Trying to understand compressor basics.

[Jeff922]

I built my Victoria's without pneumatic tools.  I don't even own a compressor.  This is because philosophically I'm a minimalist and a technology skeptic - A true believer in the notion the simple is better.  My trusty Stanley 20oz hammer is probably 50 years old (my dad gave it to me).  It's never failed me or left me hanging whereas I currently have a chainsaw that isn't running (waiting to get a replacement carburetor in the mail) and a chipper/shredder with a seized bearing (also waiting for the replacement to arrive in the mail).  That said, I inherited some nice pneumatic tools from my uncle last year; a framing nailer, a roofing nailer, and a flooring nailer.  I'm now scouring Craigslist for an air compressor.  My main concern is having one powerful/big enough to handle this Senco SN60 framing nailer.  It appears to me that a 2-3hp, 4-6 gal tank, 120V compressor should be enough?  Just wanted to get some feedback and thoughts from you guys with compressor experience.  Thanks!

[MountainDon]

One spec to watch when choosing the compressor. More on that in a sec....

The Senco SN60 is an excellent nailer!!  I have one. One nice feature is the ability to shoot a real 16D (3.5 x 0.162) nail. Senco makes them though sometimes you need to look for a source or order online.

Pretty well anything can be used as a nailer compressor especially when you are the sole tool user at any one time. 70-120 psi is the tools pressure range. I don't think you will never outrun the ability of even the small pancake compressors with that. I used one of the popular Porter Cable pancake compressors building our cabin. But if there are air grinders, air hammers or chisels and the like in the mix of air tools then watch the standard cu ft per minute capacity of the compressor; that is the volume of air it can pump at the pressure you want to use.  Match that as best as you can to the tools rated air use and the size of your wallet. I sometimes end up taking lots of mini breaks with some of the air tools I have, but I don't use them a lot so it works out okay.

[UK4X4]

All standard compressors can supply the pressure required..........

Its the volume thats more important - ie its capacity to make compressed air CFM is a pretty standard measurement

A large slow ones makes less noise

A small fast one can wake the dead and vibrate arround the worksite.

I prefer paying more----once

than buying chinese no names and treating them as disposable

I travel globally with my tools so warentee - forget it - replacement - bend over and start paying

I have a Dewalt compressor- so that if and when it fails I can buy spare parts and hand carry back to wherever we may be living

In the US warentee is a major buying point as you can actually take it back when broken..........

In latino landia the warentee stopped as you sliced your CC card

Mine is similar to this - but an older model without wheels

when looking at CFM - look at what pressure it supples that at..

Ie 5cfm at 20psi
is not the same as 5cfm at 120psi

Most compressors supply less air at higher pressures- check your specs !

Volume- the bigger the tank the less the compressor cycles

The smaller or no tank under heavy load will never stop

regulation

some compressors let you set both the tank pressure and the tool pressure seperately

IE I want my tank to be set high- contains more air

and the tool presure lower-ie regulated

[MushCreek]

Using a nail gun versus a hammer is the difference between driving a truck through the mud versus pushing a truck through the mud. I find I have less splitting of wood, and they'll drive into and through really tough materials.

As for compressors- I agree; get a good one and be done with it. I picked up a used Emglo wheelbarrow-style at an auction for $100, and it's been a champ. It sells for about $800 new. I'm suspicious of the so-called oilless compressors. i also have a big stationary rig, but I don't have 240V on-site yet, and of course, it's not portable.

Don't cheap out on air hose, either. I bought 150' of cheap orange hose, and it's miserable to uncoil, especially in cold weather. I bought a garden hose reel at a yard sale to wind the hose on- best $5 I ever spent!

[flyingvan]

    If you buy used, drain a little out of the bottom drain.  Make sure the drain valve opens and close, and note how rusty the water comes out (a little is normal.  Also if only a little water comes out you know it's been cared for) Plan on replacing the chucks--they are cheap and easy to replace.  Let ti go through the cycle--drain the air out, let it build back up, and see if it shuts off at a reasonable pressure.  Make sure the gauges and pressure regulator work.
    I also have the big Senco and little pancake compressor.  Noisy but works great.  Get a finish nailer, and the best tool invented since the bottle opener---that'd be the palm nailer. 

[Jeff922]

Thanks for the responses - very helpful.  I guess the real question becomes "do I need this compressor JUST for nail guns or could my shop eventually have a sandblaster or something that needs LOTS of air?"   Hummmm.  Anyway, it will be a good experiment to compair an entire build with a hammer (including cedar shingles and asphalt shingle roof mind you), and this entire barn with the aid (or crutch?) of phenumatic tools.

[MushCreek]

I'm an admitted tool addict, so I have quite an arsenal. One gun I bought was a positive-placement, or strap nailer. It's specifically meant for metal connectors that use the stubby little nails. I love this tool! I plan to sell some of my more specialized tools when my build is done, but it will be hard to see the strap nailer go. There are 124 joists hangers in my floor system, each with ten nails. I placed and nailed off the whole thing in an hour.

[Tickhill]

Don't compromise your values, donate the tools to someone who will use them and appreciate them.