Do I need to oil my air tools?

[cswatson98]

I recently purchased the Porter Cable pancake compressor from Home Depot that comes with three nail guns. I was told from a friend that I need to add oil to the guns so that they last longer.

When I opened the box, there was no oil to be found. Is my friend losing it or do I need to go get some oil? I was thinking that since it was an oil-free compressor I didn't need to use oil at all.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Chris

[krdomingue]

Basic answer is yes. The compressor will wring the water out of the air and push it through your system. If you don't keep it oiled it will rust. There are automatic oilers you can buy, but I just spray a little into the end connection when I am done, reconnect it to the hose and cycle the tool to push the oil around the internal workings. You also want to make sure you drain the compressor of water when you are done.

[CWSmith]

I don't own the Porter-Cable nailers, so I suggest you look at your owner's manuals for specifics. I do have the Ridgid Straight Finish Nailer and Ridgid's Brad Nailer.

With that particular brad nailer, oil is not required during use (perhaps the mechanism has a teflon or similar coating). But, the straight finish nailer definitely requires "air tool oil" and a small container was supplied. IIRC, the manual for the finish nailer states that a drop or two should be added via the air connection before each use. I presume that if I'm going to be using it a lot during the day, one should probably do the same, periodically.

This really doesn't have anything to do with whether your compressor is lubricated or non-lubricated, as I doubt that there would be enough oil carried downstream into the system (using a lubricated compressor) to do the tool any good. Basically the operating mechanism of the nailer needs to be lubricated to prevent wear.

As previously mentioned by the other poster, adding a few drops of oil to the tool's air connection will also provide some corrosion protection. But, your compressor should always be checked to ensure that condensation does not build up in the tank. As the air is compressed it will heat and condensation will occur. If the environment is humid, the condensate may be significant.

Again check you manual for specifics, as too much oil can well blow onto the surface you are nailing.

I hope this helps,

CWS

[Arthur96]

Basic answer is yes. The compressor will wring the water out of the air and push it through your system. If you don't keep it oiled it will rust. There are automatic oilers you can buy, but I just spray a little into the end connection when I am done, reconnect it to the hose and cycle the tool to push the oil around the internal workings. You also want to make sure you drain the compressor of water when you are done.


Spray a little oil into the end? Please tell me your not spraying WD40 in your gun? WD40 is like 70%(or more) Kerosene and will Eat the seals inside your gun.

[BadgerDave]

I use this stuff, http://tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:kiUBmoQlbFR6zM:http://img01.static-nextag.com/image/Jetform-JET-AO-32/1/000/006/232/150/623215075.jpg, Marvel Air Tool Oil 1-2 drops every couple of hundred nails/brads or when I put the nailers away if I shoot less. I get mine at Menards but Home Depot or Lowes should have something similar if they don't carry the Marvel.

[Arthur96]

I use this stuff, http://tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:kiUBmoQlbFR6zM:http://img01.static-nextag.com/image/Jetform-JET-AO-32/1/000/006/232/150/623215075.jpg, Marvel Air Tool Oil 1-2 drops every couple of hundred nails/brads or when I put the nailers away if I shoot less. I get mine at Menards but Home Depot or Lowes should have something similar if they don't carry the Marvel.

yea thats good stuff too. few years back Bostitch sold gun oil by the gallon i bought several gallons hehe havnt had to buy any gun oil in a LONG time and a long time to come i think.

[krdomingue]

Spray a little oil into the end? Please tell me your not spraying WD40 in your gun? WD40 is like 70%(or more) Kerosene and will Eat the seals inside your gun.

I don't remember the brand of lubracant I use but it is not WD40 and not kerosene based.

[Bob D.]

I remember using ATF in air tools in the late 60s and early 70s. :)

[Arthur96]

I remember using ATF in air tools in the late 60s and early 70s. :)

heh how did the seals hold up with the ATF? i remember for a long time gun makers were under fire because of failures. it was like the cost of using them was that they didn't last long until they figured out that the oils used were eating the seals then they came out with gun oil for them that wouldn't eat the seals.

[cswatson98]

All,

Thanks for the tips. Sounds like I need to get some oil specifically made for air tools and put a drop or two into the gun each time before I use it. I just hope it doesn't make it's way on the project I am nailing.

[BadgerDave]

All,

Thanks for the tips. Sounds like I need to get some oil specifically made for air tools and put a drop or two into the gun each time before I use it. I just hope it doesn't make it's way on the project I am nailing.

If you feel that you may have over oiled, just shoot a few nails/brands/staples into a piece of scrap before you start using the gun on your project.

[roadrashray]

We have a wide variety of brands of nailers and until our latest purchase the owners manuals have always instructed that a few drops of oil be placed in the hose inlet connection before use each day.
We recently purchased the Porter Cable pancake compressor which came with four nailers. The MANUALS for three of them instructed that NO OIL be used. The pin nailer instructions stated that oil be used daily. Since the pin nailer was a "bonus" item included with the purchase I assumed it might be an older design that still required oil. We have been following the manufacturers instructions regarding use of oil and to date(admittedly only a few months) have experianced no problems. As others have stated, I assumed Porter cable had begun using internal components that were more corrosion resistent and decided to stop using oil to eliminate problems associated with it. I have not talked with Porter Cable so this is strictly a guess. For many years I was involved with companies supplying products used on pnuematic instrumentation lines in the oil production, pipeline and refining industry. Over the years we transitioned from instruments that required oil to eliminating that need as corrosion resistent parts were developed. Our engineers told us they eliminated oil because the inherent stickiness attracted dirt which caused binding of parts and actually increased the wear rate of some internal components. Just a guess!......Ray

[JCsPlumbing]

No, you're supposed to air your oil tools.

J.C.

[Bob D.]

heh how did the seals hold up with the ATF? i remember for a long time gun makers were under fire because of failures. it was like the cost of using them was that they didn't last long until they figured out that the oils used were eating the seals then they came out with gun oil for them that wouldn't eat the seals.

Oh yeah, I'm not saying is it best practice for a nail gun, but that is what was done back then by some (probably many) automotive shops. Now these were automotive impact wrenches, pneumatic hammers, drills, etc. from CP, MAC, Snap-On, and others, not brad nailers and the like.

The vanes in the air motors didn't seem to mind. And the air tool oil that came with the tool looked like ATF, if you put a drop of each side by side you couldn't tell the difference.

[roadrashray]

I talked with Porter Cable technical service this AM regarding the "oil less" nailers we recently purchased. I was told the following........
1-The technology they use no longer requires oil and they state that longer wear and decreased problems result if oil is not used daily in the nailers.
2-If an owner experiances a failure and returns a oil less nailer for service, evidence of oil found in the nailer will nullify the warranty.
I asked him what the design engineering rationale was regarding the prohibition of oil use in these nailers. He stated he didn't know. I have sent an email to Porter Cable technical service asking that same question.
Stay tuned.....Ray

[Bob D.]

Did they give any indication as to when the change was made? All my PC nailers and staplers (5 total) were bought over a period of a couple years, some just last year. I will have to look at each manual and see which are which. I thought all of mine needed oil, but I better check. Best thing for me to do will be to put a label on each type, OIL or NO OIL so I don't forget.

[CWSmith]

As I stated earlier, it's always best to read your manual. The technologies change rapidly with both materials and assembly practices. I know that many of us go by past experiences and carry out maintenance/use procedures that may or may not be applicable to some of today's tools. The manual should keep us on target.

(That's what the "technical writer" in me says anyway! :))

CWS

[roadrashray]

Did they give any indication as to when the change was made? All my PC nailers and staplers (5 total) were bought over a period of a couple years, some just last year. I will have to look at each manual and see which are which. I thought all of mine needed oil, but I better check. Best thing for me to do will be to put a label on each type, OIL or NO OIL so I don't forget.

Bob......I didn't ask when the change was made and he didn't volunteer. We advised all our men about those nailers and put several-NO OIL- warnings on the nailers with permanent markers in BIG letters for the memory challenged of which I am the leader.
Good luck...Ray

[Arthur96]

Oh yeah, I'm not saying is it best practice for a nail gun, but that is what was done back then by some (probably many) automotive shops. Now these were automotive impact wrenches, pneumatic hammers, drills, etc. from CP, MAC, Snap-On, and others, not brad nailers and the like.

The vanes in the air motors didn't seem to mind. And the air tool oil that came with the tool looked like ATF, if you put a drop of each side by side you couldn't tell the difference.

could be that automotive type tools we made for this seeing as how it would be redily avalable

[Arthur96]

I talked with Porter Cable technical service this AM regarding the "oil less" nailers we recently purchased. I was told the following........
1-The technology they use no longer requires oil and they state that longer wear and decreased problems result if oil is not used daily in the nailers.
2-If an owner experiances a failure and returns a oil less nailer for service, evidence of oil found in the nailer will nullify the warranty.
I asked him what the design engineering rationale was regarding the prohibition of oil use in these nailers. He stated he didn't know. I have sent an email to Porter Cable technical service asking that same question.
Stay tuned.....Ray


Well when the first oiless senco guns came on the market late 80's early 90's they would jam up alot once you oiled them they would work fine go figure.

Today im sure the tech has improved alot almost every bostitch finish nailer is oiless now im not sure about the framers though my framer is a few years old and still uses oil.

[BuckB]

heh how did the seals hold up with the ATF? i remember for a long time gun makers were under fire because of failures. it was like the cost of using them was that they didn't last long until they figured out that the oils used were eating the seals then they came out with gun oil for them that wouldn't eat the seals.

Your right. ATF does not harm seals. Automatic transmissions are full of em. BTW, ATF also cleans fuel injectors for both Diesel and Gas engines. It has a lot of detergent in it.

Buck

[yoskeeze]

some of the new air tools do not require oil. i have a porter cable set that i got from hd last year that does use oil, but i noticed the new kit they have now does not. if it requires oil it probably would have come with a small bottle in the kit. i would check to manual to be sure. it might be possible that adding oil could damage the air tool if it is not designed for it. as an auto tech, i use air tools all day long and i usually oil my tools about once a week and never had a problem. some tools require non detergent engine oil for lubrication. again, i would consult the manual.

[Cookn]

Because of the newer technology in lubricants, it is not needed to oil or lubricate just about any gun on the market. I've rebuilt many a gun, Bostich, Paslode, PC, Campbell Hausfeld, you name it I've probably had one opened up. Most of the rebuild kits include a tube of special grease to grease the seals. Oil just really gums of the works. Even Bostich 1/2" floor staplers don't need oiling and they've been around forever. On most framing and finish guns the main seal is on top of the cylinder and the first thing in air path. It's usually a synthetic material and oil will just make it lose it's seal faster. The pistons don't have a seal usually, they are greased and that maintains the seal. Even on a large framer the volume of air is only the size of a couple of "D" batteries if that. You'd be surprised to how little there is in one. In a Bostich pin nailer, a brad gun, the piston is the size of a "C" battery and the parts to rebuild it cost about $10.00. When I was doing rebuilds I'd charge $75.00 + parts, an easy $100 on a 45 minute job to rebuild a floor stapler and they are the most complicated air gun out there. Parts cost me $ 15.00 and sold them for $30.00.