cowboydoc
A framing nailer should be used with a five gallon unit, the small one gallon unit doesn't have the capacity to keep up. I have a one gallon unit that I use in my wood-working shop for brads and staples, I can run it out if I try. it's O.K. for a small paint unit or an air-brush but, for something that your taking about, get a bigger unit.

wolfatrest2000
If you're using a framing nailer expect a lot of down time while you're waiting for the tank to refill. How fast it will refill depends on what type of motor is on the compressor, the bigger the motor usually the faster the refill, but you also have to take into consideration the rpm's of the motor.

rangedog
My little one gallon compressor cost $100. I used it a lot cleaning furnaces. It lasted three years. My 6 gallon compressor also cost 100 bucks. It's a lot better. Most framers in this area seem to use what they call a 'pancake' compressor that looks to be about 2-3 gallons. Here is a 2 gallon one for 60 bucks. I wouldn't go smaller than that.

denver80260
The gallon in the measurement of an air compressor is a measurement of the size/capacity of the storage tank that is being filled with the result of the compressor motor. The larger the tank capacity the smoother any air operated tool will work. Your framing nailer will not work very efficiently with a 1 gallon unit because it takes to much of the total volume of the tank for each cycle of the nailer. Therefore you will be waiting for the cycle time to refill the storage tank before you can fire again. If you do not wait until the tank reaches the required pressure your nailer will miss fire or jamb or just not set your nail to the proper depth. For smooth operation at any kind of reasonable speed I would recommend a 12 gallon unit. You purchase one for under $200.00

evil independent
I can run my framing nailer all day on my pancake compressor, I think it is 2 gallons. Just look at the manufacturers recommendation for the output needed on your nailer, hopefully your one gallon compressor puts out enough air.

woodtick314
The gallon capacity is not the important number when looking at a compressor. There is another number, SCFM, which stands for Standard Cubic Feet per Minute at a particular pressure. Each tool has a minimum SCFM requirement, and you will need to make sure that you compressor meets that minimum at the pressure you are using. Otherwise, the compressor will cycle constantly, and the pump will burn out quickly. Hope this helps.

Jason p
simple rule of thumb really....... The bigger the tool such as framing nailers, impact guns,ect ect. The more air is required to operate. So, if you use a small compressor, it will run all the time and you will wear out your compressor way quicker. the bigger the tank, the more air that it holds which the less the compressor runs. Will a small compressor run your gun. Abso"freakin"lutley...... Will it last ........Not typically.