Blowing out chain saw, compressor?

[bytehoven]

My little sister finally ask me to give her back here Porter Cable pancake compressor :hmm3grin2orange: I had been using to blow out my chain saws. Her was a little loud but ran pretty good.

So I had to buy my own. I picked up one of the Porter Cable W-2001K 150psi pancake compressors at Lowes, and it was not only louder than my sisters older 135psi, it developed a terrible whistle and ran really hot. So I returned the unit.

I really want something small, because I need to carry it around alot for various family uses.

I am leaning toward the Makita MAC700, which seems like a nice quiet 1700 RPM oil-lubricated unit, which will pretty much do what I need as far as blowing out tools and running stuff up to a framing nailer.

I might take a look at the current $99 special at my local Harbor Freight on a 2hp/4.5 gallon, 1700 RPM, twin hot-dog, oil-lube model, which looks like a knock off of a Thomas.

The Makita will be around $170 shipped, and nobody sells it locally.

I'd love to hear any comments on smaller compressors.

Having just bought the MS361, I should probably shop around for a deal on a Thomas.

 

[tawilson]

I had a noisy little PortaCable that finally blew it's guts this year. It was a good machine and I had it a long time, but I replaced it with a Bostitch and it is much quieter.

 

[CaseyForrest]

Ive got a Rigid compressor. 4.5 gallons, two "hot dogs." oil lubricated compressor. Works well, cycles a couple times while using the air gun, but gets the job done nicely.

Oh yeah, its on wheels with a handle.

 

[Ed*L]

You might want to look at the DeWalt compressors, they are made by Emglo. We have had a portable (5hp Briggs) Emglo for years, it's outlived 1 motor & the 2nd motor uses more oil than gas, but never anything other than routine maintaince on the compressor unit.
Make sure you get an oil lube one. I don't hear much good about the oilless ones.

Ed

 

[Deadman]

Harbor freight= JUNK

 

[rb_in_va]

Good thread! I'm looking to get a compressor as well. The shop vac just doesn't cut it in some cases.

 

[JoeCanuck]

Many years ago I worked in an electrical repair shop and tore down many compressors big & small. One main distinction is whether you want oil-free or a crankcase. The oil free are less maintenance and blow very clean air. On the other hand the oil type are almost always much more durable. For most uses a little oil in the air is not an issue, but can be a problem if you intend to spray paint. An oil seperator might then be necessary.

 

[Woodie]

I picked up one of the Porter Cable W-2001K 150psi pancake compressors at Lowes, and it was not only louder than my sisters older 135psi, it developed a terrible whistle and ran really hot. So I returned the unit.

No surprises there. I'll probably catch some heat from this, but stay away from Porter Cable. They used to be one of the premiere tools in the world, anymore they're mostly lower-middle grade. Their former owner, Pentair, put both PC and Delta in their coffin, and their new owner, Black and Decker, is nailing it shut. Their nailers and sanders are still decent, but that's about it. So far as I know, all their compressors are made in China, or if assembled here, they have Chinese motors and pumps.

I am leaning toward the Makita MAC700, which seems like a nice quiet 1700 RPM oil-lubricated unit, which will pretty much do what I need as far as blowing out tools and running stuff up to a framing nailer.

The only problem I see there is that the design is inherently top-heavy, so if you plan on transporting it in the back of the truck you will have to brace it against something else that won't move. They are VERY prone to tipping. However, they are incredibly light, so if you're only looking for a hand-carry, that'd be a good one.

I might take a look at...Harbor Freight...which looks like a knock off of a Thomas.

I enjoyed that...LOL!

You might take a look at Rol-Air out of Wisconsin...I understand they're building some pretty good ones, and the oil-lube will be quiet. I just bought an Ingersoll Rand DD2T2, and have to admit I'm disappointed in it. All the promo material says "Made in the USA," but unless we've somehow annexed Italy, that's not the case. It's 100% continuous duty, which is hard to find in a portable, but the guages, drains, and other fittings are cheap.

I've also heard good things about the Senco units, but they're no longer made in the US either...they're pretty much all Chaiwan today.

 

[SteveH]

Got a Campbell/Hausfeld, one of the single tank ones. Home Depot. My third compressor and the only one that's been any good. It's lasted me, so far, five yr. and been fine. The Sears/Coleman/ToolKing, etc. junk is just that, complete junk. Made the mistake once of getting one of those, don't recall which brand but I think they are all the same manufacturer, since I wasn't using them but rarely back then, and even with very light use it was junk within a few hours. I haven't used the C/H hard, fulltime, but I've used it a lot and it is going strong, no trouble and no repairs. This is a chainsaw forum, and I blow off my Stihl's air filter every single time I use it, with compressed air. So....

 

[bytehoven]

Thanks guys...

If I was going to get somthing just a little bigger, the Dewalt D55155 looked like a really nice unit at just under 90lbs. Then they have the D55151 at around 60lbs, and in between there a couple more units that escalate up in power/price toward the D55155.

The Ridgid twin hot-dog looks like a great unit and on par with the D55155.

I'll check out the HC. I think most of their small stuff is 3400 RPM, although it did seem like their small pancake compressor was nice and has gotten good reviews.

I might just pick up my hoses and some fittings from HF.

BTW... I found blowing some Stihl saws doesn't quite get it done. The 361 design blows out very well. However, the 192T has some nooks which the compressed air does not clear out. A real cleaning requires removing the chain/bar and a tiny screw driver & toothbrush to really get it spin & span.

It probably doesn't help to keep 192T running when the chain has started making some dust instead of good size chips. If I ever get around to making a little dust with the 361, I'll have to see if I get build up in any hard to reach places.

 

[bytehoven]

Update...

I ended up buying the Makita Mac700 for just under $170 shipped.

I stopped by my local HF dealer and the one compressor I liked did not look very impressive, but to be fair looks aren't everything.

I figured the Makita will last me a long time and is light enough to more usefull around the house.

I can save some $$$ at HF on hoses, fittings and some other compressor goodies from them. I'll pick up an inline filter if I ever have a use where some oil vapor in the line would be a problem.


Thanks for the posts.

I'll report back in a few days when I have had a chance to work the Makita.

 

[B_Turner]

Curtis 3cylinder 5 HP baldor 2 stage with 80 gallon tank. ANd a portable air tank.

 

[bytehoven]

Next spring/summer I will be putting up a new out building for my shop. I will definitely be in the market for a few more "things" and a larger compressor is one of the items.

I like the idea of a portable tank I could charge with the larger compressor.

 

[J.Walker]

Air Gun Mods

Dot't forget to mod your air guns. Just take it appart and drill the orifice to get more air coming out. You can also braze up the tip so one stream of air comes out the front and not the sides. Makes clean up a breeze.

 

[Woodie]

Dot't forget to mod your air guns. Just take it appart and drill the orifice to get more air coming out.

You're gonna fit right in here, J...you're gonna fit right in.