Hey everybody.
I am looking to pick up a portable air compressor portable meaning hand carry vs. wheelbarrow. It will probably only get light duty use, finish nailers mostly, but it would be handy if it could run a framing nailer everynow and then.
I was looking at a pancake PC model c2002wk oiless. What I am unsure of is will it run my framing nailer (Senco 601 FP) in lmedium duty remodel situations?
The specs on the compressor are 6 gallon, 150 max psi , 120 volt, 3.7 @ 40 psi/ 2.6 @ 90 psi, equipped with dual couplers.
Anybody using this model by chance, anybody know anybody using this model?
Seriously any info would be appreciated.
Aww, I mispelled my title. How come you can’t edit the title of a thread? Now I feel like an idiot.
Webby
Edited 1/27/2008 1:50 pm ET by webby
Replies
I was very happy when mine was stolen. They are louder than h*ll.
not very well. only 2.6 scfm@90 you need alittle more. I have a pancake compressor and it does not keep up at all when nailing sheathing
They are loud and won't last that long.
Spend the money now to buy an oil-lube model - it'll last longer and be a ton more quiet every single time you use it.
Any of the 2-4 gallon compressors, oil-less or oil-lubed will run a framing nailer - all the manufacturers have details on their website showing what and how many tools their compressors will run.
I've heard the pancake PC's are simply rebadged cheap-#### campbell hausfields, so if you're gonna do it cheap-####, than just buy a crappy husky from HD or a HF junkpile.
You'd be better off buying a used oil-lube model - in my local CL (detroit), someone was offering teh portable Dewalt/emglo oil-lube for $95 - they sell new for $345.
I just sold my PC twin-tank oil-lube for $180 on CL.
Or, just buy a compressor for trim use only, the small Dewalt trim compressor gets high marks and will be a lot less loud.
JT
I've gone thru several pancake compressors.
When my last one died, I bought a Thomas hot dog style compressor. I think it cost around $300, but it's rated for continuous duty, which means that even if it can't keep up with the gun you're using with it, it won't kill it.
I've found that it will keep up pretty well with anything short of nailing sheathing, tho.
And it's great with trim guns. The unit weighs about 25-27 pounds, so it's easy to move, and lift into the van.
Buy the 1/4" FlexEeel hose, and it's a great set-up.
heres the compressor I use I also have the smaller pancake comp / porter cable. and like both. and it runs everything even 2 framing nailers and any finish tools I run. its big but with wheels it rolls up my ramp into my trailer and I take it up and down stairs with out any big deal. and can pick it up to get it into the back of my pick-up in a pinch. Im sure there are better ones but it works fine for me.
Porter Cable Job Bossâ„¢ 4.5 Gallon 150 PSI Portable Air Compressor
Carpentry and remodeling
Vic Vardamis
Bangor Me
>>The specs on the compressor are 6 gallon, 150 max psi , 120 volt, 3.7 @ 40 psi/ 2.6 @ 90 psi, equipped with dual couplers.<<
Have similar compressor - PC, pancake, oil-less, 6 gallon, 135 max. - 2.6 @90 psi. was packaged with 2 PC finish nailers and a mail-in coupon for a stapler as a special deal back about 2004.
As others have said - it is loud.
I suspect you would be happy with it for your finish nailer - will shoot 15 or so nails before the compressor cycles.
Framing nailer use is somewhat limited since mine will only shoot about 6 or 8 nails before cycling. Hitatchi NR83A2. One man, framing stud walls it is just OK. Sheathing gets trying with the wait.
Don't do much roofing but have used it with a Bostich gun - does OK - similar to finish nailer performance.
Palm nailer (joist hangers) will run it out of air fast - but will get the job done.
On positive notes: it is light at ~25 or 30 lbs (guess), this makes it very "potable" :-); relatively inexpensive when purchased new; will run happily all day on a 15A circuit.
Just my .02 worth.
Jim
he wants potable....
we should be looking for a fair sized kettle too....
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!!!
The cheapest, lightest, portable air compressor is a bicycle pump.
~Peter
If you replaced the Sulfer in cosine with Calcium, why do you get?
Ahh, thanks for the input everyone, I am still shopping.Webby
would some of the Tav's blowhards qualify???
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!!!
"would some of the Tav's blowhards qualify???"I think that air may be too hot to run tools off of.
Have you seen the new aluminum tanks? Much lighter and don't rust.
http://www.maxustools.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product2_10052_14446_104557_-1_10796
Yeah! saw one at home desparate! great stuff. Gotta get one.
Do you know how much they cost????
I'd look at this Thomas http://www.thomasairpac.com/products/airpac/renegade_electric/T-635-HT/T-635HT.jsp 27 lbs and it will run a framer. Got a good look at it at the JLC show and liked what I saw. Either it or the T 617HDN Thomas is on my to get list. My twin tank T-200ST Thomas has been great but I ain't no spring chicken and it's 60+lb weight gets old up and down the stairs. imho Thomas and Rol Air are the two best portable compressors out there. More money but worth it. Fwiw they're made in Wisconsin.
I have the 3/4 hp T635HD. Great compressor
i think you will run into problem running a framer. low scfm. sheathing will be a problem
Going to hang on to the big Thomas ............ just trying to figure out how to answer my better half when she asks, "Why do I need two compressors?".
Well once again, I have exactly the same setup that Shep has and after many years of different compressors I think this is the one that fits my needs perfectly. The Thomas hot dog can easily do framing as long as you're not bouncing along firing a constant 3 shots per second. It's small and light (25 lbs), and is very well made.
Pricey but well worth the cost.
You know...those guys from Jersey aren't quite as bad as the rest of the world may think.
Been itching for the T-635HT or T-635HD for some time...like the weight and I understand they're quite...but what about stapling underlayment...kitchen & baths. Currently using a MAC700...another compressor??? Please help.....
rustbucket
I've stapled a lot of 1/4" ply with my Thomas and a Bostitch narrow crown stapler.
it runs a lot, but always has enough air to sink the staples.
I can highly recommend the MAX POWERLITE.Small, light weight and quiet.Expensive here in Oz but good value in the US.You won't be dissapointed!
If you are not looking for high pressure (ie. Max) buy a Thomas. I have a double tank- not sure of the model number- but it is super quiet, and runs off of a 15A circuit (even on an extension cord) with no problems. It will handle bump fire framing or stapling with very little lag time, although it does recycle often. But becuase it is quiet the recycling is not an issue. Great tool that far surpasses the POS Hitachi and PC compressors that are collecting dust in my shop. A great example of the old addage "you get what you pay for."
It will work fine for what you list for its uses. A touch slow for fast framing or staple guns. But fine for finish nailers. Mine is from 2002 and works on a 15 amp circuit. I also have the twin tank but it stays in the workshop because it trips 20 amp breakers at times, real heavy too.
My 1.5 gal Husky will run a framer but you do have to wait on that unit!
Webby,
I have the PC pancake you are looking at and am not impressed with it. I bought it along with a finish nailer, the price seemed very reasonable at the time. The problem with the compressor is the amount of time it takes to recover. 6 gallons is alot of air for a such a small output compressor to fill. It seems to run forever and is very loud.
I am a tool loving guy, I love all of my tools, even the bad ones. I hate the PC pancake. I have it stuffed under a bench in my basement and use it to fill tires. Its great for tires, its 6 gallons, but I hate it. I will not take it to work. If my 2 other compressors broke down at the same time, I would go out and buy another before I would take that PC pancake to work. I would borrow one from my neighbor, who I hate, before I would take that PC pancake to work. I hate my PC pancake compressor.
Gord
Gord,
On your strong recommendation I'm going to buy a PC pancake. ;-) (Calm down - just kidding!)
A buddy has one and he too isn't thrilled with it. He uses a $50.00 Harbour Freight el cheapo instead. It doesn't recover much faster but it was cheap, light, and no one has tried to steal it (yet.)
If I had a bigger boat, that PC pancake would make an excellent mooring.
Gord
I've had the Porter Cable compressor you're considering for about a year. It's OK for occasional use but I wouldn't want to spend all day every day with it at work as it is LOUD and takes forever to refill the tank. Since I only use it for the odd job at home as a DIYer (15 ga nail gun, 18 ga nail gun, and upholstory stapler), it works for me. I'd pass on it and go with a heavier duty oil-lube unit from Thomas, Rol-Air or even Quincy before spending the money on the PC.
Edited 2/7/2008 10:39 pm by boiler7904
I picked up a Senco 2 gal hotdog (3.5 cfm @ 90 psi) with an oil splash pump hoping it would be a bit quieter than it turned out to be. As it sits it would meet your requirements pretty well. It's compact and is the compressor I keep in the truck for all around use but primarily for trim.
A 12 amp 1 gal hotdog is my favorite trim compressor, especially if the rating is a little higher than reality, which also helps to quiet it down. My favorite has been a cheap chinese model sold under the Puma brand that I picked up on sale for under $80. I think the reason the Puma has lasted so long is the motor doesn't run real fast. Doing production base with a 15g finish gun the compressor won't hardly cut out, but so far so good after two years of on again off again use.
Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.