Makita MAC2400 2.5 HP* Big Bore™ Air Compressor

I did some research on many of the compressors out there and chose to go with this model. I looked at the Dewalt, Rigid, Porter Cable pancake deal, and few other no names. I was tempted with the Porter cable deal with the 3 guns but I don't use anything below 18 gauge and I need guns that can carry 2"+ pins/brads. The porter was loud and felt cheap but it did the job as my buddy has one. On the guns I decided to go with the Grex 650L 23 gauge pinner, (amazing gun) and the Hitachi NT 50AE2 18 gauge. I went with this compressor due to the reviews it had from previous customers. I am a carpenter and will use it for crown, base, wainscot and other trim work. Here are my thoughts after using it:Shipping ExperienceI ordered from Amazon to take advantage of free shipping option. Unit came in about 5 days via UPS.Shipping DamageThe box it's shipped in is not very durable considering it's supporting an 80lb compressor. There was just layered cardboard, no foam, peanuts, or Styrofoam molding. Many of the reviews in 2006 stated that air filter is shipped loose and typically damages the gauges. I opened the package and found the air filter in a sealed bag with the manual on top of the unit. After inspection, no damage to gauges were evident. I'm assuming Makita started shipping in the sealed bag after the complaints.There was a however small cosmetic dent on the top tank on the end of the tank the size of a nickle. No scratches, just a small dent. Not surprising once I looked at the shipping box. Not a big deal for me, hardly noticeable. The unit does not look used or reconditioned so I'm assuming it happend during shipping. Not worth the phone call to Amazon as it is small and will not effect performance. It did not effect the rating. Even if I bought it at Home Depot, I wouldn't have returned it due to the dent. It is after all a compressor, not a Porsche. I will dent and scratch the heck out of this thing so that's why I wasn't concerned about a small dent.Oily CaseThere was a light film of oil on the unit though which I cleaned up with a rag. The unit comes with about 10 oz of oil which was sealed with no evident spillage. I recommend you open the package outside or in the garage so your carpets and/or furniture are not effected.SetupI filled the unit with the entire bottle of oil as instructed, opened the valve under the tank, turned it on and let it run for 20-mins to set the piston and lubricate the unit as instructed. The tank fills fast. Both tanks filled from 0 - 130 psi in 1 min 21 sec.NoiseFirst thing I noticed was this thing is extremely quiet for a compressor. You can carry a conversation in the same room without raising your voice. It's really incredible.SizeThe size of the unit is around 2' x 2; x 2'. Nice size. If you have to move around a lot, this is not the tool for you. Great if you only have to move it once, maybe twice a day. The smaller compressors, (one hot dog tank), do not have the pressure and power I needed, this one is perfect size for home use.PowerIf you use a lot of air ratchets, this may not be the best unit. Check the CFM rating on your tools before buying. This compressor offers 4.2 CFM at 90 PSI. Pretty good compared to the rest of them.WeightThe unit is heavy as many have posted. Obviously it's well made from steel, not a plastic rattling piece of crap like many of the other compressors out there which is something I respect. I would rather have something heavy and well made then a light piece of junk that will just break down. I'm not worried about that too much as I decided to just go with longer hoses, (100') to I don't have to move it much unless going another level. I transport it with a collapsable (small) dolly from the car to the site. It weighs about 80 lbs. I am going to make a small furniture dolly for it so it can be moved easily on carpet or cement.FunctionalityThe unit well laid out. The gauges are easy to read, the unit is well balanced with the handle, low vibration, it has rubber feet to prevent marring and reduce vibration. I'm a little nervous about the on/off switch. It's a bit long a feels like it should be more durable. I'm just going to be careful when turning on/off. Don't get me wrong, it's not too thin, I would just wouldn't rush it with that switch.Pro's:Well made & durableWell laid outQuietFills fastFree ShippingGood CFM ratingLow vibrationNo burning wrists as hot components are well protected.Oiled unit, (aids to noise reduction and longevity)Priced appropriately for what you get.Cons:Heavy, 80lbsPoor packaging, (unit may have light damage. Make sure you have a Makita servicing center close by as many have stated that Amazon will not let you return it as oil cannot be shipped due to the flammability aspect.

This is definitely one of my most favorite items I've purchased from Amazon.Excellent air compressor. Well constructed, good workmanship, quality parts, smooth running, and it even looks great, with a quality paint job. Plus it's much quieter than the "Task Force" 5 gallon compressor that I replaced. And the performance of this Makita puts that 5 gallon "Task Force" compressor to shame.It easily runs every air tool I've hooked up to it...nail gun, staple gun, paint sprayer, etc. Also, in the questions section for this compressor, there have been some nebulous answers as to whether this compressor will run an impact wrench without difficulty. I can assure you that this compressor can run a 1/2 inch impact wrench with no difficulty.This compressor is fairly heavy. As you can see from the pictures I've included, I mounted it to a cart that I purchased from Lowes, so now I never have to lift it again.The cart came with 4 inch polyurethane wheels, but the wheels had no brakes. So I replaced them with a set of 5 inch polyurethane wheels with brakes. (I put the 4 inch wheels on my Rubbermaid mop bucket...much better than the wheels it came with).The compressor would have probably stayed firmly planted on the cart due to the compressor's weight, but I preferred to bolt it to the cart.The compressor has four rubber feet bolted to the frame, so bolting the compressor to a cart is simply a matter of drilling four holes in the proper place on the cart, remove the bolts from the rubber feet on the bottom of the compressor, then set the compressor on the cart, then run bolts through the holes in the cart, through the rubber feet, and then tighten the bolts into the frame of the compressor.The rubber feet that come with the compressor would probably be very good at cushioning any vibration from the compressor to the cart, but as long as I had them off I decided to replace them with a set of very high quality sorbothane anti-vibration pads ($30 for a set of four 2" x 2" pads). I drilled a hole in the middle of each pad then bolted the compressor and pads onto my cart.I put the rubber feet that came with the compressor on the bottom of the large case of my home-made computer. Perfect fit and better than the feet that came on the computer case.As you can see, I also bolted a retractable air hose reel onto my cart with 50 feet of good quality rubber air hose.I also put an air/water separator onto the air hose that does a very nice job of removing water from the line before the air enters whatever air tool I have attached.A push-valve on the separator allows you to drain any drops of water that it might collect with just the push of a finger.One more thing. The compressor comes with one small bottle of compressor oil. The compressor will take the entire contents of that bottle to get the oil level to the full mark on the oil sight glass.I filled the compressor with the included oil and then ran the compressor for the required break-in period specified in the owner's manual. After that break-in period, I immediately changed the oil.I used high quality Royal Purple synthetic compressor oil when I changed the oil, and the compressor runs even quieter with the Royal Purple synthetic then it did with the oil that was included with the compressor.I hope this review is helpful for anyone looking for a very decent air compressor, as well as giving some helpful suggestions for mounting the compressor to a cart.