Hey-
Was wondering if any of you could chime in on a recommendation for an air compressor for framing. I would like something that could handle two framing guns. However, it won’t be used everyday and will rarely run the two guns (that is merely for future consideration) and I would rather not spend more than $300. Debated over biting the bullet and getting a Thomas, but its a little pricey.
The Depot has a Ridgid that would fit my needs, but have never heard anything- good or bad- on their compressors. Any ideas? Same with a Porter Cable I saw- heard horror stories about their small pancake compressors, but a framing friend of mine doesn’t mind their larger compressor for framing.
Thanks for the help.
Derek
Replies
I'll assume from your price range ($300ish) that you're talking about electric compressors. Look hard at the Thomas, but if that's too steep for you, look at Rol-Air... another great company. After that I guess I'd be looking at that side carry Dewalt jobber..... I'm no fan of Dewalt as a whole, but they seem to do some things right (like miter saws) and I've heard that that side carry compressor is one of their better products.
I think finding a Rol-Air in your price range is going to be your best bet. Rol-air offers very good bang for the buck. I've got their 5.5hp 20 gallon gas job and it's a true work horse. I paid about $90 more for that beast than I would have paid for a lousy Cambell Hausfield 8 gallon POS off the shelf at HD. Huge difference in quality... just look at the size of the compressor pump.
I'd be wary of the new Emglo compressors (even though I recommended one in the Dewalt above), Cambell Hausfield, and Porter Cable. Don't know anything about the Rigid either so I can't comment.
Just bought the PC pancake, it even came with 3 guns for 300 at HD. I have used the finishing gun allot with it and it seems to work fine. Last weekend I even used a small spray gun with it for a small bench, worked fine. I guess we will see how it lasts in the long run, but then I do not use it everyday. Best of luck to you.
Wade
Here's a link that will give you info on Thomas and Rol Air, this company is nationwide. Also, that pc pancake will barely run a framer, nevermind two.
http://www.abccatalog.com/store/listcategoriesandproducts.asp?idCategory=108
Thanks guys for all the input. Called up Fasteners today to see what they had and the salesman I usually deal with gave me $50 off a Rol-Air 1500HPV5. Paid $300 (plus tax) out the door. Now its just time to hook up my new Bostitch I got yesterday and go to town.Thanks again.Derek
Nicely done. I think you'll be very happy with the service from your Rol-Air. Good luck and happy framing to ya!
Hey man, I noticed in your trailer pics the Rol-Air hot dog you have sittin in the middle. Is that the gas-powered one or an electric? My local guy has these and I'm wondering if maybe I should upgrade. The old 25 gal PC just can't handle 4 framers or one stapler with me behind it.Jason Pharez Construction
Framing & Exterior Remodeling
Jason,
That's a 5.5 HP Honda powered 20 gallon Rol-Air. That's a mouthful, huh?
It's been awesome. TONS of air. We usually have three framing guns running ballz out all day... sometimes four. Always keeps up... no problems even with a 50' lead hose and three or four 100'ers off of that. On the last house, the roofer's compressor crapped out and I told him to just plug in with us. He had two guns going and we had two doing odd-ball pick-up work and one strapping the attic ceiling... just another day at the office. A few weeks ago I was using a 1/2" air impact wrench to run the nuts down on some carriage bolts in an LVL and could still hear the guns firing upstairs.... that used to get me yelled at by my guys for hogging all the air. LOL!
It's one of my favorite tools I own and I baby it. I change the oil just about every two weeks. Change the air filters regularly and even check the spark-plug from time to time. I also hit it with engine degreaser and then the hose every couple months to keep the grime down.... purdy, ain't she?
If you really think you need even more air, they've got the same set up with an 8 HP Honda instead of the 5.5 HP. I can't imagine needing that much air, but maybe you do? I think the 8 HP was close to around $1300 vs about $1000 I paid for mine.
Nice compressors, though.
Hey thanks for the quick reply, and yeah, I know what you mean about hogging air w/ an impact...we resorted to buying an electric for cinching down anchor bolts. The last gas comp I used had a 5.5 Honda, and it was annoyingly loud....how's your's sound?Jason Pharez Construction
Framing & Exterior Remodeling
Well, yeah... it makes some noise, but we just put it on the other side of the trailer or behind the lifts of plywood or something to baffle the noise a bit. Even though I'm framing in the wealthy burbs for the most part, it's not very common for us to have temp power onsite. It usually shows up about 1/2 way through the frame if at all. I think that is a more a function of our local utilities and bureaucracies. Now that I think of it... its probably because I work in the wealthy burbs that everything happens slow!
Point is... a lot of the time we've got the compressor running as well as a 6500W generator. Keep the mufflers on 'em and they're not too bad though... it's all what you're used to.
FWIW the Honda GX-160 (the 5.5hp you see on a ton of compressors) is a heck of a lot quieter than any of the Briggs compressors I've heard. Funny thing is, my Wacker generator has an 11hp Honda and I swear it's quieter than the 5.5 even when the idle kicks up. Things that make you go "hmmmmm?"
Brian,
We have a DeWalt (Emglo) wheelbarrow electric. Draws a lot of juice, but we have temp power on every job. Anyway, it came with synthetic oil that only needed to be changed every 2000 hours. When I changed it, it was exactly the same color as the new stuff (same brand) and the oil level hadn't dropped at all.
You might try some. You can order the DeWalt brand synthetic.
Wow... 2000 hours... that like a whole year for you West Coast guys. ;)
Seriously Tim, that's great advice for maintenance freak like me. I'll have to give it a shot. Geez, and electric compressor and no generator running.... I'd have to keep the forklift running all day just to be able to think straight! Even though I'm used to it, I'll bet all that quiet is nice though.
With an electric compressor that large, I'm guessing you have to plug it in right at the pole, right? Will it trip a 15 amp breaker? Does it ever trip a 20 amp? Do you dedicate a breaker just for the compressor and then run your saws off a different one, or do you get one breaker with two duplex outlets like I see around here all the time?
Brian,
It gets quiet because we run the compressor right off the temp and run a 100 1/2" hose to the site then split to 3 or 4 hoses.
Is it too quiet? Nah, we have the Milwaukee radio!!!
We run the compressor off one circuit then run an 8gauge cord to the house and split from there for power to the tools. Our electrician built us a box about 15 years ago that bumps the voltage, but not the amps, so there is no voltage loss at that box if you test it with a meter, but if you are really bogging some tools down, it'll trip the power.
I have a Dewalt (emglo) 4 gallon 2 1/2 hp oiled compressor that I have had for a few years. It will run one framing gun, but not sure how much it would cycle with two. It has been a good compressor so far. I believe they run about $250.00 now a days.
Coming to you from beautiful Richmond, Va.