Replies

1. 
   Fingrs | Apr 30, 2004 06:05am | #1

   Jerry-I just got the Porter-Cable CPL6025 6 HP, 25-Gallon Oil Lube Compressor from Amazon for about $400.  Jeff Jewett recommended it for my HVLP pressure pot and spray gun.  It's been a good addition to my shop...although I've not gotten around to spraying any finish yet.  I also have a small PC pancake compressor I got from driving brads, and that little sucker is loud.  I'm happy to retire the little guy to the shelf for portable use since the bigger dude is much quieter.

1. 
   RonInOttawa | Apr 30, 2004 06:35am | #2

   Not all small units are loud. I just purchased a newly introduced (in Canada only at this time) Paslode twin-stack unit that runs much quieter than any equivalent unit I found on the market. It puts out 6 cfm @ 40 psi, and 4.1 cfm @90psi. The principal reason is that the Paslode motor runs @ 1700 rpm versus the normal 3450 on the other units I considered. The noise level can be really aggravating on some units.

   Relatively cheap unit as well. I got the compressor, 2" brad nailer, upholstery staple gun and 25' rubber hose with fittings for about $300.

   Regards,

   Ron

2. 
   tomytinker | Apr 30, 2004 02:34pm | #3

   I've had a porter-cable pancake compressor for about 4 years now. It scares the crap out of me every time it starts, but it is a good little unit. I use it mostly for my brad nailer and blowing things down. I like it mostly because it's portable and it was priced within my tax bracket.

3. 
   CharlieP | Apr 30, 2004 04:18pm | #4

   Think big tank vs. small.  I have a 13 gallon tank with as big a motor as will run on 120 volts - probably rated at 3 hp, but really half that size. 

   If I just want to blow out a groove or shoot a few brads, it is very irritating to wait several minutes for the tank to come up to pressure, and equally irritating to have to blow off most of that air after using such a small portion of it.  A small tank seems better.

   On the other hand, a big tank allows you to use more air than the compressor provides - for a short period.  With only 13 gallons in my tank, I can easily get ahead of the compressor when spraying, using a PC HVLP conversion gun.  I don't mind an occasional pause for the compressor to catch up if I am at a good stopping point, but if I had to pause in the middle of a table top, when I was trying to add enough lacquer to get a good leveling flow, I would be quite upset.  In this case 13 gallons seems absolutely minimal.

   I had been considering switching to a turbine for spraying, and getting a smaller compressor for the nail guns.  Hearing the concerns about the noise of the smaller units, I will have to reconsider. 

   ________________________
   Charlie Plesums  Austin, Texas
   http://www.plesums.com/wood

1. 
   Robbie | Apr 30, 2004 07:04pm | #5

   FYI - Divilbiss makes the Porter Cable Compressors (and those for about 20 other companies).  Comparative shop for the best deal.