Which Compressor for a Brad Nailer?
I’ve just bought my first nailer—the Hitachi 18 ga. brad nailer—and now I’m in the market for a compressor to run it. I’m a hobbyist so I’ll be using it occasionally for furniture building, indoor trim, and a few other misc tasks. No finish spraying or operating bigger air tools.
I’ve got it narrowed down to 3 models:
1. the Porter-Cable C2002-WK pancake-style, 1.5 hp, 6-gallon, oil-free compressor, which is down to $140. Delivers 2.5 CFM @ 90 psi
2. For just a bit more, I could get the Senco PC1130, a 2.5-gallon, 1.5 hp, oil splash model. Delivers 2.4 CFM @ 100 psi.
3. the Makita MAC700, a hot-dog style model, 2 hp, 2.6 gallon, oiled. Delivers 3.3 CFM @ 90 psi
Noise is a big consideration, as I work in a small basement shop. I understand the Porter Cable, like all oil-less compressors, is very loud, and the Makita is much quieter.
Does anyone have experience with these and/or a recommendation? I know nothing about compressors.
Thanks,
Norman
Replies
If noise is a "serious consideration" you might as well take the PC off your list. I like the performance of mine, but it does make a racket!!!
Although......another option would be to make a "muffler box" for itl.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Edited 4/1/2008 1:47 am by forestgirl
I hadn't considered a muffler box. Interesting idea, and even better, another excuse to make something!I guess I'm also wondering about the difference in performance & maintenance between oil-less and oiled.Norman
If what you are interested in is a compressor for driving a brad nailer, you should consider the 1 gallon oil less models that DeWalt and Senco sell. It is a misconception that all oil less models are loud. I purchased the DeWalt for my basement shop, it is quieter than the Makita hot dog, I checked the db ratings. The smaller capacity is fine for brad, finish, or pin nailing. The unit is light and portable, making it easily transportable for doing trim around the house.
Any particular reason you chose the DeWalt over the Senco?
Amazon had a good price at the time nn a brad nailer, compressor combo.
I have a 1 gallon Campbell-Hausfeld oiless pancake compressor that I use with my 18 ga brad nailer and 15 ga finish nailer for all of my field work. It's very light, easy to carry around, and easily keeps up with finish work. My 5 gallon Stanley/Bostich pancake compressor hasn't been out of the shop since I got the C-H. - lol
Right after I got it, I even ran a framing nailer with it just to see how far I could push it. It wouldn't do for serious framing, but did fine on a few nails.
It's downsides are:
go the 'easy' route, get a 100' hose & leave the sucker outdoors when you're using it. Don't worry about the noise :-)
I have the Senco 1130, it's a lot quieter than the old C-H pancake that bit the dust last month, but still a bit noisy for indoor use.
I have the MAK, it's very quiet, reliable, but heavy. Not a problem if it is just going to sit in the shop, and the higher CFM means it's useful for other jobs that lesser compressors fail at.
The reason the Dewalt is a good compressor is because it is not made by Dewalt. It is an Emglo who has been bought by Dewalt. Top of the line compressors. You can check them out at Home Depot as well as the Ridgid, good machine, and the Hitachi. You could not go wrong with any of the three. You see more Emglo (Dewalt) on the job sites, then the Hitachi.
I have the 6 ga PC and I like it. I got it at Home Depot along with the (3) guns for a really good price. Couldn't pass it up!
I did go with the oiless since my shop is unheated and I read where the oil versions do not start up very well if it is really cold since the oil becomes too thick. Oiless is not supposed to last as long as oil versions but I have read many stories of contractors having the oiless ones for years with no problems (my cousin one of them).
It is noisy but so is my planer and other tools in the shop.
Someone mentioned about a muffler box for the compressor. Any tips I should follow other than providing some sort of Ventilation at the top and bottom? Probably would line the interior with some sort of absorbent material. Is there a site for plans?
Frank
I went with the Dewalt Emglo over the Porter Cable pancake after having a chat with a service center tech, Home Depot and Lowes guys I know. All three told me the same thing, the Porter Cable pancake compressors aren't made to the same standards as the Emglo. The Porter Cable's are brought in for replacement/repair way more often than the Dewalt Emglo.
i'd go w/ the best package deal possible.
brad nailer
18 ga finish nailer
pin nailer
stapler
Hi Norman'
I have had the MAC700 for about six months. My previous comp. was a C H oil- less. I jumped every time it started--even after having it for 10 years. I read all of the buyer comments about the MAC700 on the Amazon web site, and bought it on the "buyers" comments from that. I am very pleased with the unit. It is amazingly quiet. You can carry on a conversation while it is running--it is very adequate for all of my use--a pinner, a brad nailer, and an ocassional use with a nail gun. Being an oil bath compressor, it is heavy. but that sure makes it stable. One comment was that it sounds like a kitten purring, and that is a a close description on how quiet it is.
Clint
Thanks, everyone, for your great help. After mulling over the models discussed and checking with the folks at the breaktime forum, I pulled the trigger (so to speak) on the DeWalt. I'm sure I could have chosen any of about a half-dozen recommendations and been very happy, but the price was right on this one. (I already have the brad nailer, so a package deal wasn't as important, although there are some terrific ones available, if anyone's looking.)Norman
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