Are air tools a good investment?
#1
Are air tools a good investment?
Ok, First of I am a first year engineering student with a part-time (during the school year) / full time (during the summer) job as a labourer/ (entry level carpenter) for my dads residential construction company. I have a serious interest in carpentry (mostly framing, but also in finish work - I might consider furniture at a later date).
My question is whether or not I should buy an air compressor and framing nailer. The decision is difficult becuase I get paid by the hour and therefore the financial aspect of saving time and money for myself isn't really there. My main project is a 240 square ft pool shed with a 20X20 ft roof, so I can see how much the framing nailer would help. I also have a few other smaller shed projects. But there is always that side of me that thinks using the old fashioned hammer and nail would allow me to learn more effective methods of hand nailing.
Basically, I can afford the tools myself, and I know that at some point after I graduate (5 years down the road) I will use the tools alot for my own projects. The question is do I buy them now, or wait, and get better equipment when they will benifit me personally.
My question is whether or not I should buy an air compressor and framing nailer. The decision is difficult becuase I get paid by the hour and therefore the financial aspect of saving time and money for myself isn't really there. My main project is a 240 square ft pool shed with a 20X20 ft roof, so I can see how much the framing nailer would help. I also have a few other smaller shed projects. But there is always that side of me that thinks using the old fashioned hammer and nail would allow me to learn more effective methods of hand nailing.
Basically, I can afford the tools myself, and I know that at some point after I graduate (5 years down the road) I will use the tools alot for my own projects. The question is do I buy them now, or wait, and get better equipment when they will benifit me personally.
#2
Any time I buy a tool, I get the best one I can afford at the time. Most of the time with tools, you get what you pay for.
You also have to consider you local building codes. Some codes specify the type of nail that must be used. If your local code dose you need to consider that in you buying decision. Personally I think that you will be very happy with the air tools. You will find that after awhile you will hate to be with out them. Just buy quaintly tools to begin with. They really might not speed your project up as much as you think, but they will take a lot of the labor out of it. And I prefer to work smarter not harder.
You also have to consider you local building codes. Some codes specify the type of nail that must be used. If your local code dose you need to consider that in you buying decision. Personally I think that you will be very happy with the air tools. You will find that after awhile you will hate to be with out them. Just buy quaintly tools to begin with. They really might not speed your project up as much as you think, but they will take a lot of the labor out of it. And I prefer to work smarter not harder.
#3
Originally posted by WeldGod
Any time I buy a tool, I get the best one I can afford at the time. Most of the time with tools, you get what you pay for.
You also have to consider you local building codes. Some codes specify the type of nail that must be used. If your local code dose you need to consider that in you buying decision. Personally I think that you will be very happy with the air tools. You will find that after awhile you will hate to be with out them. Just buy quaintly tools to begin with. They really might not speed your project up as much as you think, but they will take a lot of the labor out of it. And I prefer to work smarter not harder.
Any time I buy a tool, I get the best one I can afford at the time. Most of the time with tools, you get what you pay for.
You also have to consider you local building codes. Some codes specify the type of nail that must be used. If your local code dose you need to consider that in you buying decision. Personally I think that you will be very happy with the air tools. You will find that after awhile you will hate to be with out them. Just buy quaintly tools to begin with. They really might not speed your project up as much as you think, but they will take a lot of the labor out of it. And I prefer to work smarter not harder.
Ya, I guess it wont speed it up that much, but then again the less tired I am, the more I can do in a day.
#4
ah roofing! A coil roofing air nailer is amazing. Have you ever tried hammering a roofing nail into a shingle on a 6/12 roof? I helped my friend shingle an addition last summer. First off, roofing nails are too short to "hold" you have to lay the palm of your hand upside down against the (gooey asphalt shingle in 100 degree heat) and then stick the nail between your fingers. I must have hit my hand a dozen times before we smartened up and got an air nailer and compressor. It is sooo much faster ( at least for roofing) Pull that trigger and psht psht psht psht psht You can put 6 nails into a shingle in the time it would have taken me to get one nail out of my tool belt!
Never used a framing nailer, but I have seen those electric gas powered ones by Paslode. Very sweet looking. -Josh
Never used a framing nailer, but I have seen those electric gas powered ones by Paslode. Very sweet looking. -Josh
#7
millertime:
The use of time and labor saving tools are what it's all about.
The only thing wrong with this picture is the fact that you have to purchase this on your own. Being an hourly paid employee and purchasing a time saving tool yourself is a bit of a conflict of interest.
Surely dad could see the benefit of providing this tool, or purchase the tool yourself and go on piece work and make a killing.
The use of time and labor saving tools are what it's all about.
The only thing wrong with this picture is the fact that you have to purchase this on your own. Being an hourly paid employee and purchasing a time saving tool yourself is a bit of a conflict of interest.
Surely dad could see the benefit of providing this tool, or purchase the tool yourself and go on piece work and make a killing.
#8
Originally posted by GregH
millertime:
The use of time and labor saving tools are what it's all about.
The only thing wrong with this picture is the fact that you have to purchase this on your own. Being an hourly paid employee and purchasing a time saving tool yourself is a bit of a conflict of interest.
Surely dad could see the benefit of providing this tool, or purchase the tool yourself and go on piece work and make a killing.
millertime:
The use of time and labor saving tools are what it's all about.
The only thing wrong with this picture is the fact that you have to purchase this on your own. Being an hourly paid employee and purchasing a time saving tool yourself is a bit of a conflict of interest.
Surely dad could see the benefit of providing this tool, or purchase the tool yourself and go on piece work and make a killing.
no. my dad doesn't see the benifit right now..... I think it mostly has to do with me never doing any framing (i've done other carpentry, but not much) before this and doesn't know if I would really pursue this in future summers.
So I am thinking about buying it myself, and then trying to get a raise once I show what I can do.
As someone pointed though, it allowes me to work longer hours with less fatigue (in which case I can actually go golfing after work )
#9
millertime:
Good point, but after paying for the nailer and compressor you may not be able to afford the green fees!
Good point, but after paying for the nailer and compressor you may not be able to afford the green fees!