brad nailer gun question - type of compressor?

[slackerinabox]

Bought a simple dewalt brad nailer (18 gauge) for some molding replacement I plan on doing soon. Not a guy who knows tools at all so wondering what kind of air compressor I'll need - the cheaper the better, I'm not a heavy user and don't have a ton of storage space so small = good.

Thanks!

 

[olds]

Get one that compresses air.

 

[Jaepheth]

Ingersoll Rand

 

[BoomerD]

Find out the requirements of the tool...they're all different.

 

[WackyDan]

Find out two things.

The max operating pressure of the gun - I have a Dewalt 18, so you are probably the same at 120 PSI. Lowest is 70 PSI. I prefer to run mine at 120 and use the depth dial to fine tune. For soft trim you could run it at less. You probably want a compressor that has a max pressure above 120 for overhead.

Next, check the CFM rating of the compressor. Most small single tanks that can provide 2 SCFM per minute are fine. You can get by with less SCFM, but the compressor will run more to replenish the tank.

I have to tell you that you can buy a cheap compressor at Harbor tools, or Northern... but you get what you pay for. If you want a compressor that you will want to last and use for more than just doing this trim job, then spend a bit more on a quality name brand compressor. I bought a 15 gallon and use it for everything imaginable. Even a 15 gallon is too small for me as I use it to run a paint gun from time to time and that sucks too much air.

 

[SunnyD]

Brad Nailer:

 

[CPA]

I use a portable Ryobi. Cost me $99, I believe. In fact had to use it yesterday, put it about 90 psi.

 

[waffleironhead]

small waffle compressor

it looks like the operating pressure of that dewalt is 70psi. Any cheap compressor will do. When brad nailing, you are not shooting a lot of nails in quick succession like framing or roofing, so pressure recovery is not as important.

Look for anything that has a operating pressure over 70 psi and is portable.

http://www.amazon.com/Campbell-Haus...CBAM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1315493836&sr=8-3

 

[olds]

waffle[/B]ironhead;32241567]small waffle compressor

Pancake

 

[waffleironhead]

MMM waffles

ftfy

 

[Wyndru]

I have a porter-cable 150PSI, I think it's only 6 gallons, and it works fine for both brad nailing and a full size nailgun. It was cheap too, I think I got it for around $150 on sale, in my area it's currently selling for $179. It's small too.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_253750-70-C2...gal-combo-comp

 

[twinrider1]

I went with a Makita MAC700 $200 to your door from Amazon/Acme Tool, plus another $50 for hose, etc.

Wyndru's Porter-Cable is probably all you need. Nice that it includes the accessories. But like most (all?) lower cost pancake compressors, it has two two characteristics that I don't like...high speed and oiless.

3400rpm versus 1700rpm. High speed = heat and noise.

Oiless versus oil. Oil lubrication lasts longer and runs cooler.

Also, the Makita gives you 3.3cfm vs 2.6.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Pancake

Mmm, compressed pancakes...aaahh

 

[Kelvrick]

Mmm, compressed pancakes...aaahh

That is disgusting. I prefer my pancakes light and fluffy.

 

[slackerinabox]

hey guys,
thanks for the advice! can't find specs, here's a link: http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-D51236K...5504108&sr=8-3

You're all right, I shouldn't go for the cheapest of the cheap, what's a good unit to go by that will last based on very moderate use?

 

[Kelvrick]

I don't know how serious you are, but check these two out.

http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?t=3198262
http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?t=3238656

I actually have that craftsman one and its pretty convenient to carry around since I'm only putting around 4 nails at a time. Obviously not strong enough for any sustained use in the garage, but good for lugging around the house for trim attachment.

 

[waffleironhead]

hey guys,
thanks for the advice! can't find specs, here's a link: http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-D51236K...5504108&sr=8-3

You're all right, I shouldn't go for the cheapest of the cheap, what's a good unit to go by that will last based on very moderate use?

why oh why did you get the 1 1/4" unit? The 2" one was only $10 more and way more versatile.
http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-D51238K...ref=pd_cp_hi_0

How much do you want to spend?

 

[slackerinabox]

why oh why did you get the 1 1/4" unit? The 2" one was only $10 more and way more versatile.
http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-D51238K...ref=pd_cp_hi_0

How much do you want to spend?

I got the 1 1/4" unit for $29 on clearance and will only be using it for basemolding as of now.. When I get more ambitious I'll just ebay it and upgrade

Price isn't a big deal, space is - how about a $100 suggestion then a price is no limit suggestion? I'm starting small with my home handymaning, but hopefully will build my skill set to the point where I can feel confident framing/finishing my basement next summer - I think I should buy a compressor that I won't outgrow (but also am not a contractor so a $1,000 unit would be silly).

Thanks!

 

[slackerinabox]

I don't know how serious you are, but check these two out.

http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?t=3198262
http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?t=3238656

I actually have that craftsman one and its pretty convenient to carry around since I'm only putting around 4 nails at a time. Obviously not strong enough for any sustained use in the garage, but good for lugging around the house for trim attachment.

Yikes - wish I saw these first! An extra nail gun wouldn't be terrible to have, I guess. But I think I should invest in a more robust compressor, or is this $60 one going to be future proof?

 

[Nemesis 1]

I have one somewhat like yours but its the staple type . Needs about 90PSI any small compressor that can do 90 psi is fine

 

[Kelvrick]

Yikes - wish I saw these first! An extra nail gun wouldn't be terrible to have, I guess. But I think I should invest in a more robust compressor, or is this $60 one going to be future proof?

They will be as future proof as a $60 2/3 gallon compressor will be. The craftsman probably won't stand up to any hard use, but it has been working for the last year and has put in baseboards for about 1000 sq/ft of my house. I would think the husky is more durable, but will need to be plugged in more often. If you want any actual use for say air tools in a garage or workshop environment, don't expect it to keep up.

Harbor freight often has 10-20 gallon 2hp compressors on sale for a little over 100 if you want more power. Don't expect them to use them for trim though, unless you have long ass hoses.

 

[Sluggo]

http://toolmonger.com/2011/04/14/tm-portable-shop-compressor-test-part-i/

http://toolmonger.com/2011/05/13/tm-portable-shop-compressor-test-part-ia/

http://toolmonger.com/2011/05/13/tm-portable-shop-compressor-test-part-ia/

Buy the Makita if you have the cash, at 81dB, you'll thank yourself every time you turn it on.

 

[DrPizza]

Return the brad nailer you purchased.

Buy a package that includes the compressor AND the brad nailer, etc. Those combo kits are generally FAR cheaper than purchasing the pieces separately. You often end up with 3 or 4 accessories for the compressor. You can craigslist the accessories that you don't want, and even reduce your final costs more.

 

[Blitzvogel]

7 stage Axial compressor, with 28:1 compression capability.

 

[Wyndru]

I went with a Makita MAC700 $200 to your door from Amazon/Acme Tool, plus another $50 for hose, etc.

Wyndru's Porter-Cable is probably all you need. Nice that it includes the accessories. But like most (all?) lower cost pancake compressors, it has two two characteristics that I don't like...high speed and oiless.

3400rpm versus 1700rpm. High speed = heat and noise.

Oiless versus oil. Oil lubrication lasts longer and runs cooler.

Also, the Makita gives you 3.3cfm vs 2.6.

These are good points about the pancake compressors.

It is definitely high speed and pretty noisy but my usage is very minimal (occasionally filling up tires, toys, and once a year sprinkler system blow-out) so I'm assuming it will last a few years. I've had it for 4 years so far but I really wouldn't be surprised if it seized up on me at some point. (You get what you pay for)

I do love it for it's portability and was surprised it could even handle a task like blowing out our irrigation system. I wouldn't run an impact wrench on it, but it's good for most small jobs.