Air Compressor and Nail Guns

1.  This is my compressor.  It’s a little Porter Cable pancake compressor.  It packs 135 PSI (pounds per square inch) of pressure.  Every pneumatic tool has it’s own operating pressure requirements.  You must refer to that tool or operating manual when setting the operating pressure on the air compressor before using said tool with said air compressor.  🙂

Pros: It is light enough for me to pick up and carry around the job site (my home).  It’s got enough pressure and capacity to power all my nail guns.

Cons:  The small capacity tank requires the motor has to kick on frequently to maintain enough pressure to power my nail guns.  It doesn’t cut it for powering a paint sprayer.  The motor has to run constantly and even then, there is just not enough air pressure to work with that tool.  (At least that is my experience.)

Air Compressor and Nail Guns

*Important step that is often overlooked or unknown:  The tank must be drained of condensation so it doesn’t rust out your tank or get forced into through the hose and into the nail gun.

My 16 gauge Porter Cable Finish Nailer is my go to gun.  I use it when I build anything from picture frames and cabinets and when I install moulding and wainscoting.  It requires a range of 70 to 120 PSI.

16 ga finish nailer

 

I have an 18 gauge Craftsman finish nailer/stapler gun that I can only use as a stapler because it jams EVERY time I try to use it as a nailer.

It would be handy if the NAIL gun aspect worked for tight to reach spots but I’ve been surviving without it.

*I use it all the time to staple on the backs of my cabinets.

18ga brad nailer

See my full review of the 18V cordless DeWalt nail gun.

Dewalt nail gun.

My DeWalt Framing Nailer packs a punch!  It has a strong recoil so I use two hands as often as possible with this bad boy.

DeWalt framing nailer

This nailer has dual fire options.  I can switch out the trigger to a bump fire trigger which would allow me to hold in the trigger and fire a nail every time I bump the nose guard.  I think that’s an accident waiting to happen so I have never switched to the Bump Fire Trigger!

***It’s important to know that not all guns have the same safety features so make sure you read your owners manual to understand how to safely use the gun that you have!***

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28 Comments

  1. I have the same compressor and mostly the same guns (I have 4 of them). I LOVE my air compressor. Works great to fill up tires and spray dust out of the garage too. 😉

    I didn’t know about most of the stuff you said in your video though (shame, I know). I do let the air out after each use, but I didn’t know to actually tip it and drain it. Last time I used it, rust water spilled out, so I know I’m in trouble now. Ugh.

    Also, I didn’t have any idea about the two gauges on top and what they are used for. Well, I did know it told how much compression but I figured it was just inside the tank, not for the gun too. I’ve never once changed my compression (Oops. I’m going to now though!).

    Also, I have owned my stuff for more than 2 years and I have never oiled my guns. Yikes. I’m so glad I watched your video b/c I really did learn a lot about maintenance of the compressor and guns.

    Thanks for creating and posting it. I know it takes a long time to make videos, edit them, and blog about them, and I appreciate you doing it.

  3. I’d be in serious trouble if I didn’t know the difference between a countersink bit and a nail set but thanks for clearing that up. 🙂 (I had to go back and edit my previous comment since you brought that brain fart to my attention. Thanks so much.) 🙂

  4. Seconded on the part about snugging the tip up to the moulding. It’s a rookie mistake I’ve made myself once.

    Just a note on terminology. A countersink [tool] when referred to as a tool is like the head of an oversized drill bit for making conic-shaped holes for countersinking screws. Just an FYI to not confuse the tool store guy.

    For nails, it’s called a Nail Set. It’s basically a spike without cutting flutes you’d find on a countersink bit. For brad nails, it’s annoying to use a pointy [round] set since it always slips off the nail. Here’s a rectangular one if you’re in the market http://www.amazon.com/Porta-Nail-Flooring-Nail-Staple-Setting/dp/B00008CMRE/?tag=toolmonger-20

  5. I’ll keep your request in mind but I have the same dilemna of projects piling up. Seems I always think of new ones long before I finish what I’m working on.

    Snag away. Didn’t even notice. Thanks for the credit. =)

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