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Regarding the first commentary, my response is that this compressor has ample capacity to keep two framing nailers busy, PROVIDED THAT the user understands the simple physics in volume air handling. As to the issue of the compressor kicking in regularly, perhaps some understanding of what's involved with this cycling is needed. Your father used to ALWAYS break in his new car engine, because he knew that otherwise he'd be buying stock in an oil company. That's key. All compressors have a turn-on/shut-off tank pressure parameter, whereby the tank pressure never rises above its safe working pressure, nor drops below the design minimum operating pressure. Of course, such a machine is not ever going to maintain continuous air flow to tools that operate by bleeding off copious volumes of air, but then, such machines are not only not portable, they cost many hundreds, into the thousands, more.
Having said that, ANY professional carpenter knows that a framing nailer, with its large bore and stroke, gobbles a very large volume of air, which must be backed up with volume that exceeds it. A dry compressor such as the Porter Cable is unaffected by cold, and keeps working. A look at the specs are pretty interesting. The 25 foot x 1/4 inch hose supplied with the compressor is a terrific, light-weight hose and suits the machine's portability. Again, it's the gallons of air--the volume--that refills the tool.
For blowing up things around the home, and filling tires or delivering air to a stapler or brad gun, it is perfect. I'm amused by the occasional complaints here and at other sites of the Porter Cable not having sufficient power for framing nailers, or that the unit kicks in regularly. The compressor requires a 15 minute break-in period, with no load, with the drain valve open. The Porter Cable pancake compressor is, by far, the only one that is truly, comfortably portable, without sharp corners, while at the same time having the PSI and air capacity of six gallons to keep an air-thirsty framer working. Finally, I live where oil-lubed air compressors stop working on cold days. Only a 3/8" hose, or greater, will do that. Leakage around piston rings with a new motor is almost always caused by failure to break a motor in. Their minimum is greater than the maximum of most machines in its class, and the maximum is 15 PSI greater than many machines that top-out at 135 PSI.
I've used portable work-site compressors of various types for over 30 years; primarily for pneumatic fasteners and framers. I wonder how many people experience problems with their compressor because they didn't break it in, and began working it out of the box. Read the manual. If you don't do it, you'll have a scored cylinder and air by-pass at the piston, and NO POWER. Now, look at the tank capacity. Did you break your compressor in. The hose ID is, in actual terms, a secondary stage air tank. Hmmmm.
Porter Cable's design parameter is 120 PSI minimum to 150 PSI maximum. 6 gallons. Even though manufacturers of many motors no longer stress this, it remains a fact that piston motors and engines run longer, more smoothly, more economically, and with greater efficiency after break in. This compressor is the loudest of the ones I've owned in this class, by far, but such is the price for this power, so I would not recommend running it in your bedroom at night.Buy this compressor, break it in, get a 3/8" hose, and nail away with confidence and gusto.
I use this for my small painting business. Granted the framing nailer dos not see heavy duty production use, so the compressor has no problems keeping up. It does have it's limitations from a CFM perspective, but if you use it within it's capabilities it is a nicely constructed unit. I've used it to power a texture sprayer, finish nailer and framing nailer with no problems. It is light weight, quite and a very handy dependable tool. The Acc Kit is kinda cheesy, but for a homeowner who does not have much, it would suffice.
I was under the impression from this website that it had a 3-year warranty. The Porter-Cable is a little quieter than the DeWalt. After closer inspection of this website, it was an add-on warranty that Amazon sells separately from a third-party vendor. I'll take the valve off the DeWalt before I throw it in the trash.So far, this compressor has handled everything I have thrown at it, and it hasn't had to run that much to keep up.
I bought it to replace a DeWalt D55140 (1 gal)., which did not last nearly long enough. So far, I'm very pleased with the purchase. Because the Porter-Cable holds 6 gal., it cycles on and off less. The included hose isn't bad; it is identical to the hose originally included with the DeWalt.
In my case, I got the WK version for within $5 of the version without the added attachments.The one thing I don't like as well as the DeWalt is the moisture-drain valve on the bottom. I have felt comfortable using it in an open garage without ear protection. At only 34 lbs,, it is very light, certainly lighter than the DeWalt. With the new top housing (a recent improvement), the handle is centered over the center of the weight so that it carries well, that is, it doesn't want to swing to one side when you pick it up. After doing some research, I purchased this air compressor as a good, small light-duty compressor.
Although I have a couple of nicer, rubber hoses, I have more often used this one because it rolls into a smaller, lighter loop for transporting. The air gauge works, but it mostly plastic. It is a screw type on this Porter-Cable, whereas the DeWalt had a thumb lever. The thumb lever is quicker. Many reviewers complain that they weren't worth the price differential from the compressor alone (C2002). (See my review of that product). I'm hoping that it lasts awhile since that's what really makes the difference between a winner and a looser.
Having the gauges in the plastic housing has a much more finished look.The WK version gives you an air hose and a few attachments. I largely agree. Please know that the Porter-Cable comes with a 1-year warranty. The Porter-Cable comes stock with a 1-year.
My husband was very happy. Says this is a great gift and a good product.
I bought this for my Dad for Christmas. He loves it, he's using it to air up wagon tires and truck tires for his greenhouse/nursery.
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