Air-Compressors: Recommendations?

Ron-P

Looking to buy one in the $200 or less catagory. Something for general nailing, spray painting stuff. So far, the one that stands out is the pancake, Porter Cable 6 gallon, 2 hp model for $177.

Any other recommendations? Thoughts?


Peace Out~:D

ken brydson

I have a Craftsman pancake similar to the PC that you're considering. I got a kit with a finish nailer. It works great for nailing. You go through a bunch of nails before it cycles. I don't know how either will do for painting though. I've tried using it to spray texture and it runs low quick and cycles all the time. You might want to look into something bigger if you plan to do much spraying. Just my .02

amulford

Yes. That is nice little compressor. Porter Cable usually outs out a quality product. I have two of their nail guns, a router, bench grinder, 4 1/2" grinder, etc.

I personally have looked at that very same one for myself. It will do what you ask of it. Home Depot offers some decent little packages if youd don't have nailers. Just don't think your going to frame houses with it:D

Ron-P

I'm looking more-so at finish nailing work (baseboards, trim, general wood work) and small scale painting (door and such).

I just went through the entire house and hung 6-panel style doors. Now, they need painting and I don't want to brush those.

Peace Out~:D

amulford

You better buy ALOT of masking tape:D

Jstas

Can't go wrong with a Porter Cable. That compressor is a nice little joby but like what was said so far, it may not be so good for painting. I think they have an extra capacity tank for that model though. You may want to look into it. If so, it's like a 20 gallon tank for about 200-250 bucks, maybe less. It adds alot of capacity and keeps pressure up. When you are painting you need that pressure to stay up so that the paint gun maintains the proper spray pattern for even coverage. If it doesn't stay up, you'll get spatters, drips and dribbles and those are not fun to try and clean up. You'll end up doing just as much if not more manual labor as if you just did the painting with a roller and brush.

Ron-P

I'll be taking the doors outside.


Peace Out~:D

Ron-P

Ok, so maybe I should look into a bigger tank. My dad has a air-less sprayer with a built in tank that is only 3 gallons. It does fine for painting decent size projects.

Are the compressors built into sprayers different than the stand alone compressors with the gun attachment?


Peace Out~:D

amulford

Seriously, if you do plan to spray them, drop them and do it outside. The overspray would have your better half very very angry. Trust me on that one.:eek:

Jstas is right, but it can be done. Just keep the tank capacity in mind, and use a LPHV (low pressure high volume) spray gun. It will work.

amulford

Yes. the tankless sprayers pump the paint thru an atomizer, no air. They wouldn't have the versatility.

Ron-P

My neighbor suggested to put a lag bolt in the top and bottom of the door and then rest it between two saw-horses. Seems like it's a neat trick that will work well for painting the entire door at once.


Peace Out~:D

amulford

Good Idea. Just make sure you have a helper to keep it still, and you don't mind the holes.

F1nut

I agree with Jstas, if you want to spray paint you'll need a larger tank (20 gal.) and I'd recommend a 5hp oil-less compressor. You can get those for around $300.00 or so at most Home Depots and Lowes. The air-less sprayers are very nice, but they are only good for spraying material. Also, buy the best HVLP (High Volume Low Pressure) gun you can afford, it will make all the difference You should get a air-dryer too, it will keep the moisture in the tank from getting into the paint or any tools you may use.

madmax

Ron,
If you end up buying a Sears model I can at least supply you with a 10% coupon. If you buy it on one of their super saturday's when they take an extra 10% off with a Sears card and it is on sale at the same time it can start to get VERY worthwhile. (I work there part time to support my audio habit)
madmax

goingganzo

i was looking at the compresors while waiting to get help with mt tork wrench questons and the small ones said not recomended for painting. and i do like my porter cable products i have a random orbit sander and a bisket aka plate joiner and they are great i want a vs rouyghter with plunge atachment. look for a compresor with a kit you get more for less.

KarlJShields

Just a couple of comments regarding compressors:
-I love Porter-Cable tools (I have more than I care to admit), but this one is simply not up to any spraying. It's not just the tank size, or max pressure, but also the CFM the actual pump can provide. This will become abundantly clear if you choose to go HVLP.

-Also, be aware that Devilbiss makes the compressors for P-C--and for that matter, the "Air America," or whatever, lines sold at Home Depot and Lowes, and may make the Sears Craftsman compressors as well. Compare the specs and price.

-I know F1 does refins professionally, but I'm going to disagree with him--at least partly. I'd look into a an oil-lube compressor--they last longer, and are generally more well-constructed. Yes, they tend to cost a bit more, and you'll have to dry and filter the output air when spraying--but you should do that no matter what compressor you decide to purchase.

-Finally, I would also add that my experience with airless units has been less than satisfactory. I might be a little biased, though; I use Binks 2001 guns, so I'm still a little old-school anyway....

My two cents....

F1nut

Karl,

I actually agree with you about oil-lube compressors, but I made my recommendation based on the thought that Ron isn't going to be using it full time and didn't want to spend a lot of cash.

Have you ever tried the Kremlin guns?

Jesse

Ron-P

Thanks all.

I was at Home Depot this morning and they had a Husky 5hp, 17 gal. compressor for $198. Not too bad and that is right at the top of my budget. For small painting projects this should work OK. My pop has a full-blown spray rig and my neighbor is a pro-painter so I'll call on those 2 for the big jobs.

I will check Sears though. If you can send out that coupon, just incase max, I would be very thankful.

The search continues...


Peace Out~:D

ken brydson

Do look into the combo kits though. You can get some good deals. I've been very happy with my Craftsman comp and finish nailer. I have since got a framing nailer too and have 3 decks to build this summer so it'll get a lot of use. Been remodeling for the last 2 years. Replaced all of the interior doors with new prehung.
Did about 1/2 of them before I got the nailer. What a ****! Much easier with a nailer. Now I've just got about 19 miles of trim to finish

aba4430

Ron,
I have this Hitachi and am extremely pleased with it. I only use it for light duty work aroun d the house, and our vehicles. Amazon is running a very good deal on these now:
$25 coupon plus free shipping. Coupon link below:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/feature/-/519400/104-7274594-0783925

Item link is below:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000225DO/qid=1080345354/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl60/104-7274594-0783925?v=glance&s=hi&n=507846

You can read the reviews etc. at Amazon.
Regards,
aba

KarlJShields

Originally posted by F1nut
I actually agree with you about oil-lube compressors, but I made my recommendation based on the thought that Ron isn't going to be using it full time and didn't want to spend a lot of cash.

Have you ever tried the Kremlin guns?

Jesse,
Good point regarding the price, but still glad to see I'm in good company :-)

I've never used a Kremlin gun, but the reviews have been good, as I recall. I've played around with some of the better Devilbiss units, and a friend's Sata, but my oonly real expereince has been with the Binks.

I spray mostly nitro lacquer, and the 2001s have really worked well. Actually, it's probably a better unit than I need....

Do you finish exclusively, or do you build as well?

Karl

Ron-P

All of what I've found at Lowes, Home Depot and Sears are oil-less compressors.

I will most likely go with the Husky Home Depot 5hp, 17 gal. model for $198. Seems the biggest for the least. I'll see what else I can muster up before I buy.

Any good online shops to pick from?

Jstas

Northern Tool and Equipment has a good site: http://www.NorthernTool.com

Also, Horrible...errr....uhhh...Harbor Freight has some decent prices on decent equipment too: http://www.harborfreight.com

Ron-P

I have a Harbor Freight near by. Now, the choice...

The Husky oil-free, 5hp 17gal.
-or-
The Central Numatic 4.5hp, oiled 20gal.

F1nut

Ron, I'm sure either one will suit your needs. Just remember to get the moisture filter and also a oil filter if you get the oil compressor.

Karl, If the Binks is more than you need then no reason to change. I restore/conserve mostly, but I do refinish things too, so the Kremlin was money will spent. I don't build per se, only make replacment parts. Are you a cabinetmaker or what?

KarlJShields

Jesse

I actually work for a non-profit--a think tank. I primarily do cabinetmaking for my own pleaure and use, but I do take selected commissions to supplement my income (for my SVS to supplement my Lsi's) and to expand my expertise.

I started spraying nitro lacquer with the Binks when I took on a rather large kitchen comission, and have never looked back.

I guess that makes me semi-pro, or a part-timer, or something.... Current project is a set of custom Doug Fir doors for an addition/interior remodel of a doc's house. Wife decided to add a new glas-panel door for the wine cellar....

Conservation, restoration, and doing quality refin work is very exacting work; I might have to beg for some of your secret recipes...

Underclocked

Not having much knowledge of compressors, I purchased a DeWalt D55151 2 1/2 HP 4-Gallon Electric Hand Carry Compressor
from Amazon about a month ago. So far I like it and it serves my limited purposes well.

I did like the idea of it having oil lubrication but have heard of oil-less compressors lasting for very long periods.

Now someone tell me how badly I messed up.

Ron-P

I will most likely go with the Husky. I like the low profile of it vr the stand up tank of the other. Plus, if I have to buy filters for the oil compressor that'll bring the price up to if not more than the Husky.

With the limited use I will be doing with it. I'm sure it'll last 15-20.


Peace Out~:D

F1nut

Karl,

Sounds good, if you're getting paid then you're a pro! Here's one of those secrets, have some good tunes playing at all times.

Did you shoot a catalyzed or pre-cat on those kitchen cabinets?


UC,

You did fine, like Ron says....15 to 20. Today's oil-less compressors are much better than in the past, I use one as they are less of a hassle.

Ron-P

I've decided to go bigger. For $269.00 HD's got a 25gallon, 5.2hp Husky with all the trimmings (25' hose, every fitting imaginable, impact gun, impact wrench, air-chisel, cup spray gun and a blower).

Also, I opened up a HD account and will get 10% off my first purchase. That brings it down to $242. Not a bad deal at all.

The cup spray gun is cheap, but for learning and basic rough type painting it should work fine. I'll buy a nicer gun later. But, it beats the hell out of the $200 15 galloon with no trimmings.

Now, as for a heads up, what's a good spray gun?

Ron-P

...the search goes on. Every HD in my area is out and will not get more. Found a 30gal, 5hp vertical at Sears for $299. Or for $369 a 26gal, 5.2hp Husky (oil) compressor. 10% off that would be only a few bucks more than the Sears. What to do?