I'm interested to know what kind of compressor(s) the pros use when using a flooring nailer. I have a cheap 3 Gal Harborfreight compressor that I have been using (100PSI max tank pressure) and it can only fire about 8 nails before needing to recharge. Recharging is not a fast process and slows the install down.

What compressors are suitable that are portable and yet can allow steady nailing without stopping - or is stopping and starting the nailing something installer live with?

This is the one I use It seems to be able to keep up with me, I may not be the fastest but I can keep a good pace.



http://www.dewalt.com/tools/compressors ... 55146.aspx

Thanks for the link - had no idea you could get a portable compressor with those specs.

Some brands of compressors are better than others . Some brand names are made by entirely different companies so it's hard to know what exactly you are buying.

But the Porter Cable donut compressors work well and mine keeps up with me .I use this one . It runs every few minutes but that's not a big deal.that's normal as long as it doesn't affect the performance of the nailer

I have the same one Paul and if you work alone should be fine. Good fittings and a good rubber hose that doesnt leak also make a big difference. I hear a lot of good thigs about the rol-air compressors, but there is no one local here that sell them.

We have a large 33 gallon tank that we keep in our installing trailer. We ran the cord and air fittings through the floor, so we can plug into it without trailer doors open. At most we have 2 extension cords and 3 air hoses used. Yea, we have to spend 5 min wrapping up, but we don't have to hear it run all day.

Okay thanks for the feedback everyone. I looked around and managed to locate the Porter-Cable suggested by Paul and Kevin. It was new but unwanted selling on Craiglist so picked it up for $100. I tried it out today and it works fine in terms of keeping up. Even when it is running since the cut in pressure is 120PSI and I'm running the nailer at 90PSI the compressor is able to recharge back to 150PSI while I'm nailing. So there is no stopping and waiting as with the other one.

I do own a 13 Gal compressor which sits in my garage so a long hose would have also been another option I guess.