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Air compressor are game auto-changer when it comes to labour nails , inflating tires , and power a host of DIY tools , and pancake - style models are among the most democratic for all - around dwelling house use .
I recently test eight trending poser to determine which ones were well suitable for purpose by DIYers and homeowner . TheBostitch aura compressor combo kittook the top overall berth in our lineup of thebest home air compressorsas I found it highly effective at powering several eccentric of stock pneumatic prick . Still , this griddlecake air compressor is n’t perfect , so this is a closer look at its feature and performance during common home base improvement tasks .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Keep read to discover what materialise when I put the Bostitch outfit to the mental testing so you could ascertain whether it ’s the right air compressor for your DIY motive .
Bostitch Air Compressor Combo Kit: At a Glance
Rating:4.7/5
SPECS
PROS
CONS
Get the Bostitch air compressor kit at :
What is the Bostitch 3-tool combo air compressor kit?
TheBostitch BTFP3KITis a portable pancake - style airwave compressor practice bundling with three pneumatic shaft — an 18 - gauge brad nailer , a 16 - gauge finish nailer , and a ⅜-inch poll stapling machine . The compressor is a flapcake - panache that weighs 41.8 Lebanese pound and come with a large nonslip handle for carry . It ’s petroleum - free , requiring less alimony than mannikin that need monitoring and adding oil to the crankcase .
The BTFP3KIT is well suited for home and DIY utilisation . I have long been aBostitchfan , and this combo outfit did n’t disappoint . It ’s compact , easy to move to the location where it ’s needed , and it power two tune tool at the same sentence . I tested it using the three pecker in the outfit and a pneumatic shock wrench .
Power and Performance
The Bostitch pancake melody compressorprovides ample power for distinctive DIY projects , including driving roofing nail , finish nails , brads , and grammatical construction basic . It features an air delivery of 2.6 CFM at 90 PSI , a 6 - gallon breeze tank , and a maximum insistence of 150 PSI . The compressor easily preserve up with one worker laying composite shingles on a roof , and its twofold ports will accommodate two drug user at the same time .
I ran dozens of brad , finish nails , and crown staples in both plywood and trash trim back at a pace standardised to what would befall on an actual project . When the pancake compressorcycled on , I could continue testing , and it recovered before its tank ran out of airwave . I also used the compressor to power an shock wrench and remove some lug from a car tyre . This call for more airwave power , so the compressor cycled on more frequently , but it still leave the power necessary to remove the lug .
What’s in the box?
Several of the other air compressors I tested number without any accessories , not even an air hose , but theBostitch kitcontains most everything a user needs to start using the tool . In the loge , I ground the compressor , a nice flexile 25 - animal foot melodic phrase hose , three pneumatic tools , and sample fasteners for use with each . This is an all - inclusive kit that you could employ right after unpacking without buy anything else .
However , I used my own extension corduroy because the received 6 - human foot cord was n’t long enough to touch my examination station . If you persist an extension cord , which is rough-cut , just check that it ’s sized correctly . For cords up to 50 feet long , a 14 - gauge cord is commend , and a 12 - gauge electric cord is recommended for cords up to 100 foot long . stave off using household extension cords — the type used for Christmas Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree lights — because they ’re not passable for the amount of electricity the air compressor draw .
Project Possibilities and Limitations
The Bostitch pancake air compressoris a compact little powerhouse that add the air press necessary to run many DIY tool , not just the ones that amount with the kit . establish on its CFM air flow and maximum PSI , the compressor should be able to power other standard peter , including an airbrush , die grinder , rachet , stud gunman , grease gun , and more .
It ’s on the margin when it descend to paint spray heavy weapon . It will likely power swooning - duty atomizer artillery for small house painting projects or touch - ups . I would hesitate to try it with a commercial - character rouge sprayer that requires a higher CFM rating . Along the same line , 2.6 CFM at 90 PSI may not be enough power to run other mellow - content tools , like industrial - degree nailers or continuous bang sanders .
Still , exploiter can take on several DIY tasks and projects , such as framing , trim induction , roofing , and piece of furniture assembly , making the Bostitch kit up an excellent option for a general home and DIY air compressor .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Is the Bostitch air compressor right for you?
in the end , project motive and budget will be major factor in choosing an air travel compressor . TheBostitch combo kitis relatively low-cost , but it might pay up to shop around before buying because it currently sells for around $ 200 atLowe’sand around $ 300 atAmazonandWalmart .
If you ’re a householder or DIY enthusiast front for a dependable zephyr compressor for remodeling projection or general maintenance tasks , this might be the compressor you need . It ’s suited for powering many standard pneumatic prick and has a quick recovery .
However , 2.6 CFM at 90 pounds per square inch may not be sufficient for heavy - duty or continuous use . In accession , while it ’s count aportable air compressorat 45 pounds , it may be too heavy for some users to well carry or load up on a motortruck bed . It ’s also not a super - placid compressor . It produces 80 decibels of noise during a recovery cycle — comparable to a vacuum cleansing agent or an alarm clock . While that ’s not as loud as some shop - type compressors I ’ve worked around , it ’s not as peaceful as some of thequieter zephyr compressorsI recently tested .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
For those just getting started with pneumatic tool , it ’s tough to stupefy the Bostitch combo kit because it come with everything that ’s needed for various types of fastener , and it ’s quick to go right after unboxing . The three tools include make this a great value for the price .
Where to Buy the Bostitch pancake air compressor kit
Meet the Tester
Glenda Taylor is a product quizzer and writer specializing in the expression , remodeling , and literal estate industry . She and her hubby own a general catching company , and Taylor is experienced in both residential and commercial construction applications . She test various top executive instrument and other home advance , household , and lawn - and - garden product .
This Is the class for a Kitchen Renovation
Whether you ’re sell or staying , everyone can get something out of a kitchen update . memorise why we weigh this restoration the Most Valuable Project of 2025 and how to stay on budget .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
