Job Compressor comparison

dknarnd · Apr 2, 2006

Looking to buy a job compressor for future home/barn construction and maintenance projects plus the usual garage use of tires. I am not a contractor so it will not see everyday use. Still I would like it to handle two roofing or framing nailers. Would a compressor like this run an impact gun on occasion?

Porter Cable compressor lube free, 150 PSI with one 4.5 gallon tank. Horsepower rating is 3.5 peak and 1.6 running. Air delivery is 7.8 SCFM @ 40 PSI and 6.0 SCFM @ 90 PSI. Draws 15 amp I believe.

Rigid compressor oil-lube, 135 PSI with twin tanks total capacity of 5 gallon. Horsepower rating is 3 peak and 1.5 running. Air delivery is 4.6 SCFM @ 90 PSI. Draws 12.5 amp's.

RobS · Apr 2, 2006

Ah, an AIR compressor. I saw JOB compressor and I'm thinking I need the same thing. Shoot, if there was a way to compress all of our jobs I'd buy three of 'em!

For an AIR compressor, just about anything will inflate tires and run the air nailers. Even the occasional use of an impact but for constant use or a sander, sprayer, or any other tool that has a rotary air motor in it you'll need serious airflow.

The models you mentioned should be fine, the oil-lube model will be much quieter. The flow ratings are not directly comparable as the pressure is different with each. I have a cheapie oil-free that is nice to lug around but sounds awful.

And let me know when you find that JOB compressor /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

5030 · Apr 2, 2006

A big tractor is a job compressor. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

dknarnd · Apr 2, 2006

( Ah, an AIR compressor. I saw JOB compressor and I'm thinking I need the same thing. Shoot, if there was a way to compress all of our jobs I'd buy three of 'em!)

Aw...I see the proper phrasing of the question is critical!

Guess I would be a good example of a "job extender"! Have had our kitchen sink sitting in our basement for 7 years now, never out of the box. Went and designed the kitchen recently and was ready to order the cabinets then figured I had better unbury that sink and take a look at it. Well I designed the kitchen for a 30" basin but the basin in the basement was a 36"! Back to the drawing board. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif And now I have a garage full of cabinets still in boxes for three weeks.

Oil free and noise is a good point, I have a sears oil-free in the garage at my other place.

Bird · Apr 2, 2006

( Would a compressor like this run an impact gun on occasion? )

Yes. Most half inch impacts need about 4 SCFM at 90 psi; only a few need 5 SCFM. Of course the three-quarter and larger impacts need a bit more, but 4 SCFM will work them, just not at full power. You should get full power from the half inch or smaller though.

Soundguy · Apr 3, 2006

If it were me.. I'd get the oil lubed one.. they are much quieter.

The pancake compressors run nailers ok.. but they are not great for impact guns.. just don't have enough air in that 4 g tank.. though you can always plumb in a cheap CH 15 gallon tank with a hose and a few fittings, and then raise the amount of air you have available. On my old pancake compressor. it ran the impact gun.. but the air used up ont he hammer cycles was sometimes insuficient to get the nut broke loose.. more air would have helped.

Soundguy

dknarnd · Apr 3, 2006

Yep I bought the oil lubed compressor and I was thinking the same thing you mentioned Soundguy. Figured if I really needed a little more volume I would hook up a small tank to it.