Makita MAC2400 Big Bore 2.5 HP Air Compressor

• Oil lubricated: Cooler running pump, minimizes wear
• Durable cast iron cylinder reduces wear and increases pump life; removable for easy maintenance
• Built-in thermal overload for additional motor protection
• Large automotive style industrial air filter for increased air intake and greater efficiency
• One-year manufacturer's warranty

I think it's the best for the following:

A) This compressor just purrs. People are amazed when it's running. Big rubber feet also help prevent transmitting vibration to whatever it's sitting on, so no more vibrating boards.

B) Over-built compressor compared to tank size so cycle times are very short if using light-duty tools, it doesn't run much anyway. Also runs way more cool than others I'll save those sear lines for my steak on the grill not my forearm.

C) No leaks holds its air pressure seemingly forever when turned off (not that you shouldn't release pressure when done using it).

D) The air filter is a miniature version of an old-time car air filter. For a unit that's going to be sitting on the ground amidst swirling construction dust, this is a big plus.

E) It does indeed weigh in, but at least the design is very compact. The frame wraps around and protects most of the important stuff, so there are no lines, wires, etc. waiting to be snagged. The glaring exception is the air filter hanging off the side I can see this part's going to be replaced at some point when I throw it in a truck bed. No problem for shop use though.

Be forwarned Makita's packaging designers always seem to get it 90% right. In this case, the air filter is just thrown in loose inside the box mine broke one of the gauge glasses. If pressed, their warrantee dept. will send out small parts, but it's a PITA to get a product this good only to have to fix it right out of the box. Also pay attention to the "break-in" procedure run it for @30 minutes with no load, open petcock, to seat the rings.

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I do not want to repeat what all the other reviews have said. This is a quality compressor. In this day and age of plastic junk, I am surprised some of the reviews complained about wieght. The weight comes from steel, not plastic parts. The tanks are heavy steel as is the roll cage around the entire mechanism. The handle is in the center, so carrying it is well balanced.

The compressor is just as quiet as others report. I have it in the corner of my workshop about 10 from me. The start up instructions are easy and you are up and running in 20 minutes.

Why did I get this compressor? In sum, (1) I wanted a GOOD quality tool that was not Chineese junk, (2) I wanted at least 4 cfm for tools and (2) I did not want to spend a fortune. There seems to be several classes or levels of compressor in the lower price range. Unless you are getting a specialized mini-compressor just for a small brad gun, the $125-175 compressors are mostly junk: loud and rough. This Makita is in the next step up, with compressors in the $225 to 325 range. There are some Dewalt Emglo and others I looked at in this range. Most of this second tier are either made for just for job sites or are just bigger cheaply made compressors.

I chose the Makita over the Dewalt for one reason: quiet. The Dewalt is an excellent compressor, but you cannot use it next to you in an exclosed shop -its too loud.

So, I wanted a quality tool and one that could live in the shop next to me. The Makita does both in spades. It is a very well made little compressor. The fit and finish is great. It has a dual personality: it works and looks great in the corner of the shop AND is perfect for taking to a job site or the back yard. Best of both worlds.

The compressor seems to live up to its specs. I have easily run 3/8 and 1/2 inch impact wrenches, a brad gun and a finish nail gun, along with blow guns, etc. When I went to use a Snap-On 7200 3/8" air ratchet, the performance was just adequate. Then I read the spec for the ratchet and it calls for 4.5 cfm. The Makita is rated at 4.2. SO, you do have to watch the cfm ratings on tools: I am sure a 8 cfm jitterbug sander will not work. But then again, that is not the type of tool I wanted this for.

I have not owned a compressor is many years. I looked long and hard for the best of all worlds: quality, size, price, and cfm. As an advanced and serious home workshop dude, this review is not written for the pros. But for a serious homeowner that appreciates quality tools and needs a general purpose compressor, I believe I found the perfect compressor.

Lastly, no shop came close to Amazon on total price, in large part due to the free shipping.

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I needed a compressor to put up a fence, install mouldings and refinish my basement. After a TON of research, I settled on this Makita. I am very pleased. It's quiet, very well built and easy to use. So far I've run a framing nailer and brad nailer with no problems.

I've read other reviews that speak to the weight of this unit. Well, it's a compressor and they ARE heavy. That's just how it is. Especially a high-quality compressor like this one. It's not a tinny piece of junk and there's only plastic on it where it makes total sense no where else. Makita also puts a NICE molded rubber handle on it that doesn't shift or move one bit. The thing's built like a tank and looks great. I have yet to trip a 15-Amp breaker with it.

Additional comments:

The finned discharge tubing on this thing is fantastic if you've never had your hand seared like a steak after touching discharge tubing on a compressor, you haven't truly felt pain. I've brushed the tubing with the motor running on this one (accidentaly) and where my hand normally would have STUCK, it was only warm. Very nice touch.

The tanks fill quickly enough, and the gauges are really nice quality. The pressure regulator is pretty easy to adjust once you get the hang of it.

Again, the noise level is excellent. I can use the compressor in my basement shop and can barely hear it running on the main level. I can have a pretty much normal conversation with it running 10 feet away in the same room.

If you're looking for a high-quality, oil-lube (don't know why anyone would go for a non-oil unit) compressor that will last for years, look no further.

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I researched portable compressors for months before deciding on the MAC2400. It had all the features I wanted oil lube, low rpm, lower decibel rating(quiet) and decent cfm rating. After receiving and testing I do believe the 4.2 cfm @ 90 rating is stretched a little. I also have to agree with others as this is a heavy unit to be lugging around daily but I knew that before ordering. Even with weight I was quite pleased with the compressor but my buying experience was much less.

My first compressor from Amazon had a broken plastic motor cover which wasn't caused by shipping damage. There seems to be a wide spread problem with some of these and also the mac700's.

I sent it back and Amazon had a replacement back to me in 3-4 days, Quick!, but that compressor also was damaged. The air cleaner housing was thrown on top of the compressor and beat up the control panel and one gauge from bouncing around. My 9 year old son asked me why they didn't tape it down or put between the cardboard packing. Funny how the Makita packaging engineers couldn't figure that one out.

I called Makita and they would not cover damage but could send me the control panel for $45.00. I was told to contact Amazon and after a week of waiting on Amazon, I was told that they could not send part (it would void warranty if replaced) and they were not going to send a replacement compressor. I packaged up the second compressor and sent back. I wasn't going to order another brand compressor from Amazon as I didn't want the hassle if damaged again. I went to H.D. looking at Ridgid as I really didn't want a Dewalt or the Porter Cable pancake compressor which they carried. I bought a Ridgid model with a higher cfm rating, larger air tanks, wheels, handle and it came out of box without a scratch. A very nice quality built unit, a couple decibels louder but less vibration than the Makita MAC2400. The wheels on this unit are great, solid tires-no flats. After moving it around the house and up the stairs, I don't know how long I would have enjoyed carrying the MAC2400 or any other brand compressor that weighs 70-80lbs.

Overall the MAC2400 looked and sounded like a good compressor for the short time I had it but makes me wonder how well they are built, with so many problems between packaging and broken parts inside cartons not caused by shipping damage on the Mac700's and a few of these. If you are not in a hurry for a compressor and/or don't care about cosmetic condtion out of the box (if damaged) then Amazon is the place to buy with their best price. I you need one right away and are particular about quality, I would seriously look elsewhere to purchase. I have a feeling I wouldn't have had these problems if ordered elsewhere and paid a little more.

Saving money is great, but in my case the savings were not worth the time wasted and the hassles, now that I look back.

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I am a general contractor and framer. This compressor is amazing!! I've opperated many compressors over the years, and this is the quietest, most well built compressor I've seen. It also has a good recovery time. I can nail off sheathing on a roof and this little beauty keeps right up with me.

A great compresser for the operation of one framing gun at a time. It has no trouble keeping up no matter what you are doing. I wouldn't recommend it for two framing guns at once.

Though it might keep up framing walls, but not with sheathing.

AWESOME COMPRESSOR!!!!!!!!!