I have never owned a compressor, but after watching the guys who were
working on my house, and how cool the finish nailers are, I think I gotta
get one.
Recommendations on best brand for a beginner? I'm not going to use the
thing a whole lot, but I don't want the bargain basement, break in a year,
model either.
Also, a friend saw an ad somewhere for a tool that did both finish nails and
staples. Is this a good idea, or is it worth the money to get two separate
tools?
Thoughts about the deal at Home Depot on a Porter Cable compressor (small)
plus two tools for $300?
Thanks all!
Chris
Chris Shearer Cooper wrote:
> Also, a friend saw an ad somewhere for a tool that did both finish nails
> and staples. Is this a good idea, or is it worth the money to get two
> separate tools?
Get two separate tools. I have a combination brad nailer/stapler that I
bought at a flea market. It leaves a large mark when driving brads, because
the part that drives the fasteners is as wide as a staple. I also have one
of the cheap ($15 or $20) Harbor Freight brad nailers, which is a very good
buy.
Almost any compressor can run most nail guns. An oil-lubed unit should be
quieter and last longer than an oilless one.
--
--
Steve
Learn from my pain: I bought a compressor based on budget, rather than by
first finding out what I would require in terms of performance. Needless
to say, I will "buy it again" because I did not buy the right onw up front.
If you want to paint, use impact wrenches, use sanders, or use certain
kinds of nailers, you will need a higher-than-base-class compressor. Do
your homework first, or you'll find out, like I did, that you need more
gallons of capacity, more CFM, or higher top pressure.
--
gabriel
"Chris Shearer Cooper" wrote in message
> Thoughts about the deal at Home Depot on a Porter Cable compressor (small)
> plus two tools for $300?
It absolutely depends upon what your anticipated use is.
Due solely to space limitations, I bought a Porter Cable combo pancake
compressor/finish nailer a couple of years ago for my shop and have been
very pleased with it thus far. Add the "sleeper" Harbor Freight Brad Nailer
for under $20 and it has been a cost effective package, sits underneath my
workbench totally out of the way, and covers all brad and finish nailing
bases for the furniture and cabinets I build.
I wouldn't try building a house, or spraying with it, but I spray shellac
with a small HVLP unit instead.
Be realistic about your needs and go with what they dictate.
--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 1/12/04
"Chris Shearer Cooper" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I have never owned a compressor, but after watching the guys who were
> working on my house, and how cool the finish nailers are, I think I gotta
> get one.
>
> Recommendations on best brand for a beginner? I'm not going to use the
> thing a whole lot, but I don't want the bargain basement, break in a year,
==================================
Pour yourself a cup of coffee and go sit down and relax...then close your
eyes and just think about what you intend to use OR MAY use the compressor
for... once you figure out what you are going to do with it then and only
then go shopping...
If it is going to sit on the floor or shelf of the garage 364 days of the
year then go ahead and buy a cheap one... It should last long enough...
Bob Griffiths
Hi Chris
If you were buying motorcycles, horses, performance cars, etc I'd have some
advice for a beginner but I don't think there is such a thing as a entry
level compressor. Big or little they aren't particularly dangerous or have
any differences in care in feeding.
There are three ways to look at it.
Get the best and damn the cost. Make it a cast iron, two stage, oil
lubricated, 20 Gal. tank, compressor putting out over 10 CFM at 90 PSI.
Look up the requirements (CFM & PSI) of the various tools that you expect
you will be using and buy a compressor that meets those specs. If cost is a
factor you may have to reduce your ambitions.
Go to Lowe's. HD, Sears or whatever and get the basic pancake mailer package
and plan on upgrading the compressor somewhere down the line.
Good luck
--
Mike G.
[email protected]
Heirloom Woods
www.heirloom-woods.net
"Chris Shearer Cooper" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I have never owned a compressor, but after watching the guys who were
> working on my house, and how cool the finish nailers are, I think I gotta
> get one.
>
> Recommendations on best brand for a beginner? I'm not going to use the
> thing a whole lot, but I don't want the bargain basement, break in a year,
> model either.
>
> Also, a friend saw an ad somewhere for a tool that did both finish nails
and
> staples. Is this a good idea, or is it worth the money to get two
separate
> tools?
>
> Thoughts about the deal at Home Depot on a Porter Cable compressor (small)
> plus two tools for $300?
>
> Thanks all!
> Chris
>
>
I have a Campbell Hausfeld compressor that is quite small and IMO of high
quality. It does not have a large capacity, but will do 90psi fine which is
what you want for most finishing nailers. I've been very happy with it. I
agree with others that you need a large capacity one if you are going to get
serious, but this one is great for finish nailing 18ga nails, filling car
tires, airbrushing and other light jobs. Its great to be able to pump it up
then carry it easily around. I have the FP2040 on this page:
http://www.chpower.com/catalog/catalog_list.asp?categoryname=Air%20Compressors&categoryid=100&subcategoryid=2241
If I needed higher CFM for larger tools, I'd look at something with a larger
capacity, but for light work, this is a great little unit.
"Chris Shearer Cooper" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I have never owned a compressor, but after watching the guys who were
> working on my house, and how cool the finish nailers are, I think I gotta
> get one.
>
> Recommendations on best brand for a beginner? I'm not going to use the
> thing a whole lot, but I don't want the bargain basement, break in a year,
> model either.
>
> Also, a friend saw an ad somewhere for a tool that did both finish nails
and
> staples. Is this a good idea, or is it worth the money to get two
separate
> tools?
>
> Thoughts about the deal at Home Depot on a Porter Cable compressor (small)
> plus two tools for $300?
>
> Thanks all!
> Chris
>
>
"Chris Shearer Cooper" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> I have never owned a compressor, but after watching the guys who were
> working on my house, and how cool the finish nailers are, I think I gotta
> get one.
>
I bought a Smith&Wesson when they were on sale at WWW for about $140.
I chose it based on price and the fact that is was an oil compressor
(as opposed to oil-LESS). I understand that the oil compressors are
quieter and last longer. Seems kind of noisy, but tolerable. I don't
have an oilless one to compare it to so it's hard to say if it is
really quiet. I have only used it for a few hours so far, so I can't
attest to the longevity either.
My only complaint so far is that it would pump up to the RED (about
120psi?)on the meter at which point the safety overflow would open and
release the air back down to about 60, then it would pump up again...
on and on. The manual said something about the factory settings
starting and stopping the motor based on the air pressue. Turns out
that the factory settings were incorrect AND there were no
instructions on how to reset them. I did manage to figure it out
after looking at the shut-off mechanism and have had no problems
since.
-Chris
On Thu, 15 Jan 2004 11:26:35 -0700, "Chris Shearer Cooper"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>I have never owned a compressor, but after watching the guys who were
>working on my house, and how cool the finish nailers are, I think I gotta
>get one.
>
>Recommendations on best brand for a beginner? I'm not going to use the
>thing a whole lot, but I don't want the bargain basement, break in a year,
>model either.
>
>Also, a friend saw an ad somewhere for a tool that did both finish nails and
>staples. Is this a good idea, or is it worth the money to get two separate
>tools?
>
>Thoughts about the deal at Home Depot on a Porter Cable compressor (small)
>plus two tools for $300?
>
>Thanks all!
>Chris
>
Do not get an oil-less kind. I have a CH 26 gallon 5HP, but do not
see a lot of difference in brands. I use an airgun more than I
imagined I would. Cleans the air conditioner towers well.
I bought a Paslode T200 F18 based on a recent Fine Woodworking article on
pneumatic nailers. I belive it is the most recent issue and you should
definitely read that article before you do anything.
On the compressor side I ended up buying the Craftsman 2 gal for $119. It
was the best I could find that was easily movable and heavy duty. Others in
the price range ($100) were lacking in the area of how long they took to
replenish.
Good luck.
"Chris Shearer Cooper" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I have never owned a compressor, but after watching the guys who were
> working on my house, and how cool the finish nailers are, I think I gotta
> get one.
>
> Recommendations on best brand for a beginner? I'm not going to use the
> thing a whole lot, but I don't want the bargain basement, break in a year,
> model either.
>
> Also, a friend saw an ad somewhere for a tool that did both finish nails
and
> staples. Is this a good idea, or is it worth the money to get two
separate
> tools?
>
> Thoughts about the deal at Home Depot on a Porter Cable compressor (small)
> plus two tools for $300?
>
> Thanks all!
> Chris
>
>