Portable air compressors for pneumatic nailers

just have tp check the rated output of the compressor with the CFM requirements of the nailer.

Nailers are not like sanders though, it's not a constant load on the compressor unless yotu running a whole crew of framers on the same compressor.

I have a 1 hp, 4 gallon compressor that runs my framing, roofing, and brad nailers.
 
i use a porter cable 6 gallon pancake compressor. runs good off a generator too. the compressor came with 2 air nailers also. was about 20 dollars more for the one with 2 nailers vs just the compressor.
 
It doesn't take as big a compressor as I thought, especially for staplers and brad nailers, which is all I have. When I built my shop I borrowed a framing nailer from our son and it too ran ok on a Stanley Bostitch 4 gal. I did have trouble with the compressor about as soon as it was out of warranty, it cracked a reed valve so I had to buy a new valve plate. It's a cheap noisy little pos but it's handy!
 
I have a 1.5 hp single cylinder oil compressor, not oil-less, runs 2 nailers. Oil is quieter and will last longer.
 
Depends on the needs. You should find out how much air the nailers will need and at what pressure. Then decide whose compressor puts out enough to provide that amount of air without having to run all the time.
Hitachi makes a GOOD twin tank, carry type, with oil type pump that should keep two framing nailers going. If you want to do roofing, look for one with min. 5 gal tank that can put out at least enough cubic feet per minute so it isn"t run to death.
 
Porter cable pancake compressor unless you've got a couple of roofing nailers going at the same time. easy to move around.
 
If you're a framer or roofer and it's your living, I'd agree with the Porter Cable pancake compressor. For my use I've found the little pancake compressor from Harbor Freight works fine and only cost me about 40 bucks. The one I bought to put hardwood floor in my vacation house also did the flooring in my main home. And you might consider the nice cheap HF for pro use also, especially after someone steals a couple of the Porter Cable from the jobsite.
 
If your doing finish work in an enclosed area you might want to stay away from the small pancake or oilless ones. They make a lot of noise. I have a 3 HP 5 gal. tank Sanborn that I have used for years with no troubles and it keeps 2 nailers going easily. I just store it in my pickup all the time and plug into it form there.
 
I highly recommend Makita.

I've got the larger two tank one -

It'll supply air to multiple framing guns at once. It is portable, but it's heavy enough to make it fairly inconvenient going up and down stairs with it.

I end up running longer hoses instead of carting it around in a house for finish nailing.

If I were using it strictly for finish nailing I'd go with the smaller, lighter single tank version.

The Makita's are exceptionally quiet compared to the many of the others, especially the oil-less pancake style. And it'll last a lot longer.

Great quality product, you won't be sorry for spending a few extra bucks for it.
 
If you're planning to use it for asphalt shingle roofing, you might want to talk to a roofing outfit first.

There's an outfit here that is fast, good and reasonable- probably do 80% of the roofing in this area. I got a new roof last summer, and was surprised that they were using hammer and nails, instead of air staplers. Asked the guy, and he said they had tried them, but there was no way to do a good job with them. Penetration of the staple depends on the air pressure, and the pressure would first be too high, resulting in staple going all the way through, then just right, then too weak and staple had to be hammered down. And when shingles were hot and soft, even worse.

They were amazing- 35 square job, 2 layer tear-off. 8 or 10 guys, as I recall- they got there at about 7:30, and when I came home at 4:30 they were done and gone, and it was hard to find any evidence that they had ever been there.
 
My experience exactly. I also have a $35 HF power inverter, 750 watt continous and 1500 watt peak, that will run the thing off the truck battery.
 
Hadn't they heard of regulators? Sounds like a guy who didn't know how to use the tool right. I've used air powered nailers a lot and only time I got inconsistent depth was when the compressor popped a breaker and I didn't realize it.
 
(quoted from post at 13:12:27 03/14/13)
........, but there was no way to do a good job with them. Penetration of the staple depends on the air pressure, and the pressure would first be too high,

Hadn't they heard of regulators? Sounds like a guy who didn't know how to use the tool right. I've used air powered nailers a lot and only time I got inconsistent depth was when the compressor popped a breaker and I didn't realize it.

You shouldnt be surprised they havent heard of a regulator if thier fast way is using staples. I havent seen anybody hack up a roof with those since the mid 1990s.
 

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