Air Compressors Reviews

I agree, it's a great deal. It's small, so it doesn't take up much space, and it's relatively easy to carry from one spot to another (just a little awkward). The brad nailer and finish nailer seem well-made and sturdy; the on-off switch seems a little flimsy, though.

But good God, is it loud. The first time I used it, I just had it in the garage; I used it for a while, with earplugs, then went to the end of the driveway with it filling its tank, and man, it was still loud. I apologized to my neighbor for all the racket.

I ended up putting it in a room behind my garage, and drilling a hole in the wall for the hose. It's inconvenient to have to go back there to turn it on, but I don't have to worry as much about shattering the neighborhood calm. Of course, everyone in the house can hear it when it cycles on--and it has a pretty small tank, so it cycles often. So I don't really it that often because I don't want to drive myself and everyone else nuts.

It doesn't have enough capacity to drive many pneumatic devices--the brad and finish nailers work fine, and hey, it's great for airing up tires. I also use it for final cleanup of woodwork before I apply a stain or finish--with an air-gun attachment, it's great for blowing out sanding dust in corners and joints (and from my clothes and hair). I haven't tried anything else, but based on how frequently it cycles during these tasks, I doubt that you could use it with a sprayer, for example. The sprayers I've seen are pretty clear that you need more air than this one can provide.

I think if are going to use this thing outside, in an unenclosed space, then the noise might not be as bad (but you'll still tick off anyone within a a couple houses' distance). If you're planning on using it in a garage...hmmn. I wish I knew if other compressors, even larger ones, were quieter. Anyone?

A quality product for odd jobs around the house. A winner in my book.

I absolutely love this set. Yeah, the compressor is small and a bit noisy (it kicks on more frequently). BUT, I mostly use it for finish woodworking, so it generally only kicks on a couple of times during use. I only use it once a month for that purpose, so it doesn't bother me (given the incredible price). The quality of the nailers is top notch (read the 5 star reviews of the nailers, and I'd agree). They also fair well in reviews by woodworking magazines. I got it when they were throwing in the free Crown stapler....hold out for that deal (or a $50 off).

Overall, Excellent nailers, decent compressor, EXCELLENT price= BUY IT!!!

We only use Thomas Compressors. They are of the best quality. Amazon.com has the lowest price we have ever seen. This is the fourth compressor we have bought from them. We are thrilled with the savings and have never had any problems with the product!

Well we all know that there is enough noise in the shop. I have had other compressors and you can't hear yourself think when they turn on. Well not this one. Sure you can hear it but it it nothing like other compressors.... I liked it well enough that I orded another one for my other shop I am setting up.... It is a little pricey but I thoght the differance was worth it..... Don't hesitate, remember you usually get what you pay for.

This is one neat little unit! Compact, QUIET, and very well made.

Let me first begin by addressing the ordering/shipping process. I decided after much review time to order the T-30 on 8/20/04. On 8/23/04, the unit arrived at my doorstep (Wisconsin to South Carolina). Keep in mind that there were two weekend days involved in this timeframe. It's hard to fuss about a duration that short!

As for the unit itself, the package did arrive (FedEx) with the top of the box opened. All contents however were intact (no damage at all). After a quick review of the instructions, I twisted on an air filter (supplied with the unit), ran to the hardware store and installed a quick disconnect. I powered the unit up and turned a switch, in less than a minute the unit was fully pressurized at EXACTLY 125 psi as noted in the manual.

My wife was on the phone in the adjoining room (door open) and commented after ending her conversation on how quiet the unit was during the pressurizing process. After dinner, I noted that the gauge was resting steady on 125 psi. I connected an air nozzle to the end and bled the unit down. The motor kicked in at EXACTLY 100 psi (as noted in the manual). After 14 QUIET seconds, the unit was resting steady again at 125 psi. I tried it again, same story. I can't wait to see how this unit performs in the shop!

As for first glance, this unit is well worth the extra $'s compared to any others I reviewed. And trust me, I think I checked out every comparable unit on the WEB. You won't go wrong with this set-up. I spent $294 (shipping included) with Amazon and had the unit ready to go in 3 days. Now that's tough to beat!

There were two main reasons I decided on this Thomas compressor.

The first was the noise level. The Thomas had the lowest db rating within its price range. It is much quieter than my old compressor and although still loud the noise level is livable. I really wanted the Panther compressor from Werther International. Similiar in size and specs to the Thomas however, the db ratin is 42db. That is about the same as nomal conversation. The only drawback with the Werther is the price tag, about $1600.

The 2nd reason was the 135psi top level air pressure. Here I was disappointed. The unit specs are that the unit turns off at 135psi, on again at 110psi. My unit topped out at 120-125psi and then shut off. It came on again at 110psi. I called Thomas and explained the problem. They thought it was a faulty pressure switch and immediately sent me a new one. After installing the new pressure switch I was disappointed to find the unit still turned off at 120-125psi. I again called Thomas and they advised me to take the unit to a Service Center for repair. I called the service center and they said the problem is common and can be fixed by adjusting the brass screw inside the switch. I again took the switch apart and found the screw. The screw has a Torx tamper resistant head and was also sealed with a bit of plastic to keep the driver from fitting into the slot. I pried out the plastic and luckily had the right size TorxTR bit. I adjusted the screw using trial and error and finally got the unit to shut off at the specified 135PSI. After the adjustment the unit turned on again at 120psi rather than the spec of 110psi. I found another black plastic screw that was sealed with wax. After removing the wax and again using trial and error I got the unit to start again at 110psi.

Quite a bit of trouble to bring the unit up to the specified psi specs. Thomas' customer service people were great in their prompt attempts to help me. I hope that Thomas will improve their quality control so that the units are right when they are shipped.

Other than this problem the unit seems to be well constructed and performs as expected.

product is exactly what i ordered, and the delivery was the best.

This compressor is fast - up to pressure quickly and recharges in about 12 sec. Cycles on and off frequently on a framing nailer, but the cut-in pressure is above the nail gun minimum, so no half shots and the cycle speed ensures no downtime. The footprint is compact and stable. Definitely quieter than the 3450 rpm screamers - for oil-less, this one is pretty good. A little noisier than I hoped, but not bad. You can be in the same room while it is running. Improvements? The pressure cut off occurs at 128-130 psi instead of 135 as advertised. Does it matter? Probably not. Should it be checked and set right at the factory? Probably. Despite the claim of no plastic shrouds, the outer end of the motor is plastic. Could be susceptible to getting bumped and broken. The air filter is under a plastic cover integrated on the cylinder head - looks durable and easy to access. And to top it off - the unit looks good. Would I buy one again? Absolutely. It does what it needs to do and it does it well. Add no maintenance for the oil-less and you have a winner.

hitachi apparently has two versions of this tool according to the model number wh12dm2. One has two gray colored grips on the handle. When reading specs on the gray handleled one it has 1500 pounds of torque. This model with the same model number has a black grip and has around 1100. I can't figure out why the confusion but regardless either of these tools once you use them will convince you that this is the way to go and forget the 18 volt behemouth you've been lugging around. Why break your wrist when you don't have to. I still want to try to drive a 3 inch screw through a 4x4, I think either one will do it if you had a long enough bit.
Here is the link to check out specs on the real wh12dm2. Now obviously the link is not amazon but after calling hitachi's 800 number and speaking with them, wh12dm2, is in fact the gray handled model number and they do still make it.

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go to the above link and you will see the gray handled model. Try to buy it and it will forward you to the black handled dmr model on amazon. That is the only reason this didn't get five stars. I don't want the black handled one I want the gray handled one with 1500 pounds of torque and a 1/4 inch hex drive thats rated for heavy industrial work. Can somebody help me out here? The only one I find similar on amazon is a 1/2 inch square drive and thats not what I want.

I use a lot of tools on a daily basis and I would have to say this baby is my favorite! I've had this for about a year and a half with no problems whatsoever. Prior to this I was using various non-impact drivers and it was like night and day when I bought this thing! You'll learn to love the "rat-a-tat-tat" sound it makes when it effortlessly powers screws into whatever material...this baby has lots of torque for only 12volts. If you've never owned an impact driver (and you have a need) then you'll be real happy with this one. One of the beauties of the impact is that you never strip screw heads which in itself makes it worthwhile to own! If I were in the market for another impact driver I would probably look into the new lithium ion versions just because they offer even more power and battery life. That said, I have always been happy with this hitachi's battery life. You'll never have a problem anyway because you get two batteries and a quick charger and a great carrying case I might add. Both my batteries still seem to have long lives and they've gotten quite a bit of use!

My dad got my drill in the mail before I could get it from him. he didn't want to give it back. Used with many project in building our home and on the farm. Battery pack lasts forever compared to other drivers. Thing is noisy as heck when the impact driver kicks in, but the power is amazing! Would recommend to anyone!

I purchased this kit recently and have been very pleased with its performance. The driver/drill is a joy to operate with very smooth variable speed, lots of torque and simple driver to drill mode changes. The metal hydride batteries are definitely superior over Ni-Cad ones. The included flash light is also very handy and easy to operate. The swivel head is very useful. I have not seriously used the tool belt as yet, but it seems to be very sturdily constructed and should do a good job. All in all I am very pleased with this purchase.

I like to read reviews that get to the point but I have to explain the story to emphasize Makita screw guns. I purchased the 14.4 Makita to add to my arsenal of Makita screw guns. After many brands and much abuse, I found Makita to be one of the best! I've owned and used about every brand on the market. Some good some bad. On the bottom of the list Dewalt. I have purchased different Dewalt guns and have had to return them same day because gears have striped out or on one occasion, the entire housing shifted open right in my hand while driving screws (also a 1-week-old gun). My 9.6 Makita is 7 years old and I just keep feeding it fresh batteries. I use screw guns for everything from driving, drilling, to mixing drywall compound in 5 gallon buckets (18v) and they keep coming back for more. The best improvement on the 14.4 is the metal cover on the chuck. It does not rotate if it comes into contact with material. If you ever marred a finished surface with the chuck you know what I mean. As far as the new gear shift, I haven't had any problems so far. You can't go wrong with this screw gun.

My 4 year old DeWalt 12 volt is dying a slow death, and it has only had homeowner use. One battery now holds a charge for 15 minutes of work time and the other is a little better. The clutch slips without much torque on it, even at the highest setting. The chuck won't hold smaller bits. And with hurricane season coming, I needed a drill that I could rely on. So Brown delivered this Makita yesterday. I haven't had much time to work with it yet but so far I'm impressed.

There are only two drills, that I am aware of, that have NiMH batteries (Panasonic and Makita). From my experience with notebook computers, the NiMH batteries cured many of the problems with NiCad batteries. There is no set, so you don't get only 20 percent of the battery's runtime after they have been charged a few times. And a charge lasts much longer. So why not go with the Panasonic with its incredible amp hours. Well I was put off by several reviews that talked about their motors burning up. OK, I know that this could have been planted to sway people like me, or it could have been a rare exception. But you pays your money and you takes your chances. I was looking for a reliable drill with a long service life.

So how does the Makita compare to my old DeWalt.

Both have dual speeds. But the Makita has another sliding switch that kicks the clutch in and out. When set to screw position the clutch is engaged and when set to drill position the clutch is locked out. This would have been a nice feature on the DeWalt, after its clutch started slipping.

The chuck on the DeWalt has one ring that you hold while tightening the bit. The Makita has the normal outer ring and a smaller inner ring. It doesn't seem to make much difference when chucking up a bit; you grab the big ring and run the motor. But when releasing a bit you must use both hands to turn the rings in opposite directions to break the bit loose then run the motor if you need to open up the chuck. This will take me some getting used to.

The DeWalt has a 2 position foward/reverse switch above the trigger. The Makita has a similar switch in the same place but it also has a middle trigger lock position. This will also take some getting used to.

Both drills weigh, balance and feel about the same in my hand.

The Makita has external replaceable brushes. It would have been nice if their documentation gave a generic part number for them that could be found at any electrical supply house. My Hitachi router does this. Hopefully, there will be a number on the brushes themselves.

The Makita comes with a smart charger with several LEDs giving charging information. The charger goes into trickel mode after achieving a full charge. The standard DeWalt charger is very basic. And I am not sure if the DeWalt smart charger, that I bought later, is any better.

The Makita has a metal gear transmission. Thats got to be a good feature. I don't know about the DeWalt.

The Makita came with a flashlight that should be useful. The documentation promises 220 minutes (over 3-1/2 hours) on one charge.

The toolbelt is nice but heavy (2 or 3 pounds). But the belt does not fit around my fat girth. Would have been nice if the belt was about two inches longer or I was about ten years younger.

I am looking forward to seeing how the 14.4 v does when driving 3" deck screws. The DeWalt 12 v just barely didn't have enough torque to run them all the way in.

Excellent compressor overall with more than ample air flow and capacity to power any pneumatic framing nailer, finish nailer or medium crown stapler. This oilfree unit is manufactured by DeVilbiss for Porter-Cable. Well designed and thought out.

I purchased this item about two years ago, and I am more impressed with it now than I was when I purchased it. I have used this for a multitude of chores. It has yet to let me down. I have remodeled my house, putting up panelling, to nailing studs. I have used this with a finish nailer, and framing nailer, each time it has kept the pressure at an optimum level. The instruction manual is well thought out and very understandable. It has a pressure adjustment knob that is easy to reach, and operate. I have had no problems increasing the length of air hose, it keeps up no matter what. I cannot testify to it's capacity as a commercial unit, but if you need a dependable, moderate use compressor, this is the one. I'm in total agreement with another reviewer, if given the opportunity, I would buy it again. It is truly a great buy!

I compared the specs on a number of compressors before I chose this one. That was over a year ago, and I have subjected this compressor to heavy use pushing paint. I use a HVLP unit that have done some modest jobs and this compressor keeps up. I also have many pneumatic nailers and this unit will even keep up with a framing unit. Not super light weight, but it will lug. Gotta have it at the wall plug not on an extension cord however. Simple solution - more hose. I'd buy another one. GREAT VALUE!

Good solid and dependable air compressor.
A little on the heavy side to be extremely portable but still acceptable given the power and capacity.
A worthy buy.

THE EMGLO M800 IS THE AIR COMPRESSOR "MACHINE"TO HAVE..NO JOB IS TO SMALL OR TO BIG TO USE THE EMGLO.EASY READ DIALS,FAIRLY QUITE WHEN ITS RUNNING.ITS WORTH THE COUPLE OF XTRA DOLLARS YOU PAY THEN THE OTHER BRAND MODELS OUT THERE.DONT EVEN THINK TWICE THIS IS THE MACHINE TO HAVE.

I bought this little guy to occasionally run my finish nailer, blow some sawdust around, and pump up a low tire every now and then. My review may not give you the info you need if you plan on using it hard. I will say it does appear to be built pretty well.

My only problem with it when it arrived was a leak in the plastic line that equalizes the pressure between the tanks. It was easy to fix. Because the fittings use air pressure to seal themselves, you can pull the line right out of the fitting when there is no pressure in the tanks. It just slips out of the O-ring in the fitting. There was a tiny chip of metal in the fitting causing the leak, so I just wiped it off and pushed the plastic line back in. Works fine and the leak is no more!

The controls are nice and easy to use, and the single handle makes it easy to carry the Emglo in one hand and the hose in the other when changing locations. One caution: Don't burn yourself on the hot intake head!

this is one of only few BEST compressors on market. can handle up to 5 roofing coil guns for all day. only one competition - Roll Air.

this is one of only few BEST compressors on market. can handle up to 5 roofing coil guns for all day. only one competition - Roll Air.

This Compressor is the standard on all the job sites I have been on. Mainly because they are tough and durable. Tossed around, pushed off a truck, even run over by a truck. I've seen this compressor survive some serious blows (pardon the pun). Emglo is the way to go with compressors.

I own a construction business and have had this compressor for a couple of years and it works non-stop without flaw. It has the power to run many nail guns simaltaneously without a drop in power and has never failed to start. As soon as you take it out of the box you can see the quality and precision that went into the manufacturing

I own a construction business and have had this compressor for a couple of years and it works non-stop without flaw. It has the power to run many nail guns simaltaneously without a drop in power and has never failed to start. As soon as you take it out of the box you can see the quality and precision that went into the manufacturing

I just got this from Amazon and so far I am really impressed. It is very well built, the controls work smoothly and, like every Honda engine I have owned, it started right up. It comes completely assembled ! All you need to add is compressor oil, motor oil and gasoline. It sits low to the ground so is pretty stable (how many times have you pulled over one of the high riding compressors when you tried to get just a few more inches away. It rolls around pretty well but is a little tough on very rough ground.

I bought it brand new from Amazon and does not work. I have to return it.

light weight & works great. Quiet. Small holding tank.

I decided, just before the summer heat started, to buy only one air conditioner for my bedroom and a dehumidifier for the living room to provide some comfort. Believe it or not it works great! At least this brand does. My living room has 10' ceilings and is approximately 400 square feet (including a kitchen.) The room is still warm especially when the temperature reaches 80, but there is no discomfort. The only down side is the warm air released by unit. The living room cools off as long as I have my Vornado fan (best fan in the world) blowing cool air from the bedroom to living room.