I’m in the market to buy a portable air compressor. I’ll be using if to drive brads and finish nails….and maybe a flooring nailer…and maybe blow out the sprinkler system. It won’t be used a lot…just for projects around the house.
Recommendations would be appreciated.
Replies
If you don't already have the nail guns, look at the Porter Cable package deals. They usually come with an 18 ga brad nailer and a 16 ga finish nailer, plus a pancake compressor, for a good price. The compressor is a little loud, but it has proven to be a good reliable unit over the past several years. It will do what one person needs.
"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
Thank You. I've seen the package in Home Depot and a couple of Porter Cable Compressors in Lowes and in the catalogs. I've read some reviews on the guns but can't find much on compressors. Do you have the package?
I bought the package about 4 yrs ago when it was the comprtessor and the 18 ga brad nailer. I have added other nailers and staplers since then, and I like them all except the round head framer. Some people will tell you that PC nailers are no good, and the pancake is noisy, etc. But For the money, if you're not a high volume user, it's a good deal.
"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 purchased the 3 gun package a couple of months ago and have been satisfied with what I got for the money I spent. I also added a Framing nailer and the small compressor seems to work fine but I do work slow these days. The compressor is loud so I just leave it outside and run a long hose. Others have commented that the guns will not stand up to production work but I haven't used them enough to have an opinion.
Thank You
I bought the Porter Cable package, pancake compressor, 18 and 16 gauge nail guns. LOVE IT!
Thank You
I got this Senco deal when they were throwing in a free finish nailer. Previous owner of the PC compressor, it is LOUD, dunno how much damage I've done to plaster ceilings below it..... I think PC compressor is just repackaged Campbell-Hausfield..... The Senco has enough power for slow-moving DIYer (quiet, Calvin), finish guns and palm nailer....
PC compressors are actually made by devilbiss. PC, Delta, and Devilbiss were owned by PENTAIR (sp?) until a year or two ago when they were bought by Black and Decker. Devilbiss makes a lot of compressors for a whole lot of folks.
I own the PC kit and like it but will readily admit the compressor is loud.
You can also get Bostich packages. They are very similar to the PC, but I really like the Bostich guns. I have one that has been going for quite awhile now, and has been great. I even run a N80 coil framing gun with it. You have to go a little slower then I would like, but it is not bad.
What size/model compressor do you recommend? Also, are these designed for hardwood floor installation?
Most any compressor will work withb a hardwood floor nailer. Usually you don't nail very fast when doing hardwood, and all you need is a compressor that will go to 90 pounds or more.
Virtually any compressor that you can buy at HD or Lowes will work for any nailer/stapler. The difference is noise (pancakes are loudest) and recovery time (how long it takes to recycle when the pressure gets low).
"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
Hi,
I got the small Porter Cable pancake compressor with an 18 gauge brad gun. I later added a Porter Cable full size framing nailer when I built my garage/barn. I was thinking the compressor might be too small, but it worked fine. It runs more than a bigger compressor would, and would probably not be adequate for a "pro", but it worked fine for me.
Gary
http://www.BuildItSolar.com
I've been looking for a new compressor. Of the ones I've seen, at $285, this one had the most bang for the buck. The two nailguns alone would run around $225 if purchased separately.
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http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000DCBKX/102-2069459-9670562?v=glance&n=228013&n=507846&s=hi&v=glance
jt8
"Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do."
-- John R. Wooden