New Makita MAC700 compressor question
Anyone with this compressor out there willing to help?
I just purchased the Makita MAC700 kit – the compressor and AF505 Brad Nailer.
I am trying to get going with this and I am beyond baffled. Some background – this is my first ever compressor and nail gun – I have never used either before.
From the docs:
“Serious damage will result from even limited operation unless filled with oil and broken correctly. Make sure to closely
follow initial start-up procedures. Compressor oil is provided; on level surface, please fill the crankcase to proper level
indicated on the sight glass.”
I added the oil – “oil at the dot when off – right oil level”.
Air Filter Assembly – I took out the clear plastic plug from the side of the cylinder head and screwed in the air filter assembly. I screwed it in as far as it will go.
Out of the box, the regulator was turned all the way in – clockwise (+) – up against the red “stopper”.
Initial Start Up Procedure:
1.Open the air receiver’s drain valve.
2.Plug power supply cord into correct power source.
3.Run the compressor for a minimum of twenty (20)
minutes in the no-load condition to lubricate the
bearings and pistons, and to seat the piston rings.
4.Close air receiver drain valve.
Is the air receiver’s drain valve the “drain cock” on the air tank? What is the no-load condition?
Replies
You got it right. The no load condition means that it is not pumping up with pressure because the drain cock is open.
+1
Just let it run, blowing air wildly out the drain valve, for 20 minutes.
I have a MAC5200. It was delivered UPS to a jobsite. 5 minutes later we were running a couple of guns on it.
Ummm yeah that's the way i do it too!! haha! That is what is in the instructions for a break in period so the piston rings seat....or something. I bought an outboard motor for my trout boat last year. It said to go around at varying throttle spots from 1/2 - 3/4 throttle but not to idle and not full out for the first 8 hrs or something like that!!! I gave up after 1/2 hr!
Must be a new way. I have bought 3 compressors and just turned them on and started using them. I still have all 3 and they work fine.
Wow. We can type 'cock' again.
I've bought the same compressor. Nice and quiet but a bit awkward to carry.
"Air receiver drain valve" - what a stupid description. I was a bit taken aback too. Never had to do anything to a compressor before using it in the past.
Makes me wonder how many bought the MakitaMAC700 after reading about it here on Breaktime.
I know I did after reading Hazlett's comments in a compressor thread not too long ago and I'm a happy camper with it.
Was glad I read the manual before plug in for the break-in deal instead of my normal bull-in-the-china shop routine ending up saying uhoh.
Is the air receiver's drain valve the "drain cock" on the air tank?
Seems like Makita must have hired an English translator from the same family who did translation for the Akai reel to reel tape recorder I purchased back in the late sixties. It was described, throughout the owner's manual, as a rape recorder.
Using backwards logic, the only drain valve on the compressor is the petcock(I wonder how they'd translate that term) on the bottom of the tank sooo....therefor the air receiver must be the tank.
Like the others, I've owned several new compressors but this is the first time I've heard about a break in procedure. It makes me wonder if they used to do that at the factory but are now passing it along to the purchaser.
In any case, sounds like you ought to comply. As you surmised, that means running it with the petcock open for twenty minutes.
Edited 6/29/2009 10:39 am by Hudson Valley Carpenter
This compressor is sweet! Two weekends ago I posted that I was going to buy either the PC or the Dewalt compressor and 3 gun kit. I did not do that but bought the Makita MAC700 kit instead. I used it Saturday, with the help of some of you folks. It is a beautiful machine - heavy for sure, but that is not a real big issue for me. It will not leave the basement shop. The gun is really nice. One thing though is the manual that came with the compressor has misprints in it - so I am downloading a new one from their web site.
Glad you are pleased with it. Another thing I like about the MAC700 is the lever handle ball valve. I find I'm less likely to skip draining it because it is so easy.