Compressor/Nailgun question

[coykiam]

Hi All,

New member here. I currently have a 2 year old HDX 947282 small air compressor that was given to me. Recently I was doing some moulding work around the house using a punch and a hammer. I was thinking of purchasing a framing nail gun but was concern of how small and possible underpowered the HDX unit is.

The specs are: 2 Gallon
0.5 CFM @ 40 psi
0.4 CFM @ 90 psi
100 psi max

Will this small compressor handle the Nailgun demands or is it too weak?

 

[mayday0017]

If you nail slow it will work

 

[WVUTampaAlum]

Framing nailer for molding? Pick up a brad nailer. I have a HF pro one I picked up in 2004. I've run about 6000 brads through it with no problem.

 

[coykiam]

Are you talking about this?

http://www.harborfreight.com/18-gauge-brad-nailer-68021.html#.UyG-Qvu0zTo

For $19.99, I wouldn't mind picking one up...til I upgrade to decent ones.

 

[EOC_Jason]

^^^ Yeah I would assume that is what he is talking about.

Brad nailers (and even regular nail guns) don't use that much air, the small pancake compressors should be sufficient.

 

[coykiam]

awesome! thanks all...will be picking one up!

 

[WVUTampaAlum]

Mine is a different color but basically the same. For a non pro usage it is awesome. Even came with extra rubber gasket and hammer mechanism which I still have never used.

 

[gary300]

Just the air stored in the hose will fire a brad nailer.

 

[bcradio]

Hi All,

New member here. I currently have a 2 year old HDX 947282 small air compressor that was given to me. Recently I was doing some moulding work around the house using a punch and a hammer. I was thinking of purchasing a framing nail gun but was concern of how small and possible underpowered the HDX unit is.

The specs are: 2 Gallon
0.5 CFM @ 40 psi
0.4 CFM @ 90 psi
100 psi max

Will this small compressor handle the Nailgun demands or is it too weak?

Are you talking about this?

http://www.harborfreight.com/18-gauge-brad-nailer-68021.html#.UyG-Qvu0zTo

For $19.99, I wouldn't mind picking one up...til I upgrade to decent ones.

I would put upgrading your compressor higher on the list than your guns

 

[coykiam]

I would put upgrading your compressor higher on the list than your guns

I was just curious since this small one is obviously much easier to carry and wouldn't want to waste it. I have a bigger 20 Gal compressor in my garage I use for my other air tools. I don't know when I will be doing some moulding work but who knows, I might end up getting one of those combo kits for $200.

 

[rlitman]

Just the air stored in the hose will fire a brad nailer.

Just the air stored in the nailer's handle. It's actually designed that way.

I've never seen a nailer that won't work off the smallest of pancake compressors. Maybe an airbrush compressor that doesn't make enough pressure (or have a tank) wouldn't work, but any pancake would be fine for any nailer. It's just that with bigger nailers, you may have to wait a couple of seconds between nails for the compressor to catch up. It's no big deal unless you're building a house.

 

[skruft]

I agree - if you are using an 18ga nailer any compressor with a tank is adequate. Note that with larger molding it is common to use a 15or 16ga nailer, but even that does not need much air.