Home Construction Improvement

Max 400-PSI High Pressure Compressor Review

By Todd Fratzel on Power Tools, Product Reviews

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High Pressure Compressor

One of the challenges with today’s advanced framing materials is using pneumatic nailers. Pneumatic nailers get a real workout trying to drive nails deep into LVLs’, Paralams, and TJI flanges. One of the best ways to overcome this difficulty is by using a high pressure compressor.

I’ve had the pleasure of working with the Max AKHL1050E 15 Amp 2 Horsepower 2-2/3 Gallon 400-PSI High Pressure Oil-Free Twin Pontoon Compressor that produces pressures high enough to deal with any engineered lumber product. This compressor is very quiet and has no problem at all keeping up with a full framing crew. We used one of these compressors on a house build last year with 4 carpenters running guns off of it with no issues at all.

The Max 400-PSI High Pressure Compressor is not cheap at $1,665 however if you run a framing crew it’s worth every dollar.

High Pressure Nailers

You’ll also need to use special high pressure nail guns with this compressor. You can buy several of them if you follow the links below:

• Max USA HN90 Powerlite Framer Framing Coil Nailer, Drives From 1-3/4″ X .099″ Up To 3-1/2″ X .148″ Flat Wire Welded Nails
• Max USA HN65J Powerlite Locator Joist Hanger Nailer, Drives From 1-1/2″ Up To 2″ X .1/2″ Flat Plastic Sheet Collated Nails
• Max HS90 PowerLite Framer 400Psi Strip Nailer 2-3/8″ to 3-1/2″
• Max HN90 PowerLite Framer 400Psi Coil Nailer 1-3/4″ To 3-1/2″
• Max USA HN65 Powerlite Sider, 2 1/2″ Siding Nailer, Drives From 1-1/2″ Up To 2-1/2″ Flat Wire Welded Nails

High Pressure Air Hoses

You’ll also need high pressure air hoses to go along with the compressor and nailers. You can buy the Max 100′ Air Hose For High Pressure Powerlite System.

Overall Rating

The Max high pressure system is definitely contractor grade. This is not a system for home owners unless you love buying expensive toys. Having said that the Max system is a great investment for contractors that work with engineered lumber. These pneumatic nailers will save you hours of work going back and sinking nails the remaining way by hand.

High pressure compressors are definitely a good investment for commercial framing crews. If you build multiple houses and buildings each  year your crews will likely benefit from the extra fastening power.