Replies

1. 
   doodabug | Oct 09, 2005 03:56am | #1

   I haven't used but here nothing but good things about it.

2. 
   dieselpig | Oct 09, 2005 06:32am | #2

   Help him out would ya Jeff?  You're a Thomas guy, right?  I'm a Rol-Air man myself so whadda I know?

1. 
   JeffBuck | Oct 09, 2005 06:35am | #4

   how's that for quick!

   answered as U were typing.

   just replied to a mongo email too ... he's got the same st2820 I have ...

    

   Jeff    Buck Construction

    Artistry In Carpentry

        Pittsburgh Pa

1. 
   dieselpig | Oct 09, 2005 06:49am | #5

   Weird, eh?

2. 
   Mooney | Oct 09, 2005 10:33pm | #8

   With out googling , how much are all of them. Expensive compared to????????

   Im an Emglo guy and I guess you meant they are less expensive?

   Tim

    

3. 
   JeffBuck | Oct 09, 2005 06:34am | #3

   which one?

   I have the st2820 ...

   double piston ... and love it.

    

   have heard their 150, I think, run ...

   and it's half the pistons and not nearly as nice a machine.

    

   the st2820 is powerful and quiet ... and expensive.

   the 150(?) is loud and slow(er) ... and still more expensive than most.

    

   if not the 2820 ... I'd consider something cheaper ... emglo/dewalt.

   Jeff

       Buck Construction

    Artistry In Carpentry

        Pittsburgh Pa

   
   

   ---

   Edited 10/8/2005 11:36 pm ET by JeffBuck

1. 
   metzie | Oct 09, 2005 02:49pm | #6

   thanks for the quick reply jeff
   i was actually looking at the smaller models like the hot dog style.
   i work by myself mostly so it would only be powering 1 gun at a time.
   thanks again

1. 
   jerseyjeff | Oct 10, 2005 03:21am | #13

   I picked up a thomas 635HD off of ebay for cheap,  and it has been fantastic,  it weighs about 30 pounds,  and I can carry it, 50 ft of flexeel and a nailgun in one trip.   It is absolutely fantastic with the smaller finish guns,  and it kept up with with a single framing gun putting up walls.  (stick gun,  set to single fire...) 

   my only complaint is that the drain valve was not well designed, and I broke it off,  Thomas immeadiately sent off replacement bits and it has been great since....  would buy one again in a heart beat....

    

2. 
   nikkiwood | Oct 10, 2005 03:41am | #14

   I have a Thomas that is probably more the style you are looking for -- a single hot dog tank, oiless, easy to carry around, and very quiet. It is one of their Ultra models, and the number 3500 sticks in my mind -- although I'm not sure. I paid $300 for it.It has performed flawlessly for about 4 years, including outside in the dead of winter. It really is, though, a one gun machine; it will do just fine with a finish gun, but if you're going really fast with a framer, it struggles to stay up.I don't have the weight, but it is easy to carry with one hand. Nicely designed too -- for carrying, and everything fragile is tucked in so nothing gets broken if it falls over.All in all, I'm comfortable giving you a high recommendation for Thomas.********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

1. 
   nikkiwood | Oct 11, 2005 09:34am | #17

   Here is the Thomas I recommended in an earlier post:http://www.thomasairpac.com/products/airpac/airpac_electric/T-35HD/t-35hd.jspIt's a Model T-35Hd—1 HP.********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

4. 
   jc21 | Oct 09, 2005 07:09pm | #7

   I have the Thomas T200ST Renegade and like it. Starts well when it's cold and runs fine on a 15 amp circuit ......... even with an extension cord. Not quite as quiet as the T2820ST, a bit less output and a bit longer recovery time but also considerably less expensive.

1. 
   Mooney | Oct 09, 2005 10:34pm | #9

   Geesh, you got numbers ? LOL.

   Tim

    

    

1. 
   Mooney | Oct 09, 2005 10:39pm | #10

   http://www.mastertoolrepair.com/compressors-manufacturer-thomas-c-6_37.html

    

   Looks like either brand mentioned is 400 and change for wheel bars 2 hp.

   Thats not expensive. Is it ?

   Tim

    

1. 
   storme | Oct 09, 2005 11:45pm | #11

   I'm in the same boat, looking at buying a compressor mostly for 1 gun work but down the road I'd like to use both air hammers (for chipping stone - I do stone work) and small scale sand blasting. Any thoughts/recommendations? Both of these applications list typical airflow well above the 4.x CFM of these hot dog style units but I'd only be using it intermittently. I don't have enough experience with compressors to know if this is asking for trouble or not. My main use is solo fence and deck work so I'd like to have a small portable unit for most things, the other uses are hobby-level use at this point but I might want to move up.While I'm at it - anyone want to recommend a nail gun for attaching fence boards - I have a job coming up and I thought I'd use it to upgrade to air tools.

1. 
   Shep | Oct 12, 2005 03:08am | #24

   I borrowed a friend's Hitachi siding nailer for exactly that purpose- nailing fence boards. Actually, he knew I was doing it, and told me " Here, try this".

   Its now on my short list of guns to buy next- works great, holds a lot of nails ( coil nailer0 and is pretty light

2. 
   jc21 | Oct 10, 2005 03:35pm | #15

   Have we got numbers :) T200ST- 4.6cfm @ 100 psi, T2820ST-5cfm @ 100psi .......... Thomas rates their compressors @ 100psi, not 90 like some do

   http://www.thomasairpac.com/products/airpac/renegade_electric/T-200ST/t-200st.jsp

   As for prices check out Tool Crib/ Amazon- $339.99 and $489.99.

1. 
   Mooney | Oct 10, 2005 04:42pm | #16

   500 for the 200st is ridiculas.

   I can buy a wheel bar emglo for that kinda money.                           

    

1. 
   zendo | Oct 11, 2005 01:45pm | #18

   Tim,

   I got the 200ST a week ago for $339 at amazon.

   -zen

    

2. 
   zendo | Oct 11, 2005 01:50pm | #19

   I have a question about the 200.  It says that its 135psi, and factory set.  I fired mine up for the first time yesterday, and the lower tank gauge reads around 128-130 and the upper around 110.  Is it really 135 at the gun, Im not sure how you measure it.  Do your gauges look similar?

   Its really quiet, but it was kicking hard while I was trying to pump up a tire. 

   Is there a break in method?

   -zen

    

3. 
   storme | Oct 11, 2005 03:58pm | #20

   looking at their specs the 2820 and the 200ST don't look all that different:http://www.thomasairpac.com/products/airpac/renegade_electric/T-200ST/t-200st_specifications.jsphttp://www.thomasairpac.com/products/airpac/airpac_electric/T-2820ST/t-2820st_features.jspwhy the big price difference? Amazon has the 200ST at $339 while the 2820 is going for $480 - ouch! Any other compressors anyone want to recommend?

4. 
   zendo | Oct 11, 2005 05:53pm | #21

   Recent reviews....   Thomas 200st, the new Hitachi, and the Makita.  They all have great specs better for different reasons, and are quiet.   The Makita is 10pds heavier. Oh these are all the twin stack class.

   If you want model #s on the last two, hit me back.

   -zen

5. 
   storme | Oct 11, 2005 09:23pm | #22

   if you got them, that'd be great. I was going to do some more research and then post a thread asking for advice - I'm also looking at nail guns. I had a landscape biz 8 years ago and I'm getting back into it so while I've built a lot of projects, none recently so I don't have recent experience to draw on. Do you have suggestion where to start on nailers? my work is outdoors (decks, fences, etc) so galvanized nails are important - I haven't researched the ACQ w/ airgun nails issue yet for example. I build drystack walls so I'm also looking into chisel attachments for shaping stone. JLC had some articles which I checked out but they're a few years old now. thanks -s

6. 
   Mooney | Oct 12, 2005 12:24am | #23

   Since you went to the trouble .

   I would never pay 480 when another 100 would buy a wheel bar with 6.5 at 100psi.

   But, doesnt it depend on what you are doin?

   To me a one gun deal needs to be light and very portable . Not heavy at all.

   If you are gonna run 2 or more guns at once full blast like roofing or decking , doesnt it cry for a wheel bar compressor that can not only keep up but have time to cool? I always figgured any thing over 75 percent load was maxing a professional compressor.

   The 2820 looks like its in between. With out wheels too.  I guess the van guys who are stressed for room and need it .

   Tim

    

   Edited 10/11/2005 5:25 pm by Mooney

7. 
   storme | Oct 24, 2005 05:19am | #25

   Hey Mooney,I think you convinced me to go with a lighter unit for now - almost all of the threads I've been reading feature someone bitching about the weight of these units so my thought is to make my first setup small and light for one-gun use and then down the road when and if I get into chisel work or sandblasting get a compressor that's appropriate for it. So now I'm looking at the Thomas 635HD and T-35HD recommended upthread. The 635 is only 27 lbs and delivers 1.7 CFM while the 35HD is 42 lbs and 2.5 CFM - any thoughts? Nailing fencing is probably my top use at this point.Also, I'm a little concerned with the hotdog units - they look more exposed and prone to get damaged. Any advice appreciated.-s

8. 
   nikkiwood | Oct 24, 2005 07:14am | #26

   I think I was one of the people recommending the thomas T-35HD -- anyway that's the one I've got, and I like it a lot -- mainly for finish guns, but it does fine with a framing gun as well. The only problem with the latter is that if you're bounce nailing, you'll have to slow down -- at least a little. As far as hot dog units being more prone to damage -- not to worry with this one. Everything is tucked in, so nothing will be harmed if it falls over (either way). In fact it can travel laid on one side or the other.********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

9. 
   storme | Oct 24, 2005 07:59am | #27

   thanks, I'm not planning on framing much and the 26 lb unit really appeals. Any other brands besides the Thomas? After reading all the glowing comments I pretty much stopped looking but I did notice that there are cheaper units out there. I always buy top quality tools so that doesn't sway me much but if there's a better value I'm into that.

10. 
    nikkiwood | Oct 24, 2005 08:47am | #28

    I can't help you about other brands. I went to a tool place that sells about 7 different brands of compressor. I went in the back and asked their repair guy which he thought was best, and that's how I ended up with a Thomas.********************************************************
    "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

    John Wooden 1910-

11. 
    storme | Oct 24, 2005 09:14am | #29

    thanks, that works for me!

12. 
    zendo | Oct 24, 2005 03:35pm | #30

    Shep,

     Im not sure if it is of interest, but take a look at Hitachi NV75 its a framing/siding combo nailer that is about the same size, and 5pds.

    It covers a lot of ground for one tool, and the nail gauge can be as heavy as a standard stick nailer.

    -zen.... it seemed more practical for me.

    oh and all my guns are Hitachi.

13. 
    jc21 | Oct 24, 2005 03:44pm | #31

    Sorry to take so long to respond............ things have been hectic. I did nothing special for break in- just ran it. The upper gauge is for outlet pressure and can be adjusted with the yellow ring on the regulator near the upper gauge. The lower gauge is for tank pressure and on mine the compressor usually shuts off around 135 psi. Never noticed any "kicking"....... you might try contacting Thomas- 1-800-558-7721 and ask them about.  They're in Wisconsin.

5. 
   Shoeman | Oct 10, 2005 12:29am | #12

   I have a Thomas 150.  Works great, but LOUD!