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I think the size is perfect, having upgraded from a 15gal horizontal Campbell Hausfeld. I have no idea what "2-stage" means, but if that is responsible for how quiet it is, then great. What impresses me most is how quiet this compressor is. As I was shopping for a compressor for my garage, I saw this on clearance at Lowes ($390). I love the 175psi. Honestly, it is about HALF as quiet as my old oil-free compressor. I use this tank for blowing out my sprinkler system before winter and the extra air a full tank holds is well appreciated.
I'm guessing it might be $15 for parts at HD, maybe less. When using it in the cold weather, it was even worse as the water coming out had a tendency to freeze the valve. I could probably replace it under warranty but why bother when the same part will probably just wear out again.Usage wise though, I have enjoyed it for impact wrench, air chisel, random orbital sander and air ratchet. So far no rust even though I have not primed it further. So far I have not had any issues but I also have not tried sanding down an entire car with it nor painting, but we have used it for chopping chocolate[.]. Several times I thought I was risking dropping it and my own safety when I had to tip it to get a better grip on the valve. When I received this compressor, the paint had been wet when it was boxed and the paint rubbed off about the size of my palm in a couple places.
Since the item is shipped freight and it would have cost Amazon $60-$80 to return, I was able to convince them to credit me that amount. It is somewhat shiny looking in the bare spots so I suspect there is a clear primer layer of some sort.It is only 10 months that I have had the compressor, for light personal use, and the drain valve is now worn out. Most quality products are powder coated these days and therfore have a tough baked on finish. I frequently use it at night out in the driveway after work and it is quiet enough that no one has complained about it being on. It doesn't appear that is the case with this compressor. Luckily there are numerous articles about replacing the valve with a 1/4" npt elbow, pipe and ball valve to create a much more durable and easier to access drain valve. Several friends have commented that it is extremely quiet compared to other compressors they are familiar with.I wish I could give this compressor another star but I believe there are some quality issues that should have been easily addressed at the factory and in the valve design.
The original drain valve is so close to the ground, and is round rather than butterfly style that it was extremely awkward to use.
When received unit looked to be new , but there was no manuals or literature, perhaps a "repacked " floor or demo model.Amazon makes it all but impossible to get customer service prior to thier asking for a " review ".the unit itself is fine, the customer service and site negotiation to achieve same sucks.
I took it to a Porter-Cable repair station and they repaired it but claimed it was not under Porter-Cable warranty because it was purchased from Amazon. It should have been ported to the front of the compressor and made easily accessable. The drain port is poorly designed and difficult to access. On receipt of the compressor, I found the tubing between the regulator and the compressor broken. Additionally, I was never able to seat the housing and filter assembly properly. If given the choice, I don't think I would choose this model again. The compressor works fine although the pressure gauges don't agree.
It would lead to corrosion and eventually safety issues, besdies looking bad.Returned the unit, received the second one with the same exact problems. issues. The plastic shroud still does not fit right, but that is only a cosmetic issue, does not affect the function of the unit - unless the cover will break the intake tube again from vibration (it is a very brittle plastic) and pieces will destroy the compressor when they get into the cylinder. The powder coat was worn off on three spots on the tank down to the metal because of the Styrofoam blocks centering the unit in the box polished it off during shipping. Returned the first unit because the plastic shroud on the motor/compressor was broken, including the black plastic intake tube connecting the air filter to the compressor intake.
You will not know if the piece is broken unless you take off the shroud; the compressor could run sucking in unfiltered air and/or the plastic pieces from the broken intake.Porter Cable seems to have some design and Q.C. The pieces could have gotten into the compressor damaging it eventually. On this one I did not want to deal with the return again, primed/painted the tank (looks bad, I did not match the color well) and glued together the intake tube between the air filter and the compressor. Do not buy their compressors.Amazon had great customer service all the way through the process. Luckily, it was broken into two pieces only instead of many on the first unit, so no bits got into the compressor itself.
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