Tools and Tool Buying

[handyman john]

Okay on the "other" forum I asked about SMALL compressors that wouldn't require a forklift to carry.  Got a few replies but after looking at the suggestions I resigned my self to an "unattainable goal".

At the local farm & barn (Farm & Fleet) yesterday I was passing buy so ... DEWALT has a great small compressor that even my 12 yrs old grandson could carry! It's only a 1 or 2 gallon and for brad nailers but JUST what I'm looking for.

I DID look at the "aluminum tank" model they had but the weight it in the compressor unit with, I could be wrong about this, could be made of reclaimed uranium; it WEIGHs a TON!

I also researched and noticed that Stanley-Bostich will be releasing one "later" this year that is a one gallon

12 lbs. compressor. Again its for brad nailers and finish nailers but its 12 lbs! 

Anyway, thanks to all who originally responded - I believe I have a few choices yet to make but there IS a light at the end of that tunnel.

[TxMoose]

John,

 Here is another possiblility for you

TxMoose

[Dave in Md]

Watch for deals with Porter Cable, Lowes just had a deal 2 weeks ago, 2 nailers and a compressor.  Porter does this fairly often, if it had their pinner, I probably would have pulled the trigger.

[My Old Tools]

I've been using a small Porter Cable pancake compressor for probably 10 years now.  It just keeps chugging along.  I keep thinking I'll buy a big stationary compressor, but I don't use that much air.  I built my current home with that little compressor.

[Fred Hargis]

This might not work for someone who earns a living doing this stuff, but I use a plain old air storage tank. Mine is a small one (9gallon, I think) and when I charge it to about 125# PSI, I can do a ton of brad nailing before I need to recharge it. If you had a slightly larger one, it might do the work a pro would want....just athough. PS, I put a QD on mine so I can plug in  a small regulator to control the pressure and swap the hoses around.

[Kevin McC1]

John

I have and use the Porter Cable unit.  Small, portable and mighty.  However it is loud.  I just walk away while it comes up to full charge when I first turn it on.  With just me using it, it runs everthing from a small stapler on up to a full framing nailer without issue. 

I have thought about containing it in some sort of foamed lined case, but sort of defeats the purpose of the unit's portability.

If I had it to do again these days, I would look for a small double tanked, oiled one.  The extra $$$ might be worth it for quieter operation and longevity if you are using it a lot. 

Kevin

[handyman john]

I have a double tank "portable" that weighs over 60 lbs (the reason for my quest) and it is anything BUT quiet.

To get a quiet compressor you need to go to belt drive and preferably two stage.

Even the P-C pancake weights over 30 lbs. so if I can find something that weighs 20 or less and can operate what I need I'm LEAPING on it.

[RussBoyd]

John, if you can find it, try Puma. VERY good compressor for what you do. I bought mine 4-5 years ago for handyman stuff and ended up using it for whole house trim work, It has yet to let me down. GREAT little compressor. l gal., very light. Can even shoot a Nail gun and big stapler, although not very many shots before "airing up" again. Check it out.

[ynoT]

John,

Check your local Home depot. Our's is having sale on PC units. Some come with three guns too.

Also, some issues ago, Wood did small testing on four brands; DeWalt, Makita, Porter Cable, and Bostich.

Prices anywhere from $300 to $400, and some where louder than others.

Local HD prices on PC are somewhat lower than what the price was during testing.

Tony

[handyman john]

Russ, what size did you get? I see they sell "direct to you" on line and have a 1 gal that only weighs 25 lbs. $149 seems a bit high but the max pressure is 150 psi, higher than many small compressors.