Air Compressor Recommendation.

Mar 15th, 2022 5:49 pm

#1

qwerty17327 [OP]: Member; Sep 20, 2011; 428 posts; 2055 upvotes; Centre of the Univer…

Mar 15th, 2022 5:49 pm

Hello everyone.
I am a newbie woodworker. I have been doing small projects at home like making shelf for keeping plants, bookshelf with angled shelves, computer desk from reclaimed wood, etc. I am thinking of raising a fence on the exposed side of our townhouse in the summer using used fence panels.

I am thinking I would need a nailer to fix the fence posts, and maybe used it to dust off things in the garage (woodshop). After some research, I decided an air compressor might be a good investment instead of getting a battery-powered brad-nailer for $300 (Craftsman). I could potentially use the air compressor for other things in the future like painting/varnishing?

After looking at some models on amazon, I think 1 gallon is too small, 6 gallon is enough, and anything more is overkill for nailing, painting.

Now, I just need some help picking the right one. I don't have money to blow. If you think I don't need an air compressor, that is also a valid consideration. Price is a major decision-maker, if not, I would have bought the Dewalt one without question. Trying to get the most value.

I was also keeping an eye out on kijiji for used ones.

Here are choices I have now (sorted by price)

$269 - CRAFTSMAN Air Compressor, 6 Gallon, Pancake, Oil-Free with 13 Piece Accessory Kit (CMEC6150K)
https://www.amazon.ca/CRAFTSMAN-Compres ... 07KHHDJGD/

$239 - BOSTITCH BTFP1KIT-CA 1-Tool and Compressor Combo Kit
https://www.amazon.ca/BOSTITCH-BTFP1KIT ... B015R40QSY

$229 - DEWALT Pancake Air Compressor, 6 Gallon, 165 PSI (DWFP55126)
https://www.amazon.ca/DEWALT-DWFP55126- ... 00K34UZBW/

$189 - BOSTITCH BTFP02012 6 Gallon Pancake Compressor
https://www.amazon.ca/BOSTITCH-BTFP0201 ... B00UHNM1R0
I would have buy the nailer separately.

Any advice is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Mar 15th, 2022 6:11 pm

#2

PCShutters: Deal Addict; Sep 5, 2011; 1180 posts; 2108 upvotes; Toronto

Mar 15th, 2022 6:11 pm

6 gallon oil less compressors will not be good enough for continuous use tools like spray paint and sander.

6 gallons is only good for nail guns and impact wrench, fill up the tires, etc.

It is not even good enough to blow the dust out of your workshop. For that, use a leaf blower

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+2

Mar 15th, 2022 6:23 pm

#3

Zamboni: Deal Fanatic; Oct 19, 2008; 7308 posts; 2895 upvotes; Whitby

Mar 15th, 2022 6:23 pm

Don't need a nailer for a fence, screws are better. Sure a nailer is faster but your not doing it for a living.

+3

Mar 15th, 2022 6:41 pm

#4

PCShutters: Deal Addict; Sep 5, 2011; 1180 posts; 2108 upvotes; Toronto

Mar 15th, 2022 6:41 pm

Zamboni wrote: ↑ Don't need a nailer for a fence, screws are better. Sure a nailer is faster but your not doing it for a living.

The op just wanted a good excuse to buy a new tool. We all have been there…many times…hehe

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DIY: California/Plantation Shutters w/ Basic Tools
DIY: Curved Staircase from Rough-Sawn Lumber
DIY: Kitchen Build from Scratch
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+3

Mar 15th, 2022 6:50 pm

#5

Todd96srv: Sr. Member; Dec 4, 2009; 695 posts; 687 upvotes

Mar 15th, 2022 6:50 pm

Go big or go home. Compressors are great tools, everyone should have at least 1 in their garage…

Dewalt 5 SCFM

+1

Mar 15th, 2022 7:04 pm

#6

qwerty17327 [OP]: Member; Sep 20, 2011; 428 posts; 2055 upvotes; Centre of the Univer…

Mar 15th, 2022 7:04 pm

PCShutters wrote: ↑ The op just wanted a good excuse to buy a new tool. We all have been there…many times…hehe

Exactly!

Mar 15th, 2022 7:05 pm

#7

qwerty17327 [OP]: Member; Sep 20, 2011; 428 posts; 2055 upvotes; Centre of the Univer…

Mar 15th, 2022 7:05 pm

PCShutters wrote: ↑ It is not even good enough to blow the dust out of your workshop. For that, use a leaf blower

In that case, it seems pointless to get a compressor. I will think about this more before I pull the trigger.

Mar 15th, 2022 7:11 pm

#8

PCShutters: Deal Addict; Sep 5, 2011; 1180 posts; 2108 upvotes; Toronto

Mar 15th, 2022 7:11 pm

Todd96srv wrote: ↑ Go big or go home. Compressors are great tools, everyone should have at least 1 in their garage…

Dewalt 5 SCFM

I have that exact unit in my other garage. Bought it used on Kijiji for only $150.

Unfortunately, even that unit is still not good enough for spray paint or air sanders.

I have a much bigger one in my main garage.

PCShutters DIY Home Renovation Projects
DIY: California/Plantation Shutters w/ Basic Tools
DIY: Curved Staircase from Rough-Sawn Lumber
DIY: Kitchen Build from Scratch
DIY: Popcorn ceiling to Coffered Ceiling

+2

Mar 16th, 2022 10:05 am

#9

arisk: Deal Addict; Nov 12, 2006; 2881 posts; 2057 upvotes; London

Mar 16th, 2022 10:05 am

PCShutters wrote: ↑ It is not even good enough to blow the dust out of your workshop. For that, use a leaf blower

qwerty17327 wrote: ↑ In that case, it seems pointless to get a compressor. I will think about this more before I pull the trigger.

Decide your purpose.
The top quote seems to be referring to blowing (sawdust?) dust from an entire room.
For most, that won't be the purpose.

I frequently use a 3 gal for blowing dust etc. off anything you can imagine.
It is more than enough.
It is in line with your comment "dust off things in the garage".
Of course (as stated), for painting and sanding you need more.

You refer to "pointless to get a compressor".
Don't underestimate the utility.
Everyone should have one, and afterwards you'll wonder how you did without.
I'd put it above a power nailer for fence repair (if you insist on nails over screws).
You can always use a hammer.

+1

Mar 16th, 2022 11:00 am

#10

qwerty17327 [OP]: Member; Sep 20, 2011; 428 posts; 2055 upvotes; Centre of the Univer…

Mar 16th, 2022 11:00 am

arisk wrote: ↑ Decide your purpose.
The top quote seems to be referring to blowing (sawdust?) dust from an entire room.
For most, that won't be the purpose.

I frequently use a 3 gal for blowing dust etc. off anything you can imagine.
It is more than enough.
It is in line with your comment "dust off things in the garage".
Of course (as stated), for painting and sanding you need more.

You refer to "pointless to get a compressor".
Don't underestimate the utility.
Everyone should have one, and afterwards you'll wonder how you did without.
I'd put it above a power nailer for fence repair (if you insist on nails over screws).
You can always use a hammer.

When I said dust off things in the garage, I meant on the work pieces, right before varnishing/painting. I hated using that tack cloth. From what you said, 6 gallon should be powerful enough to do that.

I was in the fence about buying it as I am not a professional carpenter/woodworker. So far, the only use case I can come up with is to use with nailer, painting/varnishing (for which 6gallon seems not enough), quick blow things off work pieces, and perhaps inflate tires.

Thanks for all of your comments, I am reconsidering the purchase, if any of the above goes on proper sale, I will pull the trigger.

Mar 16th, 2022 11:08 am

#11

tmkf_patryk: Deal Addict; Dec 27, 2007; 4447 posts; 1733 upvotes; Edmonton

Mar 16th, 2022 11:08 am

Todd96srv wrote: ↑ Go big or go home. Compressors are great tools, everyone should have at least 1 in their garage…

Dewalt 5 SCFM

You say go big or go home and you post a dinky little compressor. What’s wrong with you?

5 scfm you can’t even hvlp paint gun properly.
I’m at 18scfm and compressor runs a lot when painting

warming up the earth 1 gas fill-up at a time...
You only live once, get a v8

+3

Mar 16th, 2022 11:30 am

#12

smitty9999: Deal Addict; Dec 25, 2007; 1336 posts; 843 upvotes; GTA

Mar 16th, 2022 11:30 am

I have a Makita 5200. It's 6.5 CFM at 90psi. The only drawback for it is a smallish tank. I keep it in the garage. For my house when I'm installing trim I use a smaller Makita AC001

+1

Mar 16th, 2022 6:57 pm

#13

slowtyper: Deal Guru; Sep 2, 2008; 12445 posts; 2188 upvotes

Mar 16th, 2022 6:57 pm

Rather than renting a compressor to install some hardwood flooring, I am thinking of buying and selling it afterwards. Can anyone recommendation what would be appropriate for this use as well as hold its resale better for resale?

Thanks

Mar 16th, 2022 8:12 pm

#14

Todd96srv: Sr. Member; Dec 4, 2009; 695 posts; 687 upvotes

Mar 16th, 2022 8:12 pm

tmkf_patryk wrote: ↑ You say go big or go home and you post a dinky little compressor. What’s wrong with you?

5 scfm you can’t even hvlp paint gun properly.
I’m at 18scfm and compressor runs a lot when painting

…

Mar 16th, 2022 8:43 pm

#15

JEDI Force: Deal Addict; Feb 25, 2004; 1628 posts; 1161 upvotes; Longueuil

Mar 16th, 2022 8:43 pm

I am also looking for a small compressor. I am thinking about 6 gal because anything bigger is not easily portable (I don't have a garage so I want to move it easily using the stairs from the basement). I looked at used deals on kijiji and Facebook but I didn't find a good deal so far. It appears to be out of stock unfortunately but the 6 gal Ridgid at Home Depot seems to be a good price (about the same as used less trusty brand I found) for a very decent unit.
https://www.homedepot.ca/product/ridgid ... 1001004662

I don't know if/when it will be back in stock.

Try not! Do or do not, there is no try...

Mar 17th, 2022 6:40 am

#16

CaptSmethwick: Deal Fanatic; Oct 12, 2007; 8320 posts; 7038 upvotes; Ottawa

Mar 17th, 2022 6:40 am

OP: I don't recommend using compressed air for dusting workpieces and would suggest that you stay with the tack-cloth method. Dust in the air is bad. Instead, get a unit like this: POWERTEC AF4000 3 SPD Air Filtration System, 300/350/400-CFM or build your own with a wooden box, a box fan, and a furnace filter.

And please wear a mask when you're sanding.

smitty9999 wrote: ↑ I have a Makita 5200. It's 6.5 CFM at 90psi. The only drawback for it is a smallish tank. I keep it in the garage. For my house when I'm installing trim I use a smaller Makita AC001

I have the same one. This is about as powerful as you can get in a compressor without moving up to a 220v unit (or even bigger). I mostly use it to power air tools (for which it is more than adequate) but if I was to be doing HVLP painting, I would consider a secondary tank and I am not sure what kind of results I would get - as good as this compressor is.

I always upvote respectful/helpful posts wherever I encounter them.

+3

Mar 17th, 2022 9:51 am

#17

tmkf_patryk: Deal Addict; Dec 27, 2007; 4447 posts; 1733 upvotes; Edmonton

Mar 17th, 2022 9:51 am

CaptSmethwick wrote: ↑ OP: I don't recommend using compressed air for dusting workpieces and would suggest that you stay with the tack-cloth method. Dust in the air is bad. Instead, get a unit like this: POWERTEC AF4000 3 SPD Air Filtration System, 300/350/400-CFM or build your own with a wooden box, a box fan, and a furnace filter.

And please wear a mask when you're sanding.

I have the same one. This is about as powerful as you can get in a compressor without moving up to a 220v unit (or even bigger). I mostly use it to power air tools (for which it is more than adequate) but if I was to be doing HVLP painting, I would consider a secondary tank and I am not sure what kind of results I would get - as good as this compressor is.

Depends on the help gun and their cam requirements and your tank size, you can calculate your run time.

warming up the earth 1 gas fill-up at a time...
You only live once, get a v8

Mar 17th, 2022 10:29 am

#18

l69norm: Deal Expert; Jun 12, 2007; 19256 posts; 6287 upvotes; London

Mar 17th, 2022 10:29 am

qwerty17327 wrote: ↑ Hello everyone.
I am a newbie woodworker. .... I could potentially use the air compressor for other things in the future like painting/varnishing?
....
After looking at some models on amazon, I think 1 gallon is too small, 6 gallon is enough, and anything more is overkill for nailing, painting. ...

CaptSmethwick wrote: ↑ ... but if I was to be doing HVLP painting, I would consider a secondary tank and I am not sure what kind of results I would get - as good as this compressor is.

For finishing of wood working projects, I'd look for a turbine powered HVLP setup rather than a traditional spray gun / air compressor setup

Those turbine based systems are essentially a self contained fan based system that start at $100 and go up over $1K for production grade units. They are much like a fancy leaf blower that's been adapted for spray painting. For$500, you can get a pretty decent turbine setup that produces high quality results.

https://fujispray.com/compressor-or-hvl ... ne-system/

The other option is LVLP guns that work with the smaller air compressors (low volume, low pressure)

https://www.princessauto.com/en/lvlp-gr ... 0008531733

Also, even with the air compressor to blow away debris, you still must use a tack cloth.

+1

Mar 17th, 2022 12:24 pm

#19

arisk: Deal Addict; Nov 12, 2006; 2881 posts; 2057 upvotes; London

Mar 17th, 2022 12:24 pm

CaptSmethwick wrote: ↑ OP: I don't recommend using compressed air for dusting workpieces and would suggest that you stay with the tack-cloth method. Dust in the air is bad. Instead, get a unit like this: POWERTEC AF4000 3 SPD Air Filtration System, 300/350/400-CFM or build your own with a wooden box, a box fan, and a furnace filter.

Two completely different concepts.
Of course, as the OP suggests working in a residential garage, blowing stuff off outdoors is preferred.

It also doesn't have to be just wood dust.
There are times I blow water or lube/cleaner off parts that would be impossible to wipe clean.

Mar 17th, 2022 3:46 pm

#20

CaptSmethwick: Deal Fanatic; Oct 12, 2007; 8320 posts; 7038 upvotes; Ottawa

Mar 17th, 2022 3:46 pm

arisk wrote: ↑ Two completely different concepts.
Of course, as the OP suggests working in a residential garage, blowing stuff off outdoors is preferred.

It also doesn't have to be just wood dust.
There are times I blow water or lube/cleaner off parts that would be impossible to wipe clean.

Agreed that they are different. I am recommending a dust collection system to improve air quality as clearly the OP is sanding indoors. Now, if they are hand-sanding not as much floats around in the air but power sanding indoors is just something I don't do anymore.

I do use compressed air for cleaning car parts but that gunk doesn't really float around to be breathed in.

I always upvote respectful/helpful posts wherever I encounter them.