Need help picking up a new air compressor/nailgun combo

[EricT]

Hi all

I've had my eye on a porter cable pancake style compressor/nailgun combo for awhile, which recently got a lot cheaper on amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009NR3R6A/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=688X6UMFDWXQ&coliid=I233I26R3QWVVC

This is replacing a very large, but also very old sears compressor.  I don't use it very often, and it's taking up a ton of space I could fill with, you know, festool stuff.

That said, at work all of our nailguns are senco, and they're pretty nice.  I have no experience with using the porter cables, and I want to invest in decent stuff that will run well, and last.  Also there is a senco portable kit similar to the above:

http://www.amazon.com/Senco-PC0947-18-Gauge-Nailer-Compressor/dp/B00008PWW9/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1419736112&sr=1-1-spell&keywords=senco+nailgun+compressor+combo

With only the one gun.  Which might be fine, the 2 guns on the PC kit seem a bit redundant, and the power nailer a bit silly.

My usage is, nailguns for building jigs/furniture/etc (I'm not expecting to frame a house with a pin nailer, obviously) and having a compressor strong enough to keep car tires inflated.  It would be nice if I could run say small airbrushes for hobby painting, I don't expect it to run say an air sander or air saw.  But that would be nice!

I want to hear from you guys - what are you using in the portable compressor class, and what would you recommend?

Thanks!

 

[Holzhacker]

I was at big orange yesterday picking up some itch. They had a 6 gal. Ryobi pancake compressor on christmas closeout. One of their specials. Usually 249, now 149. Very nice compressor with a carry handle, nice gauges and ports, nice drain fitting, tank sits vertically so it has a smaller foot print, decent weight. Didn't plug it in to hear it though. I was very tempted.
However, I already have 2 compressors. Sure I could use a 3rd but not really. You might want to go check it out, see if your local store has them.
People like to talk smack about Ryobi but I've always had good luck with their tools. Granted I used to buy their old metal ones, not the new plastic ones.
My pancake is a Hitachi, but I know a bunch of guys who have bought that PC package. They've all liked the pancake but not so much the guns. I've used their PC pancake on jobs together and it was fine. The guns are mediocre.

 

[EricT]

Thanks Holz - I don't want to spend any money on mediocre guns, so the porter cable kit is out.  Didn't know about that ryobi deal, I might pick up a kit today, seriously considering it.  I really like the senco's at work, but I've also heard they really are only happy with senco nails.  Seems like a pain in the butt if that's the case.

 

[wow]

Years ago I got started with the DuoFast guns. You don't hear a lot about them today, but they are solid guns and have served me well. I have several of their CN350 Framers.

I also have a Senco air-powered finish nailer, but if I were starting over today I'd look at the Senco cordless Fusion guns. FWIW I also have the Senco cordless drywall/sheetrock/flooring gun, and I'd never go back to the corded version (as my only drywall gun).

 

[Throwback7r]

how about bostitch guns and california air tools compressor. I know some people do not like the build quality of the CAT compressor but it is quite and fills super fast.

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

The Makita MAC-700 is a great little compressor. It is relatively quiet, at ~$200 it is relatively inexpensive, and can keep up with one person running a framing nailer. I would steer far clear of any of those oil less pancake compressors. They tend to be quite loud, take up an unnecessary amount of floor space, and my opinion is they are generally unpleasant to work around.

Makita MAC 700: http://www.amazon.com/Makita-MAC700-Big-Bore-Compressor/dp/B0001Q2VK0

Regarding nailers, I've been transitioning from Hitachi (great nailers) to Max (awesome nailers!!). Max is about as good as you can get, but expect to pay for that level of quality. As far as I know, many of their nailers are still made in Japan.

Long term I plan on upgrading to the High Pressure line from Max, but need to save up for it. This is a small compressor, but is quiet, variable speed, brushless, and can handle both high pressure tools as well as standard pneumatics. Hope this helps!!

Max high pressure compressor: http://www.amazon.com/Max-AKHL1250E-MAX/dp/B00DNBGF8O/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1419791098&sr=8-10&keywords=max+high+pressure

 

[ladilday]

I have had the PC pancake compressor with several different sizes of PC nailers with no problems with any of them. My only complaint is the compressor is very noisy. when it is time to replace it i will look for something much quieter. there was a recent post about a very quiet compressor manufactured by Rolair model JC10.

 

[dltflt]

I have had my PC nail guns for several years with no problems.  I picked u the pancake compressor kit a three years ago and has worked great for me.  I only do woodworking as a hobby.

 

[FinishingCanuck]

When I first started my business I purchased the PC pancake with both 18g and 16g nailers because they were cheap. As years past and my income grew I went through several 18g nailers trying to find the best one. I own a senco, makita, 2 different paslodes and a $200 grex green buddy. Each gun has different ups and downs and different features. Even with all the money I've spent on guns I use the porter cable. It is my go to nailer. It never jams, does not require oil or any maintance and rarely fails on counter sinking brads. It's covered in layers upon layers of wood glue all over, including the nose and magazine. It is the most reliable gun I have ever used.
The PC compressor is another story though. It's loud and prone to leaks but does the job. I have upgraded to the newer compact PC pancake, it's not nearly as loud and fills to 165 Psi!

I know it seems crazy that one of the cheapest performs the best but it's true. Save your time and money and take my advise.

Ps. The only guns I haven't used is the cadex. It might be worth a look because it seems to be Gary Katz's choice gun (based solely seeing it in his videos)

 

[EricT]

I should add, we're moving sometime in the near future - so I just want a small compressor for now, I'll worry about a shop size compressor later on assuming this one won't do everything I need.

After doing some research I think I have my heart set on the makita mac700 - nice and quiet, gets some better reviews than the senco.  I can find myself a nice air finish nailer later on, I really love my all metal senco air nailer I use at work, it's really nice.  May be stopping by lowes in a bit to pick up that makita, if it's in stock.  I really would rather spend an extra couple of bucks and get something that isn't annoyingly loud.

I have used my bosses battery powered senco nailer, and it is really nice!  But more cash than I want to spend, and I'm not a professional installer so the added expense doesn't really have a business case.

I love hearing everyones opinions on this stuff, feel free to throw me ideas on reasonably priced air nailers, my only preference being - not plastic, metal preferred - leaning towards a senco if I could.  Would like to have all the features, mainly just being able to vary the power.  I guess I'm not really all that brand centric, that's just my only experience point with them at work.

Thanks guys!

 

[anthonyz]

I recently went with the Senco PC 1010 which handles brad and pin nailers just fine. I use mine on site, they are rather quite as far as compressors go and I just fit mine in a SYS 5 for transport. I can fit the hose and two nail guns in the box with the compressor. Added a MFT sys top to my box for my Senco compressor. If you are looking for a compressor which can do framing nails, this won't be for you, but you can shoot with a finish nailer.

 

[curt boyer]

The 700 is a great compressor, quite, powerful enough for light framing, and small size. It is a heavy compressor as the inter working are cast iron. As for guns I have been using the Cadex, Max, Senco, and a couple of old PC guns. The Cadex and the Max are great guns! The small Rolair compressor has gotten some great reviews.
The PC pancake is very very loud!
Cheers
Curt

 

[WastedP]

About six years ago, I bought a MAC700 for the shop I worked at to replace an aging, leaky Rol-Air.  Super quiet, worked great, really top-heavy and prone to tipping over.  I liked it.  I used it primarily with a Senco SLP20.  My personal compressor is an ancient Emglo 2-tank unit that is showing it's age.  I almost bought a Senco 1010, since I know a couple of installers that bought one, and they like them.  I only run one gun at a time, so the small size and super, super quiet sound level are pretty appealing.  I had the chance to hear the PC pancake side-by-side with the 1010, and it was insane.  The pancake sounded like a prop plane.

The Rol-Air AB5 has come up in discussion, but I don't have any experience with it.  Their reputation is good, and it looks like a good fit for my needs.

 

[Iceclimber]

I have the PC combo kit.

It gets the job done but thats it. Being i cant just have everything i want lol a compressor for now is at the bottom of my tool "needs" list.

If i had it to do again and when i do it will be the Rolair JC10. But thats after like another 10-15K of tool purchases. Its time to stop buying Festools for me and start buying big machines for a while.

And to whomever brought up those brad nailers earlier thanks so much as it resulted in about two hours of bran nailer googling while i watched the football game this afternoon.

A good brad nailer i will use all the time and directly affects the quality of my work so i can now put a $300 brad nailer or my "tool needs" list lol

 

[EricT]

Went by home depot - no makitas in sight!  Ah well.

Theres a senco 1010/brad nailer combo over at lowes, online shows in stock, price is nice - and I like that itll fit into a sys5, should I decide to get that nuts with it.  Ill check that out sometime this week perhaps.  The xmas vacation, ending way too soon...

 

[Drich]

I just bought a rol air Jc-10 and love it. So so quite to use in the house. I had to use the staple gun to put a new bottom on the bed spring that the cat tore up. It kicked on a few times in the bed room and what a pleasent sound it makes not that high pitched screaming of the normal oil less ones. It's worth the extra money over the portercable one. I had one of them for a day then took it back to the Home Depot.

 

[SittingElf]

+1 on the JC-10!

I've had mine for a year and it is working flawlessly. Use it with my Grex Pinner and PC 18 gauge nailer, filling 20" Michelins on my SUV, and with a high pressure air gun to blow out sawdust (and spattered coffee off my laptop keyboard [embarassed]).  Excellent!

Also, my Grex has been superb....and it's GREEN! [big grin]

Cheers,

Frank

 

[tjbnwi]

Thomas is marketing compressors again;

http://cfpwarehouse.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/air_pac_compressors.html

Get the Jc-10, and Grex guns. 18 gauge make sure it's the GB.

Tom

 

[justinh]

I have run a Thomas compressor for years.  It's a bit louder than the JC10 but only weighs 26lbs and is an easy carry.  It is also smaller in size and stores easily. They are well made and built to last. The 635 will support one framing gun.

Most of my trim nailers are older Hitachi before they forgot how to make decent guns and are durable and reliable just lacking in the bells and whistles offered on newer guns.  If I were in the market I would look at the Grex GB but would end up buying the Omer 12.50.

 

[Iceclimber]

After my couple hours nerding out my vote is also with the Omer 12.50