5 Best Air Compressors for Framing Nailer

In this era, a hammer will do you no good especially with a framing nailer lying around. As you prepare to swing your hammer, a framing nailer, on the other hand, could be done with sinking the 5^th nail. The best part is that, unlike using a hammer, a framing nailer is completely effortless. Incredible right?

However, your framing nailer will not give you the expected results without the right tools to power it up. And that is why, as you go for the top notch framing nailers in the market today. You should also consider an air compressor that will match those standards. Actually, they say that with the rights air compressor for framing nailer, out of a rookie, you could make a pro framer.

In that case, this article aims at giving you a detailed review of the 5 best air compressors for framing nailers in the market today. Also, an accompanying buyers guide that will help you know the specs and features you should look for in an air compressor for framing mailers.

DEWALT D55146 Hand Carry Air Compressor

This air compressor unit from Dewalt is a commercial duty oil free air compressor with a tank holding capacity of 4.5 gallons. At 90 PSI, this air compressor unit produces an SCFM of 5.0. The tank size is capable of 200 maximum working pressure while the motor, on the other hand, has enough power to recover in 22 seconds.

This air compressor provides up to 80% usable air which gives a consistent performance that will heed to the demands of the ongoing task. More to that, this air compressor is ideal for a couple of tasks; this includes; roofing, framing, trim carpentry and much more. For convenience and easy transportation, this air compressor comes with a substantial lift handle hence you can easily maneuver it.

The motor has a horsepower of 1.8 HP and can draw up to 15 amps. About the noise, it goes up to 78 decibels which are relatively quiet than its counterparts. It also has a great design, and it can sit flat that saves up much space in your storage compartment. If you need a unit to power up your framing nailer for a woodworking project, this is your best companion.

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PROS

CONS

It has a long run time and a shorter recovery period
It provides more than 80% of usable air
It has 78 decibels of noise, therefore, a good fit for the quieter working environments
It has non-float foam feet for easy transportation
It has a vertical stand feature and collapsible handle hence it saves much space during storage

It weighs 83 pounds which some people consider quite heavy, but with the handle and wheels this is not a big issue

California Air Tools 1P1060SP Quiet Portable Air Compressor

This air compressor from the California Air Tools is one of the quietest air compressors in the market besides being the best fit for framing nail guns. It comes with a 6HP motor which operates at an RMP of 1680 hence it has less noise production and less wears too. It records noise decibels of 56 therefore suitable for the calm working environments.

More to that, this is a single stage air compressor that is engineered to produce high-quality performance and has a durable construction. It comes with a tank holding capacity of 1 gallon which is light in weight. It goes for only 29lbs hence very easy to transport from one job site to the next one. Also, it has a run time of 3000 hours which is incredible performance when compared to its counterparts.

The pump is oil-free hence it can be used on diverse terrains as well as temperatures. At 90 PSI, the air compressor produces a CFM of 1.2, therefore, allowing you to use a variety of handy guns including the nail guns, blow guns, finish guns, brad nail guns, framing nailers and much more. This air compressor is a perfect choice for a garage where noise is a major issue.

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PROS

CONS

It is light in weight as it weighs only 29 pounds
It has ultra-quiet operations
It has an oil-free pump which means that it has fewer maintenance needs and can be used in cold temperatures
It comes with a thermal overload protector
It comes with two pressure gauges for optimal efficiency

It cannot perform heavy duty tasks

Makita AC310H High-Pressure Air Compressor

This air compressor from Makita is the best choice for the powerful pneumatic tools. It runs on a 2.5 horsepower motor with a 1.6-gallon high-pressure tank which provides incredible performance when compared to the conventional tanks. It comes with a compact size which enhances more comfortable transportation from one job site to the other.

The motor runs on an RMP of 1720 hence proving a greater displacement, low noise decibels, high efficiency. The low amp motor ensures that there are rare cases of voltage drop during startup and tripped breakers. The pump is oil-less meaning that it is maintenance free. On the other hand, it has a roll cage construction which enables the air compressor ton to withstand even the harshest environmental conditions.

This air compressor unit also comes with some rubberized bumpers which add to the durability of the air compressor. The large regulator knobs ensure that you can make easy and fast adjustments to the unit when need be. This air compressor is designed merely to meet the air demands of the pneumatic nailers with a more compact and lighter fit. It can drive nails into materials with denser lumber like in the framing construction.

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PROS

CONS

The air compressor delivers a 400PSI capacity for high-pressure nailers
It has a dual capacity
It has a dual capacity
It has a faster recovery time hence improved the performance level
It has an oil-less pump design hence maintenance-free operations

Some of the features are made from cheap materials which makes you question its durability

Hitachi KNT50AB 6 Gallon Pancake Air Compressor

This 6-gallon pancake style air compressor unit from Hitachi is one of the most reliable air compressors that comes with rugged construction. It comes with a working pressure of 150 PSI. Hence it provides a longer run time and a shorter recovery period. At 90PSI this air compressor delivers a CFM of 2.8 hence it can operate multiple nailers simultaneously.

More to that, this air compressor comes with an oil-free pump hence has lesser maintenance needs. With 73 decibels of noise, this air compressor unit runs a little louder. The compressor weighs 36lbs which are quite easy to move around considering that it has a top handle design. It also comes with two couplings meaning that you can connect two nailers at the same time.

You will fall in love with the rubber feet as well as the lever handles ball valve which makes draining the tank a lot easier. The pressure gauge of this air compressor is situated at the top of the unit hence making it easier to use this air compressor unit. You don’t have to bend over to read the pressure levels.

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PROS

CONS

It comes with two quick connectors hence you can connect nailers at a go
The maximum working pressure of 150 PSI
This air compressor is easily portable
The air compressor has an oil-free pump with lesser maintenance needs
It has a pancake style design for better stability

This air compressor unit is a bit louder than its counterparts with 73 decibels of noise

Bostitch BTFP02012 6 Gallon Oil Free Air Compressor

This is a high-performance air compressor that comes in a pancake style from Bostitch. With a running motor of 0.9 and a 15 amp draw, this air compressor unit operates at 2700 RMP. This means that the air compressor has enough power to cater for most of the basic high power tasks. The pump is oil-free hence comes with less maintenance needs hence you will have no hassle changing the oil.

The maximum working pressure of this air compressor unit hits 150 PSI in just 2.5 minutes. This is incredible performance considering that it has a tank galloon size of 6. The best thing about this air compressor unit is that it has a quick recovery time hence making it reliable when you have tasks that need to be done for an extended period.

At 90 PSI, this air compressor yields a CFM of 2.6 hence it can run most of the tools used by homeowners and DIYers. Some of the tools it can power include; framing nailers, impact wrenches, pneumatic doors and much more. However, with the framing nailer, you are likely to face buffering after sinking the first 10 nails.

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PROS

CONS

It comes with excellent and robust design
It is light in weight hence easily portable
It has an oil-free pump that has fewer maintenance needs
It has a quick recovery time
The pump can reach maximum PSI of 150 in less than 2.5 minutes

This air compressor is louder than its counterparts

Buyer’s Guide – Air Compressor for Nail Gun

Power

When looking for an air compressor to power your framing nailers, ensure that its pressure and volume matches that of the framing nailer. An air compressor with a higher PSI and CFM will have the task done in the shortest time possible and effectively.

Oil-less

When looking for an air compressor for your framing nailer, you should go for the compressors with the oil-less pump. Since you are working on wood, the last thing you’d want on your project is some oil stains.