windborn
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Post by windborn on May 27, 2016 13:48:55 GMT -8
(I'm totally new to power tools, so bear with me.) We're getting close to putting the metal back on and I'm thinking it would be a whole lot easier if we had a staple gun. I looked into renting one from Home Depot, but then realized I could get super cheap ones at Harbor Freight for less than the cost of renting for a day (especially with this weekend's 20% off coupon). I've done some poking around here and it looks like some people use these pancake compressors. Do they do the job? What do you think about this gun? www.harborfreight.com/3-gal-13-hp-100-psi-oilless-pancake-air-compressor-61615.htmlwww.harborfreight.com/18-gauge-2-in-1-air-nailerstapler-68019.htmlI don't anticipate using this for anything other than the one camper I'm working on, so don't want to spend much more than $80. If it's all still alive when we're done I'll just give it to my dad, but I'm not looking to invest in a tool, just to invest in something that will make this one job a little easier. What do y'all think? Also, any tips? Other than "be careful" and "practice"? |
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Ziggy66
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Post by Ziggy66 on May 27, 2016 13:54:42 GMT -8
Those are the exact same ones I'm using. |
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on May 27, 2016 18:20:58 GMT -8
I think for very light use these tools should do the job.
Air pressure is King. Follow the instructions on the gun and you will be fine. A small compressor will be fine for a staple gun or light nailing. If you wanted to paint you need something larger.
Buy galvanzed where possible.
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windborn
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Post by windborn on May 28, 2016 14:13:24 GMT -8
Thanks, y'all!
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Post by danrhodes on May 28, 2016 15:35:34 GMT -8
I bought a $200 6 gallon ryobi combo kit about a year ago and the regulator has already failed. There are no parts available and the repair is more than the compressor. From now on, I'm either buying very high quality or very low quality... At least with harbor freight, you get what you pay for and maybe more. |
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Post by bigbill on May 28, 2016 15:37:22 GMT -8
Make sure you select the proper length of staples then experiment with the amount of air pressure you need. Make sure you buy a regulator so that you can maintain constant air pressure, if not you will hate your stapler and say it is junk. Many people try to use a flow valve to regulate air but they will not work with a stapler or nail gun. It requires constant air presssure or you will be driving staples completely through the top layer of material, aluminum or paneling.
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windborn
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Post by windborn on May 29, 2016 7:24:22 GMT -8
Make sure you select the proper length of staples then experiment with the amount of air pressure you need. Make sure you buy a regulator so that you can maintain constant air pressure, if not you will hate your stapler and say it is junk. Many people try to use a flow valve to regulate air but they will not work with a stapler or nail gun. It requires constant air presssure or you will be driving staples completely through the top layer of material, aluminum or paneling. Ok, thanks! |
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on May 30, 2016 19:23:12 GMT -8
And don't shoot yourself in the finger. It not only hurts but it's embarrassing. Keep your other hand completely away from the work when stapling. No need to ask me how I know this.
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Post by vikx on May 30, 2016 20:38:29 GMT -8
Yes, those darn staples HURT. I have a 1 gallon Senco little compressor for my nail guns. The thing is AWESOME; quiet and recovers very quickly. I had a Campbell Hausfield and it failed twice before the Senco. I believe it was around $125, so the price isn't that different.  |
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Lola53
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Post by Lola53 on May 30, 2016 22:21:50 GMT -8
And be sure to wear safety glasses! Not only to protect from wayward staples, but also oily air blows out the vents.
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windborn
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Post by windborn on May 31, 2016 2:43:56 GMT -8
Thank you all for the advice!
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on May 31, 2016 6:25:05 GMT -8
And be sure to wear safety glasses! Not only to protect from wayward staples, but also oily air blows out the vents. Oh I hate that. On some of the guns you can adjust where the exhaust goes and having it go out the side is great. But when it goes straight out the top it usually hits you in the face. |
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mckaylife
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Post by mckaylife on Jun 1, 2016 10:38:38 GMT -8
My neighbor is an avid wood worker that makes furniture from reclaimed wood. Since he is retired he is the ultimate penny pincher. We have a HF a mile away so as you would guess he owns a ton of their tools. The one place he told me not to skimp and invest in nicer equipment was my nail / staple guns. He recommended that i go with porter cable for the guns as they last a lot longer. I don't have experience with the HF ones but I can tell you that my porter cable ones have been with me for 6 years I have used them for 2 bathroom remodels, 1 kitchen remodel, 2 chicken coops, 3 outdoor chairs/couches, countless trim installs, doll toys for my daughters american girl dolls and other random projects. They are still going strong. I got 3 guns and a compressor together for 200 at home depot during a sale. The package deals are the only way to save on them. If you are going to use them elsewhere around the house may be worth it to go with better ones.
My compressor is a pancake 6 gallon. It also has served me well. You just have to remember to drain the water out of every now and again to avoid rust holes. The decision on the compressor comes down to what other tools you hope to use with it. The small compressor like that will be enough for small tools like finish nailers and guns. I have used mine with a framing nailer as well with good success even though it is a bit underpowered. If you wanted to run something like a paint sprayer to get your sweet 200 paint job I think you would be there all day (I am pretty sure I would be in the same boat with the 6 gallon). All though HF does sell external air tanks you can get to add volume for jobs like that. I wanted one that was portable enough to drag around the house for projects so I did not go with a bigger one. I don't really have room at my place to spray paint so that was not a factor for me.
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Post by bigbill on Jun 1, 2016 12:23:03 GMT -8
I have a fairly decent shop with more tools than any sane person needs. As for HF nail and staple guns I have several that have driven thousands of fasteners with no problems, but I use regulated dry air and I clean and lubricate then as they should be. I also own many high dollar tools such as Mac, Snap-on ,Cornwell, Craftsman, Delta, Shopsmith, Porter Cable Milwaukee and the list goes on and on. Some of them good some of them not so, but for the average person repairing/rebuilding a trailer now and then Harbor Freight tools work very well if properly cared for. for years I only bought Hobart, Miller, or Forney welding equipment but I bought a miller plasma cutter ($1800.00) it lasted four years then broke no repair parts available. So I replaced it with a HF unit that was capable of doing more for $600.00 seven years later it is still going strong. The only warning about HF is that in many instances they sell two versions of the same tool READ the specs and pick the best one then read and follow the directions for use and care.
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windborn
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Post by windborn on Jun 1, 2016 13:00:46 GMT -8
Thanks y'all. I ended up getting the HF ones because I don't know that we'll ever use them again. I've only had them two days but they've already saved our project from falling apart and saved us a day of work. So I think the moral of the story is a higher-quality compressor / staple gun is better than HF, but any air stapler is better than none!
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