Wood floor nailers: How big a compressor?

[areevesnc]

I’m about to start installing hardwood flooring throughout my house. The last time I installed flooring, I didn’t use a pneumatic nailer. I can’t find one now that isn’t pneumatic, and may not want to swing a big hammer quite that often any more anyway.

I’ve been considering a shop compressor, and I’m hopeful that someone will have some suggestions about a good size and type of compressor for use with a floor nailer, as well as general shop use (brad nailers, etc.).

Any thoughts or comments?

Thanks!

 

[Craptastic]

It depends on your intended use (again, doesn't so much today do so?) and what you are fastening.

You can get by with a 3/4 HP compressor as long as it can get and maintain the tanks at a minimum of 90psi while you are nailing. You can move slow and use a smaller one with less ft3, or you can work faster with one that has more power and volume for a pressure buffer.

I have a 1.5 HP Rigid compressor with dual side tanks that has treated me well for years for flooring and other uses. It's on the edge of being under powered now that it's getting old and for some of the jobs I've done with it, but it can still maintain pressure as long as I don't push it too hard.

My flooring hasn't been a business. But I have done over 25k sq ft in the past 10 years. Pine is easier of course and can tolerate lower pressure. Start getting up to oak and hickory and you will dfefinitely notice the need for more psi. The last floor I did was Brazillian cherry and that was definitely needing the 90 psi levels.

 

[petebucy4638]

I’m about to start installing hardwood flooring throughout my house. The last time I installed flooring, I didn’t use a pneumatic nailer. I can’t find one now that isn’t pneumatic, and may not want to swing a big hammer quite that often any more anyway.

I’ve been considering a shop compressor, and I’m hopeful that someone will have some suggestions about a good size and type of compressor for use with a floor nailer, as well as general shop use (brad nailers, etc.).

Any thoughts or comments?

Thanks!

Your flooring nailer/stapler should have specs telling you how much air will consume. My experience with my Stanley/Bostich stapler is that it is not a high demand tool for air.

 

[chris_goris]

Ive laid flooring with my Bostitch stapler and used a small porter cable pancake compressor. It worked fine.

 

[1075tech]

Porter Cable pancake compressor here. I've used it with a flooring nailer for oak floors. It worked fine.

I've also used it with a framing nailer.

You may have to work a little slower than an experienced professional and it may cycle more often but will get the job done

 

[tvrgeek]

How big defines how quickly you can do the next nail. I have the small PC compressor and it did not keep up with putting up Hardi-board, but is fine with all my brad and pin nailers. I am told the California air are a LOT quieter and higher quality. I think there are numerous You-Tube evaluations on compressors. Many are obvious shills, ( yellow fan boys) but some good information.

Maybe you can borrow one locally and see how it does. Simla is a little far from Hillsborough.

 

[Jack A.]

I got the Husky quiet compressor from HD and I've been happy with it: Husky 4.5 Gal. 175 PSI Portable Electric Quiet Air Compressor 3320445 - The Home Depot

It will run a framing nailer just fine, and it's noticeably quieter than your typical compressor. The wheels and handle make it a lot easier to move around than something like a pancake. My only complaint is that the power switch is hard to reach and rather stiff.

 

[Wilsoncb]

The tool should have a minimum CFM rating and the compressor will have a maximum rating.
CFM stands for cubic feet per minute. This is the air flow or air volume that a compressor can supply - or its output. Many pneumatic power tools require a CFM of about 5, but it really varies. A pneumatic stapler might just need 0.3 CFM, while a framing nailer may require 4.4 CFM.
Pancake or portable compressors will be about 1hp and output between 1.5 and 3.2 cfm. You can get 2 hp portable unit that will output between 5.0 and 6.5 cfm. The tank size as others have noted will affect how long it can maintain the cfm. Typically not an issue with nail guns.

 

[ptt49er]

I used the cheapest 3gallon pancake compressor harbor freight offered 10 years ago with the harbor freight flooring nailer. Laid about 1000 sq ft of 3/4" hickory, did great!