Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 4:36 pm
I just took the time to read through the thread, a lot of interesting things from quite a cross section of the forum, and good reading I might add.
As in most things I have a few things I'd like to add. There seemed to be a bit of a debate on "oil" and "oil less". I dug out my paper work as I seem to recall mine being the oil less type. I got it in 1988 so that means its just 20 years old now and I've never had any problem with that portion of the system. I did how ever loose the cooling fan, just over the first year point and it was somewhat my fault. I heard this light buzzing sound and it got louder but I was busy and then with a sudden loud bang and plastic parts flying about it was clear what had happened. Another 10 or 12 years later I got a call at work from my son saying he had "killed" the compressor. After a couple of questions it was clear that he had inherited my deaf ear to that problem. So in 20 years I've had to replace the fan blade twice.
The fan was $1.69 the first time and $5.49 the last time. So you can put down a check mark from me for oil less.
The other advantage for oil less is that you are not feeding oil into your hoses, tires, and painting. I still have filters for water and oil that I can add as needed depending on what tools I'm using. I also have an oiler that I have that plugs in and a hose with "oil" written on it that is not use with non-oil operations. I also have a regulator that I can plug in local to eliminate having to go back and forth to the tank to make adjustments. The regulator also works well when doing air brushing.
Another thing to look at is size of air hose. Like anything else in life the 1/4" hose is cheaper but the flow is better with 3/8". I have several that I can hook together and extend the reach for a long distance, that saves from having to run a heavier electrical extension cord.
I use the compressor for working on cars, painting, caulking, and of course woodworking. Some of the auto tools tax the 5.6 output at 90 psi but things like nailer are no issue. I have a 12 gallon tank on the compressor and a 6 gallon portable tank which I can also link to the main tank for added volume. If you just plan to use this compressor for woodworking then a smaller tank and smaller output is fine.... just know that you have limited yourself.
When you are getting your nailers I'd like to add that the pin nailer are really cool to own. The pins are so small it is hard to believe... I got one a few years back and I'm glad I did. However the cost is higher then the brad nailer for some reason... or it was the last I checked.
The other thing to remember the compressor is the cheap part. By the time you add all the tools you will have spent a lot more for them then you did the compressor.
Ed
As in most things I have a few things I'd like to add. There seemed to be a bit of a debate on "oil" and "oil less". I dug out my paper work as I seem to recall mine being the oil less type. I got it in 1988 so that means its just 20 years old now and I've never had any problem with that portion of the system. I did how ever loose the cooling fan, just over the first year point and it was somewhat my fault. I heard this light buzzing sound and it got louder but I was busy and then with a sudden loud bang and plastic parts flying about it was clear what had happened. Another 10 or 12 years later I got a call at work from my son saying he had "killed" the compressor. After a couple of questions it was clear that he had inherited my deaf ear to that problem. So in 20 years I've had to replace the fan blade twice.
The fan was $1.69 the first time and $5.49 the last time. So you can put down a check mark from me for oil less.
The other advantage for oil less is that you are not feeding oil into your hoses, tires, and painting. I still have filters for water and oil that I can add as needed depending on what tools I'm using. I also have an oiler that I have that plugs in and a hose with "oil" written on it that is not use with non-oil operations. I also have a regulator that I can plug in local to eliminate having to go back and forth to the tank to make adjustments. The regulator also works well when doing air brushing.
Another thing to look at is size of air hose. Like anything else in life the 1/4" hose is cheaper but the flow is better with 3/8". I have several that I can hook together and extend the reach for a long distance, that saves from having to run a heavier electrical extension cord.
I use the compressor for working on cars, painting, caulking, and of course woodworking. Some of the auto tools tax the 5.6 output at 90 psi but things like nailer are no issue. I have a 12 gallon tank on the compressor and a 6 gallon portable tank which I can also link to the main tank for added volume. If you just plan to use this compressor for woodworking then a smaller tank and smaller output is fine.... just know that you have limited yourself.
When you are getting your nailers I'd like to add that the pin nailer are really cool to own. The pins are so small it is hard to believe... I got one a few years back and I'm glad I did. However the cost is higher then the brad nailer for some reason... or it was the last I checked.
The other thing to remember the compressor is the cheap part. By the time you add all the tools you will have spent a lot more for them then you did the compressor.
Ed
