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I was disappointed to see that this item has been withdrawn.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.

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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?

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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.

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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.