Compressor Advice

[txmatt]

I know this is a little off-topic since it's not directly oil related but...

I'm looking into buying a compressor and wanted to get some advice. My criteria are small and, of course, the cheaper the better. The impetus for buying it is an upcoming wood fence rebuild which I'd use a framing nailer to help with. Air would also be nice to blow things off/out and fill tires. If I had a compressor, I might on occasion find use for an impact wrench. This compressor will likely sit for weeks or even months without being used.

That being said, I've been looking at small, electric pancake compressors mainly designed for brad and nail gun usage. Most of these are oil-less which I understand aren't as reliable and not designed for long duty cycles. They also tend to be loud from what I hear.

I found the Porter Cable model CPF23400P...

http://www.porter-cable.com/index.asp?e=547&p=2582

that can be had for just over $200 and is capable of deliverying 5.3 SCFM at 90 PSI. I think this might be enough air to power a small impact wrench here and there. The size is right and the price is about what I was looking to spend.

Does this sound like a decent tool for what I'd use it for?

I'm new to compressors... if the pump is oil-less, do you then oil the tools indvidually?

Thanks,
Matt

 

[porterdog]

Hiya! First of all, you're going to LOVE having a compressor and air tools. I actually look forward to tire rotation now (vrrrt vrrrt!).

Second, there is a lot of good information on oiled/oilless in the 'tools' forum at miata dot net; that's where I learned most of the rest of the stuff I'm going to parrot back to you. Check there for further reading; just search on 'compressor' or suchlike.

Regarding oiled vs. oilless, you'll need to oil your tools with either. The oil in question is in the crankcase of the compressor (or NOT in the crankcase, as the case may be

and has nothing to do with tool lubrication. Generally, the oilless units use some sort of teflon-type seal instead of lubricated piston rings and it's those seals/coatings that go bad. Since the oilless variety are generally less expensive, they're often made in ways that won't let you rebuild them when they start going south- kind of a disposable product.

I looked at those porter cable units (Amazon had pretty good deals when I was shopping) but I decided that I didn't want an aluminum unit since they're again not as durable.

Good luck,
Robert

 

[wulimaster]

I have the 2hp Hitachi which I believe is manufactured by someone else for them. It is quiet and will do well with up to 2 nailguns. I have used it to run my airgun but it is usually good for a few short burps. Works on all the vehicles I have tried it out on so far. I use a 1/2 inch hose for the airgun to get max power out of it with a 50ft hose. Airguns should be run with a 1/2 inch hose if the length is over 6-12 feet. Industrial fittings allow more airflow also.

Cost is about 240. $499 for compressor, nailgun, 50' hose and oil at Home Depot.

Check the minimum flow for the airgun you wish to use and compare it with the compressors.

My choice would be oil lubricated. Quieter and will outlast you if used like you intend to.

 

[Steve S]

These type of compressors are made to run nail guns etc. I'm not sure that an impact wrench will operate with that size compressor. I used to have a 2.5 hores compressor it did not work well for impact wrench use. Now I have a 6.5 horse power that I would say is a minimum for air wrench use. At work the vans would have 12 horse gas motor compressors with 175 psi and ? cfm,perfect,

 

[Steve S]

These type of compressors are made to run nail guns etc. I'm not sure that an impact wrench will operate with that size compressor. I used to have a 2.5 hores compressor it did not work well for impact wrench use [just about useless]. Now I have a 6.5 horse power that I would say is a minimum for air wrench use. At work the vans would have 12 horse gas motor compressors with 175 psi and ? cfm,perfect,

.Probably and this is a guess an airless would be fine with home use as it would last for years .With impact wrenchs higher quality ones are better the real cheap ones are not worth buying ,I still don't think a small compressor will run a half impact. but try one out.