Folks, I am going to purchase a compressor combo kit this weekend. I will be using it for DIY stuff around the house.
Does anyone have opinions about either of these 2 kits?
Stanley Bostitch
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=253002-354-CPACK300&lpage=none
Porter Cable
Replies
I have never been a fan of oil free air compressors.
Whatever you choose be sure that you can get nails for them.
What tools are serviced locally.
Often local dealers sell for close to the same price.
Bostich....
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
A friend of mine bought the Porter Cable. The guns are basic but fine. Conpresser is very loud but light. He ran a Paslode framer with 2 1/2" ring shank nails to put down a subfloor with no problem. (Not something I'd do to a small pancake compressor but to each their own). No complaints for something at that price, but nothing special either.
I think there are a couple of other combos out there besides the Bostich that may compare favorably. Makita has a similar deal with a twin tank and better gun up here through Rona.
I had that PC compressor. Light and durable, but very loud. The bostich compressotr will be almost the same.
The combo is a good deal, but I would prefer to have a 15 ga gun rather than the 16.
"Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Bostich, all our guns are Bostich, very happy with them
I have both and I prefer the Bost. Check and see if the Porter are the newly redesigned guns they have a number of improvements to them.
i'd go with the bostich,cause i have a couple of there guns and like em.
drop by your post office and get a change of address.lowes has a 10 off coupon enclosed.
YOU ONLY NEED TWO TOOLS IN LIFE - WD-40 AND DUCT TAPE. IF IT DOESN'T
MOVE AND SHOULD, USE THE WD-40. IF IT SHOULDN'T MOVE AND DOES, USE THE
DUCT TAPE.
I have to recomend the one I just bought, a Makita MAC700 with an 18g nailer. It's quiet. I can talk to someone standing right next to it. It keeps up with my framing nailer and palm nailer. It's oil lubricated so it should last a few years before it needs any attention, and it's quiet. I love it every time it turns on! And I just saw it on sale for Fathers Day.
Edited 6/20/2009 1:20 am ET by Vwright
I bought the Makita combo too. Very nice gun, quiet compressor, but a pig to carry compared to the PC pancake.
Can't speak for other brands, but I've had no prob with the PC combo set. Loud compressor, but so what - I'm not working late at night with people trying to sleep, or in someone else's house. My kit came with a 15ga finish nailer, 18ga brad nailer, and 18ga stapler. Never had a jam, you can use generic non-PC brand nails, love it.
I bought the PC outfit 3 years ago and added the PC 15 ga angle nailer as well as the PC framing gun (both reconditioned). Have just completed three major DIY projects ( 10 rooms and a deck)involving a fair amount of framing and lots of trim. The PC compressor is loud, but I have not had a single problem with the compressor or any of the guns. In fact, I can not advise you how easy it is to clear a jam because I have never had one. I am very careful to oil the guns and drain the compressor as directed and have found the nails readily available at my local lumber yard as well as HD. For a DIYer working alone, the compressor has no problem keeping up with you even using the framing nailer.
I've got the PC. I abuse it when I use it. I don't do production nailing, rather restoration/remodel work. I do the occasional roof deck or sheathing with it. Don't use it for framing very heavily. It has a hard time keeping up with nailing off sheathing. It's hugely, annoyingly LOUD! It has held up pretty well, but I would not buy it again just for the noise alone.Steve
Did you say it was loud? Speak up , I can't hear you.
In defence of the PC compressor, it should be noted that all pancake compressor like that are equally loud."Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
>>it should be noted that all pancake compressor like that are equally loud.<<Not the Thomas ones. But they cost 300 bucks.Steve
>>I can not advise you how easy it is to clear a jam because I have never had one. <<
PC finish guns are very easy to clear - swing open plate on the nose, nail generally falls out on its own.
Have only had true jams on the 18 ga nailer and that problem was caused by one box of brand "X" nails - junked the box of nails and jams ceased.
However, I have the uncanny ability to shoot trim nails directly on top of drywall screws during baseboard installs - this results in a bent nail which sometimes requires clearing, or more often produces a cool S shape hanging out of the trim.
I do not blame the PC guns for either of these problems.
I have the same PC set up except added 1/2 price clearance PC 15 ga angle nailer, Hitachi framer, Bostich palm and roofing nailers.
The PC compressor is loud, but light. The compressor is fast enough for one guy working alone except when nailing off sheathing or decking - also can be trying when using the palm nailer to nail off joist hangers - but I do not want to haul the 80+ pound "solution" every day.
JimNever underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
I have the PC, been 4 years now. No problems (knock on wood).
It is loud, but for DIY it's fine (keeps the DW out of the room). The guns have been great, no jams or major problems.
Check out the Bostich nails, I think you have to buy their nails only. The PC nails come from many sources. (I could be wrong on this one though.)