I will be adding an air compressor (for my home workshop) for clearing out filings and shavings and powering a brad/finish nailer. PorterCable has a 2 HP 6 gal 150 psi pancake compressor that they bundle with nailers. Does anyone have experience with these units? Or do you have a better recommendation?
How are the PC nailers?
GREG
•••••••
Exo 35:30-35
Edited 6/7/2007 9:38 am by Cincinnati
Replies
My recommendation is to get a compressor that is fairly quiet. I recently replaced a noisy Craftsman with a much quieter Thomas pancake. It is great to be able to run the compressor without ear muffs. I have had PC nailers for years. Never a problem.
Greg, I have made -not mistakes so much as - poor choices with an oil less PC job boss. This was cost effective for a 150psi. 6 cfm. @90 psi. BUT noisey-VERY- I use it outside most times. The good is it has wheels, a detachable multi port distribution panel with regulator and gauge and is well built. the bad is it's heavy, noisey, the plastic hub wheels will be replaced free by PC with metal ones to avoid the flat tires that you complain about and any oil less compressor CAN NOT be run constantly, it's made for on again off again service. Under $200 and I probably would do it again rather than buy a minimalist pancake.
An Ingersoll twin salami tank oiled (has an oil sump) -I run it ALL day- 125psi. 4.4cfm@ 90psi. The greatest for nailers, air brush or very small gun with a dryer in the line.@ $300
Note, that no portable I know of will support any rotary tool (read windmill or turbine drive) as they use cfm's. like a sumo wrestler eats rice. Not even a tiny sander for lathe work or a little die grinder, forget about air wrenches etc.
For a piped shop all purpose air supply you really need a two stage(220v.) 80+ gal. and it is a few bucks $700 to $1,200 but stay away from the cheapos or buy used.
The PC nailers are fine for a home shop and I pick up factory rebuilts from CPO PORTER CABLE on line but ya gotta shop them for the best prices, amazon and others. Good luck, Paddy
My limited understanding is that a two stage compressor is for higher pressures -- in excess of 125 lbs. And if I am right, why would you need that high pressure in a woodshop? I am looking for answers as I will probably be getting one in the future.
Tink, the two stage works less, is built better and will out live you. Some do higher psi. but you only use what the tool needs, while the main tank holds more air at a higher psi. before you regulate it to working pressure. If you will only blow down and run nailers get a single stage.
We had four stage in Submarines- really high psi. All the best, Paddy
Thanks, I'll file that away in my memory bank till I decide what I am really needing it for. Right now I have an oiless beast that makes mostly noise. Ear protectors are a must. I have tried using the ROS with it but it just doesn't do well. I've gotten the idea that to do sanding it is probably more cost effective to get an electric ROS that an expensive compressor.
If all you're doing is blowing dust out and using light air nailers, the Senco PC1010 will work fine. It's only 20lbs and is one of the quietest compressors on the market. A lot of contractors use them for job site call backs when they need to do touch up work and don't want to lug around a 2HP twin stack.
http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=4794
Likewise, I have a small compressor I take on-site to do work -- pneumatic fastening, occasional blow out or air brushing.I have a Campbell Hausfeld 2 gal oil-less that's served me well.
Greg,
This is one of those questions like how big a boat do you want? Common sense and your budget says to start small.. however compressors are one of those things you shouldn't start small with..because you just keep buying a little larger..
Somes good, mores better and too much is just starting to get fun..
Buy as big a compressor as you can! I promise you that you will want to upgrade long before it wears out..
The universal brand that nobody seems to have a complaint about is Ingersol Rand..
I'd like to replace my 5 HP 90 gallon tank compressor with one but my old warhorse Cambell Huasfield has run very well for the last three decades.. When it does give up the ghost I'll buy the 7 Hp 120 gallon tank Ingersol Rand..
One of the tricks to getting a small compressor to do a bigger job is a large air tank, that plus it doesn't start hammering after the first little use.. I can run several nails or a lot of brads before it kicks on, briefly..
Cincinatti, my recommendation is to get something besides the Porter Cable pancake for the shop. I made the mistake of geting one for the garage shop and regret the decision. It is so noisy that I jump out of my skin everytime it starts. It works great but I cannot recommend it for your shop because of the noise.
Steve
Thanks to everyone. I will look at dB level before I buy. My shop is only 12 x 20 so at this point I will look to others than PC.GREG
<!---->•••••••
Exo 35:30-35<!---->
I have the Makita MAC2400 compressor and it is a jewel compared to the PC pancake. It is QUIET and not all that large so I store it on a shelf to free up floor room in my small shop. The reveiws on Amazon are very positive and the price is great too.
I have the MAC hot dog compressor; it is very quiet and reliable, and I got it for a good price on amazon.
I use PC, Hitachi and Senco guns. I like the hitachi the most for brad nailing (the PC makes a bigger and nastier nail hole). Get a good 23g pinner...over at breaktime, I often see cadex and mikle (?) guns mentioned.
While bundled sets look like a good deal, my experience with compressors and guns is that you don't always get what you want in a bundled set, and once you have a gun, it's hard to fork out money for a new one.
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled