 4 of them sitting on the floor being repaired. When I asked why so many since they all looked new. He showed me one of the pistons. Very small and he said it was for a compressor the size of my pancake, not for 20 gallons. Again, CFM matters. The actual compressor part was running way too long to fill that tank which resulted in burned out machines. They were a warranty dealer for CH but would not carry that size due to too many repairs.
john
CFM is cubic feet per minute (of air). It's like the recovery rate on a well. Once you've drained the tank of air and the compressor kicks on, the amount of time it takes to recover and cycle is determined by the CFM your compressor is capable of producing. More CFM... quicker recover. Less... slower.
I've read some reviews etc and they talk about oil-less vs oil lubed. Is one better than the other?
I have a bad back, and am doing more work were I have to lug gear into and out of locations. Picked up a Thomas Oiless 635hd compressor 2 years ago and it is super light. 33 lbs, used it to frame a 10 by 16 foot shed, sheath it, (using a max 890RH stick gun) and will doing lots of trim elsewhere with a hitachi 65MA (all the shed trim is going up with trim head ss screws)
it cycles every 10 nails driving a 3.5 inch spike, but, it keeps up with me and is SO light. I can easily bring the gun compressor and nails in one trip... pretty quiet too
jeff
from what I understand oilless compressor are a bit louder and cheaper to repair. you do have to repair them more often. But oil compressors are quieter but when you have to repair them they are more expensive. Both operate about the same.
It seems a lot quiter than oil compressors I have used (emglo and PC), and I am still surprised at how light it is. I have only used it about 200 hours at this point, but not even a hint of trouble.
jeff
Here is an alternative for small jobs
http://www.turanairsystems.com/default.html
Edited 11/30/2005 8:51 am ET by reinvent
Interesting. It is essentially a remote paintball HPA system that supplies air for the nailer, same as a paintball marker. Do you have any experience with these? Sounds like a good idea for smaller jobs, or a job where you need to be really quiet. My only caveat with it is that you might be able to rig up one of your own with paintball equipment for less money. The fittings are standard size. Hmmm, now you've got me thinking...