wrote in message
ups.com...
Leon -
I typed out a detailed response, but it went to cyberspace.
Somewhere. Here 'tis again.

For the compressor, take off the cap on the tank regulator (not the
pressure regulator to the gun). It may or may not have a diagram
inside the cap; the diagram will show the adjustment screw between the
exposed switches (at this time, the compressor should be unplugged!!)
with some arrows pointing with labeled with detailed instrcutions like
"hogher" and "lower". Sometimes the adjustment screw in on the side,
but most of the time it is in the middle. Adjust the tank pressure
gauge up and it will maintain a higher pressure in the tank, but more
importantly raise the pressure at which your compressor will refill
the tank. You can usually only get ten pounds or so out of the deal,
but with a framing gun it is worth every pound. Brad guns - who
cares.

Thanks I'll look in to that.


As for the hose vs. electrical, unless you need more electrical cords
buy hose. You can buy a good 50' rubber hose (most flexible no matter
what the weather, but little abrasion resistance) by Goodyear at HF
for something like $24. It is good to have this one behind the gun as
on a cold day it will easily flex. DO NOT buy a rubber hose from
anywhere but the US. I found out the hard way they don't cure the
rubber the same.

I am using a 50' rubber Goodyear now.


I use the poly reinforced hoses, and they are available everywhere.
They will take a helluva beating, are extremely abrasion resistant,
punture resistant, and they are cheap. The only knock I have is in
the dead of a cold winter they will not unroll. Buy your fittings at
HF, as they have pack of 4 males and one female fittings and couplings
for about $2.50, or about half the price of one fitting at HD. They
are on sale for this about every other week. They are solid brass
with stainless internals. I have had no luck with steel fittings as
the plating gets scratched off from dragging them around on the jobs
(slabs, asphalt, roofs) and they rust. HF fittings last well and
cheap enough ot keep a couple of extra sets around.

I have plenty of fittings but will look into the poly hose.


I wouldn't use 14 ga extension cords, no matter what the length on
anything but a weedeater. No matter what the manufacturer says,
remember he is giving you specs that are based perfect lab conditions,
and that just isn't so out in the field. Many house operate at less
than optimum voltage due to bad wiring, low input, too much attached
to the panel, or at peak times of population use it can even be low
at service box.

I'll keep that in mind. I do prefer to plug the compressor directly in to
the wall.



Use heavier cords as a matter of course, and it seems to help the
tools when they surge or draw more power than the lab specs. There is
a really noticeable difference in using a 14 ga cord and a 12 gauge
cord when using even my smallest saws. The final pointer for cord
determination came to me when I had a compressor that wouldn't run
more than 30 minutes without overheating at most houses on regular
110v with a 50' 12 ga extension which was well in manufacturer's
specs. Jumped to a 10 ga, and it ran all day everywhere I went.



Substituted a $15 hose and $2 worth of fittings for the $65 10 ga
cord, and plugged the compressor straight into the outlet. Best
solution yet. Every tool is happier with the least amount of
extension cords. So the compressor was happy being plugged straight
into the outlet, and I didn't have that expensive cord in the truck.

Yeah, I suspected the hose would be a lot cheaper. Just more tail to keep
track of. ;~)


And yes, believe it or not, if you get enough hose on the compressor
it will make a difference. Quicker minds than mind could determine
how many cubic feet extra a 3/8 or 1/2 hose would carry under
pressure, but I found that out when I used to put 300 or so feet of
house on my compressor when framing houses. I am not sure what one
hose would do, and it certainly won't make up for a large tank, but
you could get some extra mileage out of a couple or three hoses on the
machine.

Anything else, leeme lone. Just kiddin... let me know. ;^)

Thanks again Robert, you have been a big help.