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Pancake air compressor

Posted on 1/17/23 at 1:01 pm
Posted by SaintLSU
Gretna
Member since Apr 2007
3399 posts
Posted on 1/17/23 at 1:01 pm
Which brand do y’all recommend. Was thinking of going with the Rigid since it’s on sale
Posted by Ziggy
Member since Oct 2007
21509 posts
Posted on 1/17/23 at 1:12 pm to
I've had ZERO issues with my Bostitch.
Posted by Arkapigdiesel
Arkansas
Member since Jun 2009
13155 posts
Posted on 1/17/23 at 1:21 pm to
I've had a Porter Cable for many years. Dependable as the day is long. I recently bought a Ridgid for camp because it was on sale. Truthfully, I think they are all fine.
This post was edited on 1/17/23 at 1:36 pm
Posted by jpainter6174
Boss city
Member since Feb 2014
5281 posts
Posted on 1/17/23 at 1:39 pm to
I have the rigid as well for 5 years, zero issues.
Posted by Boss
Member since Dec 2007
1204 posts
Posted on 1/17/23 at 4:37 pm to
Also have a porter cable. Over 20 years old.
Posted by wryder1
Birmingham
Member since Feb 2008
4155 posts
Posted on 1/17/23 at 8:48 pm to
I got a dewalt on sale with a finished nail gun about 5 years ago and all of them still work great.
Posted by 9rocket
Member since Sep 2020
1201 posts
Posted on 1/17/23 at 10:33 pm to
I’ve bought several of the porter cables. All were/are ok. Usually buy them as a kit. One came with a finish nailer and Brad nailer, one came with a pin nailer. They were about 300. Chose them because they were a little lighter than some of the others and I usually had to carry them long distances. They have all lasted a long time, except for one that blew out the short air hose. Had it repaired and gave that one to a friend.
Posted by AmosMosesAndTwins
Lake Charles
Member since Apr 2010
17886 posts
Posted on 1/17/23 at 10:52 pm to
Liked a borrowed Bostitch, lost in flood.

Just got a PC, yet to use.
Posted by goosenecktrailer
Baton Rouge
Member since Nov 2014
22 posts
Posted on 1/18/23 at 4:40 am to
Haven’t had any trouble with my Bostitch but I would buy whatever is cheapest at the time.
Posted by Obtuse1
Westside Bodymore Yo
Member since Sep 2016
25562 posts
Posted on 1/18/23 at 6:06 am to
If you are willing to spend $200 buy a California Air Tools CAT-4710SQ. They are packages a little different from a pancake but they only weigh about 5 pounds more and are actually easier to carry IMO. I can not emphasize enough how much quieter they are than typical oilless compressors of the same size.

Years ago I bought a slightly larger wheelbarrow CAT when everyone on the woodworking forums were slobbering over them after I got it in the next day I ordered a CAT-4710SQ and gave my Bostich pancake away.


Here is a comparison with one of their slightly lager compressors and a pancake and despite being done by CAT I can attest it is accurate:

YT video and should cue up to the noise comparison
Posted by NATidefan
Two hours North of Birmingham
Member since Dec 2008
35965 posts
Posted on 1/18/23 at 6:25 am to
No issues with my Bostitch, but I'm sure plenty others would be just as good.

If you think you'd ever use a any type of nailer at all I would look for a bundle. Usually the price makes the compressor basically free.
This post was edited on 1/18/23 at 6:26 am
Posted by jamiegla1
Member since Aug 2016
6961 posts
Posted on 1/18/23 at 6:48 am to
quote:

California Air Tools

quote:

I can not emphasize enough how much quieter they are than typical oilless compressors of the same size.

My mom got my grandpas old air compressor when he passed away. It looks just like the one you mentioned. That thing is so quiet. Its actually almost pleasant to listen to.

My Porter Cable is the exact opposite. I have to wear ear protection or go inside when its running. Its been a fine compressor other than the regulator leaking. Id definitely go with the CAT in a heartbeat
Posted by TheNolaClap
Jersey Shore (not fist pump)
Member since Jun 2012
1489 posts
Posted on 1/18/23 at 9:05 am to
I've always used pancakes, but just picked up the Harbor Freight 2-gallon fortress compressor a few weeks ago. I've since framed an entire 1500 sqft basement with it. Can barely hear it running. Top notch product for the 140 bucks I paid for it.

If stuck on a loud pancake, Rigid is always top notch for the price.
This post was edited on 1/18/23 at 9:06 am
Posted by LEASTBAY
Member since Aug 2007
14264 posts
Posted on 1/18/23 at 9:09 am to
Also have had a fortress for a few years. Beats the noise.
Posted by Taffeta
Baton Rouge, LA
Member since Dec 2012
923 posts
Posted on 1/18/23 at 9:28 am to
I also have the double hotdog 2 gal fortress.

Super quiet. I like it.
Posted by TeddyPadillac
Member since Dec 2010
25454 posts
Posted on 1/18/23 at 10:48 am to
It's very likely that the same company makes the same pump for all of these different pancake compressors. the only difference is the color of the tank.
Posted by GooseCreekMafia
Member since Jun 2017
630 posts
Posted on 1/18/23 at 8:46 pm to
I have a craftsman one that came with a Brad nailer. Got it from lowes
Posted by Turnblad85
Member since Sep 2022
1125 posts
Posted on 1/18/23 at 10:45 pm to
quote:

same company makes the same pump for all of these different pancake compressors


My bostitch has parts interchangeable with Porter cable. I think mine needs a new piston but I've had it for 10 years and used it quite a bit. Would buy again.
Posted by Craw Dawg
Member since Jan 2023
676 posts
Posted on 1/19/23 at 1:20 am to
Have a Craftsman. Seems like it takes forever to fill and it's loud as all get out...
Posted by SlackMaster
Baton Rouge
Member since Jan 2009
2653 posts
Posted on 1/20/23 at 1:54 pm to
quote:

I got a dewalt on sale with a finished nail gun about 5 years ago and all of them still work great.

I bought this same combo and it's been great. Sounds like it's hard to go wrong with a pancake compressor if it's a decent brand.
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