Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Originally Posted By: sciphi
I have that Porter Cable, and have used it for your intended use. It works, and fairly well. It'll kick on for about a minute for every minute of spraying, which is exactly what it's rated for. The pump is quiet compared to an oilless, and would likely be quieter with some Solberg-style filters on it. Which just might happen because the OEM filters aren't at all impressive. Compared to your Makita, it's likely a bit louder. For a drain, adding on an extension wasn't a big deal, and put the drain valve into a much better spot.
I passed over the HF one because its tank design is the worst of both worlds. It's too big around so it sticks out quite a bit, and it's not short enough to be able to fit under anything. The PC/DeWalt unit is considerably skinnier/taller, so it's able to fit into the same footprint as a toolbox bottom cabinet. That's a nice party trick to be able to be put flush with a tool cabinet. Also, the drain would need the compressor to be tipped forward to drain completely. I don't know how much you were able to maneuver these around, but they're cumbersome with most of their 150 lbs or so up top. Mine doesn't like to be tipped much off vertical for transporting it. Where the drain is on that HF unit looked like an accident waiting to happen tipping the unit to drain it completely.
Just my $0.02 from having looked at all those units, and my experiences with my 30 gallon Porter Cable.
Thanks!
I have a craigslist lead on that unit, new in box, and it's a decent deal. I couldn't decide which form factor I liked better, but your angle is compelling.
Did you rewire yours for 240?
No, mine's still 120. A big consideration in buying this particular unit was not having space in the electrical panel for a double breaker. For how much this one gets used, which is quite intermittently, it's fine.