Shopsmith Forums

Another use for a compressor is for sand blasting. I have used it to clean paint off of metal and concrete and also to clean the face of bricks. I have a cheap ($15)sand blasting hose that can do some quick work and a lot of damage if you are not careful. I also have a cheap air hammer I have used for removing ceramic tile and busting up small pieces of concrete.

Blowing off dust and cleaning equipment in the shop is a breeze. Besides a framing nailer, I also have a crown stapler and a finishing nailer and a brad nailer that also get used. If I did not have a compressor, I would have it at the top of the list to purchase.

Tom

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Well, my question was answered by the first couple of posters and I've been reading the rest of them. More info than I wanted. But, I've decided I need one. I'm leaning towards the ones I've seen at Lowe's for about $300, that come with a nailer/stapler. I do a lot of work with 3/4" wood, so I want to be able to drive up to 2" (I saw one that only drove 3/4"). I like the idea of staples and nails as well as brads. I don't care about oil/oilless. Using the air to clean appeals to me. I don't know if I'd ever use it for painting. I don't think I'd use it to power a sander or auto mecahnic tools.
It will probably have to wait until next year, along with rewiring the shop.

One of the most important uses for a compressor can be when using it along with a shop vac. Using both at the same time will remove 99% of the wood dust and such inside the headstock.

With a trash bag over an old green unit that was loaded, I was able to hold the shop vac hose in one hand while sticking the air hose in the headstock and remove the majority of dust before I began to rebuild the unit. The result was no dust in my garage er, shop.....

Use a brad nailer for installing molding or trim and you will wonder what you did without one!

Just in case any of you are reading this thread to try to decide about an air compressor: I was in Sears today and they had an Air Compressor Selection Chart posted by the tools. It listed many of their compressors, specs, and and a matrix to identify the tools each could drive, and the performance level; occasional, ok, heavy duty. I forget the terminology but thought it was very helpful. Better than trying to compare just the specs.
I'm still waiting until I head back to Pennsylvania in the Spring, and I still like the kits that come with stapler, finish nailer, brad driver.
I have a separate shop building back there and left my SS and some SPTs there this summer. I'll take the rest of my SPTs and accessories this spring. I don't do much woodworking here, have several other hobbies to keep me busy.

I will weigh in on this conversation only to add a link to a web site that I have used. I purchased a pancake Porter Cable compressor with three guns, brad, stapler, and finish from these folks at a considerable discount. They also have other tools, routers, saws etc. at similar discounted rates. All carry the full new garantee as factory refurbs. Something to consider! The link is attached. I find the unit very useful for the variety of reasons mentioned by our other forum members.
davevz
CPO Porter-Cable [offers@cpoworkshop.com]

davevz wrote:I will weigh in on this conversation only to add a link to a web site that I have used. I purchased a pancake Porter Cable compressor with three guns, brad, stapler, and finish from these folks at a considerable discount. They also have other tools, routers, saws etc. at similar discounted rates. All carry the full new garantee as factory refurbs. Something to consider! The link is attached. I find the unit very useful for the variety of reasons mentioned by our other forum members.
davevz
CPO Porter-Cable [offers@cpoworkshop.com]

Hi Dave,
Your link did knot work for me (it looks more like an e-mail address). Is this the web site that you meant? http://www.cpoworkshop.com/

Hi Tim, yes I think that is the correct site. They were reasonable, quick service and the product is excellent. Got it for about half price with a new unit gaurantee.

Dave

Tim, I just checked that web site and it is the right one. If you pan down to the reconditioned section they have a compressor package with a brad nailer for a little over a 100 bucks. my unit looked like it just left the showroom floor when received.
dave