An air compressor and a nail gun make a perfect combination of tools for professional and DIY projects. The compressor converts air into kinetic energy, which then delivers the power that nail guns need to drill nails into surfaces.
So if you want to get your nail drilling work done fast, you will have to invest in the best air compressor for nail gun.
Best Air Compressor for Nail Gun Reviews
These are some of the reviewed products in this article.
1. PORTER-CABLE C2002 Air Compressor
PORTER CABLE C2002 isn’t the most popular air compressor in the market. But the brand fine-tunes it for better performance so much so that it makes a good option for nail guns.
Hundreds of users appraise it for being a user-friendly model. And we think that if you’re looking for an air compressor that can deal with just about any element, this is the model to consider.
For starters, PORTER CABLE C2002 features a 6-gallon package tank, which you can fill with either water or air and is perfect for many nailing projects.
One thing that makes PORTER CABLE stand out is its high capacity. You’ll agree that the much pressure that many units have never exceed 100 PSI.
It’s a different case with this model because it stores up to 150 PSI, which is the highest capacity you’ll ever come across.
Because it has a low amp, 120-volt motor, you can expect PORTER CABLE C2002 to remain stable throughout the year regardless of the season.
Its ability to generate 2.6 CF at 90 PSI makes it a convenient option for projects that require a lot of nailing. So you will find it quite useful if you’re doing a lot of woodworking.
The addition of the quick compressor technology means that the most demanding nailing jobs just got a lot easier than before.
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Pros
- Doesn’t require oil for proper flow of its motor
- Has the highest pressure storage
- Ideal for different nailing job
- Has a higher level of compatibility
Cons
- This air compressor isn’t suitable for heavy-duty projects
2. DEWALT DWFP55126 Pancake Air Compressor
DEWALT DWFP5512 air compressor is one of the options to consider if you’re searching for an air compressor for nail guns. And that’s mostly because it’s easy to use and guarantees better performance.
Combined with the right type of nail gun, DEWALT DWFP5512 can help you to do any nailing job with utmost precision.
One of the things that make DEWALT DWFP5512 the best air compressor for nail guns is the integration of a powerful motor to the overall system. Based on dozens of testing, the motor runs smoothly, with minimal inconveniences at times.
This electric-powered air compressor uses a 120-volt, 60Hz, 10amp motor, which supplies constant current to keep the machine working for as long as you’re on the job.
With the constant flow power to the right electric components, you can expect better performance without an instance of downtime.
Higher pressure means a better air compressor, and this an area where DEWALT DWFP5512 compressor shines bright. It has 165 PSI, which is by far the best on our list.
With such a higher level of pressure, doing simple as well technical nailing jobs doesn’t have to be difficult at all. For what it’s worth, DEWALT DWFP5512 is what you need if you intend to drive bigger nails into tough surfaces.
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Pros
- This unit is lightweight and therefore easy to move around
- Consistent power supply for an extended period
- Made of high quality material for strength and durability
- Compatible with any nail gun
Cons
- Heavy pressure can be a big issue for some project
- The fittings are more than likely to mismatch in the event of heavy pressure
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3. Campbell Hausfeld FP209499AV Portable Air Compressor
When it comes to choosing an air compressor for a nail gun, you want more than just a unit that comes from a popular brand.
What you need is an equipment that guarantees the best performance in light and heavy-duty jobs. That’s why you might want to consider Campbell Hausfeld FP209499AV.
Campbell Hausfeld FP209499AV features a 3-gallon tank. And while this isn’t the largest we’ve seen, it’ still good enough for the job. Just be ready to give it occasional refills if you intend to engage in heavy-duty, long hour jobs that require a lot of nailing.
Some air compressors won’t run unless their motors have oil, and it can be quite disappointing to be frank. Thankfully, it’s a different case with Campbell Hausfeld FP209499AV because its motor doesn’t need any kind of oil to work smoothly.
Given such an advantage, you even don’t have to worry about incurring maintenance and servicing costs.
The model comes with 25 feet recoil hose, an air chunk, needle, 2 inflator nozzles, and an air adapter. Together, they provide a home inflation kit, which means it also doubles as a unit that you can use to add pressure to your car tires.
Campbell Hausfeld FP209499AV air compressor has a pressure of 110 PSI, which delivers the power necessary to complete the nailing job.
This lightweight air compressor even has a 90-PSI pressure recovery compression, which is quite handy in finishing the nailing work faster. However, the pressure may not be enough to drill nails into extremely tough surfaces such as concrete.
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Pros
- Versatile. You can use it for drilling nails into surfaces and pumping air into car tires
- A lightweight model from Campbell
- Suitable for quick, easy nail drilling jobs
Cons
- This air compressor is often very loud
- It’s not the most durable model in the market
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4. BOSTITCH BTFP02012 Air Compressor
Put away the hammer. Combine that nail gun in your garage with BOSTITCH BTFP02012 Air Compressor and get the nailing job done 50% times faster. It provides the right level of pressure that allows you to nail with precision.
So whether you want to fix a roof, repair home furniture, or setup a new woodworking project that demands a lot of nailing, this air compressor could be your best deal.
You have to care about pressure when hunting for the best air compressor for nail gun. Higher PSI means a better deal, and BOSTITCH BTFP02012 model scores quite well here with its 150-PSI pressure.
It’s pretty much the same with what you get from the PORTER CABLE C2002 model.
Note that with such a higher level of pressure, you can push nails of any size with ease, especially on wooden surfaces.
Tank capacity is always an important consideration when choosing an air compressor. So it’s good to know that BOSTITCH brings you a decent capacity with the BTFP02012 model.
The 6-gallon pancake tank should be enough for a range of nailing work and the need for refilling won’t be as frequent.
BOSTITCH BTFP02012 unit features a motor that works in any season and won’t give in to extremely cold conditions whatsoever.
Moreover, the motor doesn’t need oil to run. Given that it’s an electric powered model, it can run smoothly as there’s really no friction in the parts of the motor.
Pros
- A long lasting air compressor with a decent capacity tank
- High pressure for light and heavy duty nailing jobs
- It’s a versatile model
Cons
- Some people might find it hard to use
Look for an air compressor that has a higher PSI pressure. If anything, you should consider a model that offers at least 100 PSI. But don’t be hesitant to go for a model with a PSI above 100.
Also, choose an air compressor that has a higher CFM because the last thing you want to deal with is a tool that won’t deliver sufficient kinetic energy to power your nail gun.
You can go for an oil or oil free air compressor, but understand that they both have their drawback. Oil-based compressors are a little heavy because of the inclusion of oil tank. And oil-free ones do make a lot of noise when it in use.
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