Ok, I need a little advice. My Bostitch 6 gallon compressor either got stolen or the guy I worked with pawned it, can’t say either way, times are tough I guess.
I’ve been eye balling one of those Porter Cable pancakes, but I can’t say that I have ever used one of them. The Bostitch was good, but had a low cut-in pressure and choked on my framing gun once it got down to about 95 psi. Are the Porter Cables any good? I will be using it primarily to run nail guns, including the occasional framing job.
Replies
I'd stay away from the Portercable, although they will do the job. My boss went through two already, they're noisy, take a while to get back up to pressure, and hard to work on should one of the lines break from all the vibration of the unit. I finally got him to get RolAir. I am pleased with it and it has a great recovery time. A bit pricey though. I'd stick with an oil lube compressor. Do your homework though. Some don't work all that well in cold conditions and/or off extension cords depending on the gage of the cord and the length.
Get the Thomas. You won't regret it.
Which Thomas for solo work?Behind the ostensible government sits enthroned an invisible government owing no allegiance and acknowledging no responsibility to the people. [Theodore Roosevelt]
what kinda solo work?
I got the st2820.
double stack hotdog. Bought it years ago ... fit and finish is like brand new.
for it's "size" ... it's heavy ... I think a hair over 70 lbs.
but it'll trim out any house no sweat ... support 2 guys framing no sweat ...
it'll support 2 guys nailing sheathing ... it'll run the whole time but it's made to run.
it'll also work up a sweat running behind 2 fast roofers ... but it'll still do that and not burn out.
best compressor for remodeling. Forget what I paid ... over $400.
but it'll do most any remodeling job with ease.
I usually work solo ... sometime I have 3 or 4 hoses plugged in.
it's perfect for mostly solo with a little crew work thrown in.
also ... compared to other compressors ... very quiet.
non-oiled ... good cold starts and works set on a roof incline.
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
What Jeff said.
Most of the work I do anymore is trim, door, window, & kitchen installations.
I have the 635HD 2 gallon hot dog. It is made so it WILL run a framing gun which I do from time to time. It never skips a beat & handles every gun I own including the roofer when I have to do a repair.
It's 26 lbs (thereabouts), and fits easily up on shelf inside my van, (that's what sold me more than anything).
I think I paid $325-350...somewhere in that range. If I have a job where there is going to be framing or sheathing, or sub flooring....any kind of group nailing off with a frame or roof gun, then I bring along a larger compressor, but I haven't had to in almost 2 years now. My Hitachi hot dog twin stacks is collecting dust these days.If you do larger work then I would get the larger 2820ST, probably what Jeff has. You can plug those into a 15A circuit and it will not trip it.I think this is the 4th or 5th compressor I've owned ( I have a 30 gallon for the garage), and the Thompson is by far the best ever. They're worth every penny.
The 2820 is big boy with capabilities I'd not readily use. Solo roofing and framing adventures for the most part kind of thing.
Seems portability matched with the performance is what I need. Something not too laborious to put in and out of a truck bed and move around on site.
Reading the reviews on Amazon and looks like they could use some fine tuning in their shipping dept.
One ol' boy ordered a 2820 and had to send it back 'cause of shipping damage not once but TWICE and the third time wasn't even a charm as it came dented but decided to try it out and kept it.
kids running forklifts can be a dangerous thing
Behind the ostensible government sits enthroned an invisible government owing no allegiance and acknowledging no responsibility to the people. [Theodore Roosevelt]
Edited 11/2/2008 12:41 pm ET by rez
Look into Thomas, a bit pricey, but you get what you pay for.
http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&search-alias=tools&field-brandtextbin=Thomas%20Compressors
Wew! Yes, quite a bit pricey! I do the remodeling on the weekends, its just a part-time job. I don't quite make enough from it to get anything that nice. The porter cable is in my budget, and it has a high cut-in pressure which is very important with the framing gun. I've seen a few on job-sites, but not as many as I thought.
Campbell hausfeld 4 gallon twinstack- will work any nailer and costs under 200 dollars. Its oil lubed so it should be quieter and outlive the PC.
Bostich=china--Dewalt=china----Porter-cable=china --Ridgid=china Rol-air Hustisford Wisconsin United States of America
I have an emglow that was made right before they sold out to Dewalt ... found it on craigslist in like new condition. Upgraded 2 1/2 hp model, runs like new 4 years later. That being said, I have a 20 year old craftsman air-cooled, single hotdog, banged up piece of #### that I keep in the garage now and abuse ... still can't kill it.
find a used emglow in good condition ... going price is $125
Edited 11/3/2008 10:05 pm ET by BradG
Anybody have experience with the Hitachi pancake? I think its oiless but I can find a recon for about $100. It doesn't seem all that different from my Bostitch which was a decent compressor. I've looked into the Thomas's and saw a Rol-air on a job that looked like quite a unit. Like I said before, I just wouldn't be using the dang thing everyday.
Edit: what concerns me with the Porter Cable is the cfm. Is 2 cfm enough to run a framing gun?
Edited 11/2/2008 2:23 pm ET by arcflash
Makita 2 gallon single tank. Its quiet, consistant and kicks ####. I'm trim entire houses out with it.
I've got the Porter Cable pancake. It's really noisy, and can't keep up with a single framer going normal speed. And with the flooring nailer that I occasionally rent, it causes lots of misfires due to poor CFM.
Next one I get will be a Thomas.
Steve
So, your telling me that it doesn't run a framing gun. Great, I just happen to own one of the biggest air hogs made, its a Bostitch. Its been all I can do to convince the wife that I need this compressor, so I really have to make a good buy. I have a Brute, you know, the Walmart brand, but I need one that is more portable and faster cut-in. I think I might go with the Hitachi, it will have a warranty. I was hoping that the Porter Cable would be the one, but I started to think about cfm and realized that it might not be able to handle a framer.
I haven't given it a good try out yet, so no full endorsement-
If your thinking of the Hitachi I think the GripRight unit I just got is probably a better buy.
Checkout there line it's no Thomas but seems better then the Hitachi/
Dewalt offering of the big box stores.
Don't most decent compressors with a standard type pressure switch have a cut-in adjustment on the switch?
Yes. But your not really supposed to adjust it, they say. I think it voids the waranty. I adjust mine when the cut-in pressure is lower out of the box than what the manual says it is supposed to be. I've noticed that happens quite a bit for some reason.
Just picked up a 2.5hp 4gal Hitachi on eBay - the reconditioned version for under $200 shipped. I've only used it for one day but is seems to work well, pretty happy with the whole purchase so far but I guess we'll see.We did a ton of framing and sheating with a Bostich pancake - I'm not a real fan but it keeps on chugging. I tend to like the 1/4 drain valves better than the petcock style, the petcocks seem to leak if they're not super tight and then they tend to strip and that means you won't use them. Ball valves work and get used and that means longer tank life.
I just got the Porter Cable a few months back and I do exactly what you are doing - Work on the side - I am working on my house right now, and I have used it to run a framer. I'm thinking that you aren't doing production framing - just a partition here and there or maybe a shed or something similar. It will work for that. If you have 3 guys running framers or roofing guns, then it would run constantly. For one guy with a framer (I have the Porter Cable framer too - Ebay special!) or finisher, it will run occasionally. Yes, it is noisy, but yes, I would think that it will work. And, it's portable, and I got a decent deal on the CPO Porter Cable web site with the finish nailer, stapler, and brad nailer. I still haven't gotten my rebate though. Just my two cents worth.
Then we'll be calling you...Steve Thomas.
be an old houseBehind the ostensible government sits enthroned an invisible government owing no allegiance and acknowledging no responsibility to the people. [Theodore Roosevelt]
My crews use Campbell-Hausfield, twin stack 4 gal, 2 horse, 120v, oil less. I've modified them a little but new ones have the "roll bars" now. Base has rubber feet standard. My mods allow the use of 4" lockable rubber wheels that slip into square tubing sockets on bottom for movement. Same square tubing on top of base allows removal and storage of wheels w/o tools.
Have some 20 gallon Daytons (twin cylinder) from Grainger wired for 220 but field use is rare--oil bath. Had Rol Air many years ago but didn't work out. You can also use a squib tank to increase air storage. Mine are made from old Freon tanks. Run a short length of air hose using quick disconnect fittings from compressor output to extra tank then have output from extra tank accept your hose.
Compressor runs longer to fill all 3 storage tanks but the crew can work off of the setup without loss of pressure longer. Don't use the extra tanks much.
Can even use the CH with a small area texture gun for touch up work. Tyr
Arcflash, I grieve for your loss. We've all been there. There never has been a substitute for quality when it comes to our tools. You can do all your research at the ThomasAirPac web site. The site lists almost every nail gun on the market, how much CFM's it takes to run that gun with every model of compressor that Thomas sells. Also, they will tell you how many nails per minute you can fire for every nail gun, senco, bostitch,jamerco, ect. Also you can read the specifications and even print out the owners manual, which simply means, they have nothing to hide. This is a transparent co. selling one of the best compressors on the market, and for my money, you deserve the best! If the 1.25hp Pancake is out of reach due to price, drop down to the 1hp hot dog renegade. Very light (27lbs), rated 100% duty cyclye, very quiet compared to most compressors (74db), which means you'll have to raise your voice a little working in someones kitchen. For portabillity and power that the one. PS Dear Mrs. Arcflash, look into his eyes, how on earth could argue against a machine that earns money? You know he's only gonnah spend it on you! This is not an expense. It's an investment!
CubeSquare, I try to tell her the same thing! I think that she just needs something to complain about sometimes. I'll tell you what though, she never complains when I bring home cash in my pocket from the weekend work!
You guys have given me alot to think about. I don't have any big jobs coming up yet, but my boss says there are a few in the works right now. I think I should squirrel a little money away and get something that I won't have to replace for a long time. This will actually be my fourth compressor in about four years, and all of that money I've spent on them, I could have just bought a really good one and still be using it. Besides, I'm in the big leagues now, right? ;)
I have a Quincy. They are better known for larger compressors, but my twin stack is build pretty solid. It's not light, and it's not quiet, but it's no worse than any of the others. I bought it from a compressor shop instead of a home center, and they service it for me and will repair it when the time comes. Don't buy the new emglo's from dewalt. When Dewalt bought them out, they started buying them from China, and the quality went down the tubes.
I took Jeff buck's rec for thomas and bought the T-2820 ST which is over 5cfm and made to run continuously if nec.
It's quiet, cycles quickly, runs on ext cords and will not trip a 15a breaker, which is a biggie for me. I've had compressors that won't kick on an extension cord, and blow breakers all the time. Lame.
I've had 3 framing guns at a a time, and 3 siding nailers at a time. Keeps up no problem--2 guys roofing...too..
It is a 'bigger' compressor but the handle is in just the right spot to carry it comfortably alone.
I know they have some smaller models available that will run a framing nailer without issue.
American made too.
I just bought a new small compressor last week
Makita MAC700
I had been using Rolair's the last 10-15 years---one small sausage comp. for working solo--and a bigger pancake with a crew.- i liked the Rolairs---but they are noisy--and they are finicky to get started and keep started in cold weather--plus mine had both been stolen about a week previously
looked around and the MAC700 was getting excellent reviews.
Ordered mine last weds. night--it arrived FedEX friday at noon
$200 including shipping.
It requires oil----but it is by far the most quiet air compressor i have ever owned.
It goes from empty to full pressure in under 70 seconds---and cuts in at over 80#-and goes to full pressure in under 30 seconds.
It will have no problem keeping up with my roofing gun(solo)-and if it doesn't keep up with 2 roofing guns I will use my auxilary tank to give it a boost.
LOVE the drain valve--why aren't they ALL like this,
Stephen
it's a little heavy for its small size---but it fits fantastic on the front floor of my F250 between the seat and the glove box---very secure
That seems worth looking into. Can you give anymore firsthand accounts after you've used it a bit giving pros and cons you've noticed?
Thanks.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0001Q2VK0/ref=nosim/arm06-20Behind the ostensible government sits enthroned an invisible government owing no allegiance and acknowledging no responsibility to the people. [Theodore Roosevelt]
I would be happy to-----but it is entirely possible that i won't use it untill april,2009, LOL.
Stephen
I just picked up that same compressor this past week.
I haven't had chance to do more than break it in, but I'm looking forward to using it this week. I must say I'm psyched to hear what you said about it keeping up with everything so far, I typically do mostly trim but have the more-than-occassional need to break out the framing and siding nailers for jobs that I don't want to lug the larger compressor to.
Speaking of the larger compressor, I've had the 700's bigger brother - MAC2400? - for going on 5 years now and it hasn't skipped a beat. Just can't stand its weight, but it's been worth it. This new one replaced a mysteriously defunct and somewhat annoyingly small DeWalt that I only had for about a year - pretty much done with DeWalt at this point.
Nick
we have been running 2-3 roofing guns with it at a time this spring---no problemalso- this past week I had to dig out my bostich framing nailer---- shot down about 20 sheets of 3/4" cdx----no problem. My former air compressors were rol-airs----Primarily a single sausage tank rol-air---and after shooting down a single sheet of plywood the air pressure would drop to low to run the framing nailer-----no such issues with the makita. the price is so reasonable-- I may buy another one---just to have a spare at home.stephen
I'm impressed.
Glad I have one sitting out in the shop...
Finally moved its big brother back from the jobsite this past week and so far its looking like the MAC2400 will only be coming out to frame from now on...
My back rejoices...
Nick
ok rez,
I can'tbelieve I had to dig this far back to ressurect this thread--- but I promised you a review of this air compressor. I would say--by far-the best compressor I have worked with or been around- for my purposes so far-- it keeps up with 2 pretty fast roofers 6 nailing shingles and one slow roofer 6 nailing shingles--- and it is unbelievably quiet. LOVE the drain, no problems with the weight, reasonably compact size etc. price, I felt was a bargain--- having used it-- I would have happily paid twice as much.-- I haven't run my bostich frammer off it-- but I expect to next week---so will let you know if it keeps up with that----- but I imagine 3 roofing guns 6 nailing use a LOT of air.stephen
Thanks for coming back with this. I've held off buying a compressor and if you're running what you are off that Makita and still speak so well of it I'm going shopping.
Sounds as if the framer will be no different. Hope so as I use a Bostich also.
Rereading Ledebuhr's question in an above post, 112286.29, it does make me wonder.
Edited to add arriving first week of May. $207 Free Shipping
Edited 4/21/2009 9:29 am ET by rez
dang, Amazon has a pretty quick shipping program.
Ordered the 21rst and delivered the 25th, two days after the estimated time of arrival.
the other half is the proper application of knowledge.
ok,i've tried finding out what compressor you have,i think it got deleted.
so what is it?YOU ONLY NEED TWO TOOLS IN LIFE - WD-40 AND DUCT TAPE. IF IT DOESN'TMOVE AND SHOULD, USE THE WD-40. IF IT SHOULDN'T MOVE AND DOES, USE THEDUCT TAPE.
Makita MAC700 2hp 2.6Gal
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0001Q2VK0/ref=nosim/arm06-20
Look on CPO tools for deals on Dewalt, Makita, Campbell hausfeld and Bostich Compressors. They are reconditioned, but in excellent shape.
What does Thomas do to make their compressors so quiet and efficient? why cant other companies do something similar.
"What does Thomas do to make their compressors so quiet and efficient? why cant other companies do something similar."Excellent question. I've wondered the same thing. I imagine it would have to be the materials and the engineering. They probably have done their research and fielded all the desires & complaints that pros have with various compressors. Then they went out and built and tested prototypes and tweeked them to correct all the problems that we so often complain about, like noise, recovery time, weight & ergonomics.I have the little 3/4 hp hot dog for finishing and it's by far the best compressor I have ever owned. It's about all I ever use anymore. Their prices are higher, but for good reason. You get what you pay for.