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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.
The compressor works fine although the pressure gauges don't agree. It should have been ported to the front of the compressor and made easily accessable. On receipt of the compressor, I found the tubing between the regulator and the compressor broken. The drain port is poorly designed and difficult to access. If given the choice, I don't think I would choose this model again. 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. Additionally, I was never able to seat the housing and filter assembly properly.
issues. 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 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 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. 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.
Luckily, it was broken into two pieces only instead of many on the first unit, so no bits got into the compressor itself. Do not buy their compressors.Amazon had great customer service all the way through the process. 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.
It would lead to corrosion and eventually safety issues, besdies looking bad.Returned the unit, received the second one with the same exact problems.
With power comes a price. I've had this for over a year now with absolutely no issues.I primarily bought this for it's power, relative portability, features, and the Porter Cable name.I've done an entire 1st floor hardwood floor install with it and a 100'hose with the famous standard floor stapler-nailer that the big contractors use with no issues.I've also used it to blow out sprinklers here in Colorado as well as some grinding, sanding, and cutting air tools.You can find an aftermarket hose reel that you can fabricate aluminum brackets for to attach to the compressor's handle.You should also add a simple valve to the bottom to drain any accumulated water buildup - this is most important for the tank not to rust internally and is spelled out in the extensive manual.I've even bought a winch system to lift the unit into the back of my truck to take it to rental properties to blow out sprinklers. The winch system is really for hauling large hunting game into your truck, but it works for hauling this unit up into the truck as well.You can't beat this for a more permanent powerful solution for home use.Although for true portability I will probably get a pancake compressor, although I don't see the need right now with work to be done around the house.Additionally, it is a true 15 amp device, so you can't run much else off the same circuit, keep that in mind.
It is very quiet. I think this is the best portable air compressor on the market. Oh, and Amazon beat everyone's price by a large margin. It was delivered undamaged in a 48' trailer, strapped and shrinkwrapped to a heavy 4-way pallet. It is heavy, but with a little help could be moved to any job site. I've only had it about a month.but it has performed beautifully, doing what the description advertised.
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