Hey guys,
I am currently investigating the possiblity of getting a second small compressor. I know there have been brief discussions about this before, but I was wondering if any of you have the extra small Senco 1hp?
This will be primarily for small, quick projects in lieu of purchasing 2 Paslode guns. I know the price difference is substantial, but can the compressor keep up with installing toe kick, shoe, crown for kitchens?
The Senco is only 20 lbs. a full third of the weight of my ec12 Hitachi.
Replies
Yes, use it all the time
Have you seen the CO2 bottles? I sue them for just what you're talking about. Slight hassle getting them recharged but not too big of a deal.
The little senco is GREAT! I have a couple of compressors and it has quickly become my most used. I bought it with the 23ga. pin nailer and now I use that more than my brad nailer. Really just a great combo package. You won't regret it.
Did I mention it's quiet...like its running in another room. great!
gk
Dc,
Thanks for the quick reply. I checked out Harbor Freight and Northern Tool to see what off brands they had, but I am a little nervous about purchasing unproven.
I am still muddling through this in my brain, it being the gift giving season and all its extra home expenses.
Thanks,
LI
18g max.
doesn't run my 15.
(might sink 16's ... don't have a 16g gun to know)
and ... the silly coil hose that comes with it ... don't toss it.
I threw mine inb the back of the truck ... one day left them all at another job ...
had to use that silly thing.
works great for running kitchen and bath trim!
I like my 25' flexeel better ... but the coil is handy too.
Jeff
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
JB,
Last Friday at local tool show I was talking to a Senco rep. and he claimed it would shoot 15g. I am not surprised that your experience is different.
That definitely changes my perspective on this specific tool. I will ask lots of hard questions where I buy my tools before purchasing.
Thanks for the heads up.
I have the little Thomas hot dog. I think it weighs about 25 pounds.
I've run a framing gun off it, as well as a palm nailer. It cycles almost constantly supplying those guns, but it does work.
oh it'll shoot one!
even two ...
just not two in a row ... before yer arm gets tired of holding up that piece of trim.
I got mine as a back up ...
it's great for running K and B trim.
I was "thinking" about getting one ... thinking about the $100 price tag
then saw one for $40 in a used tool shop.
made the decision easy.
I use it all the time ... and it's always being borrowed by buddies that have some trim to punch list so they can collect that final check.
it's a great little compressor ... just don't ask too much of it.
firing 23g and 18g ... all day long ... piece of cake.
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
I don't know what 15 gauge gun you use but my Senco Finish Pro 35
shoots just fine on my baby Senco. Granted you can't nail off 20 feet of base board but you can fire off 10 to 15 shoots before you have to break out the nail set. I do run a 100 feet of hose so maybe I have extra capacity. LOL
I have the older version of that Senco gun.
if I can't run 20ft of base I'm not bring those tools to the job.
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
Yours might be broken.I never have a problem with it keeping up with my trim guns.I have even installed about 500 square feet of 3/4" t&g maple flooring with the Senco and a Bostitch stapler.
I have one, and my regulator isn't working either. But I use it every day (cabinet installs). Thinking about a Thomas for Christmas.
The Senco is ok for a disposable compressor i guess.
I will keep investigating since it seems several other fellas have had a different experience with the baby Senco.
I checked Mynards and the Trimair Bostich was at 150. The worthless high school kid could not tell me if any sales had happened recently or if any were coming. He had a sweet biker tattoo that looked really stupid with his blue apron, acne and bad hair.
Ive shot 8p with mine. Only when I have a few to shoot real quick. Not for production..But for the quick shot or 2 sure works great.
I have the bostitch "trim air" VERY light, VERY QUIET, have even run my framing gun off it for small jobs, fell off the back of my truck with NO damage. Saw it on sale at Menards last week for 119.00 or 129.00, I think.
Thanks for the heads up on that. I was looking at the same one at Amazon, but the price was too steep. I will have to visit Menards and see if the price is still good.
Where in Western Michigan are you from? My parents still live just south of Kalamzoo, thats where I spent my High School years.
Edited 12/10/2007 11:36 pm ET by LittleItaly
I've got that same Trimair. Lightweight and like you say very quiet.Nto sure about the durability though, my regulater doesn't work anymore and the plastice case has two broken tabs where the screws go in - and it has not gotten beat around - it just sits in my trailer tieed down and carried to jobs. Of course, maybe it's me - I have a reputation round here of not really understanding how my tools work so maybe the damn regulator is just fine...
If I had it to do over again, I might have bought one a bit more durable.Of course, I paid $150 for mine, I might feel diff if I only paid $110 for it.You might look at the new Dewalt trim compressor. SUPER durable looking and still lightweight. Gotta believe it's close to as quiet.I also picked up the Co2 kit from Lowes - haven't filled the tanks for a while, but still think it's pretty handy.I'm sure it'll seem handier once I start filling the 4-6 tanks I got at a rummage sale for $1 a peice (retail at $27-35 each).There's a delay with the Co2 kit that takes some getting used to - if you don't, you'll be prying half bent nails from your gun cause they fired with half the air they needed.JT
Like Shep I have the Thomas Ultra hot dog. It's a bit pricey but it is made for constant running. It easily runs a framing gun and a roofer.
I second (third, fourth, etc) the small Senco compressor. It's really light, quiet, and efficient. It's also pretty well made, far as I can tell. I also have the Bostitch trimair - the senco is my favorite. I doubt you will be disapointed for the money.
Justin Fink - FHB Editorial
"Everybody wants to know what I’m on...
What I'm on? I’m on my bike, busting my ### 6 hours a day…
...What are you on?"
- Lance Armstrong
I carry the Senco and an oil lubed pancake. The senco gets used for most of the work when using finish, brad, or pin nailers and NC stapler. The pancake comes out for siding, framing, and roofing guns.
The senco is light and quiet, but the 15 ga finish gun is the most it can handle.
"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Invictus, by Henley.
stay away from the thomas hotdog. had mine since july its great when its 90 but it will not start if its less than 60 degrees. you have to let the pressure out and start all over. useless pos.
same is true with my twin tank Hitachi
Re: thomas hot dog
you have to let the pressure out and start all over
If you read the instructions, you're suppose to let the air out after every use.
You get out of life what you put into it......minus taxes.
Marv
Edited 12/12/2007 8:53 am by Marv
My partner has the little Senco, which is perfect for punchlist and kitchen install stuff. Has to work real hard to keep up with anything but an 18g. It's very quiet and worthwhile anytime clients are present. I don't think it's anywhere near a true 1 hp, producing less than 1 cfm, and that seems generous at best.
My favorite trim compressor the past few years has been a cheap chinese made Puma brand hotdog that pulls 10 amps and is 30 lbs or so. It runs a 15g on all but the most production oriented basis, and is inbetween the tiny Senco and a normal compressor in noise level. Probably a 1.5-1.7 cfm very similar to this:
View Image
I just picked up the 1-1/2 hp (tagged 13 amps) senco hotdog to replace the smaller hotdog and it wasn't a good choice being louder and heavier (38 lbs). It's just like any other larger compressor as far as noise and whatnot, but is more portable compared to a full size double hotdog, just not as handy as the smaller hotdog. 3 cfm if I remember right. Will probably be used in place of my larger 17 amp compressor.
Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.
I had one - until my helper bulled it off the counter and it dropped 24" to the floor & broke the welds from the roll cage to the tank.
Very quiet, cycled a lot, regulator dials never worked properly.
Bought the DeWalt (Emglo)instead. It's noisier and a little heavier (30 lbs) but it works for me too.
Quality repairs for your home.
AaronR Construction
Vancouver, Canada