Tuesday, December 31, 2013

TEKTON 4582 In-Line Air Regulator with Gauge

TEKTON 4582 In-Line Air Regulator with Gauge
  • High-Contrast, Easy-Read Dial Gauge
  • Oversized Locking Air Pressure Adjustment Knob
  • Controls Air Pressure Providing Smooth and Consistent Tool Performance
  • Protects Hoses, Tools, and Accessories from Damage
  • 90 Day Guarantee

This seems like a sturdy piece of equipment. The pressure adjustment works quickly and smoothly. Another regulator I had required too many turns to adjust pressure.

If I bought this company, there are two changes I would make. I would allow more room between the gauge and the body of the regulator. As it is now, the body of the gauge is so close to the regulator that it is difficult to get the gauge threaded into the hole which is recessed, making it even more difficult. Once the gauge is screwed in, there is no way to get a wrench on the fitting to tighten it. If the rubber cover on the gauge was removable, I could get a better grip to tighten it by hand.

The other change provide written directions, or at least a diagram. All you get is the gauge and the package. Four parts have to be removed to mount the gauge to a wall, but the owner has to figure this out on his own. Not that it's a difficult job, but having a diagram, at least, would be nice.

The gauge has several duplicate openings, so you can mount the gauge and air hoses in different positions.

If I had to buy another regulator, I wouldn't hesitate to get this one again.

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This regulator delivers more air to power my tools

It made them work like new again

previous regulator was 1/4 npt

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This is the best single stage regulator I have used, well built and I expect it will last a long time.

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Not worth the money. Find something better and spend the exta money. This regulator is junk, all it does is let the volume of air escape and loos your pressure causing the compressor to run more often than needed.

Danner 12202 Carbon and Coarse Pad Replacement Filter

Danner 12202 Carbon and Coarse Pad Replacement FilterI purchased these for my pondmaster 1200 filter/Fountain and they were just what the doctor ordered. They fit like they should have and helped filter the water making it crystal clear. I am sure to buy more of these. They held up well. I should only have to use 2 sets of filters for the entire season.

i got the filter and pump for my koi pond and it cleaned out my koi pond in about 48 hours!

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I order these replacement filters every few months (in the summer) and they have always worked well. I use the filter along with a uv light and together I have a clean pond and am very pleased.

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I placed the order based on the photo online---two large square pieces and four smaller rectangular pieces. But the package that arrived only contained the two larger pieces. My PM2000 requires both the large pieces and the small pieces, and the description online indicated that this product would be suitable for the PM2000

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A necessary must for your ponds and/or aquaponic system. It was the perfect fit for the filter box attached to my pump. Fish are happy and I am happy too.

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Monday, December 30, 2013

Air Tire Inflator w/ 120PSI Gauge & 12 Hose for tires"

Air Tire Inflator w/ 120PSI Gauge & 12 Hose for tires'
  • 6" Chrome Plated Steel Dual Chuck
  • Cast Aluminum Alloy Body w/ HD Brass Valves
  • 10lb to 120lb, 2lb Increment

The design is good but the pressure gage is not working. I brought this to inflate all my tires and the convenience of a built in gage make it easy to see how much PSI I was putting in. Unfortunately the tire pressure gage does not work.

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The gauge on mine just fell out. No way to reattach it. Don't waste your money on the one. I'm trying the Snap On model this time.

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The unit lasted about 3 weeks. It leaks, and is not built very well. It was not worth the trouble to return it. I do not recommend.

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Probably was in the production process. Was not worth sending it back. You can try it & it may work fine for you.

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The reason I bought this was the built in pressure gauge which reads 10 psi higher than the actual pressure. Its not worth returning because of the shipping. Just disgusted with it.

Motor Guard AC4525 1/2 NPT Combination Compressed Air Filter Regulator

Motor Guard AC4525 1/2 NPT Combination Compressed Air Filter Regulator
  • Port Size is 1/2 NPT, Nominal Airflow is 100 CFM, Filtration Rating is 40 Micron, Maximum Pressure is 150 PSI and the Temperature Range is 40-125 F
  • Locking T-handle for ease of adjustment and sight glass with float
  • Made in USA
  • Combines an efficient water and particulate filter and a high-flow diaphragm regulator into a single unit
  • Provides for precise control of air pressure near the workstation

I was expecting something a little nicer since it was made in the USA. There is more plastic on it than I care for and the mounting hardware sucks. It comes with a ninety degree bracket and a 1/2 in conduit nut. One is supposed to screw a hose or whatever into it after first threading on the nut and placing the regulator on the bracket, then tighten the nut. I mean come on, for $100 plus put some damn threaded bosses in the thing or come up with a better bracket. The supplied gauge works well and it comes with a 1/4 plug for the back side. The 125psi limit really is the limit on this thing and that's if you take the locking nut off the T handle first. I'm only able to get about 120psi out of mine with the nut in place. The bowl on the bottom feel like a made in China casting. This is the end of my rant and if hind sight was 20/20 I would not have bought this thing.

Sunday, December 29, 2013

- Quincy Compressor Reciprocating Air Compressor - 5 HP, 230 Volt Single Phase, 80-Gallon Vertical T

- Quincy Compressor Reciprocating Air Compressor - 5 HP, 230 Volt Single Phase, 80-Gallon Vertical Tank, Model# 251CP80VCB
  • Industrial-duty US-made Baldor motor
  • Capacitor start motor with built-in thermal overload
  • Less than 5 PPM oil carry-over (blow-by) rating
  • 145-175 working PSI
  • Pump RPM: 942

From the time the compressor cycles on until the 80 gallon tank is once again fully charged, about one minute passes; at this rate it is going to take quite some time before replacing the break-in oil at the 100 hour mark. The compressor runs at a fairly low RPM and is thus moderately quiet and does not have that annoying sound most cheap compressors produce; in fact, it's kind of a nice rumble. Vibration is minimal, really minimal. Compressors of this type are not rated for a 100% duty cycle i.e. they are not designed to run continuously with no cycling on & off; however, we used it stripping paint at 150 psi for the better part of a day with a large external fan aiding the cooling and only tripped the motor reset once but it did have a few times to catch up while we moved ladders. This is a workhorse of a compressor. Because it is very heavy I mounted it on an industrial equipment dolly which allows for somewhat mobile use around the shop; as mobile as 700 pounds can be. The scfm rating is very high for a 5hp compressor; I don't think there are too many 5hp compressors that can match or exceed it. Champion compressors are another quality American line but I prefer the heavy build quality of the Quincy line of compressors. BTW, Quincy builds another 5hp compressor that is rated at 200psi continuous duty and 500psi intermittent duty but it is very costly and grossly overkill for most commercial/light industrial applications. Mine came with a single belt although the pulleys have another v-groove for twin belt drive from the HD Baldor motor. The compressor was manufactured in Quincy Illinois and has a 50,000 hour service life according to the manual. I installed resettable and non-resettable hour meters to insure maintenance intervals are met but at 58 years of age I'll probably never see the day it finally wears out. I purchased this product before I began buying tools and equipment through Amazon and had to pay an additional amount to have it moved from the store to my shop; therefore, I wouldn't hesitate to order it online and have motor freight deliver it. No set up is required other than hooking up the power cord; it even comes with break-in oil. Remember, buy quality and cry once; you'll get over the price soon enough and be better off for it.

Bosch Axxis Series : WTE86300US 24 Condenser Electric Tumble DryerBosch Axxis S

Bosch Axxis Series : WTE86300US 24 Condenser Electric Tumble Dryer
  • Ventless Drying Required No Ducting
  • Large Capacity on Compact Footprint
  • 11 Drying Cycles and 4 Drying Options
  • LED Display with Remaining Time
  • Long-lasting One Piece Stainless Steel Structured Drum

We live in a brownstone in New York City with no ventilation in our cellar for a conventional dryer. We've had the Bosch for 2 years. Bosch makes one of the few condensation dryers with the capacity to dry large loads. It takes about 45-60 minutes to dry a standard load of shirts and socks. Large bedspreads take about twice as long. It's a lot slower the conventional dryers, but it does the job. It is easier on fabrics because it simply pulls moisture from the chamber instead of blasting clothes with hot air. My clothes seem to hold color better. It's expensive, but fine if you don't mind the wait.

The outlet for this dryer is not conventional. It's not a big deal (inexpensive) to get an electrician out to switch it, but that will be a small added cost.

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Like I've seen on many blogs (which I should have listened to), the Bosch Axxis dryer is eccentric/temperamental and doesn't work half the time (and it's very expensive to begin with, but that's where your costs start). It's washer companion is just fine, but between a host of different elements on the dryer, maintaining it is difficult at best, the sensor is extremely temperamental, and Bosch's service is criminal. Bosch has a curious "blame the customer" attitude, uses a 5th rate corrupt repair guy in the NYC area -and don't seem to care (repairs cost $99 for the visit + $120/hour for labor). It looks good on top of their serviceable washer, and that's about it -buyer beware!

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The Good: These are great units for a second floor closet without a vent. If you have a vent, there are better and much cheaper alternatives!

The Bad: High Cost, Long Drying Cycles and (in my case) Poor Quality and Service.

You are paying a lot of money for the Bosch name and I don't think the quality supports the price. When the dryer needs repair, you will find out that it is cheaper to replace than repair.

Life is too short.

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We inherited a new Bosch HE washer/condenser dryer set with our house. We were so excited! Don't have to go buy new appliances! But now I know why they left them here.

The dryer condenser is not well designed. It is flat, so the condensate doesn't drain well. Then it becomes full of water, then it stops condensing, then the clothes don't get dry. I literally take this out between every load to clean out the condensed water, and I still have to air dry it completely every 3-4 loads or it just won't work. Plus, lint gets in the metal condenser and it's almost impossible to clean out. I've tried pipe cleaners and towels and chopsticks.... it's about a food long and has closely spaced plates of metal ridges for surface area for condensing. The thing is, the lint travels through on the air and gets stuck on the metal ridges. Then because it is so long and the plates are so close together, it's almost impossible to clean. It should be snap-together or something so you can open it up to get the lint out. But it's not. My best solution so far is to take used dryer sheets and run them through with chopsticks. It takes at least half an hour to get most of the lint out, and it's tedious and unnecessary.

The front vent is difficult to open to clean as well. Also, because it's not designed to vent to a duct to go outside, the water condenses in your laundry area (for us, a closet with doors).

All-around poor design. Full of frustration. I got a set of HE stackable washer/dryer from Sears, the Kenmore brand. Better warranty and works great. More features, same size. Also, since I got it on sale, cheaper. Go to a brick and mortar store and save yourself some grief.

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I just moved into a new apartment that came equipt with this dryer. It is so bad that I felt compelled to write a review. It does not do the one thing a dryer is suppose to do which is dry clothes! I have only used it for two weeks and it takes me three times longer to do my laundry than my old dryer. I am afraid to see what my electric bill is going to be. The sensors are suppose to be able to tell when my clothes are dry but it always shuts off when they are still very damp. I start the cycle again and it shuts itself off because it insists that the clothes are dry! I put a load in and let it run naively thinking that it would actually dry the clothes. I forgot about it, as I often do being a busy mother, and when I went to get the clothes the next morning they smelled because the dryer stopped while the clothes were still wet! I had to wash the clothes all over, which is a huge suck of time, money and energy! There is a timer setting, which is all use now, but you can't control the temperature when using the timer. I almost wish I had bought this dryer myself so that I could return it. Alas, I am stuck with it unless I can convince my landlord to replace it. Since I pay the electric bill I am guessing he is not going to be too bothered. If you would like a dryer that actually dries clothes do not buy this. If you prefer your clothes damp and smelly then this is the one for you.

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Ampro A2570 5 Piece Air Coupler Set Brass, Milton Type

Ampro A2570 5 Piece Air Coupler Set Brass, Milton Type
  • Contains 1ea: 1/4 Female Air Coupler, 1/4" Female Connector and 3ea. 1/4" Male Connector

I installed these on a 3/8 hose. I used tape on the threads and there are no leaks around the threads. However, there is an air leak from the coupler. The male end does not fit snug enough into the coupler. If there is any lateral pressure on the connector/coupler, air leaks from the coupler. For example, when I connect the hose/coupler to the male connector in the end of my Ingersoll Rand 2130 Impact Driver, the hose must hang straight down from the tool. Any slight tug or slight pull on the hose, and air leaks from the coupler. This must be a problem with the coupler (not the connector), since I have no problem with air leaking from the coupler connected to the tank.

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The are nicely made and finished. No jagged edges and they fit well my other air compressor accessories. One good thing about this kit is that it includes an adapter with a female thread. I had bought an air chuck that came with a male thread, so I needed this kit and the female thread adapter to fit the air chuck to my air hose, which also has a male thread. Another kit that is sold here did not include an adapter with a female thread, so that one is useless to me. That other one was also made of steel, unlike this kit, which is made of brass.

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I like that they give you males and one female, which you might need if you're building a hose.

I've had cheaper generic steel ones that leak air, but these seem to fit perfectly and don't leak.

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Bought a compressor and a couple of nail guns in a kit. Wanted to add an oil/moisture filter/separator on a more substantial and longer hose than came with kit. Needed a few quick connects to make it all come together. Selected these. What a disappointment. The male and female with thread configuration did not work correctly with the air flow on the o/m f/s. Had to get a nipple and coupling to make it work. Now the configuration is several inches longer than it needs to be. This is tolerable if I pay attention to what I am doing. The worst issue which is intolerable is the leak rate between the coupler and my nail guns. The fit snaps on well but requires very careful positioning when I set the gun down to stop the air leak. I would not recommend these for any userunless your favorite sound at the job site is hearing your compressor run constantly, they leak that badly on my Porter Cable guns.

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Can't use at all. Totally defective. Sliding sleeve does not slide. Dangerous. Poorly made. No quality control. First attempt to put together would have let manufacturer know it was bad. DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT.

Amico Air Compressor Fitting Metal 2 Splitter Adapter Connector Coupler

Amico Air Compressor Fitting Metal 2 Splitter Adapter Connector Coupler
  • Product Name : Air Compressor Adaper;Color : Silver Tone, Blue
  • Female Thread : 11mm/ 0.43";Connect Pipe Diameter : 13mm/ 0.51"
  • Total Size : 7 x 6.3 x 3.7cm/ 2.8" x 2.5" x 1.4"(L*W*H);Material : Metal
  • Net Weight : 181g
  • Package : 1 x Air Compressor Splitter

I rated this a 4 because if I had the correct setup this would have worked great. I knocked off a star due to the poor description.

I am a little novice when it comes to different types of quick connects. Honestly I never thought there was. When I set up my shop everything I bought worked together and rarely had to make any changes. When I bought a new tool the male connector was always the same.

I am not 100% but I believe this particular fitting is considered an NPT Female quick coupler. They have ball barring inside the ends. Anyway, the point of this post is really to just make those novice like me do a little research to make sure you get what you need. Because this item takes forever to ship since it's coming from Hong Kong.

Friday, December 27, 2013

80psi Abrasive Sandblaster Cabinet 5cfm Tabletop

80psi Abrasive Sandblaster Cabinet 5cfm Tabletop
  • Operate Air: 80PSI / 5 CFM
  • Over All Dimension: 23" x 19" x 19"
  • Uses silicon sand, glass beads or aluminum oxide to clean or polish material
  • Portable enough to use on work bench or take to a job site
  • Built in low voltage 15 VDC light provides visibility for intricate work

I purchased this as a complete beginner. I use the cabinet to frost glass. It arrived pretty much fully assembled. Had to tighten a few hose clamps and install the filters but that was about it. I was a litte disappointed in the vague instructions that came with it. It tells you how to put it together and what not, but it don't go into detail about anything.

For my application I was using a 6.5hp 30Gal Craftsman Compressor regulated to about 80psi. I added the medium(150 aluminum oxide) to the bottom of the unit. And got to frosting. Immediately the leaks were apparent. The cabinet is pretty airtight for the most part and pumping that volume of air into that little cabinet, The air has to get out somewhere. First it started out the sides at the seams. After a few applications of aluminum foil tape it stopped coming out the sides, but started coming out the top of the glass right into your face. I cannot stress the importance of using a respirator while sandblasting. A dust mask does nothing.

Another downer was after about the 4th piece, things were starting to move along very slowly. I had to stop and remove the rack in the bottom to get all the grit back on top of the feed tube. The one thing that I think really stinks about this particular design is that the feed tube only sucks from one little hole on the bottom left side of the unit. This got old pretty quick.

The next week I had a plan to simply permanantly remove the rack so I could move the grit around with my hands instead of having to keep stopping and opening everything. I messed around with the pressures and what not and had my regulator set as low as 20psi at one point and was still able to suck up the grit and actually frost glass. It was very slow going but it worked. I settled at 40psi to speed things but keep the dust to a lower level on the inside of the cabinet.

Anyways, to sum it up; I feel the cabinet is definitely worth every penney you pay for it. In my case I have already made my money back on it. Despite a few design flaws it does work great and I would buy it again.

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I have mix views..the cabinet does looks good enough to be move around..some small leaks ..no big deal...but the sand blasting hoses a litter short and the sand pick up not so good...need to reposition the pick up pipe

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Chip, simple, flaky. Great for starters but nothing close to a professional tool. Don't forget that you need a compressor able to deliver at least 5cfm@60 psi. Other than this it's simple as a slice of bread.

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The product works well for its intended purpose. As most other owners found the unit leaked when using a fine media I encountered the same. A quick fix of sealing the seams that shouldn't be necessary.

Gasoline Portable Single Stage 5 Gallon Air Compressor

Gasoline Portable Single Stage 5 Gallon Air CompressorI Bought this compressor to use for basic maintenance of my 4x4 truck on the trail and at home. The weight is more manageable than I thought to move around, the Round tube bars on top are comfortable to use for carrying and away from the hot parts. I run a 3/8 impact off of it and it works perfectly. The Motor runs quite loud but disengages and runs a little quieter once it reaches 125psi then kicks in again at 95psi. The motor builds pressure quickly and with constant use of a blow gun it mantains 90psi at running full speed. Quality of the Mi T M is top notch with braided lines, perfect powder coat and Made in The USA in Iowa. Mine was shipped direct from Mi T M in Iowa to my home in California in 4 days. It was boxed up really good and arrived without a Scratch. I checked the Mi T M website for service centers and they have several local to me, since I plan on keeping this a long time this was a concern of mine. 1 year warranty on compressor and 3 years on the motor how could you go wrong, Nice as they come.

Thursday, December 26, 2013

GREX AOS368 2-Inch 105-Degree Angle Random Orbital Sander

GREX AOS368 2-Inch 105-Degree Angle Random Orbital Sander
  • Patented one piece housing design for more reliable performance
  • Uses standard hook and loop sanding paper of your choice
  • Ergonomic housing with thermal isolator for continual usage
  • Santoprene Grip for superior comfort with a variety of applications
  • Ideal for corners and tight areas that an inline sander can't reach

I really like this tool. It works very well for the purpose for which I bought itworking in tight places. I would further comment on a review I read BEFORE buying this tool. IT DOES REQUIRE A HIGH VOLUME OF AIR!! A "kiddie compressor" will not do! I have a 6 Hp/ 33 gallon compressor and it works OK for this tool. A larger system would be better. So, if you wish to use this tool with a small volume compressor, you may be dissapointed in the performance of this tool.

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In the Canadian Woodworking magazine (Aug/Sep 08) it states this sander "is one of the few air sanders that can be operated on a portable air compressor" this is NOT true. This sander works less than one minute with a portable air compressor. I discovered later in the Woodcraft October Catalog that they note the sander requires a minimum of a 60 gallon capacity compressor or equiivalent to operate. I am sorry I bought this sander.

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I'm a woodturner, and use this sander a lot for finishing bowls and other turned vessels. It's great for removing concentric scratches and tool marks that can happen when turning wood on a lathe. Mine has worked flawlessly in a busy shop for about four years so far. I keep it lubricated as described in the documentation and have had no problems with it at all. Yes, it requires a real compressor. The gallon and horsepower numbers mean nothing. If your compressor can't produce about 8 cfm of air at the required psi, expect it to run a lot. Previous reviews talking about "6 hp" compressors are going by the "peak" horsepower ratings, and not the actual running horsepower. If you're plugging your compressor into a 110v outlet, it's probably not gonna be able to keep up with this sander. (I know this because I used my Grex sander with a "6 hp" buzz bomb compressor for over a year before I got a compressor running a real 5 hp motor on a 40 amp 220v circuit.) If you've got a real compressor, this is a great tool.

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I bought this to use with lathe spindle and bowl sanding. It works great! I have a 1.5 HP 20 gallon Emglo compressor and this tool works very well with this set up. I would definitley suggest not using a pancake compressor, but the 20 gal kept up. The ability to swap out sand paper quickly and easily with the hook and loop sandpaper is a nice feature. The sanding disc paper is not cheap, but does last a good while. The safety catch takes some getting use to the first few times, but then becomes second nature. The angled head allows you to get into tite spots very easily. I really like this tool and the price is very reasonable for the quality of the tool. Options are a 3 inch disc and an extension allowing you to get inside hollow forms. Great Tool!

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This thing does not perform well at all! It spins well until you put against something and then it stops with very little pressure. I am running it with a large compressor (6 HP 30 gallon tank)with proper pressure and volume. It is almost useless. I wish I would have just bought a small angle die grinder instead. Don't waste your money on this tool!

Porter-Cable C2002 Oil-Free UMC Pancake Compressor

Porter-Cable C2002 Oil-Free UMC Pancake Compressor
  • 150 psi max tank pressure stores more air in the tank for longer tool run times
  • 2.6 SCFM at 90 psi allows for quick compressor recovery time, per ISO1217
  • Six-gallon pancake-style tank for stability, includes water drain valve and rubber feet
  • Low-amp 120-volt motor starts easily in cold weather or with extension cord
  • Durable oil-free pump for long life and no maintenance

I purchased this item from Lowes just because I had seen this item manufactured on How It's Made on the Science Channel and took note that many steps were taken during manufacturing to insure a good end product. I have other compressors at my home including a 60 Gallon 240 Volt professional grade compressor but this portable compressor is a great product. It is compact, light, powerful, is stable and balanced when running, and has a cutoff pressure of 150 P.S.I. that helps it stay well ahead of the performance game. I use it whenever I want a portable air source, it is as convenient to transport as a portable vacuum cleaner. I would recommend this to any homeowner who needs a reliable, convenient source of compressed air. Additionally, it has two output quick connectors and very nice gauges and regulator. It is my first oil-less air compressor and I am satisfied with it's performance.

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I recently purchased this for my father, we work on a cabin in Canada, using a generator, and we wanted lightweight as we haul items in and out by boat. Also, the generator is not that large (3000 watt) and it handled this compressor without any problem. I previously purchased an oil-lubed compressor for myself (PC, 2.5 hp, dual tank, model CPLDC2540S), because I wanted something quite. I was surprised when I turned this compressor on, as it seems quieter than mine!! It also weighs less than mine!

There is 1 minute of assembly requiring a phillips screwdriver, but it was fairly easy (attach the motor to the tank, although the hose is already attached).

I think it is a good buy from of a good brand.

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Ordered this compressor for odd-jobs and basic 'inflation' duty around the house. Car tires, bike tires, and air mattresses... Very handy to have around. Unit is VERY light, much more easy to transport than I was expecting. Loud compared to my old 20gallon oiled compressor unit, but not unbearable.

Takes about 2 minutes from empty to full pressure cutoff. Very happy with the quality of the construction, clean looking unit and the 2 air outlets are a definite plus.

No hose is included with this kit, contrary to the attached picture. Better off going with the base kit and getting nicer accessory items than buying the full kit and paying a premium for 25ft of hose and a few cheap bits.

EDITED MARCH 28, 2011:

I broke the compressor in according to the information I read online (Run 15mins with the drain valve open to prevent pressure build up). So far it's still working fine for me.

One of my BIGGEST complaints, and the reason I've dropped a star off the review is the fact that the Hose Connections (2 of them, which is nice feature at this price) are attached directly to the gauge panel. The unfortunate part about this is that if the hose gets pulled, the whole gauge panel will rotate on the threaded air output from the tank. So far, it's happened to me about 3-4 times and it hasn't caused a problem-but I'd really have to reconsider this for a medium duty environment. It's only a matter of time before it begins to leak.

2nd-The compressor, for it's size, is just too LOUD. It's so loud and vibrates so much, that on any smooth surface (Concrete, Wood Floor) it'll actually vibrate the whole unit in a circular motion. Not a huge deal if you're not working in a tight space, but it's annoying to continually have to monitor the compressors position in my shop and pull it away from the wall. It does have thick rubber feat, but they just can't compensate.

I can't recommend it as whole-heartedly as I did before. For 150 dollars, I'd recommend saving a few more dollars and putting it toward a better quality/capacity unit.

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I have owned this compressor for over a year, used it on 3 or 4 finish nailer projects around my house. Started leaking air bad. Ordered the replacement parts (tube and a "gasket") and I can see why it leaked. Once I disassembled it I could see that the parts were cheaply made both the originals as well as the replacement parts. Rather than fix it, and probably have the same thing happen very soon I opted to junk it and purchase a portable Ingersoll Rand compressor. Talk about night and day!!

I own quite a few tools, including another Craftsman compressor. Craftsman gets a bad rap sometimes, and sometimes it is deserved, but I've had my Craftsman compressor for years. It's a big one, not portable though which is why I replaced this piece of junk PC Compressor with an Ingersoll Rand model.

I would advise anyone / everyone not to buy this compressor. It was the first Porter Cable tool I purchased, and based on the quality I will not be buying any more products from this company. I had thought about a couple different woodworking products that are made by Porter Cable, but no longer even considering it!!

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This is my first review. I never seem to have time to write them, though I always read (and appreciate) the reviews that others have taken the time to write. My turn. So I am a professional residential remodeler. As you might imagine, I possess quite a stable of tools. And if not for one MAJOR flaw, I would continue to use and recommend this compressor. It clearly is not designed for significant framing activity. But its size and oil-less feature, make it ideal for trim work and small framing projects, EXCEPT for the fact that the drain valve on the bottom of the tank fails over and over again.

I bought my first unit some 3 years back used it happily, if irregularly for over a year. Then the valve failed. I assumed it was a one-off thing and, given the reasonable price, bought another one. This time I got it at Home Depot since I needed one immediately. I used that for some many months (6-9?) and the valve failed again. I returned it and bought another one. Some 4-6 months later, it happened AGAIN. It always seems to happen in the middle of a project and I need to quickly go replace it. With a receipt, I haven't had an issue replacing it since I don't want to just throw it away and lose out on my "investment".

But darn if my FOURTH PC pancake compressor didn't just fail in the exact same manner just last week. That makes FOUR of these units that have all failed in the exact same way. I can't believe PC doesn't know about, and hasn't rectified this problem. It surely can't just be my bad luck. For someone who occasionally uses this compressor, maybe it will last for years before the valve fails. But it clearly can't handle any reasonably regular usage. And I should add that I always drain my tank after each usage. I don't let the air, remain in the tank and condense and rust the tank so it isn't a maintenance issue.

I wish this valve wasn't made so poorly because it renders the whole unit useless it can't be site remedied with any ease or efficacy. I would otherwise have enjoyed keeping this tool in my arsenal. I guess I need to look elsewhere for my portable, oil-less compressor needs....

So

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

33 Bottle Compressor Wine Cooler

33 Bottle Compressor Wine Cooler
  • Temperatures reach as low as 39 degrees F
  • Holds 33 bottles of wine
  • Insulated glass door
  • Digital temperature display
  • Slide out chrome shelves

The good

Not cellar grade cooler for long term storage. Instead it great cooler for keeping your reds at the right temperature for several months instead of keeping them warm, and then trying to chill them to serving temperature in the fridge before serving.

Shelves are removable, so I took out three shelves. This left room for 10 horizontal standard bottles of wine, 4 horizontal large bottles of wine, and 4-6 vertical (open) bottles of wine and/or liquor.

No fans to circulate and make noise.

The not so good

rear "feet" are just stamped metal protrusions from the base, so you may want to get carpet/floor protectors.

The condenser coils are on the sidewalls and get slightly warm to the touch, so it appears that space needs to be left on each side for ventilation.

Power cord is too short. Compressor pitch is a strange pitch compared to the normal fridge, but is fairly unobtrusive.

Summary

Great value, good starter cooler for the money, especially considering it includes shipping. I would buy another for whites if I drank white wine.

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The pros; it's a compresser type fridge. It keeps wine much colder than then electro type. Nice fit and finish.

The cons; it's not "Energy Star" rated and it shows once a month! my electric bill went up 20.00 a month That with keeping the themostat at 58. Another problm is noise. When the compressor is on... not good.

Is it worth it? Well if one entertains alot. It adds a touch of elegance.

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After reading lots of reviews on the passive chillers, I decided on this model with a compressor. It requires very little air space around the unit to maintain cooling capability which was very important for it's final placement. The compressor does make enough noise to be heard. It is quieter than our full size fridge. Temperature seems to hold very consistent and it recovers quickly after the door is opened. The only negative is that the blue interior LED light turns off automatically after a few minutes. My we liked the way it looked with the blue light on.

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I purchased the unit 10 months ago. Last week the compressor stop working. I contacted the NewAir customer support and they explained that I have to ship the product back. Really !!! Where I am going to find box suitable to ship the unit? I proposed to have a new unit shipped and I will return the old one in the packaging, but they explained that this can't be done. It is too much hassle. I will throw it away and will never buy anything from NewAir again.

I should listen to the negative reviews in the first place.

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Don't take a chance with this company. I ordered this product based on the positive reviews on Air & Water's website. The unit arrived quickly but upon opening it I found that the gasket on the door did not create a tight seal around the frame there was a huge gap at the top outer corner that would allow warm outside air enter the unit, resulting in more costly, inefficient cooling. I tried stretching it and playing around with it but no luck.

While not ideal, these things happen no biggie. So I called A&W to send a replacement, and they were actually very accommodating and sent a new unit right away. They instructed me to use the box from the replacement to send back the defective unit (they provided a prepaid shipping label for the return). I therefore tossed the packaging supplies from the first unit (the box had been cut open anyway to take it out).

The second unit arrived a week later, and I was excited I finally had somewhere to store my wine. No dice! There was a huge dent on the door. There is no way that this damage occurred during the shipping process as all of the packaging (foam, box, etc.) was completely intact with no bends or holes. I can only assume that this defect existed at the time it was shipped.

I read a lot of reviews for a lot of products, and I'm not sure I've ever seen a company fail to send a good condition product when given not one but two chances. Air & Water/NewAir clearly does not have a proper quality assurance process in place. Both of these units had blatant defects that should have been detected prior to distribution. With the first unit, I thought it was a fluke. Upon receipt of the second, it's no coincidence this company simply lacks basic controls.

To add insult to injury, in order to receive a refund I was told that I am on the hook for purchasing a box and packaging supplies to send back the second defective unit. A&W would not reimburse me for the cost nor send supplies to me. Between emails, phone calls, taking pictures of defects, arranging fedex return pickups, and now the cost of packaging supplies, this has been a major hassle. Don't waste your time.

Incidentally, after doing some digging I found that Air & Water owns NewAir no wonder NewAir's product reviews are so positive on the A&W site but just mediocre everywhere else.

Senco PC0968 Compressor, 1.5-Horsepower (PEAK) 2.5-Gallon

Senco PC0968 Compressor, 1.5-Horsepower 2.5-Gallon
  • Electric, hand-carry design
  • Oil-less
  • Weighing in at only 38-pounds
  • 2.5-gallon tank storage.
  • 135 PSI max pressure

This is a great, comparatively light, little compressor that drives my stapler; brad driver, 15 and 16-gauge finish nailers with ease. I have high expectations for any Senco product, so I did notice one minor design flaw if you plan to use a filter at the compressor connection.

The compressor's female quick release is facing more toward the roll bar frame instead of being angled away from it. There isn't enough physical space to clear a large in-line air filter, so instead of changing out the factory release, I simply used a swivel fitting on the air line (see my photo) to angle the filter and hose away from the frame. No big thing.

The stacked tank design doesn't seem to be as loud as pancake compressors, but is about what you would expect of a 1-1/2HP compressor. I still intend to fashion a noise shroud for indoor and woodshop use.

I should also mention that it took two tries to get a compressor delivered that wasn't damaged in transit. Damaged compressors seem to be a common problem at Amazon (read the horror stories under Makita) but this is attributable to bad compressor design, as much as rough handling during shipping. My compressors arrived by UPS, double-boxed with newspaper packing in between, yet the first compressor had a smashed pressure gauge inside. The inner box, from Senco, was not damaged in any way. So that must mean the gauge was damaged and shipped out anyway at the factory???

I have to praise Amazon Customer Service who replaced and delivered a perfect, new Senco compressor in just 72 hours--can't ask for better service than that.

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This is a great little compresseor. I have a small contracting buisness and this compressor is light enough to carry through a house. It is quiet enough not to force everyone out of a room. It also is capable enough to handle finish work through light framing that you do in remodling work.

Read Best Reviews of Senco PC0968 Compressor, 1.5-Horsepower (PEAK) 2.5-Gallon Here

the Senco costs more than comparable capacity compressors but the quality of materials, workmanship, quietness, and reasonable weight (37#) made me happy to have paid the premium. I was doing a remodel job that required using a framing nailer....got 10 to 12 nails before the unit quickly and quietly recovered.

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I purchased this Senco Compressor after reading other positive reviews and I'm not disappointed. The unit is well-constructed and appears to be built to last. The pressure relief valve makes it easy to bleed air and the drain valve is brass and easy to operate. I especially like the quick on-off lever and the pressure limit control. All air fittings work as expected. The unit weighs little enough so that it's easy to transport using the well-balanced handle. Noise is something that all of these small compressors produce but the PC0968 doesn't make too much of it at least in my subjective opinion.

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After researching the "smaller" compressors, the pc0968 was a perfect match. Billing was easy, shipping was quick, and the little guy works awesome. When the box came, I thought it was a toy. All around, great little unit. Lightweight, very, very, VERY quiet, super fast to pump up and recover. Haven't tried my framer yet, but I'm sure she will do ok.

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Rockworth RW1504ST 4-Gallon Factory Reconditioned Portable Electric Air Compressor

Rockworth RW1504ST 4-Gallon Factory Reconditioned Portable Electric Air Compressor
  • 1.5 HP electric engine provides power and consistency
  • 155 PSI maximum pressure
  • Delivers 2.8 SCFM at 90 PSI to run multiple finish nail guns or 1 framing nail gun
  • Twin-stack tank configuration has 2 air outlets for running multiple tools
  • Oil-free pump means no maintenance

Well I recently had a job to do and had to pick between a porter cable and this RW1504ST. I looked at em both and this one ran smoother, quieter, and had .2 more CFM's so i went with the Rockworth (Same as the husky at home depot) Yeah its not built like a brick house and franky i dont care if the wheels fall off. It is light enough i can carry it across my yard with no problem. I was using a framing nailer and it did a fine job. When i had a helper setting planks and i was rapid nailing it could usually keep up but a few times it droped below 90lbs. Its a quick lever to drain the tanks individually and the regulator is easy to control. It will keep two different PSI's. One will stay at 155 and the other is the one you set yourself. Extra pressure in the back ground helps it from cycling it every time you use it while keeping a 120psi constant(or what you choose less 155). I see no problem worth noting so far.

Sure a $300 pump may be able to supply a crew of workers but this should be fine for less demanding situations and well worth its weight!!!!

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Rockworth in the states is not to common. A little back ground check revealed that Rockworth is sold in the U.K and Europe. In the states it is known as Husky. I read all the reviews and don't know about some of these folks. I have not had my unit to long, but it runs every day all day, no problem as of yet. Packaged real good,after opening and taking unit out,it looked like it just came off the line. No dents,scratches,broken parts or the like. Unit runs good, I use for finish nailer and it sets a 1" crown x 5/8" corrigated fastner. For my face frames. It did have plastic wheels which are round and they do roll.For the $"s spent and what i got, no complaints thus far.Iv'e been in carpenter trade for 50+ yrs. Used all kinds of compressors,from the big boys down to this little guy, and I'm glad i bought this Rockworth.Youall have some fun and be BAD.. Smoothbore00. Just for the record AMAZON price wise and customer follow up beat the H--l out of the big box stores,thats why i check with AMAZON before i spend to much... Just give them one chance you won't be sorry....l

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I only have used it to air up tires and air clean equip. but I've had it 6 months and it's worked fine.

bought it as a refurb. so it had some dings on it, but the price was right, came with a full set of accessories

(even though the ad stated no accessories included)so that was a bonus.

refills fast, safety valve and overfill shutoff work. control valves are accurate, fairly light weight.

Loud, so I wear ear plugs. (all these small units are noisy)

As good a unit as I expected to get....no complaints

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This compressor seemed fine at 1st. Then it started acting up and finally conked out after only 3 uses. Never sounded good. I wasn't able to return because too much time passed. Very poor product.

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This came straight out of a barn put in the box its gross. Refurbished should still mean at least clean the dam thing. Wow Ill never buy refurb from Amazon again. Why not just be honest and say "USED"

PneumaticPlus SAR4000M-N04BG Air Pressure Regulator 1/2" NPT with Gauge & Bracket

PneumaticPlus SAR4000M-N04BG Air Pressure Regulator 1/2' NPT with Gauge & Bracket
  • Pressure Regulating Range:7.25 to 123 PSI
  • Flow Rate: 210 SCFM
  • Port Size:1/2" NPT
  • Includes 0 - 150 PSI Pressure Gauge & Bracket
  • 1 Year Limited Warranty.Manufactured In Korea

The regulator knob extends for adjustment with a satisfying 'click', exposing the red ring to indicate you are able to adjust. The pressure is changed easily with a few twists of the knob, after which it clicks back into the locked position with a firm snap.

Very solidly built -far better than the small, wobbly junk you can get at the local big box.

Not shown in the picture (though included in the description) is a nice pressure gauge as well as a chrome (not black, as in the picture) mounting bracket.

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Nice solid regulator. I used it to swap out an older, leaking regulator made by another manufacturer. This PneumaticPlus SAR4000M-N04BG is way nicer. Comes with the mounting bracket which is nice. The adjustment knob is big and feels solid in the hand. Pops up and down with a satisfying "click". The ring indicating that the knob is in the "adjustment" mode is a nice feature. No annoying Leaks. I wish I had spent some time on their website and actually purchased one of their "Air Unit" (Filter Regulator Lubricator) products instead. For a little more money I could have had this quality in all three units instead of having just this awesome regulator now sitting between a cheaper filter and lubricator. Oh well, when those others fail, I'll go back to PneumaticPlus for replacements. No more blue for me.

I am very happy with the purchase especially considering the price and the free shipping. I think the quality and value is above all the others I researched.

Little tips: 1) The regulator IS Directional. If you install it backwards (as I did originally), it does not function correctly. There is a little arrow on the bottom indicating the proper direction of air flow. If you need to install the gauge on the other side, simply remove the plug which is in there and place the plug in the other hole and the gauge in the hole where the plug was. 2) The regulator is available with different inlet and outlet sizes. Get the right one for your setup and save yourself a trip to the hardware store for adapters.

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In need for a spar regulator for a air tank I just got free. Hooked this one up and it worked just great. Thanks for a great price and a speedy shipment.....!!!

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This regulator is very well made and exceeds my expectations. In my opinion the price was better than others of lesser quality.

Monday, December 23, 2013

Tru-Flate (17-547) 10-150 PSI Digital Straight-On Dual Foot Service Tire Gauge

Tru-Flate 10-150 PSI Digital Straight-On Dual Foot Service Tire Gauge
  • Swivel head design
  • Same design and function as standard straight-on service gauge
  • Easy to read backlit digital display
  • Reads in PSI, bar, kilopascal and kilogram-force/cm2
  • Swivel head design enables tire valves to be reached from all directions

I checked the readings against my other gauge of known accuracy, and it was within 0.3 psi very good. The backlight makes it easy to read in most light conditions; the reading is held so I can pull the gauge off the tire to look at it in awkward situations; and the end swivels so the valve stem on outside dual tires can be easily reached.

It does not have a valve for releasing excess air, but I can achieve the same thing by pressing it lightly onto the valve. That's slower, but acceptable to me.

It reads in 0.1 psi increments. I use psi, but other units can be selected.

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Campbell Hausfeld DH780000AV Gravity-Feed Pneumatic Spray Gun

Campbell Hausfeld DH780000AV Gravity-Feed Pneumatic Spray Gun
  • Gravity-feed pneumatic spray gun eliminates material waste in the cup
  • Designed to provide optimal atomization and particle size
  • Built with polished aluminum body for ease of clean up and durability; stainless steel fluid needle and nozzle
  • Includes 1/4-inch male NPS air inlet
  • 1-year limited warranty

Excellent spray tools. Would like to buy more. We use them for applying multiple glazes to our ceramic work and have a number in operation during each spray session.

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Bought this gun thinking that for $50 it couldn't be much. Boy, was I surprised. We use this to spray stains, sealers, and lacquers and it's the best gun we've owned. My Graco cost 4 times as much and doesn't perform as well. My only complaint was it seemed a little heavy but we soon got use to that. Has great control to provide excellent atomization and spray pattern. We like it so well we are ordering another one.

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the sprayer is fine... but you better have a kickin compressor to keep up. no pancakes allowed.

again, it's a good sprayer for the money for sure.

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I was expecting it to be pretty cheap, for the price, but it turned out to be a really well constructed and quality gun. I'd easily recommend this.

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I am very happy with this product exceeded my expectations. I am glad I spent the extra couple of bucks for made in USA Campbell Hausfeld quality.