Technical Questions Compressors
Have a question about your SENCO compressor? Here are some frequently asked questions. If your particular question isn’t answered, send us an e-mail.
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Q: What features make SENCO compressors professional-grade?
A: SENCO did a considerable amount of research to find out exactly what contractors wanted in a compressor. Here are the customer-preferred features that make our compressors better.
Dual Action Switch
With the Dual Action Switch, you can stop/start the compressor when using our tool, or flip it to “constant run” for the paint spray application.
Cast Iron Cylinder
The wheelbarrow compressors and the PC2001 hand-carry model have a durable cast iron cylinder, rather than an aluminum cylinder, for longer life.
Cold Weather Start Valve
This valve vents air until it is warmed up and can be pumped into the air tanks. Venting cold air into the tanks on start-up could trip a circuit breaker or cause other problems. This is a important feature when used in cold weather.
Reset Switch
Other compressors often rely on the circuit breaker to trip and protect the compressor if there is an electrical surge above 15 amps. With the SENCO compressor, simply flip the Reset Switch and you’re back in business. A real time-saver when the circuit breaker is inside the house!
Belt Tightener
Replacing and tightening the belt can be a hassle. Our Belt Tightener automatically adjusts and tightens the belt.
Pneumatic Tires
The pneumatic tires give the compressor much better mobility. We also included an easy-to-remove feature in the event there is trouble with the tire.
Heavier Gauge Metal
Sturdier Metal was used for the air tanks, belt guard and the “saddle,” the unit that connects the two tanks, and creates a saddle on which the pump and motor rest.
Air Shroud
This feature on both wheelbarrow compressors quickly dissipates heat and provides for a cooler-running pump.
Steel-Braided Gas Line
This is a contractor-preferred feature on our gas compressor.
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Q: What size air compressor do I need to
buy to properly run a tool?
A: Most small portables will suffice. For instance; a very small 1-hp portable (delivering 2.0 cubic feet of air per minute) will allow you to operate SENCO’s largest nailing tool at about 15 nail drives per minute. The same compressor will run a medium-size finishing nailer at about 30 nail drives per minute, and will run a small brad nailer at over 70 drives per minute.
SENCO tools take a “gulp” of compressed air for each fastener drive. Big tools take a bigger gulp; smaller tools use less of a gulp. The technical term for this gulp is “air consumption per cycle”. If you divide the air consumption per cycle into the CFM of a given air compressor you will determine the possible drives per minute. This should give you a clear picture if the compressor is able to properly supply the tool you are planning to use.
Few people, maybe some pros, will operate SENCO tools at super-high speeds. Most people will buy the easy-to-carry portables for the convenience of being able to take the compressor to the job site. The 30 lb. portables tend to deliver about 2.0 CFM; the 50 lb. units usually deliver about 4.0 CFM.
Some basic recommendations on the correct compressor to buy:
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| SENCO Tool to Operate | Compressor to Buy |
| Upholstery stapler | portable, 2.0 CFM, 30 lb. |
| Brad nailer | portable, 2.0 CFM, 30 lb. |
| Finish nailer | portable, 2.0 CFM, 30 lb. |
| Sheathing stapler | portable, 4.0 CFM, 50 lb. |
| Framing nailer | portable, 4.0 CFM, 50 lb. |
| Roofing nailer | portable, 4.0 CFM, 50 lb. |
| 2-4 large tools at once | wheelbarrow, 6.0+ CFM, 150 lb. |
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Q: What air pressure is used to run SENCO tools?
A: As a general rule, the 90-100 psi range will work well. You might find you need more or less for certain tools, or for various applications. Please remember most SENCO
tools rely on the air pressure to properly reset the driver to the fully “up” position, so
lower air pressures may cause skipping of the fasteners. |
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