I believe a brad nailer needs at least 30 psi, but other tools need at least 90psi. Come to think of it, I think an upholstery stapler needs 30 also, but these can vary in different manufacturers. A compressor capable of at least 90psi would offer better use for other tools and things like filling tires in the future.
Looking at a few manufacturers, it seems that brad nailers range from 50-110 psi for a 2". Does he have a nailer already?
Oil-free and non-lubricated compressors may be cheaper, but they won't last as long as an oiled one.
If all he is going to use it for is nailing and stapling, or otherwise very sporadic use, then a 1.5 hp compressor with about a 3-4 gal tank would be sufficient. There are two main styles, a pancake or a hot-dog. Pancake is a squished spherical tank with the compressor on top of it, and the hot-dog is the long cylinder style. If he wants to save room, a pancake style would be better.
If noise is a problem, there are some with lower RPM's which are quieter and last longer than a regular compressor. A slower one goes around 1700 rpm.
Stay away from Mastercraft, and go to a real hardware store. Don't get the cheapest one, as the "you get what you pay for" saying is true.
__________________
|
