Am wondering if my Paslode framer will work in extreme cold conditions.
I am framing a small house on an island in Maine this winter and am having trouble with my air compressor running off the generator. Old compressor maybe? or underpowered generator? (not likely as it is about 5KW.)
Tools have to live in the cold as it is an island and impractical to take home at night. I will hand nail if I have to but I would rather not!!!
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Replies
You could find a good used compressor on Craigs List I'm pretty sure -- for not a lot of cabbage.
Which Island are you working on ??
Walter
Little Green. Off Southport.
My 5kw generator won't start my compressor's 1hp induction motor, even in warm weather. Those motors require a lot of current when starting.
You might fare better with one of the small compressors with a universal motor, though I have no experience with those.
Scott.
Just like a butane lighter, my Trimpulse won't fire at about 10 degrees or less if left out in the van overnite. Keep a few cells in the warm ( armpit works) or swing the hammer.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
What Sphere said.
I bring my cordless tool batteries inside during the winter, so they don't discharge too fast. And when my Paslode is cold, I stick the fuel cell in a pocket while I'm setting up. By the time I'm ready to nail, its warmed up enough. And around here, its OK for the day after that.
I don't know how it would last in Maine temps.
I use the Hilti GX-120 it doesn't like the cold or wet conditions.
I have six of them on site & will take 4 of them to the deck with me & at the end of the shift 3 of them won't be working.
I've framed plenty with Paslodes in NH winters. Bring the thing in at night, and keep extra fuel and batteries warm. Fuel doesn't seem to go as far, but I can usually get a whole day out of one battery. A tiny bit more hassle, but far less than starting cold compressors in the morning. You'll be fine.
Just stick the fuel cells and battery in your lunch bag, take them home at night to charge. I have an insulated lunch bag that would keep them warm enough till I need it the next day.
I dont know what kind of compressor you are trying to start, but none of my oil lubricated compressors start well in the cold. I have an oil-less pancake that I use in the cold. Have had no problem starting that even with the generator.
It is an older oil type pancake compressor.Will likely get new oil-less type as was suggested. Thanks.
I have also used a heat gun to warm the crankcase to get the oil type started
Fuel doesn't seem to go as farThat is because of the lower pressure in the cold. I find that once warmed inside, a fuel cell can give you another couple hundred rounds
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The Paslode guns will not work below about 20°F and work poorly between 20 and 30°.
tow reasons.
One is that the fuel does not ignite as readily at low temps, the other is that the pressure in the fuel cells drops in the extreme cold, so You can get a bit less fuel for each cycle. Another problem framing with it is that the wood is denser so between poor fire and dense wood, the nail may only go half way in when it is cold, requiring hand-nailing anyways. You can warm the gun in the truck, but half a clip to a clip of nails is all it takes before it is cold enough to start mis-behaving again.
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Remember, hot water and warm truck are several miles away by boat.Oilless compressor it will be.Happy holidays to all and thanks.Tom Witt
I just hold the fuel cell under a hot water faucet for a few minutes before starting. Works every time. Your compresser problem is because it's oil lubed. Buy a cheap oilless pancake. It'll start fine.