I will be adding a porch to my house and need advice on a air compressor and air tools. I was going to do the addition "old school style" (hammer) but the boss(wife) wants it up in two weeks. So, I know the compressor and nail gun would cut alot of the time out.

What size comressor do I need?
What type of nail gun do I need?
What type of staple gun do I need?

Is there any other tools that you guys can think of that will help with this project? Many thanks in advance!!

 

How are you planning on building this porch? Like a deck off a house only with a roof and screening?

I would get a Senco gun that will shoot up to 3" spikes and a Senco stapler that will handle 1 3/4 staples. You want at least a 5 gallon compressor and a I would recommend a 50' hose.

Other essential tools would be square, speed square, chalk line, skill saw, level, hand tools of course, cordless drill, 3" screws, saw horses, and some construction adhesive (either PL400 or Titebond).

 

I have a Kobalt 5 gallon tank and compressor with a Bostich big nail gun and trim nail gun. Both work great, built my house and shed with them. Small enough to easily manuever around but big enough so its not turning the compressor on every 5 minutes. Got the whole combo for like 200 on sale or something like that.

 

Make sure that you buy a compressor that is an oil bath compressor and not an oilless one after that there are only about three manufacturers in the world that make compressor parts in the world and all of them are about the same. As far as a nail gun I would stick with a name brand like Paslode, Senco, or Bostitch and make sure that you are buying one that is a common degree feed rail and nail size that the builders in your area are using and I would talk to a lumber yard about this and not one of the big boxes and they should be able to point you in the right direction. And I think that johnnyd2723 hit the nail on the head with the other tools needed for the job.

 

Porter cable nailguns. Any decent 5lb compressor will be good enough, don't need that much power for nailguns. A porter cable framing nailer will cost like $200... and a decent compressor will be $150. There is also a Porter-Cable combo kit... brad nailer, finish nailer, crown stapler and a 6lb compressor for $300. Then just add the $200 framing nailer, and you'll pretty much be set.

You could also consider renting everything you need if you never plan on using the stuff again or you're not a fan of developing a tool collection.

 

For a one-time project you could probably get away with Harbor Freight cheapies. My brother in law is a contractor, and his jobsite stuff is top shelf, but he uses HF stuff around the house.

 

Johnny, yes its only roof and screening. Not a big big add on, its only about a 30ft long porch. 06xlt4x4, I have heard that Bostich is a good brand, not to expensive too .
Ok, so this is what I think im going to get

5 gallon or more air compressor-oil motor
Frame nail gun
Trim nail gun
staple gun that will handle 1 3/4 staples
50' hose

Will the compressor come with everything I need to run it? Or do I need to buy any kind connectors for the hose?

 

You will get the female air fitting on the compressor but you will have to buy them for the hose and tools and where ever you buy the compressor will have them and be able to get you set up and running.

 

Johnny, yes its only roof and screening. Not a big big add on, its only about a 30ft long porch. 06xlt4x4, I have heard that Bostich is a good brand, not to expensive too .
Ok, so this is what I think im going to get

5 gallon or more air compressor-oil motor
Frame nail gun
Trim nail gun
staple gun that will handle 1 3/4 staples
50' hose

Will the compressor come with everything I need to run it? Or do I need to buy any kind connectors for the hose?