Over at Amazon, today’s deal of the day is this Bostitch 6-gallon pancake-style air compressor, on sale for $99.
Curiously, the Bostitch BTFP02012 air compressor doesn’t look identical to comparably sized Porter Cable and Dewalt units. I would have thought the same compressor might be available in different colors by the 3 sister brands, but after checking I realized that’s not the case.
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Maybe the pancake-shaped air tank is a common component, but the air compressor and connection configuration is all different. The housing too, as the pressure gauges are inline top to bottom here, instead of left to right as with the PC and Dewalt pancake compressors.
This model offers:
- 150 max PSI
- 6 gallon tank
- 2.6 SCFM at 90 PSI
- Oil-free and maintenance-free air pump
- 78.5 dBA noise level
- High flow regulator and couplers
- Weighs 29 lbs
- Power cord wrap
I like that there are 2 outlets, useful if you want to run 2 separate tools back and forth, or if there are 2 users.
Regular Price: $129
Sale Price: $99
Deal Ends 3am 10/21/2016 unless supplies run out sooner.
Buy Now(via Amazon)
Compare(via Acme Tool)
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This seems to be a great deal. As to whether it’s a good buy, $99 seems to be a common deal price for 6-gallon name-brand air compressors. Is it a good air compressor? Well, Bostitch seems to have a good reputation, and so I’m inclined to assume the answer is yes. And if it’s not, at least Amazon has a great return policy.
Over at Acme, which lists the same compressor for $170, they have a graphic and specs listing that both say this is made in the USA. That’s news to me.
Paul
This may be better to post on the forum but if I were shopping for a compressor soon, which is better? Is an oil-less or oil (direct or belt) compressor better in the 4-6 gal tank range? I am not looking for a recommendation but just fact finding information.
Stuart
My expertise with oil compressors is limited, but here’s what I’ve heard or read:
Oil-lubricated compressor: quieter
Oil-free: lower maintenance
But that “quieter” part turns out to be a generalization that isn’t always true. This compressor has a lower noise rating than some oil-lubricated models I just looked at.
When you look at Rolair’s 4-6 gallon air compressors, the higher performing ones are not oil-free. But they’re more powerful, can deliver more air, and are rated for 100% duty cycles. They’re also a lot pricier.
The Bostitch shown above is capable of being run continuously, but it’s not recommended. Here’s what the manual says:
It’s not as simple as asking whether oil-free or oil-lubricated are better, because it depends on what your needs are.
I’ll do more digging, and this also sounds like a great post idea, thanks!
John
If you happen to do a round up and comparison on makers, performance, and noise levels I’d love to see California Air Tools in the mix to see if it is worth the seemingly internet hype (ie the ultra quiet models). I was happy to see your take on the Rolair, a brand which I wasn’t aware of. Thanks to that it though I had yet another to debate on hah. Trying to narrow down on spending for a good one and seeing this made made me go back to the drawing board for deciding:
https://youtu.be/AZWqHndbkVI
fred
Some possible other considerations depending on your work style and budget:
What’s the low -high ambient temperature rating if it has an oil lubrication system or oil-less?
Does the compressor need to be level for its oil lubrication system to work properly?
Is the tank an ASME certified pressure vessel – required in some jurisdictions – perhaps more so for 20gal and up?
Does it have an automatic or manual tank water drain?
Is the tank SS and resistant to internal corrosion?
Does it unload the compressor for start-up?
Is it supplied with an inlet air filter?
Does it have thermal overload protection?
Stuart
I might have to give them a try sometime – they seem to have decent user reviews.
Their products do look appealing, I’ll see what I can do, but I wouldn’t be able to fit a compressor roundup in my schedule anytime soon.
Daniel
The biggest difference between oil and oil-less compressors is the life hours you get out of them. An oil-less air compressor will eventually wear out with an average life of 200-400 hours. Some newer technologies are enabling them to get over 1,000 hours, but not in the $99 pancakes. With an oil lubed compressor, the life hours is exponentially more assuming that the oil level is maintained and periodically changed. Oil lubed compressors can last thousands of hours.
fred
It is hard to know who makes what for whom in the small compressor business. When Pentair acquired Porter-Cable from Rockwell International they also owned DeVilbiss – makers of compressor components and spay equipment. Not surprisingly – I think Pentair pumps went into Porter-Cable pressure washers and DeVilbiss components went into PC compressors. But then PC was sold to Black&Decker. I think DeVilbiss got sold first to Graco and then to Carlisle (Finishing Brands Holdings) Meanwhile Emglo, another small compressor maker, sold out to SBD and stayed long enough that some Dewalt compressors starting looking remarkably like some older Emglos. But then Emglo got sold off to Jenny. So where and why SBD sources components for their Bostitich, Dewalt and PC compressors, as the king in the “King and I” says : “its a puzzlement”
Matthew
Given that the Harbor Freight 6 gallon compressor’s sale point is $99 this seems like a good deal.
duke5572
This is a good deal, as long as the buyer knows what they’re getting into. This is a good compressor for trim carpentry, decent for rough carpentry, and of course useful for things like filling tires and whatnot. It is NOT an appropriate compressor for running most mechanics’ tools, i.e. impact wrenches, grinders, air saws, or anything of that nature.
As far as dependability, it will take a decent amount of abuse and keep going, but don’t be shocked if the pressure switch or the regulator fail. These items can be replaced, but its barely worth it when you can grab a new one for $99. The several I’ve used were also really finicky about supplying consistent air pressure and getting it tuned properly for different tools. Not a huge deal, just something to be aware of.
I had a previous generation as my first portable compressor, and it served me well running siding guns, framing guns, and all kinds of trim guns. Roofing guns will tax the compressor quite a bit but it’ll work for a DIY type. And it is LOUD. You don’t really notice how loud until you upgrade to an oiler and barely hear it. The Bostitch roar will wear on the user, especially in enclosed places like a garage or basement.
Overall, pretty good for a homeowner/DIY portable compressor, or for a contractor that won’t push it too hard. $99 is as low as it gets, though sometimes you can get the combo kit with two trim guns for $199 (fairly lousy trim guns).
Brian
I don’t know if it’s common nationwide but it seems that my Lowe’s have returned Bostitch compressors/nail guns a lot and they get marked down. Might want to check yours. I think they’re just used and returned by people that use receipts as tool rental.