I have been toying with the idea of getting an 18 or 16 guage nailer
for some time. Yesterday, while walking through the tool department
at Sears, I saw an air compressor on clearance for $99. They had
several nailers (craftsman and bostich) to choose from between $100
and $150. I started to buy the setup on the spot. However, when I
starting reading the specs on the compressor, I realized that I hadn't
done my homework on exactly what size, power, etc. I need. I think
the use of the compressor would be limited to the nailer; although I
*may* want to buy a paint gun sometime down the road. Does this
dramatically change what compressor I would need to buy? What would
be sufficient just for the nailer? Any help would be greatly
appreciated.
Thanks,
Kirk
"Mark" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
>
> KirkH wrote:
>
> > Funny you should mention a pool. One of the other things I want to
> > use a compressor for is to do my own pool closing; which means blowing
> > the lines at the end of the season (no comments necessary...) I don't
> > think that would take too much pressure; but it would mean evacuating
> > approximately 70 feet of waterin 2" pvc pipe.
>
>
>
> I think blowing out 2" lines would require volume more than pressure.
>
Very little. I'm not sure what the exact ID of 2" PVC is, but lets take 2".
piR2h 1*1*3.1416*840/1728= 1.53 cu. ft. Even a pancake compressor can
handle that in a very short time. Yeah, too much pressure could possibly
blow out something in the system though.
Ed
"KirkH" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I *may* want to buy a paint gun sometime down the road. Does this
> dramatically change what compressor I would need to buy? What would
> be sufficient just for the nailer? Any help would be greatly
> appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> Kirk
Keep the small compressor. You will probably want a bigger one for spraying,
but having a portable compressor is handy too. You will need a minimum of 5
CFM @ 100 for spraying, 10 CFM @ 100 psi would be optimal. I have done allot
of painting with a 2 HP, twenty gallon compressor. It works, but you need to
take a break more often!
I have a Porter Cable 60 gallon, plus a small 7 gallon, 3/4 HP, I cobbled
togather from some spare parts. I use them both enough that I would not part
with either of them.
Greg
KirkH wrote:
> Funny you should mention a pool. One of the other things I want to
> use a compressor for is to do my own pool closing; which means blowing
> the lines at the end of the season (no comments necessary...) I don't
> think that would take too much pressure; but it would mean evacuating
> approximately 70 feet of waterin 2" pvc pipe.
I think blowing out 2" lines would require volume more than pressure.
--
Mark
N.E. Ohio
In theory there is no difference between theory and practice, but in practice
there is.
Never argue with a fool, a bystander can't tell you apart. (S. Clemens, A.K.A.
Mark Twain)
When in doubt hit the throttle. It may not help but it sure ends the suspense.
(Gaz, r.moto)
I have the same PC compressor.
It works great with both nailers (finish & brad) that came with it.
Wouldn't recommend it for any spraying jobs though. I kept it pretty
busy blowing up a few rafts for our pool, even w/turning the pressure way
down.
Check it out on amazon.com. $299 - $50 until June 20th + free shipping.
Pretty good deal.
Ron
"B a r r y" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On 16 Jun 2004 08:16:21 -0700, [email protected] (KirkH) wrote:
>
> > a paint gun sometime down the road. Does this
> >dramatically change what compressor I would need to buy? What would
> >be sufficient just for the nailer? Any help would be greatly
> >appreciated.
>
> I have a Porter Cable 2 HP, 6 gallon compressor that's great for
> nailing, inflating, and blowing dust out of crevices. It'll power
> the Critter spray gun decently, but that's about it. The Critter is
> great for spraying wash coats, stains, and small finish jobs.
>
> Keep the following in mind:
>
> * Portable compressors are actually pretty handy to have around.
>
> * To REALLY spray, you'll need a 60 gallon 220v compressor that will
> not be portable.
>
> *When you get around to seriously spraying, you may find that a
> turbine powered HVLP rig best suits your needs, so you still won't
> need a big compressor.
>
> That said, I would not buy anything less than a 2HP 6 gallon pancake
> model.
>
> Barry
>
"Lew Hodgett" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> If you are going to buy tools from Harbor Freight, it might be well to
heed
> some advice given to me by my 99 year old mother when I was still in high
> school.
Wow Lew, your mother was 99 when you were in HS? Well, If IIRC my mother
musta been like 99 when I was in HS too. ;~)
"DJ Delorie" writes:
> You mean I'll start getting spam about my compressor's peter?
>
> GUYS! Act Now! Is your CFM too small? Not enough pressure where it
> counts? We know how you can please your spray gun! Call Ing*rs*l
> R*nd today! Don't get caught SHORT in your shop again!
>
> Guaranteed confidential. All products shipped in plain brown crate.
Ya gotta love it.
Touché.
Lew
KirkH wrote:
> ..... I think
> the use of the compressor would be limited to the nailer; although I
> *may* want to buy a paint gun sometime down the road. Does this
> dramatically change what compressor I would need to buy?
Drastically.
You could run a nailer with a bicycle pump plumbed into a small tank.
Off the top of my head I think a nail gun is the least demanding tool to attach
to a compressor.
Marks rule of compressor sizing: How bigs your wallet?
--
{neatly edited}
--
Mark
N.E. Ohio
In theory there is no difference between theory and practice, but in practice
there is.
Never argue with a fool, a bystander can't tell you apart. (S. Clemens, A.K.A.
Mark Twain)
When in doubt hit the throttle. It may not help but it sure ends the suspense.
(Gaz, r.moto)
I would be rather hesitant to buy something as potently hazardous as a
compressor from a company that is known for low end junk.
"Lew Hodgett" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> > Try the 4.5hp (yeah, right, on 120v) HF compressor at $159 on
> > sale. It provides a lot more air than I'm used to (old 1hp and
> > old tankless 3/4hp Rand) and should power a spray gun if I'm
> > not painting my entire truck in one pass.
>
> If you are going to buy tools from Harbor Freight, it might be well to
heed
> some advice given to me by my 99 year old mother when I was still in high
> school.
>
> She said, "Son, if you insist on playing with chicken shit, you are bound
to
> get some on you".
>
> Lew
>
>
>
"CW" <no adddress@spam free.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I would be rather hesitant to buy something as potently hazardous as a
> compressor from a company that is known for low end junk.
Where is your sense of adventure CW?
Nail guns are very LOW volume users. Just about any compressor with an tank
will work fine. These small compressors are ideal for nail guns.
Anything past that may require a larger compressor for better results.
I can usually get 30 or so shots fired from my Senco finish nail gun from an
11 gallon portable tank. Note the 11 gal tank is not a compressor. I use
this tank for taking into a customers home for quick repairs.
"Leon" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>
> Wow Lew, your mother was 99 when you were in HS? Well, If IIRC my mother
> musta been like 99 when I was in HS too. ;~)
>
When we were in high school, any woman our mother's age looked like they
were 99. Never would have thought I'd be looking at 40 year olds and
thinking that young woman is H O T. Perspective sure does change with age.
Ed
"Fly-by-Night CC" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In article <[email protected]>,
> "Leon" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > Nail guns are very LOW volume users. Just about any compressor with an
tank
> > will work fine. These small compressors are ideal for nail guns.
> >
> > Anything past that may require a larger compressor for better results.
>
> I use my 15g and 18g nailers with a Sears tankless! (I suppose the hose
> acts as a sort of tank - point being, I haven't had any problems firing
> either gun to sink the nail.)
Wow... How long is your hose?
I bought a 15 gallon 3.5HP (yeah, right) for $60 out of the paper. I
would recommend just keeping an eye on the classifieds and picking one
up when it comes along. You can save a lot of money. I started with
just a nailer, but I'm getting quite a pile of air tools now, and I'm
happy to have the capacity.
-Mike
[email protected] (KirkH) wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> I have been toying with the idea of getting an 18 or 16 guage nailer
> for some time. Yesterday, while walking through the tool department
> at Sears, I saw an air compressor on clearance for $99. They had
> several nailers (craftsman and bostich) to choose from between $100
> and $150. I started to buy the setup on the spot. However, when I
> starting reading the specs on the compressor, I realized that I hadn't
> done my homework on exactly what size, power, etc. I need. I think
> the use of the compressor would be limited to the nailer; although I
> *may* want to buy a paint gun sometime down the road. Does this
> dramatically change what compressor I would need to buy? What would
> be sufficient just for the nailer? Any help would be greatly
> appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> Kirk
On Wed, 16 Jun 2004 12:08:57 -0500, "Charlie Mraz"
<[email protected]> vaguely proposed a theory
......and in reply I say!:
remove ns from my header address to reply via email
This is a very important point. this can happen with even the lower
end 125 PSI (8bar) compressors with tank. They have heaps of CFM, but
you have to actually bleed air every minute or so to get them cycle
back up to 90/100 PSI and run your tool properly........or pump up
truck tyres...DAMHIKT.
Most of the cheaper ones do not have an adjustable kick in pressure,
just the cutout for msafety.
>You may want to make sure that the pressure will be high enough for you. I
>very briefly owned a little compressor that was advertised as "100 PSI."
>Well, it would pressurize the tank to 100PSI, but it wouldn't cut back in
>until like 80PSI, leaving 2" 18 ga. brads a good bit proud of the surface of
>some red oak I was testing. Took the little guy back to Lowe's and swapped
>it for a somewhat larger, but much higher 150 PSI pancake compressor. It
>cuts in at 125PSI, so I'm guaranteed to have enough pressure to sink the
>brads into whatever I'm working on.
>
>Charlie
>
Snip.
I'm not an expert by any means, but here is the short answer:
> *may* want to buy a paint gun sometime down the road. Does this
> dramatically change what compressor I would need to buy?
Yes. Spraying requires several times the CFM of nailers, particularly
conversion/HVLP. Although I am not an expert, some reccomend 220V 60 gallon
monsters for spraying.
Look at some tools that you would consider. Check the CFM @ xx PSI
requirements of the tool. Compare that to the specs of your compressor. You
should also consider the duty cycle of the compressor, because most/many are
not designed to be run continuously.
> What would
> be sufficient just for the nailer?
Just about any compressor will do. Nailers are at the bottom of the spectrum
for CFM requirements. What you have should work just fine for just about any
nailer. You may want more oomph if your a contractor who has the need/skills
to fire of 80 rounds per minute, but I don't think that is what we're
talking about here.
Any help would be greatly
> appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> Kirk
> I have been toying with the idea of getting an 18 or 16 guage nailer
> for some time. Yesterday, while walking through the tool department
> at Sears, I saw an air compressor on clearance for $99. They had
> several nailers (craftsman and bostich) to choose from between $100
> and $150. I started to buy the setup on the spot. However, when I
> starting reading the specs on the compressor, I realized that I hadn't
> done my homework on exactly what size, power, etc. I need. I think
> the use of the compressor would be limited to the nailer; although I
> *may* want to buy a paint gun sometime down the road. Does this
> dramatically change what compressor I would need to buy? What would
> be sufficient just for the nailer? Any help would be greatly
> appreciated.
>
You may want to make sure that the pressure will be high enough for you. I
very briefly owned a little compressor that was advertised as "100 PSI."
Well, it would pressurize the tank to 100PSI, but it wouldn't cut back in
until like 80PSI, leaving 2" 18 ga. brads a good bit proud of the surface of
some red oak I was testing. Took the little guy back to Lowe's and swapped
it for a somewhat larger, but much higher 150 PSI pancake compressor. It
cuts in at 125PSI, so I'm guaranteed to have enough pressure to sink the
brads into whatever I'm working on.
Charlie
Larry Jaques <novalidaddress@di\/ersify.com> wrote:
(snip)
> Try the 4.5hp (yeah, right, on 120v) HF compressor at $159 on
> sale. It provides a lot more air than I'm used to (old 1hp and
> old tankless 3/4hp Rand) and should power a spray gun if I'm
> not painting my entire truck in one pass. The little 18ga brad
> nailers @ $15 and 1/4" crown staplers @ $24 on sale are decent,
> too. If I were using any of these professionally, I'd want to
> spend a lot more money on a much larger compressor and tools
> which would stand up to constant daily use. But I'm not so my
> screaming wallet is happier without all those crowbars coming
> at it, knowwhatImean,Vern?
Well, just to let you know you might want to check out the local HF store.
At the one closest to me in Allentown PA, they are selling that model for
$99 until 6/28. Caveat: the one I bought only lasted about 10 minutes of
motor time before it died. They took it right back, and gave me my $
back. I probably would have gotten another one, but they were out of
stock, so I picked up the one with the 8 gal tank that looked like it
used the same motor (only 2hp on the label, and nothing in it to say how
many amps it uses).
> -
> Every day above ground is a Good Day(tm).
> -----------
> http://diversify.com Website Application Programming
Todd
Larry Jaques <novalidaddress@di\/ersify.com> wrote:
> On Fri, 18 Jun 2004 11:44:13 +0000 (UTC), Todd Rich <[email protected]>
> calmly ranted:
>>At the one closest to me in Allentown PA, they are selling that model for
>>$99 until 6/28. Caveat: the one I bought only lasted about 10 minutes of
>>motor time before it died. They took it right back, and gave me my $
>>back. I probably would have gotten another one, but they were out of
>>stock, so I picked up the one with the 8 gal tank that looked like it
>>used the same motor (only 2hp on the label, and nothing in it to say how
>>many amps it uses).
>
> Next time ADD OIL FIRST! =:0
You mean like I did...using the 30wt non-detergent oil the manual called
for and paying attention to the 5 different warning stickers on the
compressor?
> Are you referring to the model 47065?
That is the one.
> Other than the early model's aluminum popoff tube breaking
> prematurely from vibration (and HF going to a copper line)
> I've heard of no problems with them.
Well now you have. I actually think it was the pressure sensor switch
that went on it....but given their warranty, it wasn't worth playing
around with it.
> --== May The Angst Be With You! ==--
> -Yoda, on a bad day
> --
> http://diversify.com Ending Your Web Page Angst.
On 16 Jun 2004 08:16:21 -0700, [email protected] (KirkH) wrote:
> a paint gun sometime down the road. Does this
>dramatically change what compressor I would need to buy? What would
>be sufficient just for the nailer? Any help would be greatly
>appreciated.
I have a Porter Cable 2 HP, 6 gallon compressor that's great for
nailing, inflating, and blowing dust out of crevices. It'll power
the Critter spray gun decently, but that's about it. The Critter is
great for spraying wash coats, stains, and small finish jobs.
Keep the following in mind:
* Portable compressors are actually pretty handy to have around.
* To REALLY spray, you'll need a 60 gallon 220v compressor that will
not be portable.
*When you get around to seriously spraying, you may find that a
turbine powered HVLP rig best suits your needs, so you still won't
need a big compressor.
That said, I would not buy anything less than a 2HP 6 gallon pancake
model.
Barry
The 1HP Sears unit I inherited handles a touch-up gun as well as the
Critter without problems for mostly small stuff. Currently spraying a
42" round coffee table with Target USL, no problems.
On Wed, 16 Jun 2004 19:46:48 GMT, B a r r y
<[email protected]> wrote:
>I have a Porter Cable 2 HP, 6 gallon compressor that's great for
>nailing, inflating, and blowing dust out of crevices. It'll power
>the Critter spray gun decently, but that's about it. The Critter is
>great for spraying wash coats, stains, and small finish jobs.
"Ron Angel" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<5e7Ac.43229$2i5.17405@attbi_s52>...
> I have the same PC compressor.
> It works great with both nailers (finish & brad) that came with it.
> Wouldn't recommend it for any spraying jobs though. I kept it pretty
> busy blowing up a few rafts for our pool, even w/turning the pressure way
> down.
Funny you should mention a pool. One of the other things I want to
use a compressor for is to do my own pool closing; which means blowing
the lines at the end of the season (no comments necessary...) I don't
think that would take too much pressure; but it would mean evacuating
approximately 70 feet of waterin 2" pvc pipe. I've watched the pool
company do this for the last few years, but never noticed the specs on
the compressor they bring. Since pool closings run my around $350, I
can justify buying the compressor on just one season if I do
everything myself.
Kirk
In HS a buddy had an Uncle that was 2 weeks older than he, his father
was 76! Not 99 but close!
On Sat, 19 Jun 2004 13:03:52 GMT, "Edwin Pawlowski" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>
>"Leon" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>
>> Wow Lew, your mother was 99 when you were in HS? Well, If IIRC my mother
>> musta been like 99 when I was in HS too. ;~)
>>
>
>When we were in high school, any woman our mother's age looked like they
>were 99. Never would have thought I'd be looking at 40 year olds and
>thinking that young woman is H O T. Perspective sure does change with age.
>Ed
>
RE: Subject
Compressed air is a lot like the Peter Principle.
Translation:
Your needs will grow to exceed your resources.
If you ever even think there is the remotest chance you may some day want to
sand blast, do body work or spray paint, then don't send a boy.
Get a 5HP, 2 stage compressor with an 80 gallon vertical resevoir and get on
with life.
Lew
> Try the 4.5hp (yeah, right, on 120v) HF compressor at $159 on
> sale. It provides a lot more air than I'm used to (old 1hp and
> old tankless 3/4hp Rand) and should power a spray gun if I'm
> not painting my entire truck in one pass.
If you are going to buy tools from Harbor Freight, it might be well to heed
some advice given to me by my 99 year old mother when I was still in high
school.
She said, "Son, if you insist on playing with chicken shit, you are bound to
get some on you".
Lew
On Fri, 18 Jun 2004 11:44:13 +0000 (UTC), Todd Rich <[email protected]>
calmly ranted:
>Larry Jaques <novalidaddress@di\/ersify.com> wrote:
>(snip)
>> Try the 4.5hp (yeah, right, on 120v) HF compressor at $159 on
>> sale. It provides a lot more air than I'm used to (old 1hp and
>> old tankless 3/4hp Rand) and should power a spray gun if I'm
>> not painting my entire truck in one pass. The little 18ga brad
>> nailers @ $15 and 1/4" crown staplers @ $24 on sale are decent,
>> too. If I were using any of these professionally, I'd want to
>> spend a lot more money on a much larger compressor and tools
>> which would stand up to constant daily use. But I'm not so my
>> screaming wallet is happier without all those crowbars coming
>> at it, knowwhatImean,Vern?
>
>Well, just to let you know you might want to check out the local HF store.
>At the one closest to me in Allentown PA, they are selling that model for
>$99 until 6/28. Caveat: the one I bought only lasted about 10 minutes of
>motor time before it died. They took it right back, and gave me my $
>back. I probably would have gotten another one, but they were out of
>stock, so I picked up the one with the 8 gal tank that looked like it
>used the same motor (only 2hp on the label, and nothing in it to say how
>many amps it uses).
Next time ADD OIL FIRST! =:0
Are you referring to the model 47065?
Other than the early model's aluminum popoff tube breaking
prematurely from vibration (and HF going to a copper line)
I've heard of no problems with them.
--== May The Angst Be With You! ==--
-Yoda, on a bad day
--
http://diversify.com Ending Your Web Page Angst.
In article <[email protected]>,
"Leon" <[email protected]> wrote:
> Nail guns are very LOW volume users. Just about any compressor with an tank
> will work fine. These small compressors are ideal for nail guns.
>
> Anything past that may require a larger compressor for better results.
I use my 15g and 18g nailers with a Sears tankless! (I suppose the hose
acts as a sort of tank - point being, I haven't had any problems firing
either gun to sink the nail.)
I agree on the larger compressor for other tools - sanders and full-size
paint guns require a *lot* of air. Something on the order of 10-14 cfm @
90 psi. To get that rating you'd have to go with a large compressor. The
newer HVLP paint sprayers use even more air but less pressure and
require their own air generators but are well received due to less
overspray, pollution and material waste.
On the other hand, I use a generic touch-up paint gun with my tankless
with no problems as it supplies 4.5cfm @90 and that works just fine.
--
Owen Lowe and his Fly-by-Night Copper Company
Offering a shim for the Porter-Cable 557 type 2 fence design.
<http://www.flybynightcoppercompany.com>
<http://www.easystreet.com/~onlnlowe/index.html>
In article <_r%[email protected]>,
"Leon" <[email protected]> wrote:
> Wow... How long is your hose?
That's a pretty personal question there Leon... But since you asked, I
get these emails...
--
Owen Lowe and his Fly-by-Night Copper Company
Offering a shim for the Porter-Cable 557 type 2 fence design.
<http://www.flybynightcoppercompany.com>
<http://www.easystreet.com/~onlnlowe/index.html>
On 16 Jun 2004 08:16:21 -0700, [email protected] (KirkH) calmly
ranted:
>I have been toying with the idea of getting an 18 or 16 guage nailer
>for some time. Yesterday, while walking through the tool department
>at Sears, I saw an air compressor on clearance for $99. They had
>several nailers (craftsman and bostich) to choose from between $100
>and $150. I started to buy the setup on the spot. However, when I
>starting reading the specs on the compressor, I realized that I hadn't
>done my homework on exactly what size, power, etc. I need. I think
>the use of the compressor would be limited to the nailer; although I
>*may* want to buy a paint gun sometime down the road. Does this
>dramatically change what compressor I would need to buy? What would
>be sufficient just for the nailer? Any help would be greatly
>appreciated.
Try the 4.5hp (yeah, right, on 120v) HF compressor at $159 on
sale. It provides a lot more air than I'm used to (old 1hp and
old tankless 3/4hp Rand) and should power a spray gun if I'm
not painting my entire truck in one pass. The little 18ga brad
nailers @ $15 and 1/4" crown staplers @ $24 on sale are decent,
too. If I were using any of these professionally, I'd want to
spend a lot more money on a much larger compressor and tools
which would stand up to constant daily use. But I'm not so my
screaming wallet is happier without all those crowbars coming
at it, knowwhatImean,Vern?
-
Every day above ground is a Good Day(tm).
-----------
http://diversify.com Website Application Programming
"Lew Hodgett" <[email protected]> writes:
> Compressed air is a lot like the Peter Principle.
You mean I'll start getting spam about my compressor's peter?
GUYS! Act Now! Is your CFM too small? Not enough pressure where it
counts? We know how you can please your spray gun! Call Ing*rs*l
R*nd today! Don't get caught SHORT in your shop again!
Guaranteed confidential. All products shipped in plain brown crate.