June 17, 2023
I was reading through a forum the other day, and one question that kept on popping up is about which nail gun combo kit is the best to buy. Of course, if you are a professional carpenter, you would surely want to get the best nail gun combo kit for your intensive work. Yet, the market is awash with myriads of brands and models of nail guns. This makes it difficult for buyers to choose a suitable nail gun combo kit for their needs.
As an aspiring woodworker, you will need to collect essential tools to jumpstart your woodworking career. Yet, you can’t just simply buy every device without considering your budget. Power tools, of course, are expensive. As such, if you’re a budget-conscious buyer, it will be best to choose a combo kit like the nail gun combo kit to cut on your expenses for your tools.
Most Recommended Nail Gun Combo Kits
Given the myriads of nail gun combo kits in the market today, you might find it a challenge to zero in on the best options. Yet, if you know the following most recommended nail gun combo kits, you can quickly narrow down your options to the best options at hand:
1) Bostitch BTFP3KIT
The Bostitch BTFP3KIT is an excellent starting tool kit for those who want to enter the air tool world. This kit comes with a six-gallon pancake air compressor that offers 150 maximum psi. Besides, this kit features three tools: a finish nailer, a brad nailer, and a crown stapler. It also comes with a fifteen-foot air hose, offering you a good range of flexibility.
This kit’s compressor is time-saving and easy to use. The compressor, of course, comes with the pressure readout as well as the dial for pressure adjustment. You can also use the three tools that come with it, given their straightforward functionalities.
This kit offers excellent portability, but you might need an extension cord for the compressor. The air compressor weighs around 29 pounds. So, you might find it hard to move the compressor. But it does come with a 15-foot air hose, giving you a good range.
This tool kit is also pretty much affordable. The compressor, however, produces around 78.3 dBA, which is a bit noisier than the quietest Campbell-Hausfeld pancake compressor, which operates at about 68 dBA.
What We Like:
- Lightweight and portable
- Provides the best value for your money
- Comes with a handy 15-foot air hose for a better range
- Effective in maintaining pressure
- Time-saving and easy to use
What We Don’t Like:
- A bit noisier than other compressors
2) DEWALT DWC1KIT-B
The DEWALT DWC1KIT-B is an excellent kit that offers both professional and DIY enthusiasts the best combo package of a compressor and nailer. It got everything you need to get you started on the right path as a DIYer. It comes with a high-end model of a compressor and is maintenance-free.
In this kit, you’ll get a brad nailer that comes with an adjustable drive depth. It also has a non-marring nose tip. You can also remove this nose tip. Its exhaust is at the rear, and it features a jam release that doesn’t need a tool. Plus, this brad nailer has a sequential style trigger.
On the other hand, the compressor is a six-gallon pancake compressor that is lightweight at thirty pounds. Moreover, it comes with a highly efficient motor. It also comes with rubber leg covers that protect its legs. Two users can likewise use this compressor at the same time.
What We Like:
- This combo kit comes with a powerful compressor and nailer
- The compressor can support two users
- Offers a maintenance-free compressor
- Exhibits quiet operation
What We Don’t Like:
- Needs improvement in its level of portability
3) PORTER-CABLE PCFP12234
Another excellent option if you’re looking for a combo kit is the PORTER-CABLE PCFP12234. Similar to the abovementioned products, this one comes with a six-gallon compressor. It comes with an innovative design that allows for better portability and protection.
The compressor weighs around thirty pounds and is capable of a maximum of 150 PSI. You can drive 16G finish nails ranging from one to two-and-a-half-inch long.
It can also drive 18G brad nails with the brad nailer that comes with this kit. Plus, it comes with a crown stapler that could come in handy in your works. This kit is basically a four-in-one kit.
What We Like:
- Compact and lightweight
- Comes with excellent power and efficiency
- Equipped with the needed accessories
- Durable and long-lasting
What We Don’t Like:
- A bit noisy
- The compressor vibrates vigorously
4) CRAFTSMAN CMEC1KIT18
The CRAFTSMAN CMEC1KIT18 comes with an air compressor and a brad nailer. The air compressor can produce a maximum of 50 PSI, sufficient for running a nail gun with ease and speed.
The compressor comes with an oil-free design which makes maintenance easy. It is lightweight and portable, and you can use this air compressor to run the nail gun that comes with it.
The brad nailer that comes with it can drive up to two-inch-long brad nails. This kit also comes with a hose. So, you got everything you need in this kit to get you started.
What We Like:
- Lightweight and portable
- Durable being made of premium material
- Not that noisy
- Designed for frequent usage
- Offers oil-free operation
What We Don’t Like:
- A bit expensive
5) Senco PC0947
The Senco PC0947 is a combo kit of an air compressor and a brad nailer. You will notice that the compressor unit is a bit small. Yet, despite its seemingly small tank, it can deliver sufficient power.
It comes with a big compressor motor that provides this air compressor with enough power. The air compressor doesn’t exhibit any lag in power. It offers a smooth operation that you will surely appreciate.
Moreover, it doesn’t make too much noise. This kit also features a twisted hosepipe. You got everything you need to start driving nails with this combo kit.
What We Like:
- Comes with an exposed compressor
- Compact and small, allowing for better portability
- Offers excellent power despite its smaller air tank.
What We Don’t Like:
- Motor needs to work more to provide more power
6) Makita MAC100QK1 Quiet Series
The Makita MAC100QK1 is a professional-looking combo kit consisting of a brad nailer and an air compressor. If you are looking for the best nail gun and air compressor combo for the money, you should check out this one.
It features an open machine design to help keep the machine cool even if running for long. It also comes with a fall protection system that offers a roll cage and roll cage. The roll cage back comes with a mesh for keeping air flowing.
The Makita MAC100QK1 runs quietly and would not disturb your neighbors when it is operating. Its noise level is rated at 58dB. Moreover, its nail gun also complements well this air compressor. The air compressor also comes with excellent padding for fewer vibrations.
What We Like:
- Features an oil-free piston pump
- The compressor is lightweight and very portable
- Features roll cage for protection
- Operates very quietly
What We Don’t Like:
- Connecting the hose is tedious and challenging
Essential Considerations When Buying a Nail Gun and Compressor Combo
Once you’ve known the most recommended nail gun combo kits in the market today, you can quickly zero in on the ideal combo kit to get you started. Nevertheless, it will also help if you are familiar with the essential factors to consider, for these factors can help you make an intelligent purchase:
The PSI of the Air Compressor
When buying a combo kit for the nailer and air compressor, it will be best to know its PSI. Knowing if the air compressor got enough power to drive nails consistently and efficiently will be good. For example, it is best for light work if the air compressor has 90 PSI.
It can deliver enough power to make nail guns work efficiently. Yet, they are less powerful than larger models.
Air compressors that can provide up to 150 PSI can provide much air pressure, drive more tools, and come with more power. They are, however, more expensive and perfect for larger projects.
CFM
Another essential factor to consider is the CFM or SCFM. The CFM is one metric that also determines the air compressor’s performance. The air compressor should match the CFM of the tools. If there is a mismatch, then there might be stalling and delay.
Tank Size
You should also consider the tank size of the air compressor. As a rule, the bigger your air compressor tank, the longer it can run your nail guns. Yet, you should also balance between portability and size of the tank, for the more extensive the tank, the more difficult it would be to transport it from one place to another.
Hosepipe Length
Another consideration is the hosepipe length. If you’re using a pneumatic nail gun, you will need to power it with air pressure, and you will need a hosepipe to channel the airflow. If you move away from the air tank when you work, you might get hampered by a shorter air hose. So, make sure that you are getting a longer air hose in your combo package for better mobility and flexibility.
Control Over the Air Pressure
Another essential factor to consider is the control over the air pressure. An excellent air compressor will provide you with better control over the air pressure. It should come with an easy-to-set knob or dial for adjusting air pressure.
Capability of the Nail Gun and the Air Compressor
The air compressor should come with a gauge meter to monitor the pressure inside the air compressor. With this feature, you will know the pressure inside the tank and get the right cue to operate your nail gun.
It should also come with a secondary gauge meter for you to monitor the air pressure that reaches the nail gun. With this secondary gauge meter, you can set your air compressor unit accordingly at a time.
Noise Level When Operating
Another crucial factor to consider is the noise level of the air compressor. Does it produce too much noise that could damage your ear or disturb your neighbors? The 80 dBA is the average noise level of portable air compressors. This noise level is similar to the sound produced by an old phone’s dial tone. If your air compressor operates at lower decibel levels like 70 to 75 dBA, you can ensure that you can work comfortably and that your neighbors will never be disturbed while you work.
Portability
Lastly, you should check out the portability of the air compressor. Is it easy to carry around to your workplace? Is it heavy? Nevertheless, it doesn’t mean that it can be less portable if an air compressor is bulky.
If the air compressor, for example, got wheels, it can still be very mobile, despite its hefty size. Yet, the more compact the design of the air compressor, the easier it is to squeeze around tight spaces.
Conclusion
Pneumatic nail guns are widely used in construction and carpentry projects. But pneumatic nail guns usually operate with an air compressor that provides them with power to drive nails. So, if you would buy a pneumatic nail gun, you also need to buy an air compressor.
Opting for a combo kit would be your best option if you want to save. This combo kit usually comes with an air compressor and nail guns that could get you started on your nailing task quickly. The abovementioned combo kits are your best options if ever you would opt to buy a combo kit of air compressor and nail guns.
Liam is a 37-year-old woodworker and interior designer who loves to make every furniture project an art piece. He is very experienced in furniture design and woodworking project planning.