Replies

1. 
   Dave45 | Nov 29, 2007 02:44am | #1

   Andy -

   Ask your friend if the compressor is oiless.  If he doesn't know, get the nameplate data (manufacturer and model #) and look them up on the internet.  Lots of manufacturers have owners manuals on their web sites that you can download.

   The owners manual for the nailer will tell you if it needs oil.  If you don't have a manual, see the above paragraph. - lol

   If someone is giving you the whole setup, check the hoses and fittings very carefully before you use it.  If you have the money, I would suggest that you just get a new hose and fittings.  You should also check the air tank for rust.  It should have some kind of blowdown valve and you'll want to see if there's any moisture (and rust) inside the tank.  Compressor tanks collect moisture and need to be blown out pretty frequently.  They also rust from the inside and having one blow out on you ain't a whole lot of fun.

   If you mean a simple hose attachment for blowing air, it won't need to be oiled.  Nor do you need to oil the attachment for airing up tires.

   I have no idea of what a "bive pump one" is. - lol

2. 
   jackplane | Nov 29, 2007 02:47am | #2

   oilless comps. run louder than regular ones. they use ceramic bearings and will not last as long.

   Expert since 10 am.

3. 
   hammer1 | Nov 29, 2007 07:30pm | #3

   With an oil type compressor, there is a drain spout and a filler spout. The oil is confined to the pump, it does not come through the air hose unless the machine is broken or worn out. You change the oil like you would in a car, according to use or time. Many nail guns require oil, there are some newer ones that are oiless. You don't want to over oil a gun or it will start spitting it on your work and possibly jam. A gun that gets used everyday will get two drops, I mean drops. Less frequently used guns may only require a couple drops a year.

   If it's an oil type, it will be fairly heavy, likely, with a cast iron pump. Put new oil in it just to be safe, use the correct oil. Some air powered accessories like wrenches need a drop also. All you need is an air nozzle for blowing up tires.

   Compressors generate heat. As the air in the tank cools down, it condensates. All compressors have a drain at the bottom of the tank, they should be drained after every use. Otherwise, the water may rust out the air tank. A rusted tank is a safety hazard. There can be a lot of pressure in the tank and they can explode. Generally, they just start to leak. Contaminants from the tank can get into the air hose. Keep the tank clean and use a water separator on the out line, if using a spray gun.

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
1. 
   mudman | Nov 30, 2007 05:44pm | #4

   Not to split hairs, but I think that it should be clairified that oil filled compressors will allow a minute amount of "blow-by" oil mist to contaminate the air stream. It is not enough to oil tools that require oil, and it is not enough to damage tools that do not need oil. However in a wood working shop it can cause lots of problems when it comes to finishing, especially if you use water based finishes. For spray finishing consider a inline oil filter necessarry.  As hammer stated as the rings in the pump wear there will be more and more blow-by. It is possible that a used compressor will have enough blow-by to cause problems when blowing off saw dust with a air blower attatchment.

   I would recomend an oiled compressor regaurdless. Just spend the $20 for a oil filter.Pardon my spelling,

   Mike

   Make sure that your next project is beyond your skill and requires tools you don't have. You won't regret it.

1. 
   andyfew322 | Nov 30, 2007 10:51pm | #5

   why would i buy an oiled when i can get an oilless for free

1. 
   dgreen | Dec 01, 2007 01:02am | #6

   Why buy food when you can eat out of dumpsters for free?------------------------------------

   It would indeed be a tragedy if the history of the human race proved to be nothing more than the story of an ape playing with a box of matches on a petrol dump. ~David Ormsby Gore

1. 
   andyfew322 | Dec 01, 2007 04:52am | #7

   but what if the food is brand new in a just out of the factory dumpster

2. 
   dgreen | Dec 01, 2007 05:34am | #8

    bon appetite------------------------------------

   It would indeed be a tragedy if the history of the human race proved to be nothing more than the story of an ape playing with a box of matches on a petrol dump. ~David Ormsby Gore

2. 
   mudman | Dec 01, 2007 08:15pm | #9

   I don't understand your question.....

   You asked for advise regaurding your friends compressor that you werent shure weather is oiled or oiless. I gave you some information regaurding oiled compressors. Others gave you good information about the deiiferences between the two (noise, bearing life, maintanince).

   Don't look a gift horse in the mouth. If it is free take it. I have had an oiless compressor in my shop for 3 or 4 years, it works fine. I would like to replace it with a bigger (10+ CFM) oiled unit, but I dont really need it all that much because all I do is run nail guns. Pardon my spelling,

   Mike

   Make sure that your next project is beyond your skill and requires tools you don't have. You won't regret it.

1. 
   BradG | Dec 01, 2007 09:43pm | #10

   Take the free compressor, run it until it dies, then reach for the wallet for a nice, used, oiled compressor. They are all over CL for whatever you want to spend.