Been looking around for a decent compressor and came across the Makitas. I like their low noise and decent specs.
The MAC700 would be nice @ 30 lbs and $150ish, but probably a bit light for driving a framing nailer. The MAC2400’s only drawbacks to me are 77 lbs (!) and out of stock on amazon.com, which is too bad since I like the $240 price. The 20 second recovery time is also longer than I would like.
I like the Thomas T-2820ST, but it’s over 4 bills; I can buy both Makitas for that. #$@*& budget. Also concerned about using an oilless, even this one, in a more dusty environment.
Thought of the P-C 150psi units (C3551 and the now discontinued twin-stack), but too noisy and I’m concerned about P-C’s reliability (also getting too high on the price point). Ditto for the yellow Emglos. Like Rol-Air’s reliability, but too noisy and also more $$$.
Any input? I’ve seen both the JLC (Aug 04) and FH (Jan 98) reviews (downloadable from the Thomas website…found that after paying for the JLC download.)
Thanks!
…karl
“No matter how many times I cut the end off that board it’s still too short.”
Replies
I've been really happy with my PC 150PSI oil-lubed twin stack. I paid $269 for it at HD a long while ago.
Not too loud and one feature that I never hear mentioned with some of the others is that the oil pump has a "scoop" of some sort on it so that the compressor can be run at upto however much of an angle (say, a rooftop) and still pump the oil necessary.
Not sure how much it weighs; it's no lightweight, but can't possibly be as heavy as the Makita - those things are crazy heavy.
I've been seeing some of the Dewalt twin stack oil-lubed going for as low as $220 or so... but then I've also been hearing quite a bit around hear about them not loving cold weather. Could be all the folks runnin them on 100' 14ga. cords with nary a clue.(PH)
JT
I have the Mac 2400. Very quiet and built like a tank. I was suprised at the 20 sec recovery time you quoted, seems long to me. The downside is the weight, I have though about welding it to a cart, but in the end, just decided to make my 22 YO helper carry it. Problem solved.
Forrest
The Thomas T-200ST Renegade might be worth a look. About $100 more than the Mak 2400. About 10lbs lighter, a bit more output and seems pretty quiet to these ears. Got it loaned out to some friends while I'm on the mend- they at first thought something was wrong with it because it was so much quieter than their pancake.