This particular unit is not recommended for use in crowded areas, unless you want to take advantage of that limited warranty sooner rather than later. There is no cage design or protection for the gauges at all, so you’re going to have to be extra careful when you use this unit in a crowded area. It also has an unusual design meaning that storage options might be limited depending on where you want to put it in your workspace. Th unit doesn’t really have a handle, it is more of a groove, which isn’t really comfortable for carrying the machine from place to place. It’s easy to hear it through walls and it’s safe to say that people nearby might be a little bit irritated depending on the setup. If you look at the two gauges on the unit you can pretty much see when it’s going to be the noisiest.
You want a steady surface that prevents the unit from moving around too much. The surface that the unit is sitting on plays a big part in this and can make the noise level worse when you have to work for long periods of time. At 82 dBA it’s on the higher end of air compressor noise levels, especially when it rattles convulsively. There have been some moderate complaints about the noise level of the unit as well as the vibration (the “feedback”) when it’s in use.
Check out the owners manual to get a better idea of some of the great projects you can do with this unit and you’ll be surprised with what it supports. But since Porter-Cable opted for a 3.5-gallon tank rather than a measly 1.5 gallons, you’re already off to a great start. The recovery time is pretty decent, although it could stand to be a bit better. There aren’t a lot of single-stage ETL-approved air compressors for such great value. Read Also: DEWALT DWFP55126 6-Gallon 165 PSI Pancake Compressor It still can be used error-free with blow cleaning, bolting/wrenching, air brushing, brad nailing/stapling, finish nailing, and hobby painting. The piston pump type it uses is a bit undervalued at this point in the market but it’s that same pump type that’s responsible for the lack of power. 8 but the low amp draw of 10 is a plus, which, if you look around your house, is almost half that of several common household appliances. This is another unit that suffers from being a bit underpowered, but since there is only 1 quick connect coupler it is not as big of a deal as a unit that promotes using two tools simultaneously. When you factor in the price of the model it really is a bargain for both beginners and people looking for a replacement. There are no major complaints about this air compressor, as it does the job it is intended to do well without any problems.
If something does go wrong you have a great customer support team - one of the best in the business - to take care of your issue. For protection you’ll have a 1-year limited warranty on compressor components, not super useful so early after you purchase. The amperage capacity is only 10 amps rather than the usual 12, so don’t worry about overtaxing your circuit breaker when starting this up. The unit works great for small framing/roofing jobs, multiple trim finishing nailers, general inflation and blowing up toys and hobby equipment.
The quick coupler option is included so you have easy access to regulated air while the decent 82 dBA won’t deafen you. The entire weight of the air compressor is just 26 pounds total for easy portability.
It uses a standard 120-V motor but the unit won’t get overtaxed like some older models tend to do. The max 135 PSI is pretty decent for the size, with an oil-free pump that will keep you in business for a very long time without having to worry about maintenance issues. It has SCFM delivered at 90 PSI, thankfully with a spacious 3.5-gallon tank so you have more time to finish your job without waiting for it to recover. This nice looking Porter-Cable unit is a low-priced option for those that don’t want to break the bank but want to get started with a couple of low to medium sized projects.