Senco PC1130 Compressor, 1.5-Horsepower (PEAK) 2.5-Gallon

• Direct Drive Motor
• Cast Iron Sleeve / Cast Iron Head Cylinder
• Oil-Splash Lubrication
• Standard equipment includes 1/4" universal coupler regulator, pressure gauge.
• Delivers 2.4 cfm at 100psi

I've been interested in that little bitty senco compressor for a while but when I was ready to buy I decided it was too small and chose this one instead. After shooting only maybe 30 brads with it I prepared to use it the third time and as I started firing staples the compressor kicked on and after a change in tone it would not build any pressure. Completely ruined the day, and to make things worse the location Senco told me to bring it for service did not exist, a building wasn't even at the location they had been out of business so long. After a frustrated phone call I drove another 45 minutes to the next closest service location and when dropping it off was told it could be a week or months to repair because ever since Senco filed Chapter 11 replacement parts where much harder to get....not what I wanted to hear. The only reason I gave it two starts is that I guess not many people will experience this same situation; except for a manufacturing defect it is a nice light unit for light duty work....but you've been warned.

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I am on my second Senco PC1130. The first arrived with a smashed oil reservoir cover and oil all over everything. I'm still working on the return of that one. The second arrived fine. I live at high altitude and when I ran the compressor it would not shut off at full pressure. I got it to work by adjusting the pressure switch limits. However, my first job with it at a higher altitude had me making further adjustments to get it to shut off automatically. I've never had this problem with any of my other compressors and I can't see why this one should be sensitive to altitude? The compressor is about 20 pounds lighter than my "portable" Emglo and I am grateful for that. I've only used it with a trim gun and it seemed more than up to the task. This is medium loud and quieter that oil-less compressors that I have used. I have no regrets so far. This one was the second choice in a Tools of the Trade review (the first choice was about $500!). It is made in China.

If you don't mind about 60 pounds, the 15amp Dewalt (Emglo) is a great unit. I've had the original Emglo version for over ten years and going strong. I just wanted something a little easier to carry up stairs!

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I bought one of these about a year and a half ago from CPO Outlets through Amazon. At the time there were a ton of good reviews of it here on Amazon, but they seem to have mostly disappeared for some reason?

Over the last year it has been a great little compressor for me. The only "issue" I had was that they shipped the thing full of compressor oil and the dipstick / fill plug is a friction fit with an o-ring which had popped part way out during transit. Everything inside the package was covered with compressor oil, but when I pushed the dipstick back in, the oil still came up to the "full" line, which I thought was a little weird. After I wiped the machine off and started it up, everything worked great.

It is a really well put together, compact, beefy little machine that pumps up quickly and is not so loud as to be overly annoying, ... seems much more tolerable than the oil-less compressor we use at work. I've mostly used it to fill tires, blow dust and crud off of stuff, blow out dehumidifier drain hoses, top off diaphram (well and hydronic) expansion tanks, fill portable air tanks, etc. I don't run a nail gun with it everyday professionally or anything like that, but it has been extremely reliable for me so far, is easy to move around, and takes up very little space in my shop. It is perfect for my needs, and looks and feels like it will last for many, many years.

The only "tip" I might add would be to use the oil that comes in it for "break in" and then replace it with a good lightweight synthetic compressor oil. I live in northern Vermont, up near the Canadian border, and the oil that comes in it is pretty thick and will keep the compressor from starting up properly when it is below about 40-50 degrees F (I suppose this would be good if you were roofing in Arizona, etc.) Replacing the original oil with Amsoil 30 wt. compressor oil (20 wt. in cooler weather) made a world of difference for me.

Some folks say you don't need any special "break in" but I've also read a bunch of places that an oil splash compressor neads to be "broken in" before regular use to seat the rings, etc., and that a good synthetic oil is actually not as good for break-in since it doesn't allow the necessary "wear" to take place. According to recommendations I've read, when I first got it, I opened up the drain valve on the bottom of the tank and ran the compressor for about 25 minutes straight out then closed the valve and let it fill and shut off normally. I then used it with the original oil for the next 6 months or so, and then replaced it with Amsoil 30 wt. compressor oil (20 wt. in winter).

This compressor is equipped with a pressure relief valve that bleeds off some of the pressure on startup that may sound like something is wrong at first for folks who have used a compressor without one of these for many years, but it kicks off as soon as the compressor warms up a bit and does help a lot with the cold start issue. Also, there is a little thermal cutoff that will shut it down to protect the motor if it is just too stiff. If you bring it indoors to warm up a bit, you'll just have to hit the little re-set button before giving it another try.

I do feel that the cold start issue (inherent with all oil splash compressors) is more than off-set by the added longevity, reliability, and better sound levels when compared to oil-less models. This compressor is nicely protected with the thermal cutoff and startup pressure relief valve, and changing to a better oil will pretty much elimintate the problem at temperatures above freezing.

I think it would probably be fine at somewhat below freezing too, but there is a warning on the compressor not to use it below freezing, which I'm sure is related to the potential damage from the water that is generated by the compression / expansion of air freezing inside the compressor when it is not running. This is an issue which would cause problems with an oil-less compressor as well, and may be fine if it is used continuously as with a nailing operation and stored indoors (heated) before and after use.

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I remember when Senco tools used to be made here. They were the best tools on the market. I still own several that are 15 to 20 years old and working just fine. I'm a contractor and need tools that I can depend on. I will not buy Chinese tools . They are all crap. This compressor was advertised to give the impression that it was made here in the U.S.A . When I received it , the Made in China stamp was right in the front. I was dissapointed. O.k, I then placed it on the floor and it was wobbly. The feet brackets were welded on in such a fashion that the unit did not sit flat on the floor. Typical Chinese craftmanship. Then I turned it on. It was really loud . Much louder than my larger compressors. That is because it is not a true oil lubricated compressor. The advertisement makes you think that it is. However, it is an oil splash unit. I avoid these. They are cheap and loud pieces of garbage. I"m very sad that Senco has sold out to China. This unit would only last a month maybe if I used it daily. I did send it back and did get a refund. I'm happy for that. Beware of how these tools are advertised and support Made in the U.S.A . I've realized that some Hitachi and Makita tools are made here. That is where I'm going.

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No quieter than anything else on the market. However, it has worked flawlessly for various home projects that have included at least 800ft of moulding (floor and crown) and tacking a few 2x4s when building a shed. I used a Hitachi 18ga gun to fire 2inch nails completely flush and clean.