Compressor for Woodworking

[ste6168]

Hello all,

I work in IT by day, and woodwork (as a hobby) by night. I currently do not have a compressor, but borrow one from a friend very frequently (actually, his has been in my shop for months now). I figure that it is time to purchase my own, but I cannot decide what I need.

Let me preface by saying, I have done extensive research, and everyone seems to recommend huge 60gal, 3phase compressors. That is NOT what I need. I do not work on cars, not do I ever plan to. I just do not enjoy it.

I need a compressor to run an 18ga brad nailer, a 23ga pin nailer (both Hitachi), and pump up a tire or two. Another thing that I have considered is getting an HVLP gun to spray finish on my projects. Most of my projects are small, bandsaw boxes, end tables, adirondack chairs, etc. If I do ever get the paint sprayer, I will never be painting a house/car or other major project.

I am considering the California Air Tools not only for its low noise, but also high CFM compared to other ~10gal compressors.

Others I am looking at...
Craftsman
WEN
Husky


What do you all say?

 

[UncleJoe]

I have two compressors. One is a larger Craftsman that I have piped for my shop and it is nice but I wanted one to dedicate to woodworking that I could take to projects at my children's homes. After some research as to what the pros were using I settled on a Rolair JC10. Cost around $200 + or- Works great for what I do. Here is a video review by a guy I know and respect

Take a look. Like I said I really like mine.

 

[duneslider]

I had two of the portercable pancake compressors that I used for years and years (one for the truck one for the garage) before going with something slightly bigger. I wish I would have kept one for hauling around and doing small stuff.
Anyway, Pretty much any compressor will run those nailers. You should find the sprayer that you want and then look at compressors that will run that. That is where you will have issues. The sprayers use a lot of volume fast. You might need to go bigger than 10gal and I am also guessing you will need a higher CFM unit too.

 

[ste6168]

I have two compressors. One is a larger Craftsman that I have piped for my shop and it is nice but I wanted one to dedicate to woodworking that I could take to projects at my children's homes. After some research as to what the pros were using I settled on a Rolair JC10. Cost around $200 + or- Works great for what I do. Here is a video review by a guy I know and respect

Take a look. Like I said I really like mine.

UnlceJoe, thanks for the link. Looks like a great unit, I will certainly look into it.

Also noticed, you are just up the road from me, I am in Morehead City, NC...

 

[jar944]

Hello all,

I work in IT by day, and woodwork (as a hobby) by night. I currently do not have a compressor, but borrow one from a friend very frequently (actually, his has been in my shop for months now). I figure that it is time to purchase my own, but I cannot decide what I need.

Let me preface by saying, I have done extensive research, and everyone seems to recommend huge 60gal, 3phase compressors. That is NOT what I need. I do not work on cars, not do I ever plan to. I just do not enjoy it.

I need a compressor to run an 18ga brad nailer, a 23ga pin nailer (both Hitachi), and pump up a tire or two. Another thing that I have considered is getting an HVLP gun to spray finish on my projects. Most of my projects are small, bandsaw boxes, end tables, adirondack chairs, etc. If I do ever get the paint sprayer, I will never be painting a house/car or other major project.

I am considering the California Air Tools not only for its low noise, but also high CFM compared to other ~10gal compressors.

Others I am looking at...
Craftsman
WEN
Husky


What do you all say?

Get a cheap pancake compressor for the nailers/tire inflation. It will work fine and have a nice small footprint.

Painting/spraying is a different ballgame. a turbine HVLP setup would be best as you don't need a large compressor or have to worry about water condensation/removal.

 

[Ainsley]

For woodworking I would suggest a small, portable compressor. I have a small Makita compressor in my shop to run my nailers, blow gun, tire chuck etc. and it has been great. It runs about $200 and is available at home depot. Definitely go with a nicer compressor over the pancake style, you will get a longer life and a quieter unit. The Makita is oiled so it needs the periodic oil change but well worth the reduction in noise.
This is my unit:

Skip the HVLP guns that run on a compressor and look at a small HVLP turbine unit. The earlex is a great bang for the buck unit, also check out the Fuji units. I have a Fuji Semi-pro 2 and I love it. I would have liked to have spent a little more for the mini-mite 3 or 4 but it wasn't in the budget.

I got mine from this guy: Phelps Refinishing His website is terrible but his pricing is good and he really knows his stuff.

 

[Voi]

I need a compressor to run an 18ga brad nailer, a 23ga pin nailer (both Hitachi), and pump up a tire or two. Another thing that I have considered is getting an HVLP gun to spray finish on my projects. Most of my projects are small, bandsaw boxes, end tables, adirondack chairs, etc.

I'd focus on what type of finishes you want to spray and then price some of the lower CFM/PSI guns and compare them with the turbine units. From the sounds of it you could get away with a smaller gun, especially if you sprayed your Adirondack chairs in parts instead of as a whole.

Then match your compressor to your gun. Or if you go turbine then you can pick a smaller compressor based on tradeoffs between size, portability, noise, etc.

I'm sort of out of the woodworking loop but not that long ago there were still a lot of woodworkers who like HVLP. I'd make that decision carefully.

The Homestead Finishing Products website used to have a great article on picking a gun. I'd check there and see if there is an up to date version.

 

[PugetDude]

I really like this one; rarely fire up the big compressor anymore.

http://www.senco.com/tools/details-page/pc1010

Super quite, light and quick recovery. Great for woodworking.

$109 at Amazon with Prime shipping.

 

[Firebird 1]

I have a pretty busy woodworking furniture shop. It is a small one man shop though. I put in hard run air lines with a couple drops and had a porter cable pancake jobby set up in a remote location. For the kind of stuff youre talking about something like that is more than good. You can get one on sale at home depot with a couple air guns for less than 2bills. I have since upgraded to a 60 gal job only for additional fire power to work on and paint my car.

 

[michiganman18]

Almost any compressor will run the nailers But for spraying you will need more. Theres plenty of good info out there. When I did my research for a woodworking air compressor my understanding is that most finishes dont spray well out of a general compressor. And even then you need dryers, oil removers, and filters. Then a really good spray gun.

Most such oils look great and require rubbing in in delicate coats. I would invest in a good brush or look at alternative methods rather than air, like a turbine gun to finish seeing as cost is so expensive for a good compressor as needed. Thats what I wish I wouldve done. I rarely spray finish any of my work but then again my projects are much smaller so do what you want. IMO for compressors at the very least. I would get oiled: for longevity and noise, and make sure you have at minimum a cast iron lined assembly. Dont forget to change the oil and drain the tank. Its very light maintenance comparatively.

 

[rsanter]

I have a bostich pancake compressor that I got with two of their nail guns as a kit for under $200 on sale
It has been great for basic work in the garage

Bob

 

[Boomer343]

I have a 2HP twin tank 110volt Eagle compressor that is rated at 4.2 cfm @90 PSI. It will run nailers all day and I have used my SATA HVLP MiniJet to spray motorcycle parts. I also use a bench top media blast cabinet with the compressor for small parts and it does what I want. Don't go cheap even though it is a smaller unit a good one runs quieter and with a bit of maintenance last a very long time.

 

[Git]

RolAir JC10.

I have a 60 gal 240v - but on the several wood working forums that I read, this topic comes up a lot and the JC10 is highly recommended

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0058NRVMO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

If your serious about getting into spraying, you need more cfm. Check out the
RolAir VT25 Big
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004PZABIC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Dave in Mass]

I have a bostich pancake compressor that I got with two of their nail guns as a kit for under $200 on sale
It has been great for basic work in the garage

Bob

This is what I have as well. Bought when I moved into my current house about 8 years ago, it came with a framing nailer, two finish nailers, a stapler, a blower, and a palm nailer. With a bag that hold all of the above except the framer.

Cost back then was just over $200 if I remember correctly. This thing has been great for home use including finishing basement. redoing deck, putting new 48"' opening in shed, re-nailing trim after doing 5 floors, etc... Since my Milwaukee Super Sawzall (Previous threads) was a gift, this kit has by far been the best tool investment I have made.

I realize the OP already has some nailers but who couldn't use more tools and if any new homeowners are reading, You will find use forall of the above tools over the years.

Enjoy.

 

[maxpower_hd]

I have a Porter Cable pancake and it runs brad and finish guns no problem. I have run two roofing guns at once without issue. It will easily pump up a tire and even works as just an air tank for the lawnmower tires. I also ran a flooring nailer with it when I did my hardwood floors. It is good for almost anything except running air tools which you said you don't need anyway. I have had no complaints. I did have to replace the gauges though because they are poorly positioned for travel IMHO.

I have used others but liked this one because it is small, light and easy to move around.

 

[maxpower_hd]

Actually, this link shows an updated version of mine with the gauges relocated and is only $150 regular price. You may find them for a little over $100 on sale or even less used on Craigslist.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Porter-Cable-6-gal-150-psi-Portable-Air-Compressor-C2002/203162815

 

[diver165]

California Air Tools 10gal. So quiet you can talk over it running. Runs all the nail guns I have from framers, brad nailers, staplers etc. It even runs my air ratchet and impact. It's small and compact and fills incredibly fast.


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