I’ve read that an advantage of oil free nail guns is that you avoid shooting oil mist onto the wood surface. Does anyone think that’s a serious issue (In cabinet making)?
If I buy an oil lube compressor would that defeat the advantage? I would think oil mist would still get through.
I like the idea of an oil lube compressor because its supposed to be much quieter than oil-less. Can anyone confirm this?
Replies
Oil lubed compressors are considerably quieter than oil-less. But they still make noise. But they last longer. Indefinitely if their well maintained.
Filters are readily available for the oil. More important is to provide good moisture filtration and trapping as well.
From Beautiful Skagit Co. Wa.
Dennis
Remember that you still have to oil the nail gun, and that is what might get some oil on your cabs -- but only if you are putting too much oil in the gun.
I have one of each type of compressor, and I don't think oil is a factor in making one quieter than the other. But I don't know that for sure.
If this is your first compressor, I would definitely pay attention to db output. The newer models are not exactly whisper quiet, but it is way more pleasant to be around a machine where you don't have to stop a conversation when the tank reloads. Like vacs, some compressors have been engineered to run quieter than others.
A few years back I bought a Thomas Ultra with a hot dog tank for job site work -- mainly because it was light weight, quiet, wouldn't blow a 15 amp circuit, and big enough to run a framing nailer. But all of these features came at a price -- just under $300.
Some nail guns now don't need oil.
You're right. I had forgotten that when I had to buy another gun a year or so ago, the rep was pushing an oiless model. Problem was, if you inadvetently put oil in the thing, it would immediately go south and was very expensive to fix. I decided on a conventional gun, since I am so used to putting the drop or two of oil in all the rest, I just knew, that sooner or later, I would forget with the oil-less and have an expensive repair bill. I have never had a problem with oil blowing out on the work piece. Have you?
I'm new to air nailing, and you seem to know about oil and air nailers. What kind of oil do you use to lubricate your nail gun? Will a spray lubricant like WD-40 do? And how much oil is enough, but not too much?
Thanks in advice for the help."What I love about being a woodworker is that it allows me to see all the flaws in furniture." LV_KID
Anyplace that sells nail guns will also sell oil formulated for lubricating them. If you ever think you would use the gun when it is cold (below 30 degrees or so), be sure to get a oil for cold weather use (which can nonetheless be used at all temps, or at least I use it that way).There are o-rings inside your gun, and you will foul up the works if you use the wrong kind of lube.The biggest thing to remember is don't use too much -- a drop or two at the beginning of a session will last the entire day. If you use the gun the next day, add another drop or two, etc. Many think that if a couple drops is good, a squirt would be even better. It isn't; just mucks up the gun, and causes it to spit oil as you nail.Are you up to speed on which types of guns/nails to use for various applications?
I have a 2", 18-gauge brad nailer which is a bump-fire type, but I never really have done any research on nail gun. I'm not sure what all the latest features on these guns are other than the cordless models. As far as I know, the only real features to know are an easy-to-un-jamb nosepiece, a depth adjustment, nail size, and bump/single fire. (What's the reason for the angled cartridges on framing nailers?)"What I love about being a woodworker is that it allows me to see all the flaws in furniture." LV_KID
<<" What's the reason for the angled cartridges on framing nailers?" >>Allows you to manuever the gun better in tight spaces -- toe nailing, for example.
I have never had a problem with oil blowing out on the work piece. Have you?
Nope, not with nail guns. I've heard of lots of problems with oil and water affecting paint sprayers (my brother in law was jusat telling me one over dinner), if you don't filter the lines properly.
I have an oiled compressor; CH 2-cylinder single stage model. Nore of the oiless models have the CFM rating to run random orbit sanders.
The oil from the sump of the compressor doesn't get in the lines. Oil spraying from the gun is from over oiling the gun. Oil type compressors are quieter and longer lasting by far.
r3d3-
Oil CAN and likely will become introduced into the air storage chamber after the rings on the cylinder wear ever so slightly. Many manufacturer's, including Ingersol Rand, warn up front about the necessity of an inline filter for use with tools which will come in contact with wood, and other materials which can become spoiled by oil. However, the most common source of oil is the over use of oil for lubricating the tool itself.
Not an attack on what you stated, just some FYI from a guy who has worked on motors for over 25 years.
JC
Yeah...this is true. There is typically some oil mixed in with the water in the receiving tank but I never found it to be a real problem with spraying through the nail gun and spraying on the wood. Most of it tends to stay in the tank and can be seen when you drain the condensate from the tank. It is such a small amount. Typically one puts an oil filter on for critical things like spraying equipment or some certain applications add an oiler to keep certain machine parts lubed against the chance of moisture rusting up cylinders on edge banders. For the most part the oil coming out of a gun is from over oiling. When I was repairing compressors we used to not advocate putting an automatic oiler on a gun as most would forget to add oil and the gun would go unoiled for a long time and the moisture would create other problems. Funny how the oil less guns didn't have a warning about not using oil and the guys would be extra conscious of having a new gun and wanting to be sure to take care of it better than their other guns and someone would inevitably put oil in it at some point.
About 5 yrs ago my dad decided to replace his 40-ish yr old compressor with a new one. Nothing really wrong with the old one, but it didn't have the power that newer ones have. About 2 days after bringing home an oil-less compresser, he took it back for a refund and eventually ended up with an oil-type. The oil-less was so loud it actually resulted in headaches and temporary hearing loss. You'd have conversations for a 20-30 minutes afterward where you were talking very loudly. No way you'd want to run one of those on a regular basis without ear protection.
I rubber-band an old sock over the exhaust of my nailer to absorb the oil blowout.
Before you buy a compressor, take a look and listen to Thomas compressors. They're among the the quietest out there and they are oilless. I have a T-200ST. Thomas claims it's "the quietest 2HP professional compressor on the market". It's quieter than any oil lubed compressor I've heard. Good output (4.8 cfm @ 100 psi), quick recovery (12 sec.), and it runs fine on a 15 amp circuit even when cold. Another Thomas model worth looking at is the T-2820ST. More output (5.0 cfm @ 100 psi) and quicker recovery time (9 sec.) and quieter (74db) than the T-200ST. http://www.thomaspumps.com/ultra/renegade.html They cost a bit more than other compressors but well worth it imho. If you want more feedback on Thomas, you might try posting on Breaktime .......... there are several Thomas owners who post there.
Hi,
I've used both and vastly prefer my Ingersoll Rand oiled compressor. It's reasonably quiet, powerful enough to power my HVLP conversion gun and anything else in the shop, and NEVER has produced oil residue.
I spray laquer and shellac and have never had any fisheyes or signs of oil coming through the lines.
Of course I filter the air for water/debris/oil at the compressor, make sure I empty the tank weekly, etc....
I also have a tiny oil-less PC compressor that makes more noise than the big one..it's good for remote installations, etc..but my 5 HP Ingersoll rocks!
Filter the air and don't be too concerned...
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