Don't know much about them, but have seen them in action on the home
improvement channels. In regard to the small ones like nailers and
drllls, do they need an air compressor? Just how does it get its
'power" if not from an compressor?

On Oct 10, 7:33*pm, novel8 wrote:
Don't know much about them, but have seen them in action on the home
improvement channels. In regard to the small ones like nailers and
drllls, do they need an air compressor? Just how does it get its
'power" if not from an compressor?

You would need to buy a compressor of the correct pressure and air
volume delivered. Many air tools these days have a little air turbine
inside. It's wise to have a dryer (removes moisture) and lubricator
for many tools.
When you have a compressor the air tools are cheaper and more powerful
than electric ones. Often they are lighter and last longer too if
looked after.
Siting the compressor and moving it about can be a problem.
You also get to use paintsprayers that work and nailers with some
clout.

novel8 wrote the following:
Don't know much about them, but have seen them in action on the home
improvement channels. In regard to the small ones like nailers and
drllls, do they need an air compressor? Just how does it get its
'power" if not from an compressor?

One brand has fuel cells that don't need an air compressor..
Paslode
http://www.paslode.com/

--

Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
In the original Orange County. Est. 1683
To email, remove the double zeroes after @

On Oct 10, 1:33*pm, novel8 wrote:
Don't know much about them, but have seen them in action on the home
improvement channels. In regard to the small ones like nailers and
drllls, do they need an air compressor? Just how does it get its
'power" if not from an compressor?

Air tools are not for everybody, in particular weekend DIYers. Air and
electric have vastly different characteristics and are not totally
interchangeable. For example, No one makes an air powered circular saw
that I am aware of. Air powered drills are sometimes frustrating
because they lack the slow speed torque of the electric models. An
electric impact gun is OK in an emergency, but no pro on flat rate
would waste time with one. OTOH, air powered nailers are really great
workshop additions. But even there, on some framing jobs they can be
surpassed by an electric impact driver and construction screws.
Bottom line, carefully consider what you need or want to do and buy a
well known type of tool to do it. If you plan to use a tool for many
years, buy quality. If not, or use is limited, many Chinese types are
good for starters. Never forget, there is eBay, Craigslist and the
want ads to get good prices.

Joe

"novel8" wrote in message
...
Don't know much about them, but have seen them in action on the home
improvement channels. In regard to the small ones like nailers and
drllls, do they need an air compressor? Just how does it get its
'power" if not from an compressor?

They all require a compressor and air tank. Even the cheapest hot dog unit
will power the smaller nailers for home DIY use.

I use a little $50 hot dog model to power everything up to a 15 gauge Senco
finish nailer for one user. Even my contractor grade pancake runs out of
air in a minute or so if I am using an air chisel. I suspect a drill would
use a lot of air. Paint sprayers can use more than you would think. An air
brush will run with minimal air supply.

One needs to read the CFM requirements of the tool one wants to use and
match the compressor unit to the demand.

The Paslode and some of the newer electrics may be a good choice where an
air supply is not easy. The gas and nails to feed them are more expensive
than regular stick nails for an air gun. I own one so I speak from
experience.


--
Colbyt
Please come visit http://www.househomerepair.com

"novel8" wrote in message
...
Don't know much about them, but have seen them in action on the home
improvement channels. In regard to the small ones like nailers and
drllls, do they need an air compressor? Just how does it get its
'power" if not from an compressor?

They are good for what they are good for, and one size does not fit all.

Compressors are commonly a "pancake" compressor, an electric unit with a
corpuscle shaped storage tank. Not much volume, but not needed with a
nailer.

Available in gas engine drives for construction sites where electricity is
not available.

If you have ever used an air nailer versus the regular means of fastening,
you will know there is worlds of difference. Say, in the amount of framing
one man can do in one day with a nailer versus a hammer. AND, the man isn't
worn to a nub at the end of the day.

For baseboards, it is infinitely easier, not having the bent nails common to
nailing in a contortionist position common to baseboard applications.

For small nailing applications, such as brads, staples, and small nailing,
they are the cats meow because if you can aim it where you want it, that's
where it goes, and in most of those situations, you are doing things three
handed. If you've ever hung on a ladder, and tried to get a wall to line up
and be plumb and square and just get a nail in there just to tack it and
hold it, you know what I'm talking about. With a nailer, when it's right,
BANG. Six milliseconds. No moving between the first and second hammer
impact.

If you've ever gone over the work of a framer at the end of the day, and see
how close they come to right, the nailer wins out, so long as the framer was
sober and know half ass what he's doing.

There is a limit that one will hit, and that comes to air volume. Tools are
all rated at volume of air they consume. An air ratchet will consume a lot
more air than a 15 ga. brad nailer. Those big inline sanders used in auto
body work require a lot of air. So, it will all depend on the tool you want
to run. In some cases, you can't do the work faster than the compressor can
put out, and in others, you have to do a little work, and wait ten minutes
for the compressor to fill up, then do another five minutes of work, and
wait another ten minutes.

It all has to do with the tool, and what it is that you are wanting to do.

All in all, they will improve the quality of work a man can do, and increase
sometimes greatly the amount of work a man can do in eight hours.

HTH

Steve

Joe wrote:

No one makes an air powered circular saw that I am aware of.

Apparently the Army and Amish use them:

http://forums.finehomebuilding.com/b...d-circular-saw

Long ago, I saw an Amish workshop with an air-powered radial arm saw.

novel8 wrote:

In regard to the small ones like nailers and drllls, do they
need an air compressor? Just how does it get its
'power" if not from an compressor?

It doesn't, and you're right it needs a compressor. Also there are
battery-powered nailers.

Pick the air tools before picking the compressor so you'll have a
compressor with adequate air delivery (CFM) and pressure. Compressors
vary a lot in CFM capacity, but maximum pressure is almost always
around 90-100PSI. Tools that operate continuously, like paint
sprayers and sanders, work poorly without adequate CFM, but
intermittent tools, like nailers, are usually OK with undersized
compressors. CFM is usually specified at 40 PSI and 90 PSI, so if a
tool's specs are at a different pressure, interpolate those two CFM
ratings.

Tools also vary in CFM and PSI requirements, and it seems Campbell-
Hausfeld tools tend to have among the lowest. However, their impact
wrenches aren't that great for really high torque.

Steve B wrote:

There is a limit that one will hit, and that comes to air volume. Tools are
all rated at volume of air they consume. An air ratchet
will consume a lot more air than a 15 ga. brad nailer. Those big
inline sanders used in auto body work require a lot of air. So, it
will all depend on the tool you want to run. In some cases, you
can't do the work faster than the compressor can put out, and in
others, you have to do a little work, and wait ten minutes for the
compressor to fill up, then do another five minutes of work, and wait
another ten minutes.
It all has to do with the tool, and what it is that you are wanting
to do.
All in all, they will improve the quality of work a man can do, and
increase sometimes greatly the amount of work a man can do in eight
hours.

I paid big bucks for a true 5hp 2 stage used "commercial" compressor, and have
never been sorry. It does just about anything I ask with plenty of reserve.
That, and the tools I got while Boeing surplus existed set me up for life.

novel8 wrote in news:ac99d68b-f35e-4d47-b0f3-
:

Don't know much about them, but have seen them in action on the home
improvement channels. In regard to the small ones like nailers and
drllls, do they need an air compressor? Just how does it get its
'power" if not from an compressor?

Learn about CFM/SCFM ratings. Compressors have output ratings and EACH air
tool has a requirement rating. Higher rated tools generally cannot be used
on lower rated compressors without some type of drawback from tool barely
running and/or compressor running too much (duty cycle) and damaging it.

On Oct 11, 2:02*am, "larry moe 'n curly"
wrote:
novel8 wrote:

In regard to the small ones like nailers and drllls, do they
need an air compressor? Just how does it get its
'power" if not from an compressor?

It doesn't, and you're right it needs a compressor. *Also there are
battery-powered nailers.

Pick the air tools before picking the compressor so you'll have a
compressor with adequate air delivery (CFM) and pressure. *Compressors
vary a lot in CFM capacity, but maximum pressure is almost always
around 90-100PSI. *Tools that operate continuously, like paint
sprayers and sanders, work poorly without adequate CFM, but
intermittent tools, like nailers, are usually OK with undersized
compressors. * *CFM is usually specified at 40 PSI and 90 PSI, so if a
tool's specs are at a different pressure, interpolate those two CFM
ratings.

Tools also vary in CFM and PSI requirements, and it seems Campbell-
Hausfeld tools tend to have among the lowest. *However, their impact
wrenches aren't that great for really high torque.

Well, when i watch these home improvement shows, most of the time they
show someone with an air nailer tool, and its looks completely
portable to me..no wire shown connected to the tool. ..which is odd,
cause most of these shows explain things, but not once did I ever hear
one of them say as they show using the tool, anything about a
compressor or whatever. Do they think that the watcher Knows? Well I
don't.

On Mon, 11 Oct 2010 10:03:37 -0700 (PDT), novel8
wrote:

Well, when i watch these home improvement shows, most of the time they
show someone with an air nailer tool, and its looks completely
portable to me..no wire shown connected to the tool. ..which is odd,
cause most of these shows explain things, but not once did I ever hear
one of them say as they show using the tool, anything about a
compressor or whatever. Do they think that the watcher Knows? Well I
don't.

When you watch those shows, and by going to the web site you will
often see sponsors listed and tools from the companies.

What you describe is a Paslode Nailer, mentioned here earlier.

http://www.paslode.com/

"Bob F" wrote


I paid big bucks for a true 5hp 2 stage used "commercial" compressor, and
have never been sorry. It does just about anything I ask with plenty of
reserve. That, and the tools I got while Boeing surplus existed set me up
for life.

If there is any advice I could give any home diyer, it would be go spend the
money and buy one of those stand up compressors that have like a 75 gallon
tank, and a two stage compressor. Plumb your garage/shop for it. You will
never look back, because when you need air, you got all the air you want.

That sounds like overkill, but a lot of tires now take 60 psi to inflate
properly, particularly trucks, and some trucks take more than that, and you
will have problems finding a home sized compressor that has that capability.
And if you ever grow into an inline sander, or impact tools, you'll be glad
to be spending your time working, and not waiting for the compressor to
catch up so you can have two or three minutes more of work and then wait for
the thing to kick on again. And then wait a half an hour until the thermal
kickout cools out enough to let the motor come on again.

Steve

Heart surgery pending?
Read up and prepare.
Learn how to care for a friend.
http://cabgbypasssurgery.com

"Steve B" wrote in
:


"Bob F" wrote


I paid big bucks for a true 5hp 2 stage used "commercial" compressor,
and have never been sorry. It does just about anything I ask with
plenty of reserve. That, and the tools I got while Boeing surplus
existed set me up for life.

If there is any advice I could give any home diyer, it would be go
spend the money and buy one of those stand up compressors that have
like a 75 gallon tank, and a two stage compressor. Plumb your
garage/shop for it. You will never look back, because when you need
air, you got all the air you want.

That sounds like overkill, but a lot of tires now take 60 psi to
inflate properly, particularly trucks, and some trucks take more than
that, and you will have problems finding a home sized compressor that
has that capability. And if you ever grow into an inline sander, or
impact tools, you'll be glad to be spending your time working, and not
waiting for the compressor to catch up so you can have two or three
minutes more of work and then wait for the thing to kick on again.
And then wait a half an hour until the thermal kickout cools out
enough to let the motor come on again.

Steve

Heart surgery pending?
Read up and prepare.
Learn how to care for a friend.
http://cabgbypasssurgery.com




Well said.

OP: Wanna buy a used pancake compressor? :-)

"Red Green" wrote in message
...
"Steve B" wrote in
:


"Bob F" wrote


I paid big bucks for a true 5hp 2 stage used "commercial" compressor,
and have never been sorry. It does just about anything I ask with
plenty of reserve. That, and the tools I got while Boeing surplus
existed set me up for life.

If there is any advice I could give any home diyer, it would be go
spend the money and buy one of those stand up compressors that have
like a 75 gallon tank, and a two stage compressor. Plumb your
garage/shop for it. You will never look back, because when you need
air, you got all the air you want.

That sounds like overkill, but a lot of tires now take 60 psi to
inflate properly, particularly trucks, and some trucks take more than
that, and you will have problems finding a home sized compressor that
has that capability. And if you ever grow into an inline sander, or
impact tools, you'll be glad to be spending your time working, and not
waiting for the compressor to catch up so you can have two or three
minutes more of work and then wait for the thing to kick on again.
And then wait a half an hour until the thermal kickout cools out
enough to let the motor come on again.

Steve

Heart surgery pending?
Read up and prepare.
Learn how to care for a friend.
http://cabgbypasssurgery.com




Well said.

OP: Wanna buy a used pancake compressor? :-)

Hey, for running a small nailer, those light pancakes are the cat's meow.
For anything else, though, they're not worth a lot.

Steve

On 10/11/2010 1:03 PM, novel8 wrote:
On Oct 11, 2:02 am, "larry moe 'n
wrote:
novel8 wrote:

In regard to the small ones like nailers and drllls, do they
need an air compressor? Just how does it get its
'power" if not from an compressor?

It doesn't, and you're right it needs a compressor. Also there are
battery-powered nailers.

Pick the air tools before picking the compressor so you'll have a
compressor with adequate air delivery (CFM) and pressure. Compressors
vary a lot in CFM capacity, but maximum pressure is almost always
around 90-100PSI. Tools that operate continuously, like paint
sprayers and sanders, work poorly without adequate CFM, but
intermittent tools, like nailers, are usually OK with undersized
compressors. CFM is usually specified at 40 PSI and 90 PSI, so if a
tool's specs are at a different pressure, interpolate those two CFM
ratings.

Tools also vary in CFM and PSI requirements, and it seems Campbell-
Hausfeld tools tend to have among the lowest. However, their impact
wrenches aren't that great for really high torque.

Well, when i watch these home improvement shows, most of the time they
show someone with an air nailer tool, and its looks completely
portable to me..no wire shown connected to the tool. ..which is odd,
cause most of these shows explain things, but not once did I ever hear
one of them say as they show using the tool, anything about a
compressor or whatever. Do they think that the watcher Knows? Well I
don't.

Captain Kirk didn't explain how his phaser worked, either.
But seriously- I have seen the hoses on some of the air tools they use,
and others (like the brad nailer) are probably electric. The camera shot
is usually so tight, and/or from the other side, that you probably
simply don't notice the hose behind the guy. These are usually pretty
skinny hoses, not like the fat ones you see at the gas station. I'm sure
they are running them off a portable air pig or a super-long hose, so
you don't hear the compressor running in the background. Or maybe just
waiting till the compressor cycles- you never see more than 2-3 nails go
in in one camera shot.

--
aem sends....

"Red Green" wrote in message
...
novel8 wrote in news:ac99d68b-f35e-4d47-b0f3-
:

Don't know much about them, but have seen them in action on the home
improvement channels. In regard to the small ones like nailers and
drllls, do they need an air compressor? Just how does it get its
'power" if not from an compressor?

Learn about CFM/SCFM ratings. Compressors have output ratings and EACH air
tool has a requirement rating. Higher rated tools generally cannot be used
on lower rated compressors without some type of drawback from tool barely
running and/or compressor running too much (duty cycle) and damaging it.

I have found the ratings to be somewhat ................... false. You can
not go wrong by having a compressor that is rated for more than your tool.
When they are rated right on the line of the tool's requirements, it will
either not keep up, or run constantly, and with those new obnoxious oilless
compressors, your fillings will loosen up before the end of the day.

Steve

On 10/11/2010 1:39 PM, Oren wrote:
On Mon, 11 Oct 2010 10:03:37 -0700 (PDT),
wrote:

Well, when i watch these home improvement shows, most of the time they
show someone with an air nailer tool, and its looks completely
portable to me..no wire shown connected to the tool. ..which is odd,
cause most of these shows explain things, but not once did I ever hear
one of them say as they show using the tool, anything about a
compressor or whatever. Do they think that the watcher Knows? Well I
don't.

When you watch those shows, and by going to the web site you will
often see sponsors listed and tools from the companies.

What you describe is a Paslode Nailer, mentioned here earlier.

http://www.paslode.com/

Looks expensive to keep fed. I suppose if you are making money with it,
it might make sense. So how do the things work? Butane-fed piston with
the trigger firing off a glorified stove igniter? The whole concept
doesn't seem real 'green'.

--
aem sends...

On Mon, 11 Oct 2010 16:08:38 -0400, aemeijers
wrote:

On 10/11/2010 1:39 PM, Oren wrote:
On Mon, 11 Oct 2010 10:03:37 -0700 (PDT),
wrote:

Well, when i watch these home improvement shows, most of the time they
show someone with an air nailer tool, and its looks completely
portable to me..no wire shown connected to the tool. ..which is odd,
cause most of these shows explain things, but not once did I ever hear
one of them say as they show using the tool, anything about a
compressor or whatever. Do they think that the watcher Knows? Well I
don't.

When you watch those shows, and by going to the web site you will
often see sponsors listed and tools from the companies.

What you describe is a Paslode Nailer, mentioned here earlier.

http://www.paslode.com/

Looks expensive to keep fed. I suppose if you are making money with it,
it might make sense. So how do the things work? Butane-fed piston with
the trigger firing off a glorified stove igniter? The whole concept
doesn't seem real 'green'.

They are pricey. Basically yes. A fuel cell that charges the tool and
then fires the nail / stapler. They won't fire unless it is pressed
against the material being fastened. Just like a compressor nailer.

I've used the Paslode stapler when installing new construction windows
(securing the window flanges). When standing on a ladder all day, they
are the tool of choice -- imho.

Inside a residence, just a air compressor and finish nailer it better.

"aemeijers" wrote\
Looks expensive to keep fed. I suppose if you are making money with it, it
might make sense. So how do the things work? Butane-fed piston with the
trigger firing off a glorified stove igniter? The whole concept doesn't
seem real 'green'.

--
aem sends...

Now, if we gets into gadgets, I WANT ONE OF THESE!

http://www.propanehammer.com/products.php

Steve

Heart surgery pending?
Read up and prepare.
Learn how to care for a friend.
http://cabgbypasssurgery.com

"Steve B" wrote in
:


"Red Green" wrote in message
...
novel8 wrote in news:ac99d68b-f35e-4d47-b0f3-
:

Don't know much about them, but have seen them in action on the home
improvement channels. In regard to the small ones like nailers and
drllls, do they need an air compressor? Just how does it get its
'power" if not from an compressor?

Learn about CFM/SCFM ratings. Compressors have output ratings and
EACH air tool has a requirement rating. Higher rated tools generally
cannot be used on lower rated compressors without some type of
drawback from tool barely running and/or compressor running too much
(duty cycle) and damaging it.

I have found the ratings to be somewhat ................... false.
You can not go wrong by having a compressor that is rated for more
than your tool. When they are rated right on the line of the tool's
requirements, it will either not keep up, or run constantly, and with
those new obnoxious oilless compressors, your fillings will loosen up
before the end of the day.

Steve




Absolutely true but do need to know the concept if you're green to
compressors. A pancake compressor is not gonna run an Ingersoll Rand mini
air reciprocating saw that requires 7cfm very well.

It will get you a new compressor though from running it at 100% duty
cycle :-)

On Oct 11, 6:03*pm, novel8 wrote:
On Oct 11, 2:02*am, "larry moe 'n curly"
wrote:





novel8 wrote:

In regard to the small ones like nailers and drllls, do they
need an air compressor? Just how does it get its
'power" if not from an compressor?

It doesn't, and you're right it needs a compressor. *Also there are
battery-powered nailers.

Pick the air tools before picking the compressor so you'll have a
compressor with adequate air delivery (CFM) and pressure. *Compressors
vary a lot in CFM capacity, but maximum pressure is almost always
around 90-100PSI. *Tools that operate continuously, like paint
sprayers and sanders, work poorly without adequate CFM, but
intermittent tools, like nailers, are usually OK with undersized
compressors. * *CFM is usually specified at 40 PSI and 90 PSI, so if a
tool's specs are at a different pressure, interpolate those two CFM
ratings.

Tools also vary in CFM and PSI requirements, and it seems Campbell-
Hausfeld tools tend to have among the lowest. *However, their impact
wrenches aren't that great for really high torque.

Well, when i watch these home improvement shows, most of the time they
show someone with an air nailer tool, and its looks completely
portable to me..no wire shown connected to the tool. ..which is odd,
cause most of these shows explain things, but not once did I ever hear
one of them say as they show using the tool, anything about a
compressor or whatever. Do they think that the watcher Knows? Well I
don't.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

You can also get gas powered and battery powered nailers. Do YOU know
that?

On Oct 11, 3:55*pm, "Bob F" wrote:
Steve B wrote:
There is a limit that one will hit, and that comes to air volume. Tools are
all rated at volume of air they consume. *An air ratchet
will consume a lot more air than a 15 ga. brad nailer. *Those big
inline sanders used in auto body work require a lot of air. *So, it
will all depend on the tool you want to run. *In some cases, you
can't do the work faster than the compressor can put out, and in
others, you have to do a little work, and wait ten minutes for the
compressor to fill up, then do another five minutes of work, and wait
another ten minutes.
It all has to do with the tool, and what it is that you are wanting
to do.
All in all, they will improve the quality of work a man can do, and
increase sometimes greatly the amount of work a man can do in eight
hours.

I paid big bucks for a true 5hp 2 stage used "commercial" compressor, and have
never been sorry. It does just about anything I ask with plenty of reserve.
That, and the tools I got while Boeing surplus existed set me up for life..

You need a portable compressor for many jobs. Waste of time & money
in the DIY workshop unless you can get a second hand one cheap.

On Oct 11, 9:08*pm, aemeijers wrote:
On 10/11/2010 1:39 PM, Oren wrote:



On Mon, 11 Oct 2010 10:03:37 -0700 (PDT),
wrote:

Well, when i watch these home improvement shows, most of the time they
show someone with an air nailer tool, and its looks completely
portable to me..no wire shown connected to the tool. ..which is odd,
cause most of these shows explain things, but not once did I ever hear
one of them say as they show using the tool, anything about a
compressor or whatever. Do they think that the watcher Knows? Well I
don't.

When you watch those shows, and by going to the web site you will
often see sponsors listed and tools from the companies.

What you describe is a Paslode Nailer, mentioned here earlier.

http://www.paslode.com/

Looks expensive to keep fed. I suppose if you are making money with it,
it might make sense. So how do the things work? Butane-fed piston with
the trigger firing off a glorified stove igniter? The whole concept
doesn't seem real 'green'.

--
aem sends...- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

They are very expensive to buy and run. The nails cost more, you have
to buy gas cartridges and it needs a battery charger to charge the
spark battery. (You need two batteries at least)
They are heavy and cumbersome too. However, they are very powerful
and will drive a five inch nail.
The nails and gas cartridge come in a pack.