Monday, September 30, 2013

Grex G-MAC.P G-MAC MAC Valve with Quick Connect Coupler and Plug, for Paasche Airbrush and Hose

Grex G-MAC.P G-MAC MAC Valve with Quick Connect Coupler and Plug, for Paasche Airbrush and Hose
  • Gives you the freedom to put airflow control on any of your airbrushes, instead of being restricted to a specific airbrush
  • Comes as a quick connect air coupler allowing you to easily switch between airbrushes to give every airbrush the ability to control airflow
  • Attaches to the air inlet of your airbrush. Provides better balance compared to having the airflow control below the head of the airbrush
  • Designed with a large dial to allow easy air pressure adjustments. This is helpful when spraying and adjusting air pressures simultaneously
  • Capable of achieving fine adjustments to give precise air flow control. Three full dial rotations to change from zero air flow to full air flow

I bought the GREX because the generic product had a bunch of reviews stating that "It was bent" on delivery. Works just as advertised, nicely made product.

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must have for anyone who is using an airbrush, if you have never used a quick disconnect you will immediately see the benefits of this type of system

DEWALT D55151 14 Amp 1.1-HP 4-Gallon Oiled Twin Hot Dog Compressor

DEWALT D55151 14 Amp 1.1-HP 4-Gallon Oiled Twin Hot Dog Compressor
  • 3.2 CFM delivered at 100 PSI pump enables quick recovery
  • Oil lubricated pump improves durability
  • Cast iron cylinder enhances pump life
  • Lightweight design for easy use and handling in a variety of orientations
  • High-flow regulator for increased performance;Dual soft start valves assist in cold weather start-up

This is probably the best small compressor I have owned. It is very user friendly, relatively quiet and it comes up to full pressure rapidly. It also has the added durability feature of an oil reservoir to keep the piston well lubed.Previous small compressors I have owned were oiless types and were prone to freeze up under prolonged use.Not so with this model.

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I've had this DeWalt compressor for three years and have cussed it the last two years. It performs horribly when it's cold, takes a long time to fill with air and is fairly loud. I really didn't realize how much I hated it until I finally had enough and purchased a Makita MAC2400. It is twice the compressor, performs great when it's cold and is half as loud as the DeWalt. The Makita is a little heavier, but for only $20 more you get a much better compressor.

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I do various home repairs on my own home and I needed a good quality air compressor for my nail guns. A friend of mine recommended the oil fill type as apposed to the oil-free version because of the life expectancy of oil-free. I have had the compressor for about 6 months and it has performed very well. It's a little louder than I expected, but not that bad. I'm very pleased.

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I'm sure the compressor will prove to be a great reliable workhorse, fired it up and it's not too loud, held the pressure. My problem has been receiving 3 damaged compressors. The plastic guard around the motor is always cracked and the mounting bolts have been jarred loose leading me to think that if bump that broke the plastic guard was big enough to jar the bolts what else is damaged? Dewalt, whats the problem with using a better packing method? Other companies seem to have it down, especially Bosch. Extra thick cardboard and a few pieces of styrofoam please!

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As a trim subcontractor we use compressors every day and we have to have dependable equipment. I have had several brands of oil bath compressors. All have given years of daily service with minimal breakdowns. These Dewalt models have everything you need to power 2-3 finish guns at a time. With routine checking oil and air intake filter your set for work. I try to pull the oil pan off and clean the crankcase out once a year and refill with synthetic oil. By taking the pan off you can wipe out the aluminum dust that settles in the oil. It will not drain out with the oil if you just pull the plug. This is a heavy duty unit that will give you years of service! I do not recomend any oil free models they are very noisy and breakdown more often. You may save a few bucks with oil free models and if you get one buy some ear plugs and keep your savings for the replacement model when it dies?

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Goldblatt G15604 Diana Gun Texture Sprayer

Goldblatt G15604 Diana Gun Texture Sprayer
  • Heavy duty one piece machined housing
  • Easy toclean
  • Able to spray up to 1/2-Inch aggregate with optional Stone Conversion Kit
  • Machined texture tips for accurate pattern spray
  • Requires a 30 cfm compressor

First time using this product...simple to use after getting the hang of it.... controlling over spray was an issue as with any spraygun...easy to clean....saved a lot of time and very little wasted stucco

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I watched a you tube video of the Diana Goldblatt texture gun and they said it was made in Canada, must of been an old video because when i received it the box said made in China. The gun I received was a very poor casting and was not ground smooth before they applied the powder coating finish and resulted in very sharp bumps that would cut your hands when cleaning the gun. I like the design of the one piece casting and the functionality of the design, the trigger is really smooth, not like that piece of junk "Wallboard" gun I bought. I returned the Diana to Amazon and I am going to order the Diana gun again when they are back in stock and I hope I receive one with a quality finish, maybe this was just a bad batch, "Poor Quality Control". The hopper is small and really thin compared to the hopper that was on my Wallboard gun. I will keep you posted on the quality of the next one.

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If you want to buy a quality hand hopper that will last forever,look no further!!!And you just cant beat amazon on the price or speed of shipping!!Even cheaper than the material warehouse I buy my stuff through,,GO FIGURE!!

Homax 4610 Pneumatic ll Spray Texture Gun

Homax 4610 Pneumatic ll Spray Texture Gun
  • Sprays a variety of patterns and texture materials
  • Homax premixed textures snap directly onto gun
  • Air compressor (3/4 hp or larger) and HVLP compatible (80 cfm or larger)
  • Capable of texturing an entire house, yet is also ideal for smaller remodels and small patch and repair tasks
  • Lightweight

I was finishing part of our upstairs and needed a way to texture my walls. I had a 5 gal biscuit air compressor (porter cable) and it was going to cost me $45 to rent a hopper gun from the store. I seached the internet to see how much it is to purchase my own hopper gun and they go for about $70 to $150.

At first I thought about just getting one of the other hopper guns but I search the web some more and almost decided to get the homax texture that gets added to paint. I did some more searches and thought about using the orange peal cans that homax sells, then I saw this texure sprayer.

I'm writing this review because I did not see any here at amazon. I think this is an excellent texture gun. It's light and the optional 3 liter hopper can has a lid. That'll be very useful when you're doing ceilings, especially vaulted ones where you have to keep your other hand on the ladder.

I did not use my 3 liter hopper can on my latest project. I ended up getting the pre-mixed mud jugs for one of my rooms that had to be finished at the time. It did not clog on me using their pre-mixed texture mud.

Anyway, this thing was a blast to use. I sure am looking forward to using this thing again on the other rooms, though I'd probably mix my own mud when the time comes (its a lot cheaper). Taping sucked. Sanding sucks. But using this gun to texture was quite fun. Cleaning was easy too, just run it through water while using a brush and you're all set.

I'm glad I got this thing. :-) Now I need to paint. BTW, aside from the texture cans, this is the only texture gun I tried and used.

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I purchased this a couple years ago to texture the ceilings in my house after scraping the popcorn off. I will say, the product does work just fine, but not sure how it would stand up to consistent use. I will also say, if you purchase the pre-mixed containers, this will be about the most expensive way to texture you will be able to find (short of hiring someone to do the texturing for you).

The pre-mixed containers do not cover very much area, and are wickedly expensive. I'd recommend getting the 3L container and mixing your own. Purchase a container or box of topping compound and thin to the consistency somewhere between pancake batter and sour cream is the recommendation I was given and seems to work well.

Later, I purchased a real hopper gun and like it much better when doing larger areas, because the hopper lasts so much longer. After getting the hopper gun, I nearly chucked this gun because of it's cheap plastic feel until I realized that it fills the gap nicely between areas that are too large to use the aerosol cans of texture (very small patches), but too small to pull out a big hopper gun (much larger mess to clean up). A good area to use this gun on is a walk-in closet or similar sized area where it's smaller size (relative to a hopper gun) is an advantage.

Read Best Reviews of Homax 4610 Pneumatic ll Spray Texture Gun Here

A great little gun with a great little price. I was going to buy the Wagner PowerTex, but I found this little gem. I was a little skeptical of a gun that only cost about 50 bucks, but as it turns out, it worked great. I didnt buy the homax powder, but mixed my own texture. I used the USG Spray Texture QT Medium Poly (cottage cheese finish). I mixed it with 4.5 gallons of water with a mud mixing wand.

I had to practice a little on an old scrap piece of drywall a few times. I tested the psi on my compressor, nozzle adjustments, and spacing from the drywall to the gun tip. I would practice and then scrape it off with a 12 inch knife, then try again. I ended up using the 3C setting with about 40 psi and it worked fine. The spray was a little messy at first, but after turning up the psi to 40 it sprayed "cleaner". Cleanup was easy and I got about 3 rooms done in a few hours. Word to the wise, don't fill the hopper up all the way because when you tilt it to shoot the ceiling it will spill on your head. A good little sprayer considering it was going to cost me $45 to rent a sprayer at the local rental store and I got it for a few dollars more. I used mine on my finished basement and it worked out great. I recommend it to any DIY'er!

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Works fine. It may seem a bit cheap (plastic) but for home use its just fine. I would not buy one for profesional use, but for home use, this one is fine. I did my bathroom and the job came out fine. I plan on scraping off my popcorn ceilings through out the rest of my house and I will need to texture the ceilings after I am done and Im sure this spray gun will do the job great.

I was finishing part of our upstairs and needed a way to texture my walls. I had a 5 gal biscuit air compressor (porter cable) and it was going to cost me $45 to rent a hopper gun from the store. I seached the internet to see how much it is to purchase my own hopper gun and they go for about $70 to $150.

At first I thought about just getting one of the other hopper guns but I search the web some more and almost decided to get the homax texture that gets added to paint. I did some more searches and thought about using the orange peal cans that homax sells, then I saw this texure sprayer.

I'm writing this review because I did not see any here at amazon. I think this is an excellent texture gun. It's light and the optional 3 liter hopper can has a lid. That'll be very useful when you're doing ceilings, especially vaulted ones where you have to keep your other hand on the ladder.

I did not use my 3 liter hopper can on my latest project. I ended up getting the pre-mixed mud jugs for one of my rooms that had to be finished at the time. It did not clog on me using their pre-mixed texture mud.

Anyway, this thing was a blast to use. I sure am looking forward to using this thing again on the other rooms, though I'd probably mix my own mud when the time comes (its a lot cheaper). Taping sucked. Sanding sucks. But using this gun to texture was quite fun. Cleaning was easy too, just run it through water while using a brush and you're all set.

I'm glad I got this thing. :-) Now I need to paint. BTW, aside from the texture cans, this is the only texture gun I tried and used.

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Boa 112600/52 Waterpebble Little Water Saver

Boa 112600/52 Waterpebble Little Water Saver
  • Every shower, your water usage is reduced a little
  • Waterpebble can be reset at any time
  • Waterpebble is not a toy - Keep away from children
  • 100-Percent recyclable
  • Replaceable Battery

This is such a great tool to help keep your showers to a reasonable time. My kids absolutely love it as well!

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My Kid's love it and great gadget for helping kids to understand the value of Water going down the drain.

Quality: Better than what I expected for such a gadget

Packaging & Delivery was per expectation.

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Great concept but pebble only worked a week after we got it. Replaced battery and only lasted 2 more weeks. Not sure if it has a short or what. Really wanted it to work to help shorten daughters long hot showers.

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Tried in two different showers a few times each. Never got it to work. Placed device different spots in the tub with shower at different speeds. No joy.

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We bought this to assist our son in taking a reasonable shower. It worked great for about a month and then stopped. We were a little disappointed that the battery life was so short. The idea is great and when it worked we were happy with it.

Makita AC310H 2.5HP High-Pressure Air Compressor

Makita AC310H 2.5HP High-Pressure Air Compressor
  • Makita high pressure compressor technology delivers 400 PSI capacity for the next generation of high pressure nailers.
  • Dual capacity: two universal couplers for conventional nailers (3.6 CFM at 90 PSI) and two couplers for high pressure nailers (2.7 CFM at 300 PSI).
  • Low amp draw reduces incidences of tripped breakers and voltage drop during start-ups.
  • Efficient dual-head (2 stage) pump provides faster recovery time and improved performance.
  • 1,720 RPM enables greater displacement at lower RPM and lower noise.

First I want to say that Amazon was stellar to work with in every regard. The compressor arrived incredibly quickly, as promised, and customer support was very focused in their attention to customer satisfaction and follow through.

As to Makita, my first impression was the cheap and poor job in their packaging of this heavy and comparatively expensive item. I was surprised at their indifference and lack of care in protecting their product. It displayed a definite lack of pride.

I attempted extensive research before purchasing this compressor but Makita's poorly drafted owner's manual, available online information and Makita's technical support left a lot to be desired. This compressor was not available locally so it was also not possible to evaluate one firsthand.

The options for a 400 PSI high-pressure portable compressor are few, so I decided to go with the Makita AC310H, relying on the fact that Makita is a well established company with a past reputation for decent quality power tools.

Regarding the design of the compressor, it appears that those responsible for its conception seem to have actually cared about their work, unfortunately however, they obviously were not able to oversee the production, quality control and packaging of it.

The initial appearance was actually impressive, but on closer inspection the lack of care in assembly is evident, from oversized wrenches rounding the corners, to some low quality components incorporated, to the failure of properly assembling the high-pressure regulator, to the unexplainable gouging and scratching on the bottom of the air tank.

Upon switching the compressor on it immediately failed to build higher pressures because of the aforementioned regulator. It was impossible to get to the regulator without disassembly of components so further reviewing could not be concluded. It was expeditiously returned into the confines of it's cheap cardboard box and was summarily sent packing. Kind of a shame as it really wasn't its fault.

It seems to me that the bean counters took a good design and then farmed it out to the lowest common manufacturing denominators in China with the sole intent of maximizing corporate profits, hence increasing their bonuses at the expense of their customers.

The Makita name on something now leaves me with an one star impression, and this buyer will be bypassing it in future tool prospects.

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Cheap regulator for such an expensive compressor. The high pressure regulator failed during testing the compressor for the first time out of the box. I received a new regulator under warrantee. I disassembled the old regulator to find out what happened. The threaded shaft for adjusting the pressure is made of steel with very fine thread. The nut that it runs through is made of soft brass. The threads in the brass are striped clean through. Because of the inferior materials used I can foresee this happening again and again.

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I bought this air compressor hoping to replace a makita MAC2400 that I had. I did not have a specific use for the high pressure system, but I liked the idea of high pressure for the future. I dont believe this compressor makes air as fast as my old one. If they had two hot dog tanks on it, I think it would be and awesome machine. But it doesn't catch up on air vary fast. It does run quiet and doesn't draw a lot of power. I think I will go back to my old compressor for my next purchase.

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Makita AC310H 2.5HP High-Pressure Air CompressorMakita AC310H 2.5HP High-Pressure Air CompressorThe Makita AC310H 2.5HP High-Pressure Air Compressor I bought it from Amazon.com, it failed right out of the box, just like the rest of the reviews said, it leaked everywhere, never built pressure to 400, ran constantly, only got to 300 psi, the HP guns shoot at 320. It leaked when running from the head area, but when off no leaks, it's a failure of design passed off to USA. The Max high pressure, the compressors work well, light too, when the $1,400.00 to 1,500.00 item quits you'll not find a repairman or customer service, around, My 2 came back after a year in parts in a box saying a new one was cheaper than fixing either of the two (2) so $1,500.00 throw away compressors, get used to it. I'll be selling all six guns, but with a conscience, should I cheat someone? Or should I take my pleasure out with a sledge hammer, or a hood ornament for an Eitsil (Fords failure)It was pretty cost effective when using the concrete nailer less than half the cost of the Hilti, ramset, but factoring in the throw away compressor cost, and time dealing with a non-repairable item, as the Makita too. Buyer Beware run, don't walk, away from these items, it's a puzzle designed to beat you. The Makita AC310H 2.5HP High-Pressure Air Compressor is a hood Ornament for a junker. Amazon should not push this item, it's disappointing at least.

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I'm a GC, and I bought the makita HP compressor & framing nailer two years ago. At the time there were no reviews here, and only a brief write up on some tool review website. I bought it because Im a bit of a tool junkie, and getting a new toy makes framing walls seem like more fun. Anyway, I figured I'd throw in my brief thoughts after reading all the negative reviews.

Mine works great, I love how quiet it is, how quiet the gun is, and oddly enough I love the makita hose more than anything else.

The gun is crazy light. Use it for a week then pick up a regular coil framing gun full of 3" spikes. This could be an exaggeration but it feels 5lbs lighter.

The compressor however is NOT crazy light. It's all motor, which I suspect is made of some tungsten lead super alloy. I move it around at night or other lowlight conditions, so nobody sees me struggling to tote this small compressor.

Full disclosureI've probably used this thing a total of 80 hrs. It's too nice for my guys to mangle, so it's locked up in my private tool section where the gremlins can't get to it.

All in all, it's a novelty to me. It's cool, looks sweet and is fun to use. I've never used it for anything that a regular gun and compressor couldn't have done. If you've got money to "waste" maybe you'll like it too.

Friday, September 27, 2013

Hyundai HPT505 5-Gallon Inflation Tank

Hyundai HPT505 5-Gallon Inflation Tank
  • Ideal for topping up your tires and sports equipment, such as basketballs and volleyballs
  • 5 gallon tank capacity and large pressure gauge and 2-foot flexible hose allows for easy use
  • Lightweight and compact design for maximum portability
  • Features an easy to read pressure gauge, air shut off valve and a standard air chuck; 2-foot recoil hose and inflation nozzle included

Rather than having to always run my compressor to top up tire pressures, I like a portable tank. Fill it once and it gets several fills before needing to be pumped up again. The probelm with most available tanks is that they are cheaply made. This one is nicely finished and has nice components like a well-placed, nicely shaped handle. Best of all it does not leak. It has a shitoff for the air hose and so hod air indefinitrly.

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This device is another example of the high quality one has come to expect from "Hyundai". It is well constructed and the only downside, (in my mind) is the manner in which one is instructed to drain the tank. I.E., "remove hose, invert tank and open valve" or words to that effect. This is a rather lengthly drill and requires tools. I modified the tank by removing the filler hose, installing a short nipple and quick coupler. This way I can use a variety of hose arrangements and draining the tank is readily facilitated by merely using the quick coupler to disconnect the hose, inserting just a male hose end attachment to allow unrestricted air flow and opening the valve.

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I pumped this up to 95psi and tucked it under my desk for a week. When I checked, it was still at 95psi. Great!

Con: the attached hose doesn't have interchangeable anything so it takes some work to get everything working if you want to use it for anything other than inflating schrader valve tires.

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This tank was on my wish list, and someone purchased it for me for some computer work I did for them.

The tank arrived in excellent condition. Solid construction. Only thing I didn't like, and it cost one star, was the air chuck hose being hardwired to the manifold. Not a surprise, but an irritant anyway.

I ended up modding the tank by removing the hose, adding a coupler and a quickconniect plug. Now I can hook up a blowgun or whatever to the tank. I was hoping to be able to include a picture, but it looks like I can't.

Great tank, overall!

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Based on other reviews here, I purchased this tank (not here). The Hyundai packaging is great and the tank arrived intact and dent free. I couldn't be happier with it. The build quality is excellent. A minor gripe is that the plastic shut off valve should have been brass, but it works fine.

As others have said, a hose with a universal quick disconnect would have been much preferred. The good news is that the fittings are standard and it's an easy fix to install a quick disconnect. I really like the padded handle, the design allows the hose to be looped around it, making for convenient storage.

Rheem Ruud Condenser Fan Motor 51-23053-11

Rheem Ruud Condenser Fan Motor 51-23053-11
  • Motor Type Permanent Split Capacitor
  • Voltage 208-230
  • Rotation Reversible CW/CCW
  • Number of Speeds 1

Disappointed that this was advertised as RUUD OEM replacement motor but was a universal motor available anywhere. Problem is there is an extra wire that is not used on some units (mine) and the mounting bolts needed to be cut off for this installation. None of this is a big deal for an experienced technician but for a DIY guy is bothersome.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Frigidaire FRA126CT1 12-000 Btu Window Air Conditioner W / Temp Remote

Frigidaire  FRA126CT1 12-000 Btu Window Air Conditioner W / Temp Remote
  • 12-000 BTU cooling capacity with variable speed fan
  • Cools room sizes up to 640 sq. ft.
  • 8-way air direction control
  • Clean air ionizer; Anti-bacterial mesh filter type- tilt-out filter access
  • Electronic controls with temperature sensing remote

The 12,000 BTU unit is a bad choice for most people. The smaller 10,000 BTU unit is 33% less in cost and typically much more reliable. The bigger 15,000 BTU unit is not that much more than the 12,000 unit.

So why would you pay so much extra above the price of the smaller 10K unit, yet stop short of going all out for the 15,000 BTU unit? Only one reason window height. Beyond 12,000 BTU the case gets much larger, which means it won't fit in some window styles.

Price not important? Measure your window, and if it fits get the bigger 15K unit.

Price important? Then why would you pay so much more for this one over the 10K unit?

I've bought and run this size, but only in special cases where I was restricted by window size and had a really large room to cool.

Also to consider... here's the review I gave on another model that is relevant to this one:

------------------

Between family and rent houses I put all types and sizes to the test every year in the scorching Texas sun. Here's my experience:

If you want a solid window air conditioner, it really boils down to two choices: Frigidaire and LG. The current "sweet spot" on reliability/price/economy is the 10,000 BTU unit regardless of make/manufacturer.

Recently they've been making 12,000 & 15,000 BTU 110V (normal plug) units.

-The 12000 BTU truly is 20% stronger, but you pay 50% more here on Amazon.

-The 15000 BTU is a snowball tossing beast, but it's in a larger case that may not fit your window (height-wise) and doesn't have a long history on the market so we don't know how it will do long-term

LG Pros The 10,000 BTU LG is my "workhorse". Best value. Run them till they fail in 4 to 7 years, then swap `em out for another.

1) Better warranty (but really, who cares when it breaks because you're sitting there sweating)

2) Typically last an additional 2-3 years over other brands

3) An LG rarely just stops running it will degrade slowly over a season

4) They are more tolerant of neglect (e.g. dirty filters... can't rely on tenant to care for your stuff)

5) Better withstands being placed in harsher environments (direct sunlight, restricted airflow)

6) Lower "lemon" rate

Frigidaire Pros For family I prefer to run 12,000 & 15,000 BTU Frigidaires. They are a little nicer, and I consider it worth it even though they always break sooner. (Value and reliability aren't as important, but I do have to compensate by keeping a new boxed spare around because they always fail at the most inopportune moments. Most people can't do this.)

1) A little nicer looking

2) Better features

3) Quieter

4) Slightly easier installation

5) Circuit surge/drain on startup seems significantly less (think lights flickering when compressor comes on)

Other parting thoughts:

1) A thing to know about newer units: To obtain the higher EER (efficiency) ratings, they use finer design on heat exchanger fins. For the non-experts, this means smaller little spaces that get jammed up with dirt/mold/whatever resulting in a clogged/filthy/poorly operating unit much-much faster than your parents' old units. Appliance repair stores can service your window unit every year (clean it of filth) that will extend life by at least 2 years and sometimes much more. Of course this costs anywhere from $50 up, and the units are cheap, so it's your call whether to service or toss it.

2) The 10,000 BTU Frigidaire here on Amazon is a good buy w/Amazon Prime shipping. For other higher BTU models, as of this writing you'll be paying more but also know that right now with the national heatwave most box stores are sold out so you may not have a choice.

3) Something this heavy is a risky ship (versus store pickup). It might be shipped wrong-side-up, or dropped, or whatever. It's a risk you'll run so do so knowingly. (I seem to have pretty good luck w/Amazon shipped items.) The risk is offset, however, by advantages of buying from Amazon (store would take forever, you'd have to load it and bring it home, have to have a vehicle large enough to carry it, etc.)

4) Clean. Your. Filter. Every. Week. It will keep your little ice machine healthy.

5) Different stores have different models from the same maker. If they are made in the same year, it doesn't seem to make a difference.

6) Tempted to go cheap like a Haier? Don't.

7) Tempted to buy a 6,000 or 8,000 BTU model? Don't. Get the stronger unit. It will cool down the room faster. It will not need to work as hard as a weaker unit and last longer. It is built with some stronger/better key components.

Good luck and happy cooling.

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New unit was very noisy. Rather than return it, it was easier to it take to a local warranty repair center. I kept Amazon in the loop just in case, and they were gracious in offering to exchange the unit if I chose not to have it repaired.

The repair center diagnosed the noise as a bad bearing in the fan motor. The blower motor was replaced, and the unit is OK now. The motor being bad right out of the box suggests that these units go through no testing at the factory, and quality control is low.

After the repair, the overall noise level is about average which is OK with me. Most of the sound is the air movement swish of the blower. There is very little compressor sound when it is running, and a light "clunk" when the compressor turns off.

This 12,000 BTU unit is the same physical size as the 8,000 BTU Frigidaire unit I am replacing. For what it's worth, the blower in the 8,000 BTU unit lasted two seasons. That might explain why Frigidaire has only a one-year warranty (which is really one season) on that part of the unit. Perhaps Frigidaire is trying to take over Haier's role as the industry purveyor of cheap appliances.

I later found out that LG has a five-year warranty on everything -no need to buy an extended warranty. Frigidaire has five years only on the compressor, one year on everything else. The repair guy at the warranty repair center said he has seen only two LG units in the five years he has been there.

Having gone through multiple window units, I'll offer the advice that, in order to get the high EER ratings, these things (all brands) use delicate fins on the heat exchangers the design and spacing of which easily accumulate micro dust particles in spite of the filter. The moisture on the fins along with the dust encourages the growth of mold if the fins are not meticulously cleaned. But the delicate nature of the fins along with the presence of the electronic controls means you can't do like the old days where you took the thing out of the chassis and washed it out at the local car wash. Cleaning the fins now requires something like using a strong shop vac and a tooth brush to carefully comb fins clean at the end of each season.

In other words: It might have a high EER when you get it new, but it doesn't stay that way for long. It's too bad the EER is only for brand new in the lab, and no thought is given to the EER over a typical lifespan of the product.

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I needed to replace a 10 year old 12,000 BTU Kenmore AC and thoroughly researched my options before zeroing in on this Frigidaire. The clincher was the unique remote control -it has a key feature that no other AC's have, including other Frigidaires.

Thermostat & Automatic Climate Control Built Into The Remote

Let's be clear -most modern AC's come with a remote that turns the temperature up or down, but that's NOT all this Frigidaire's remote does. It actually controls the climate via it's own thermostat and direct communication with the AC itself. The remote also has a digital readout that displays the actual room temperature at the remote itself. This is significant, because most AC's have a thermostat in the AC housing. But this Frigidaire has a thermostat built right into the remote control, which means the AC will cycle on and off based on the temperature at the remote, instead of at the AC unit. I hated how my old Kenmore would click off the compressor because the thermostat thought the room was cool enough, yet where I was sitting, was still hot and muggy. Now, with this new Frigidaire, the compressor keeps running based on the temperature on the remote's digital readout. Every few minutes the remote sends a signal to the AC unit, telling it what the temperature is; and the compressor adjusts, based on that readout, keeping the room a constant, consistent temperature. This feature alone sets this AC apart, head and shoulders above the rest. And after just a few days of using it, there's no way I'd ever want an AC without this feature from here on.

More About the Remote

Other than the awesome feature mentioned above, the remote can turn the AC on or off, set the temperature, timer on, timer off, sleep mode, auto fan and energy saver. It's also a cute little thing that feels good in my hand. It's about the size of a small cell phone and the rubberized buttons are well laid out and easy to use, even for those with poor eyesight and dexterity, like me.

Eco-Friendly

The power surge my old Kenmore caused would literally make the lights dim whenever the compressor kicked in. On really hot days, that sudden power drain would often trip the circuit in my fuse box, knocking the power out. But this new Frigidaire is so energy efficient, that I barely hear the compressor kick in, and the lights dim for just a fraction of a second. So the power drain compared to my old Kenmore is almost nonexistent. I feel confident that when we go through another round of brown-outs here in California, my Frigidaire will keep running even when Edison throttles down everyone's kilowatt usage. Even better, the Electric Company is giving me a rebate for upgrading to a new "green" AC; how COOL is THAT?!

Cooling Powerhouse

There aren't too many 12,000 BTU air conditioners out there; any higher in BTU, and you can't use a standard 3-prong wall outlet. So I was happy to find this 12,000 BTU replacement. This Frigidaire cools my 650 square foot room without a problem. Actually, I have yet to run it higher than Low speed, and at that setting, it's been cooling off the whole room quite quickly, and keeping it at a constant temperature. I know it's early in the season, but it's already gotten hot and muggy here in Southern California, so I've had plenty of opportunity to put this new AC through its paces already. But thus far, I'm quite confident this Frigidaire can more than handle the sweltering heats that are coming.

Clean Air

I have a couple different air purifiers, but it's cool that this AC also has a built-in ionizer. With all the air it blows around the room, it's good to know that I can turn the ionizer on with the push of a button, and minimize the dust flying around. For those of us with respiratory problems, this is a HUGE Bonus!

Installation

If I could find an AC that does all this one can, plus install itself, then it would be the perfect AC! Short of that fantasy, this AC was well worth the setup. I had help with it, and 2 hours later -voila -we were enjoying the reward of cooler air. The unit itself was a little lighter than the Kenmore I was replacing, but let's face it, it's difficult to balance a big, heavy, square object on a windowsill. We got the job done though, with no real headaches or problems. The side louvers were easy to attach, and the screws, brackets and weather stripping were all self-explanatory.

QUIET!

Some other reviews had me concerned about the noise level of this particular unit, but I have to say, this Frigidaire is about as quiet as an AC gets. I have a smaller 5,000 BTU AC in the bedroom, and it's much louder than this 12,000 BTU. My old Kenmore was waaaaaaay louder than this, even when it was brand spanking new.

Bottom Line -Frigidaire really hasn't done themselves any favors by describing and marketing this AC so poorly. They should be punching up what's special about this remote (the built-in thermostat,) how it interacts with the AC, and why that unique feature matters to consumers. It's truly one of a kind and that feature alone squashes the competition in my book. This AC is so much better than it appears, at first glance. Thankfully, I was very thorough in my research, both online and in store, and I doubt you'll find a better AC for the money than this Frigidaire. I fully expect this AC to work flawlessly for years to come; and because I'll have it for many years, I'm glad I took the time to make the right choice.

Want Frigidaire FRA126CT1 12-000 Btu Window Air Conditioner W / Temp Remote Discount?

I have a large room (about 600SF) with 10-1/2 foot ceilings in NYC. Two ceiling fans help move the air around. So the last two days have been 95F or thereabouts here in NYC, I've run the unit on low fan at 65F setting, and the room is chilly. At high speed the fan is kind of noisy, but at low speed you barely hear it, just some white noise in the background.

Turning it on full blast in a hot room, it takes a couple hours to really cool the room off, but maintaining a cool room, no problem.

Installation was easy enough to figure out, took all of 10 minutes.

So far am very happy with the purchase. Did the purchase via Amazon, a smooth, seamless process.

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I use this window ac unit as a thru the wall cooler. It cooled three adjacent rooms during the hottest days of this past summer. I really appreciate the remote control, after several years using old fashioned manual controls. An unexpected benefit was the low noise. The unit is just a few feet from my TV and does not interfere with sound.

Industrial Air ILA1883054 30-Gallon Belt Driven Air Compressor

Industrial Air ILA1883054 30-Gallon Belt Driven Air Compressor
  • Cast iron, twin cylinder, oil lubricated pump
  • Dual voltage motor is wired for standard 120-Volt outlet and may also be converted for 240-Volt application
  • 155 PSI max pressure for optimum tool performance
  • 30-Gallon ASME vertical portable tank with pre-attached pneumatic tires, quick-set regulator, tank and working pressure gauges and on/off switch
  • Maximum pressure: 155 PSI; CFM at 90 PSI: 5.7; CFM at 40 PSI: 7.0; RHP: 1.9; UL and CSA certified

I've been around a lot of REAL compressors older than I am. This compressor rock, built to last, assembled in the USA. The motor is made in china but high quality and continous duty rated! The compressor castings appear to be of the highest quality! Long story short, this is the best 115v compressor available. If it runs for its 2yr warrenty I. Have little doubt it'll last for 20yrs or more w/proper maintence!

Btw shop around, got mine for 550 but can be had for as little as 499 on regular sales.

Buy Industrial Air ILA1883054 30-Gallon Belt Driven Air Compressor Now

I live in a townhouse so the noise factor is a big deal to me. This was the right choice for me. No second thoughts about this purchase. Love using this with my IR air tools. I wanted a tough reliable compressor that would run impact guns, die grinders, air ratches, and fill tires. General auto...nuts and bolts.. and around the house and garage type chores. This machine really does the job. Tons of power, 155 psi, and it runs on 120v power. It's VERY quiet for an air compressor. The neighbors have no idea I'm in the garage with this compressor running. I'm sure they hear the air tools, but not the compressor.

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Primefit IK1006S-17 1/4-Inch NPT Air Accessory Kit, 17-Piece

Primefit IK1006S-17 1/4-Inch NPT Air Accessory Kit, 17-Piece
  • Includes 17 Essential air accessories
  • includes blow gun with 2 different nozzle attachments
  • Contains a dual air chuck for various inflation applications
  • Includes 1 quick connect coupler, 6 quick connect plugs, pencil tire gauge, 2 inflation needles, and 3 hose fittings
  • Durable Steel construction with zinc plating for corrosion resistance

Good for house chores and simple stuffhope it will last the test over time. For now all ok will see a year from now

Buy Primefit IK1006S-17 1/4-Inch NPT Air Accessory Kit, 17-Piece Now

I was concerned that the fittings might be cheap and therefore leak, but the two that I've used (two of the quick-connect adapters) have worked perfectly. I installed both with teflon tape (not sure if that is a requirement, but it didn't hurt anything and may have helped). Anyway, both of the tools thus modified worked without any leaking whatsoever when hooked up to the air compressor hose and used at about 90 lbs of pressure. I haven't used the majority of the kit so I can't speak to any pieces other than those two adapters, but there are a LOT of adapters that come with it, and if the rest of them work as well as the two that I used then I consider this a good purchase.

Bosch BNS200-18 18-Gauge Brad Nailer

Bosch BNS200-18 18-Gauge Brad Nailer
  • Tool-less adjustable air exhaust
  • Tool-less selectable trigger - easily switch between bump and sequential fire
  • Tool-less adjustable depth of drive - adjust depth of drive on tool
  • Narrow nose for excellent line of sight and slim body for better line of sight and better control
  • In-line self cleaning air filter - keeps debris from the valve and o-ring improving life of tool

Bosch's first foray into the world of nail guns seems pretty successful to me. This gun is light, comfortable, affordable (no fancy "angled" nails required), quiet, and has oodles of power. Even starving it at 80 psi, it has no trouble sinking (and setting) 2" brads into any of the MDF or Poplar stock I've got laying around. The adjustable exhaust port is a nice touch, and it refuses to fire at all once the magazine goes empty. The case is also roomy, leaving ample space for nails and other accessories.

Unfortunately, I can't say it's perfect. The pin that holds the trigger in doesn't seem like it's held on very firmly by that tiny little washer, and I shudder to think what will happen in the event that it should go out. Mine also came with a pretty severe cosmetic flaw in the form of what appears to be a gash in one of the metal surfaces. This gash was painted over, so it's more than likely just a flaw in the casting which should not cause any problems in usage, but still, QA should have caught it. And lastly, they don't give you any kind of fitting to actually stick it on the end of your hose. A minor nitpick to be sure, but come on, how much do these things cost? Don't make me drive back to the store to buy another coupler.

Nevertheless, it gets the job done and gets it done well. Even with the minor cosmetic defect, the fit-and-finish is notably superior to that of the equivalent Hitachi gun which I had been considering before these came out. I think anyone who routinely builds picture frames, cabinetry or puts up moulding would be extremely satisfied with this gun's performance. You'll definitely want to wear goggles, though; the exhaust is unbelievably powerful, so if you forget to rotate the port away from your face, you're going to be crying.

Buy Bosch BNS200-18 18-Gauge Brad Nailer Now

I am doing a full reno of my first floor and put up doorway trim and base molding; this nailer worked flawlessly.

I was using an 18 ga bostitch nailer before, and it was not very consistent. The bosch nailer sunk 2" and 1 1/4" nails at exactly the same depth every time.

I haven't used the bump feature yet, but I'm not sure if I ever will.

I was skeptical at some of the mixed reviews, however, I am not a contractor. There is no doubt that I will be looking at Bosch's finish nailer in the near future.

Read Best Reviews of Bosch BNS200-18 18-Gauge Brad Nailer Here

I have had this nailer for a few weeks now and put it right to work on a project that was awaiting its arrival. First thing I had to do was dial the pressure back to about 80+ using a 1 1/2" nail. Then adjusted the nail set adjuster to get it just right. It cruised through the job (in oak and pine materials) perfectly. It has a well built feel and fit and finish is excellent. Its also very light but I do have it on a urethane hose which helps a lot versus a pvc or rubber one. Thumbs up so far!

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This is the second Bosch 18-guage brad nailer I've purchased, so both of us can do similar jobs at the same time. I have no idea how someone could not be able to drive nails with these; we've been working with ironwood and ipe for about six months and have no problems driving up to and including 2-inch fastners.

The first gun is a bit over a year old and while I am meticulous about tools, it hasn't been babied. Compared to the new gun, it's lost nothing after probably 5000 6000 nails driven at maximum depth settings and maximum operating pressures into the hardest woods. We've had one operator technique jam, and I think the Bosch naileers have the easiest and best jam-clearing of any nailer I've used or tried you don't open the nose, you open the magazine. Wham, you're done.

Yeah, you can buy better 18-guage nailers the Cadex comes to mind for three times this price, and you can buy worse nailers for 50% more than these cost, but for daily use, in the shop, the Bosch nailers have proven to be rock-solid and totally dependable.

And they feel good in your hand.

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I bought this gun without any knowledge of its performance. I only went with the idea that all the Bosch tools I own have been great. This gun is not what is advertised. It's size nor its weight is not smaller than other 18 ga. guns that I own (Bostich, Porter-Cable, Senco). I was hoping to find an 18 gauge gun that would sink 2" nails consistently. I just finished a job trimming a house with 3/4" pre-finished fir for casing and base. The 18 ga. is used to diminish the size of holes that need to be puttied but if you have to set nails manually with a nail set your nail hole becomes noticeably larger. Not good when doing high-end stain-grade work. The time it takes to constantly set nails manually is not cost effective. I used this gun to trim out one door and put it away after I had to manually set 6 nails. The compressor was set to 115 psi and the depth adjustment on the gun was set to sink nails all the way. The Senco is still the gun I am going to use. It will shoot 2 1/8" nails and rarely leaves them proud. The Bosch looks good but needs some work before I will consider using it.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Pro-Force VPF1581719 17-Gallon Oil Free Air Compressor with Kit

Pro-Force VPF1581719 17-Gallon Oil Free Air Compressor with Kit
  • Oil free, low maintenance operation
  • Equipped with pressure regulator, pressure gauge, quick connect air outlet, on/off switch and built in-handle for easy lifting
  • Fully enclosed shroud to protect the pump and motor
  • Includes extra value kit - 25-Feet recoil air hose, blow gun with safety nozzle, inflation needle and adapter fitting, dual tire chuck, quick coupler,1/4-Inch NPT male and female thread connectors and thread sealant
  • Maximum pressure: 125 PSI; CFM at 90 PSI: 3.5; CFM at 40 PSI: 4.8; RHP: 1.5; UL and CSA certified

Arrived in nice condition, appears to be well made, wasn't powerful enough to handle blowing out my irrigation system but I knew it probably wasn't enough cfm's to handle that job, though it did pop the heads on 2 out of the 7 zones. Seems sturdy, has a pop out breaker on the engine which I didn't see right away, so if you trip it be looking for that. My 15 amp outlet had trouble with blowing the breaker in my breaker box, but the 20 amp outlet I tried next had no problems. If you are going to use an extension cord make sure it is heavy enough gauge.

12/6/12 update

Still own this compressor, still functions fine but the amount of air it leaks after filling is more prevalent now than when I first got it. I think the quality of fittings is just not that great on the unit. You are suppose to empty a compressor tank when you are done using it anyway, but don't buy this thinking you are going to fill it once a month (or week) and use it repeatedly off that fill.

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TEKTON 4730 3-Way Air Hose Splitter Manifold, 1/4" NPT

TEKTON 4730 3-Way Air Hose Splitter Manifold, 1/4' NPT
  • Conveniently Use up to Three Air Tools and Accessories at the Same Time by Splitting Air Source
  • Constructed from Rugged and Heavy-duty Solid Brass
  • Specifications: 1/4-Inch NPT (F) Inlet; 1/4-Inch NPT (F) Outlets
  • 90 Day Guarantee

Description is wrong, picture is correct. There are no mounting holes. Also, the three outlets are too close together. Threading things into two adjacent holes means one or the other will not go in fully. You just have to use a little extra tape/sealant on whichever won't thread in.

That said, I was able to (carefully) drill two small mounting holes right along the outside edge without penetrating the inner wall. Extra teflon tape around the threads is my workaround for the outlets being too close together. So I was able to make it work.

Buy TEKTON 4730 3-Way Air Hose Splitter Manifold, 1/4" NPT Now

Holes are to close together but other then that it works gr8 ... I would recommend looking for something else but I was stupid enough to buy this LOL ..

Monday, September 23, 2013

GOODYEAR 46504 3/8-inch by 25-feet 250 PSI Rubber Air Hose With 1/4-Inch MNPT Ends and Bend Restrict

GOODYEAR 46504 3/8-inch by 25-feet 250 PSI Rubber Air Hose With 1/4-Inch MNPT Ends and Bend Restrictors
  • Solid Brass end Fittings: 1/4-Inch MNPT
  • Spiral Synthetic Yarn Rinforcement and Abrasion-resistant Rubber Outer Jacket
  • Bend Restrictors Prevent Kinks near end Fittings
  • 100-percent Made and Assembled in the USA
  • 10 Year Guarantee

Goodyear Yellow Hose 250 PSI 3/8 x 50 Feet

This hose is made of high-quality industrial grade reinforced rubber, instead of vinyl. It remains soft and flexible and is easy to get it to lay flat on the floor so you don't trip on it. See Customer Images for an example of its flexibility; it's also like that in the winter time. It's also easy to feed it onto a hose reel, or to coil it up by hand.

Vinyl hoses, or even rubber hoses coated with vinyl are stiffer than this one and are more difficult to lay flat; polyurethane hoses are stiffer still.

I tried a "Task Force" brand air hose from Lowes (made in China) that was "reinforced rubber", but it split open in under a year. The entire surface was full of cracks the point is, all rubber hoses are not created equal.

Goodyear demonstrates their confidence in this product with a 10-year guarantee.

I've used all types of air hoses and can confidently say this Goodyear hose is the best. It's durable and stands up to the wear and tear of job-site use. It comes with perfectly attached 1/4" threaded solid brass fittings and the hose ends are reinforced with 5" long bend restrictors to prevent kinks near the fittings. The bursting pressure of this 250 PSI hose is over 1,000 PSI.

This hose is made and assembled in the USA.

Buy GOODYEAR 46504 3/8-inch by 25-feet 250 PSI Rubber Air Hose With 1/4-Inch MNPT Ends and Bend Restrict Now

The 25' hose states that the item has "Bend Restrictors Prevent Kinks near end Fittings." The hose that I received did not, in fact the hose looked to be in used condition and did not have any sort of packaging. The hose may be a previous return, be aware that the pictures may not match the hose you receive.

**update**

The above review was not due to the manufacturer, but to best deal tools sending me the wrong hose.(46501) I returned the item, purchased the 300psi model (46544) and reordered the 250 psi model 46504 (fulfilled by amazon.)

The 46501 model is very similar to the 46504, but does not include the bend restrictor. The 300psi model is thicker than the 250psi model, but is also a little stiffer. I like the 46504 model because it is easier to use on a daily basis. I'll be keeping both because of their quality and the increased flexibility of having 50ft total.

MIT seemed interested by replying to this review, but did not seem interested in replying to the email they asked me to send.

The bottom line: product goes from 2 stars to 4 stars based on quality of product. Missed a 5 star due to customer service.

Read Best Reviews of GOODYEAR 46504 3/8-inch by 25-feet 250 PSI Rubber Air Hose With 1/4-Inch MNPT Ends and Bend Restrict Here

I replaced my old air hose that was not rubber, often got tangled up, would rarely unravel without probelms, with the Goodyear 3/8 inch hose. The rubber hose is worth the extra few $. I store it in my garage, and even the winter temperatures don't phase it. Only had it a month, so durability is uncertain, but everything to this point is outstanding. Highly recommend!

I'm adding onto this review as it's almost a year later (Dec 2012), my air hose has been through the heat of summer and already some freezing temps of winter, yet I use it on all my needed projects and it's worth every penny spent. Still highly recommend

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This air hose is perfect for on the job, it works great in cold weather and does not kink up or is hard to move like most hoses

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Great quality hose, beware of the knockoff goodyear brand...This hose stays soft and wraps up nicely even when it is very cold....

Briggs and Stratton 83152-1049-F1 550 Series 127cc Engine with 6:1 Gear Reduction

Briggs and Stratton 83152-1049-F1 550 Series 127cc Engine with 6:1 Gear Reduction
  • 50-state compliant engine
  • 6:1 Gear reduction CCW rotation, Gear Shaft, 3/4-Inch Dia, Keyway
  • Excellent performer for mid-duty applications
  • Buyer protection package provides two-year consumer warranty
  • Gear reduction at 9 o'clock position

I put this motor on a lawn aerator and I love it. It's powerful and quiet. The only down side was the"gear reduction" was in a different place than my previous motor so I had to get a different belt and needed to do a little metal fabrication on the belt housing

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Sunday, September 22, 2013

Factory-Reconditioned Graco HV2900 39 CFM HVLP Paint Spray Station

Factory-Reconditioned Graco HV2900 39 CFM HVLP Paint Spray Station
  • Maximum control ensures precise application
  • On board storage for 13-ft hose, cord and spray gun
  • Minimal overspray for less material wasted
  • Ideal for small to medium projects where precision and control are required
  • Spray a 6-ft x 6-ft area in 4 minutes

I could not recommend this product any higher! I actually own the model one step up from this one and I picked it up at Lowes because I needed in the same day but this one is almost identical. I decided to purchase a full kit like this with a turbine motor after a series of high cost, high frustration ventures into the world of air compressor/HVLP compressor style guns. The trick of matching up one of those guns with a compressor that can handle it while keeping on a budget is, in short, a nightmare. So, I made the leap into this combo expecting a working solution that would not give me as many options as the more intricate compressor set ups. I was wrong in nearly every way. As far as I can see for someone looking for a spray gun solution for anything less than auto paint or an entire house this is the only way to go. The turbine system on this gun is slightly less noisy than the chugging away of an air compressor although it is constant rather than intermittent. But the quality of the atomization it provides for a quarter the cost is well worth a little noise and you can always use some ear protection. The included DVD and instruction manual is more than sufficient to walk you throughout the idiot proof set up, use and clean up of the gun. And even with latex paint you don't need to thin the material a ton for this gun to work. I will say that if you think going HVLP will remove the need to cover everything in the area you're going to paint in you are kidding yourself. While I did notice a fairly dramatic decrease in the amount of blowback and overspray vs a traditional gun there simply is not a way to keep paint from floating unto your furniture and floors when you're spraying it. FInally this set up is great for someone just getting into the world of spray guns; the nozzle adjuster is very straightforward and conveniently located and all the other adjustments and settings are fairly automatic. Buy this system and you'll be painting like a pro within 15 minutes of opening the box and you'll be the happiest painter on your block too.

Buy Factory-Reconditioned Graco HV2900 39 CFM HVLP Paint Spray Station Now

I recently purchased a factory reconditioned Graco 2900 and could not be more impressed with its operation. The sprayer itself was very easy to use and I was amazed with how fast I was able to paint my garage door! Painting were giving me $150 estimates to paint the door so my sprayer paid for itself after its first use. It actually made painting fun. I told my wife after using it for my most recent project that I can't wait to use it again on all of our baseboards and door casings around the house. I highly recommend this sprayer!

Read Best Reviews of Factory-Reconditioned Graco HV2900 39 CFM HVLP Paint Spray Station Here

I have to say this thing really gets the job done and it takes so little effort and time that I actually don't shy away from painting anymore. I love to make primitive looking furniture which normally means 2 sometimes 3 different color coats of paint. It can get messy and time consuming with brushes. With the paint sprayer when I'm done with the first coat of paint I just pour my remainder paint back in the can (a cost saving feature I really like) do a quick spray rinse and pour in my next color for prep (which I am always done before the first coat dries anyways). Projects that normally take pretty much half the day now take less than two hours. The paint sprays very evenly and quickly too. The overspray is a little much so you do need to be sure to cover well and the air hose does occasionally pop out but these are simple quick things to fix and nothing to get in a huff about(note that when the hose pops off it doesnt spray paint on you its just for air only). You will also have to water down your paint but I actually like this because it just makes the paint go a little further saving money in the end. If you are going to do a large project like painting the house I recommend that you purchase the the larger paint container as the one that comes with it is small and suitable for smaller projects. All in all a great product for the price!!

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I don't usually buy lower level products (One of the cheaper models), and especially reconditioned items. But, I have to say I was very happy with this purchase. I was looking at paint sprayers in the $300 range, but at the last minute gave this unit a try for $50. The packaged arrived with a pump that looked like it had been used one time (that was fine, because it stated it was reconditioned), it had a little paint on the black hose. The sprayer was new and still in the plastic bag. I bought the unit to paint a lot of old dark kitchen cabinets white. I used a pretty thick specialty cabinet paint with no thinning. It only took a couple of minute to adjust the setting were I was not getting on splatters. I used 3/4 of gallon of paint with no issues, very little over spray, good control, it even did a pretty good job of spraying the tops and bottom at steep angles. This was my main concern with a cheaper unit. Two coats and the cabinets look like new. I would give it 4.5 stars, especially for the price.

Update (3/8/13) Still very happy with the sprayer. I have used it 5 or 6 different times to spray cabinets. I would not want to use it to spray a house, but very good for medium size projects. One warning note I had a lot of trouble getting it to work th second time I used the sprayer. There is pin size hole in the dime size hole by the paint intake tub under the spray gun. This area must be clear or with will not sprayer. I spent 3 hours training to get it to work, you have to use a small wire or even a sharp pencil to clear the pencil size hole so it will work. I would give it 5 stars for the money -

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I own a couple of air compressors, several airless painters and HVLP compressor-fed spray tools. At best, I get mixed results and time-consuming cleanups. I usually have small, one-shot DIY jobs that are too big for expensive spray cans but not big enough to haul out the heavy-duty stuff. I also own but rarely use another manufacturer's HVLP sprayer (difficult to get acceptable results). A painter friend suggested I try this one (refurbished) as a low cost alternative.

I couldn't be happier with my purchase. The box arrived with a refurbished compressor and a new plastic gun. There were a few minor paint spots indicating previous use but it is, after all, refurbished. The key to the gun is the brass needle; the competition's needle is plastic there is a difference. Most of the complaints about the product are due to insufficient cleaning following use. A few extra minutes to disassemble the gun and thoroughly clean it is the key to satisfaction. I know the video says you only have to run fresh water or solvent through it until it runs clear but you won't be happy the next time you use it if that's all you do.

The unit works great, does a wonderful job and is easy to clean up. I liked my purchase so much, I bought a second unit so that I don't have to carry it back and forth between my two DIY work sites.

Factory-Reconditioned DEWALT D55146R Heavy Duty 4.5 Gallon Compressor with Wheels

Factory-Reconditioned DEWALT D55146R Heavy Duty 4.5 Gallon Compressor with Wheels
  • Heavy-duty 4.5 gallon, 200 PSI hand-carry compressor
  • Like new, factory-reconditioned compressor
  • Constructed to withstand harsh job-site conditions
  • Useful for carpenters and remodelers
  • Oil- and maintenance-free pump

I was disappointed to see that this item has been withdrawn. Perhaps related to the way they are shipped? I shopped around for a compressor that was relatively inexpensive yet had enough CFM for some of the more demanding tools like higher end painters and impact wrenches that need 5+ CFM at 90psi.

My compressor arrived today. Despite the box looking to be in good shape, I found a broken piece laying the the bottom of the box. After a bit of research I found it was part of the mounting bracket the holds the compressor to the frame. There are three of them, one steel, and two cast (pot?) metal formed with the casing. The piece that was broke goes over the rubber under it that helps with vibration.

I went to the web site to see about getting a replacement and noticed that the item was no longer available so they only gave me the option of a refund, not a replacement. I was very disappointed as I thought this was the ideal compressor for the price, especially the cheaper, refurbed (in Mexico) unit.

I thought I would take a flyer, and rather than accept a refund and return it, to instead see if Amazon would be willing to give me a partial refund to offset the damage. Since the damage probably won't affect the operation of the unit, I was willing to keep it if reimbursed something for the damage. I suspect such negotiation isn't conventional for most businesses, but what did I have to lose to ask.

These units retail for around $600-700, are sold new by Amazon for $350, but the refurbs were a more modest $254 with free shipping. Amazon offered me a 40% refund if I didn't return it. I thought that was very gracious. I was also amazed to get a reply literally within minutes of asking for a partial refund, assuming I would get rejected. I think the resulting $153 price delivered to my door was awesome :) I almost bought a $150 compressor from Northern Tool (located locally) but like other cheaper units, it just didn't have the higher volume needed for the better air tools.

Having just gotten the unit today, I only did the 15-minute break-in and then pumped up the tank to be sure it would hold air. It passed that test with flying colors. Four hours later the tank still has full pressure so it seems to be holding the pressure well too.

I don't know why, but they ask you to operate the compressor horizontally, and only have it vertical for hauling and storage. Based on how I think it works, I wouldn't think running it vertically would matter, but I won't take that chance.

WARNING: As someone else noted, this is a higher pressure unit than most comparable units. As a result, the 250psi air hose most people are buying is NOT adequate. The owner's manual clearly says you should buy a 300psi hose instead. I am guessing the 250psi hose would work as the operating pressure is only 200psi, but for the price, why not do as asked? The hose most people are buying is the yellow Goodyear hose for around $20, but the Goodyear 300psi hose is $43, so being frugal I looked around. I see Amazon offers several choices, from no name to known names. But rather than buying the $43 Goodyear hose, I bought the $27 Gates hose, another fine brand. I called the local auto parts store and they stocked the same Gates hose for $68. It is red instead of "safety" yellow, but who cares, not me.

It would be great if Amazon would put something in the description about the need for a 300psi hose as it seems people (like another reviewer) are ordering the 250psi hose and then having to return it after reading the manual.

Buy Factory-Reconditioned DEWALT D55146R Heavy Duty 4.5 Gallon Compressor with Wheels Now

I didn't read the reviews here until after I the unit was already in process I could not cancel the order. And the reviews here did make me worry worry that I'd be getting a crappy refurb. Well, sadly, that is what I got. I don't have anything against refurbs or reconditioned items I buy them frequently and save some money. I do have something against buying items that are misrepresented. And this one is grossly misrepresented. It doesn't look like the one in the picture. The one in the picture looks new. The one I received is battered and beaten and has been sloppily repainted. Sloppily repainted over the information and warning labels. The handle is difficult to get in and out. The pressure adjustment knob pops off by itself! All of the knobs, adjustments and fittings are extremely tight on delivery difficult to get them to move or even working. The tank was delivered with pressure and water in it. It looks like it's seen a lot of use. I should have gone with new _I_ would have been happier. But, hey, after a good deal of fidgeting and fussing I got it to work. It runs great just what I need for everything from framing to siding and finishing. But, wow, did ever get ripped off by Amazon on the quality of the refurb!!!! I compare it to, say, the refurb'd Bostich framing nailer I just got and it's almost like there's no comparison at all! That's because the Bostich looks (and behaves) like a brand-new tool. I hope this thing works for years to come but, well, yeah. Something this beat up... Yeah, I don't know. Oh, and the new unit has some weird/bad design features, too. What's up with making it look like a step stool and then writing "no step" on the stool?

Read Best Reviews of Factory-Reconditioned DEWALT D55146R Heavy Duty 4.5 Gallon Compressor with Wheels Here

So I ordered this item twice. The first time it came it would not start, so I simply returned it with no problems. Thought over the decision again, and I just couldnt pass it up: the price was good for such a good unit. Well, the first one was definitely a lemon, as I received another reconditioned d55146 and it works like a charm. I still let it run for 15 mins with the valve open. I just used a small brad nailer with it...the thing barely flinched. fairly quiet for an oil-less compressor, quickly fills... the only thing I find a little cheap on the compressor is the knob to regulate pressure. other than that, its a solid compressor. i will update this if there is any future problems.

Want Factory-Reconditioned DEWALT D55146R Heavy Duty 4.5 Gallon Compressor with Wheels Discount?

I'm a non-professional, hobbyist type of user for this item, so I figured I'd save a few bucks and get the reconditioned version. What I got from Amazon was either a mistake, a joke, or the sorriest excuse for refurbishing ever! Either way, the unit was broken in three pieces (the plastic motor cover, a compressor mounting tab, and the handle on the tank) and extremely beat up, with no sign of having even been inspected -much less reconditioned. Given some other reviews here I briefly considered that poor shipping could've been the culprit, and who knows -maybe it was, partly. But this thing had dirt caked on it from its last job site and there wasn't a shred of documentation in the box... no manual, nothing. It was almost as though they took the box from the "to be done" pile instead of the "done" pile, but Amazon couldn't tell me anything about reconditioning standards or whether this was just what to expect with refurbs.

So I sent it back. Called up an independant dealer of pre-owned DeWalt stuff. Rep told me there are A-grade, B-grade, and C-grade refurb levels, and that if Amazon is selling the C-grade junk that they have to clearly state it in the product description. This dealer sold only A-grade and assured me the unit would be far better than what I described from Amazon. I went ahead and placed the order (same price and free 2 day shipping). Unit arrived and was exactly what I expected. It's not perfect but it's clean, nothing is broken, and it works.

Summary: This is a good item, but my experience with a reconditioned unit was way below what I've come to expect from Amazon and another dealer did much better.

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So I'm really excited to use this compressor I've got projects waiting, but I'm now having to send the second unit back and waiting for a third to arrive...

The first unit looked like it was dropped during shipping and the metal brackets that hold the pump to the frame were completely sheared off. It was interesting that when UPS came to pick it up for return shipment the driver didn't have a hand-truck (he borrowed mine) then needed help lifting the box into his truck. Even more amusing was that I put arrows showing which sides can be up for shipping (the box was placed handle-side down on my porch when it was delivered instead of wheel side or bottom side down) and when I pointed this out to the UPS driver he proceeded to put the shipping label on one of the BOTTOM sides...

The second unit took another week to arrive (the return took only 2 days to get back to Amazon). The box was in much better condition, but again left handle side down on my porch. After opening the box I found that one of the metal brackets was sheared not what I would expect as factory-reconditioned.

I imagine most of these units are getting replacement pumps, so it seems the refurb company is not doing a good job assembling these. I'm also a little dissappointed that both units looked heavily worn scratches, dents and very dusty. I would expect some wear and tear on a reconditioned unit, but at least they can clean them up a bit, mabye replace the top cover if it's dented.

On the flip side, Amazon has been great in working with me to resolve the issue. I just hope they can lean on their supplier a bit to perform better QA so these units can arrive in one piece. Hopefully third time will be a charm for this one!

UPDATE: Third time was not quite a charm. While the latest unit was the best of the three, it still had one broken mount. Since the other two mounts are OK and this one still partially holds, I'm not going to bother sending it back because I'm tired of the back-and-forth and have doubts I will be able to get a unit without broken mounts. I'll still report the issue to Amazon and see what they can do.

UPDATE #2: After using this unit for a while, I absolutely LOVE the compressor. I'm changing my rating to 4-stars it would be higher except for the troubles just trying to get a decent unit. Most of the time it sits in my garage and powers impact wrenches while I work on my car, fills up tires, and blows out water after washing the cars. Lately I've been using it in the back with my new air powered caulk gun so I can seal up new siding/trim that I had to replace due to weather & termites. Being able to just pick is up and roll it back is very convenient. No other issues with the compressor pump is working good. I just need to remember to turn it off when I'm done as the hose reel I have hooked up (along with a filter and pressure regulator) seem to have a small leak, so the compressor kicks on every few hours if I don't turn it off.

Saturday, September 21, 2013

New 1/4" ASME Safety relief Valve 200 PSI American made

New 1/4' ASME Safety relief Valve 200 PSI American made
  • 1/4" Safety Valve 179 SCFM - 200 PSI
  • Free Shipping
  • 51 mm Tall x 17.5 hex
  • ASME Certified & stamped w/ UV & UB stamps

Yes, you could pop a cork or two without a safety valve of some kind. This brass American made valve is made for air compressors, or better stated for air receiver tanks. At the stamped rating of 160 SCFM of flow, this safety valve is very good for what I need on the 60 and 80 gallon tanks of my two compressors, and can quickly relieve an excessive pressure on them. It also comes with pre-coated sealant on its 1/4" MNPT threads.

You've probably wondered just how the value is determined as many compressors make air set to a maximum of 120 PSI to 175 PSI. For whatever the pressure head is set for or can reach, it's the tank rating you use to select your compressor safety valve. You should be using an ASME rated tank, and that PSI rating will be found on an attached plate as its maximum pressure. On unrated tanks, you should use the manufacturer literature or select a safety valve no more that 10% higher than the factory has the cut-off pressure set for. Some think it's a game they can play using the higher rated saftey valve and changing their compressor regulator to a higher pressure. They think that will add performance, but it is only a deadly game.

Unfortunately, using the compressor to build higher pressures only burns up the motor, wears the compressor out faster, uses more power, and creates a deadly situation. An exploding air tank can kill and destroy much around it just like a bomb going off. The safety valve is there to help prevent this, but it can't help a weakened tank that has internal rust damage that has gone too far. Have any pinhole leaks in the tanks bottom side? Does the metal sound different in places when tapped with a small hammer? Get rid of it! They are not repairable and will not operate safely even if using lower pressures under 100 PSI. Water builds up in all tanks during their use. Optimally, it should be emptied often while the tank is in use and should be drain off when the compressor has been shut down. Never leave any water in an air receiver tank.

To check a tank, fill it full of water and pressurize it to see if it leaks or holds at its rating water doesn't compress like air, so a rupturing tank filled with water is less dangerous. Actually, the smart thing to do is have a professional inspect the tank.

Ok, my tank is a brand new replacement the old one had a pinhole leak and I opened the inspection covers and found it to be in bad shape after 30 plus years of use. The new tank is rated 200 PSi @ 650 degrees Farenheit. This 200 PSi safety valve is just what it needed. My compressor is a 175 PSI 2-stage model, but the motor I use is an old rated 2 Hp. That motor is actually a 3 Hp. The motor would overheat and stop before 200 PSI could be reached. So, why I used a 200 PSI safety valve, and not one smaller? Over time a safety valve can lose its calibration and leak at a lower PSI, so you match it to the tank rating to prevent leaks.

Remember I mentioned my new tank was rated 200 PSI @ 650 degrees? Air expands with heat. Should my tank temperature ever get high enough to create pressure in excess of 200 PSI, this safety valve will drain it safely. Safety vales come with all different pressure ratings never exceed what the manufacturer used if yours has become faulty over time.

Oh, and just because my compressor can make 175 PSI, I never set its cut-off pressure that high. A 100 PSI cut-in and a 140 PSI cut-out pressure keeps enough air presure for all my various air tools to stay at their rated CFM and pressures and my compressor and motor never runs hot. Running hotter would also keep more water vapor in the air instead of allowing it to condense out to the botton of the tank. A filter/dryer/and regulator sees to it the air going to my tools is dry and regulated to the pressure required by each tool for a long operation life. Keeping the tank heat down will also extend the life of the safety valve.

There are un-rated safety valves that are user adjustable to different pressures. Using an un-rated tank and or safety valve in a workplace is against the law in most locals. The type valve here is AS250M. This safety valve is ASME rated and has two stamped indentations in the housing body to prevent resetting to a different pressure and it meets OSHA requirements. Manufactured by STEUBY MFG. ST.LOUIS, MISSOURI USA!

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