I’m thinking about building a medium sized shed and eventually a home. Up to this point I have gotten along quite well with a good framing hammer and elbow power. I am not as young as I used to be and I’m not sure my arms would hold up to the abuse. Now I’m thinking about getting a framing gun. The problem is <hangs head> I don’t have a compressor and the combined price of a compressor and nail gun is much higher than a self-contained nail gun. So the question is should I get a compressor and gun or an impulse drive gun. Also does anyone have experience with these impulse guns and/or have any brand preferences?
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Hmm, buy a Hitachi 2 hp comp and Paslode framer for $600 with hose and fittings, or nearly $400 for the Impulse. But the compressor is a tool too, and I'll be damned if I can't hook up ten or so different guns to the thing, use a blower on it, pump up tires, etc.
By the way, real friends have guns you can borrow.
Edited 4/19/2002 11:18:07 PM ET by Qtrmeg
Building a shed....impulse.
Building a home.......hosed gun.
Last crew I worked with a few had the impulse......fine for slow framing......but for anything resembling speed....it lagged way behind....and don't even think of banging off sheathing.
Would make a great second gun. Seemed very finicky about cleaning. Guys with them were always stopping for this or that.
If a house is in the future.......so is trim. The 2 impulses would cost about the same as a decent compressor framing gun and finish nailer.
I'd love to have one....but I already have the air set up.......I'd only consider it as a second gun. Jeff
* Jeff J. Buck/ Buck Construction/ Pittsburgh, PA *
2nd Generation Buck Const, 3rd generation Craftsman
You know who loves the Impulse? My plumbing buddy, perfect for the one off block or two. Well you know plumbers, block or twenty.
I bought a 2horse four gallon compressor for one hundred dollars from Harbor Freight--it works great. They usually have a reconditoned framing nailer for two hundred or so. A new Porter Cable can be had for under $250.00. I have several brad nailers and staplers that are Harbor Freights brand (Cental Pnematics) and have had no problem with any of them. They had a little brad gun on sale most of the time for $15.00 and a stapler for $25.00 that can not be beat for price with supprisingly good quality. If possible go to one of their stores--you will be amazed at the small tools that they are practically giving away. I am pleased with my compressor.
4LORN1, I use the Impulse Framer -- I think it is a great gun -- I've been doing a lot of basements recently, and its been great for the framing. I'd have to agree with Jeff about nailing off sheathing or rapid production - no way.
I have an air setup -- Hitachi 2 hp - I bought it with a Bostich Roofing gun so I could install Hardibacker underlayment. In the two years since, I've got a trim gun, Stapler, and palm nailer. As much as I would like to get the Impulse trim gun, the budget does not allow.
If I was doing bigger framing jobs, I would get an air powered Framer -- it would pay for itself quickly. Since you're planning on building a home, the compressor would be the way to go. I love my Impulse gun especially on the smaller jobs I do, but it is an "in addition to" type tool, albeit an expensive one.
Also how much of the house are you going to work on? Roofing? Flooring? You could rent or borrow a roofing gun, stapler for underlayment, heck another framing gun if your buddies want to help.
Stanley has a cordless roofing gun available, but even they market it as a tool for small repair type work.
Good luck. I think we all put a lot, maybe too much, thought into purchasing equipment, but it is an investment. We have to consider practicality, cost, quality, and usefulness.
Dave Otto -- Otto Construction -- Cranberry Twp., PA
I love my Impulse guns, but not for any heavy duty framing. Also, buy two so you'll have one to use while the other one is in the shop. Since they don't have a hose connected to them they seem to hit the ground more often.
Hey Dave.......just saw Cranberry. I'm on Mt Wash.....used to work for Heartwood Design....did alot of work in Warrendale/Wexford. Got to know 910 well.
Email me some time. Jeff "That's like hypnotizing chickens........."
Lust for Life
I've got the Paslode framing & finish nailers. I'm quite happy with both. The framing gun is slower than air, but it depends on what you're used to. It's a lot faster than framing by hand. As others have said, it's limited to framing - I wouldn't consider it if you have a lot of sheathing to do. I've used mine for lots of small framing jobs - basements, rehabs - I'm not building a house with it. I'm also not such a fast framer that it slows me down much.
If you're also considering a finish nailer, I'd lean toward air. It seems to have the advantage in speed and price if you're considering buying both. The biggest disadvantage of air is dragging the compressor and hose around wherever you go. If you had to take it from job to job a lot, you'd know what I mean. But you're building your own house, so that's not as big of an issue.
Beware that Harbor Freight stuff. It's mostly cheap China made stuff. The specs and quality won't match-up. If you can find a reconditioned compressor from a brand you trust then go for it, but I'd steer clear of their own brands. Check the want ads too - where I live people are always trying to sell compressors.
Get a 1/2 ir impact wrench while you are at it, with wherever you find a compressor. You'll wonder what you ever did without it.
Art- I've tried to use air tools with gun compressors and they definitely don't cut it, not nearly enough air volume. If you're gonna use air tools, make sure the compressor can put out. Or am I missing something?
Ken Hill
For what it is worth, I run a crew on mostly commercial jobs. The paslode guns are way too finicky for the dirty environment. Clean them once a day and maybe they are ok, but I own some air guns I have shot thousands and thousands of nails thru, and I have no idea what they look like inside. I like it that way. I want to like the Paslode, really, I do.
but I don't.
DC
Ken,
I think you're on the right track. A small compressor handles a nail gun, but you need a real machine to run rotary tools - impact wrenches, cut-off wheels, grinders - even the air hammer all go through much more air than a small compressor will offer.
Jay-
Yeah, jackhammers need, say, a 100-125 hp. tow behind as a minimum for a 90# hammer. I've also done a sh*tload of sandblasting and often have used a 1 1/2" sand hose with 500 hp. turbine compressor.
Ken Hill
Ken,
But just think of how many framing guns you can operate off a modest (say 500HP) turbine compressor.
I agree with the majority of the posters. For light duty jobs, the Paslodes are competent. I don`t believe they are designed for constant heavy use though.
When considering cost be sure to factor in at least one extra battery and the many gas canisters. The price difference won`t be as great as your initial thinking.
The compressor will come in useful once you decide to rent various other nailers required for framing and finishing your projects.
Good Luck!
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
"DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"
I think the impulse guns suck. I tried running crown with the trim gun and you have to push too hard to get the thing to shoot, especially on outside corners where the line up is critical. ...................tried toenailing with the framing gun, tossed it in the corner and got out the old Haubolt. Can't beat air in my opinion.
I,M a small volume builder mainly doing architectural work, in my situation you have to have gas and air , nail guns that is. For repetition work you cant beat air, we use gas guns every day during framing they are great! sure beats wrestling with a hose. Thesame for interior work the hose just gets in way and can damage and dirty interior finished work. If I was just building a shed I would buy a gas gun it would get more use, if you wanted to do a small job rolling out the air takes too much time, the gas is always ready. cheers John W
JJ,
If you have to push hard to depress the tip for firing, it is because the gun is not properly lubricated on the inside from the last time you cleaned it.
You do clean it don't you?
Excellence is its own reward!
Thanks all. For the well thought out opinions. I think I'm going to go with something like a 2HP compressor with the brand to be determined, and a framing and finishing gun. I liked what I saw in the framing gun reviews (FHB) on the Maxx guns even though they were a little pricey. Maybe one step down would be better for my wallet. Any strong opinions out there about gun manufacturers or models?
I'm composing a list of tools I am likely to want to run on the compressor and most will work, according to mfr. specs, at the CFM@ the psi of a decent 2HP model. While it was a consideration I'm not planning to use a 90# anytime soon and while a 500HP compressor is tempting I don't think I need anything quite that profound. Does anyone have any information or experience with this size, around 2HP, compressor of any particular brand or model? I have read a few of the extended discussions on the general subject posted on this forum. They were somewhat helpful. Does anyone have anything new or important to add?
Thank-you again for your time and consideration as I ponder this unfamiliar subject.
Framing Nailer- Bostich
Finish Nailer- Senco
Compressor- Emglo
IMHO
Have fun and be certain to wear your safety goggles!
Jay
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
"DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"
Edited 4/24/2002 12:57:54 PM ET by JAYBIRD
I'm not sure you should go by horsepower. I think most companies lie through their teeth when they talk about horsepower. I would check the amps and the air the compressor delivers. Also, you have a choice of oil or oil free compressors. Oil compressors last longer and deliver more air. Changing oil is not a big deal. The big question is what are you going to do with the compressor other than nailing. You may want to go to a store and check out the air tools available. If you think you may want to get one in the future, check out the air it requires. Then size the compressor accordingly. You can't go wrong with Ingersoll Rand, but they might be too pricey. Porter Cable and Campbell Hausfield are good.
Since you willbe working on your own home, portability is not going to be a huge issue(run extra air hose to wherever you want) You might consider a little bigger compressor that can serve as your garage compressor (air tools, blowing out sprinkler system in the fall, etc) The small pancake or small portables do not deliver the CFM to do anything more than nail guns.
One of the 3-5 hp models with a 25 gallon tank would work well, and serve most needs around the home, unless you really want portability. I have a Craftsman 2hp pancake compressor which has held up fine for two years, and have used a 12 gallon Ingersol Rand compressor (old 1hp rating) that does most light homeowner stuff well. (except not enough volume in the tank to blow out sprinkler lines well).
I hope the information is helpfull.
I run a four man crew eith roofing guns or framers with my cheap Craftsman 5 hp compressor. It goes for about $280.00 . It works fine on 15 amp breakers.
As for guns, I like my Bostich framer.
Senco finish nailers...oiless
Paslode Powermaster Plus framer
Thomas compressor...oiless
good hoses. can never remember the name.....but they're blue......light weight....and flex the same whether it's 90 or 9 degrees out.
get the air tool kit they sell everywhere for the blower.
use brand name nails...preferably the same brand as your gun "That's like hypnotizing chickens........."
Hey Ron - what brand of roofing nailer do you use and what brand of nails?
Bostich, I like them and know how they are put together so it makes for quick repairs. Though I have heard that the Hitachi is a great gun also.
You do clean it don't you?
Naaa. .....Actually I was trying out my ex partners and it just seemed less than nice. Can't beat air IMO.......of course I still use chords with all my drills. There are fast carpenters who care..... there are slow carpenters who care more.....there are half fast carpenters who could care less......
here,here, jj