Hello, Everyone.
I am a hobby woodworker and DIYer who plans to purchase my first home later this summer. With prices as high as they are for many homes in my area (SE US @ ~200K), it seems likely that I will have to buy a “handyman special” or “fixer-upper” in order to purchase a home at a price I can afford.
Over the years, I have acquired enough power and hand tools to tackle most simple carpentry and remodeling tasks. I am considering the purchase of an Air Compressor and air nailers to round out my tool kit.
After reading the article on compressors in the most recent issue of Fine Homebuilding I have the following questions:
What would be the best size or type of compressor for a person like me? (“hot dog”, “pancake”, or twin stack)
Are there some air compressor/air tool manufacturers that I should consider over other? (the FH article did not rate the ones that were profiled)
How many and what size air nailers, should I save for to have a useful air tool kit? (i.e., brad, finish, and framing nailers)
I will be using this tool set to help me with room renovations, cabinetmaking, and some light framing (interior walls)
Any and all assistance with these questions would be greatly appreciated.
Replies
What? You're saying that the article sisn't answer all your questions? That's terrible.
Ok, are you really goingt o get a brad, finish and framing nailer? I can see the brad and finish, but unlkess you're nailing studs together there's not much use for a framer.
If you plan to only power one tool at a time, then small, light and quiet is what you should look for. Even the smallest compressor will do anything you need, except spray paint and drive air wrenches. You can usually find a pretty good combo deal on a pancake compressor with a brad and finish nailer aqnd a hose at the big box stores. The pancakes are usually a little loud, and they don't last as long as the oil-bath, but for a DIY HO it will be more than enough.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
I agree with Fast Eddie- the smallest will do fine. You may end up doing work where you want a framing nailer, but for most framing, you don't need one of those larger compressors anyway. You'll probably want something that you can carry around the house, or from the garage into the house, pretty easily, and that won't rattle the windows too much or throw the breaker whenever the pump starts. Something like the makita hotdog or that size.
zak
Edit: the few things that I can think of you needing more air for: if you want to replace your own roof, that can go through a lot of air, though I think a well built hotdog would keep up, running impact wrenches, pneumatic sanders, etc. needs more air.
Edited 3/23/2006 2:56 pm by zak
My next compressor is going to be the Dewalt pancake shown in the mag. Much lighter than my current dual tank monstrosity and I'm tired of carrying it around. It will be much nicer to lug the light Dewalt. How can I blow up my dual tank to justify buying the Dewalt?
I could send you my mailing address- I'm sure your dual tank would be an improvement over the cheap craftsman that I found at a yard sale. Man I wish that thing would die. . . .
zak
If you bought that cheap Craftsman from me, I forgot to give you the instructions. But too late now, I recycled the paper...
Dang it, I bet the instructions tell me where the knob is to turn the volume down. Now I'll never know. And you don't have to tell me about the switch that turns the volume off- I used that for a while, but I'm afraid I'll break my framing nailer if I keep pounding nails into place with it.
zak
If you think you may need a framing gun,get a compressor that will put out at least 3cfm @90.Most framing guns use 2.7 or so cfm.I would imagine either a pancake or twin tank will do. Many brands have sales with the guns and compressor as a package.Most brand nailers will serve you well. I would consider the PC brad nailers,and PC finish nailer. You can buy an 18 gauge finish nailer that will shoot brads from 1/2" to 2". The finish nailer I would recomend a 15 gauge, a little more expensive than a 16 gauge nailer but my preference.Either oilfilled or oiless compressor, whatever you prefer. If noise is a consideration,most oilfilled compressors are quieter.Harbor Freight and Grizzly have compressors and guns so cheap I couldn't believe the prices, I would not buy them for myself,but for your use they may do the job.
mike
For what you say, the pancake should be just perfect. The Dewalt looks good. The twin tanks deliver more air but are heavier and more bulky.
A pancake rig will probably suffice (except, as mentioned, for spraying or air wrenches). When I got my compressor about 6 years ago, I got the biggest compressor I could find that would run off a 15 amp circuit. It was on its last legs a couple of weeks ago when it got stolen along with all my nailers and staplers. I'm looking too.
For small stuff, I saw at HD today a Porter-Cable pancake with a stapler, brad nailer, and (I think)a 16-ga. finish nailer, looked like a decent deal. I had a few of the P-C staplers, liked them a lot.
As others have said, the pancake will work fine for the amount of air you will need for nailers. If you want to get a brad and finish nailer, the porter cable set will be a pretty good deal for you. The pc brad nailer is a really nice gun, the finish nailer is solid not as good as the hitachi, and the set usually comes with a stapler or sander as a throw in. I think Amazon has the kit for $289 or so and they have been offering all kinds of discounts in the last month, $75 off $300 purchase, etc.
Hello, Everyone.THANKS to all who have shared your advice.I will consider a hot dog or pancake models in general and the Porter-Cable set in particular.Based on the sidebar comments in the FH article, I am also seriously considering the Thomas lines of compressors highlighted as well. I have learned over time that, sometimes, it's worth it to spend a little extra for a tool.Does anyone own or has anyone used a Thomas compressor?Are they worth the extra $$$?
Thomas and Rolaire are worth the money...
28 years and still going..
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Edited 3/23/2006 9:27 pm by IMERC
I have the PC pancake compressor, and it is LOUD. But I can move it by myself, as opposed to the old Craftsman I had that took two people to move it up or down steps.If you can, see if you can listen to whatever models you are considering and ask yourself if the noise will be an issue.
My first "small" compressor was an oil bath T-150. That was the best small compressor I've ever owned.
I've went through about five different ones since then.
blue
"Does anyone own or has anyone used a Thomas compressor?
Are they worth the extra $$$?" ............... I think so. I've got the T-200ST Renegade and have been pleased with it. Good output, runs fine on a 15 amp circuit and even an extention cord on occasion, starts fine in the cold and is pretty quiet (76db). A couple friends borrowed it to frame an addition and at first thought something was wrong with it because it was so much quieter than their old pancake compressor. Not quite the compressor the T-2820ST is but neither is the price, Amazon has the T-200ST for about $340 vs $489 for the T-2820ST.
Some of the things I would ask are:
Are you planning to do any spraying during the renovation or after?
Do you work on your car(s) and use air wrenches?
Do you have and need to use air powered die grinders or sanders?
If you answer yes to any of these, think about getting a larger stationary compressor. A pancake won't keep up with these demading tools. You can get one for about $400 that's 7 HP (maybe) and 60 gallon tank. It makes a big difference.
What is your budget? If a pancake is in the right price range but you need the extra capacity, don't get the pancake when you can get one that will do the job for a little more.
Do you have 220V in the house or garage?
A lot of the larger compressors need 220, but some are available that run on 120V.
If budget is a real concern and you won't be using your small compressor all day, every day and not much at all after the work is done, consider going cheap. Harbor freight has some that go for $150 on sale and they should do a decent job. They also sell cheap air tools.
If you have a problem with buying cheap import tools, the last paragraph should be ignored. If you want US made tools and budget is an issue, consider buying used from estate/rummage sales, auctions or ebay.
Sam's club right now has a Bostich twin-stack oil-lubed compressor that is on clearance for $197.Has quick release tank drains and a nice control panel with disconnects and great handle.Probably the best $200 to spend on a compressor right about now, value-wise. Any of the crappy non-oil smaller models will drive you crazy with the noise.Myself - I have a PC Twin stack oil-lube, and it works great for me, but I'm seriously thinking of picking up the tiny Senco compressor to run trim guns inside.JT
I have a Rol-Aire and it's pretty noisy. Most of the noise is from the air going into the intake, though. Someday, I'll put some kind of muffler on it.
"I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."
My Porter Cable is loud, but not too bad and it recycles pretty quickly. Much better than the huge mamoth deal I had before.The model I have has a special oil thrower that is supposed to allow it to run while on an incline.JT
I bought the tiny Senco air compressor. We have a coiled 25' hose on it. You can walk into a house with the gun, compressor and the materials in one trip. After about 7 shots with the brad nailer it starts cycling. I takes about 1.5 -2 minutes to complete the cycle. You can nail off one door or window, but I defintely wouldn't try to trim a house with it. It's just great for the little stuff, but that's it.
We have the Thomas Renegade and we are very happy with it. I've had it for two years. We regularly run 3 roofing guns on it. It's starting to get louder, especially when the tank is empty. After reading the article I think maybe I need a repair kit. My first compressor was the Bostich pancake 1hp. I bought it about 15 years ago. We used it hard and it just kept running. Gauge placement and outlet was not up to today's standards though.
Hello, highfigh:Some of the things I would ask are:Are you planning to do any spraying during the renovation or after?To save time, I may try my hand at spray painting a room as a part of the renovation.Do you work on your car(s) and use air wrenches?Basically, oil and fluid changes.Do you have and need to use air powered die grinders or sanders?Not immediately. What is your budget?: $300-500I do plan to buy a stationary compressor after I get over the initial expenses associated with the purchase of the home.Thank you for the advice.
A lot of the small units seem to be in the 3-4 CFM range. I have an Emglo Air-Mate 1-1/2 HP... a very typical small compressor that's rated for ~3.5 CFM... and I can easily outrun it when nailing off plywood with a framing gun or using a medium-crown stapler. It's fine for finish nailing, or slower framing tasks.
Recently a friend bought a Makita MAC5200, which is closer to 6 CFM and cost about $300. I may add one of those or something similar because the extra capacity is nice.
I think Highfish is on track. Do you need a portable or a stationary compressor. I needed portability and power so I bought the Dewalt in the roll cage style package. If my only job site was my dwelling, I'd get at least a 30 gallon upright.
If I had reliable help in moving it about, like a 10 yo boy, I'd definately get a big tank.
Air tools are often lighter, quieter and less expensive than their electric counter parts.
If you keep your tires aired up you'll be suprised at your savings in gas.
My very favorite is the blow gun. If you do much work with tools you needed that years ago.