Here we are at the behest of the fall of the year. Currently just 2 weeks away. In fact where I live we've already had temperatures in the low 50's. Burrr...thats chilly, specially when you just had, a few days earlier, temps in the mid 90's.
One of the nicest tools you can have in your garage when it gets chilly is an air compressor. Why? Because you can get whatever job or project your doing completed a whole lot quicker. And if you don't have a heated garage that means less time out in the cold.
We men like to do projects, whether they be auto restoring, some sort of cabinetry work or woodworking, or whatever it may be we just like to work in the garage. Ok, I'll admit it, we take after Tim the Tool Man. What can I say!
One of the proudest tools a man can have in his garage is an air compressor. Not just any air compressor. But a cool, quality, powerful, quiet air compressor. While looking at this power tool for review, I searched many a brand name portable air compressors.
As usual I looked at many high end brand name one's costing anywhere from a few thousand to many thousands of dollars. But those high end so called, brand name ones will never make it to this review site. Simply because most people can't afford those.
No, we take those name brands, find out what makes them tick, then go and find the same quality in a much more reasonable and affordable arena that everyone can afford. Like the difference between the Cadillac Cimmaron (if you remember those) and the Chevrolet Cavalier.
Same car, same body, same frame, same parts, same quality etc.. Whats the difference? 2 things. Price and Name. Well, homey don't play that, here at Kevin's Professional Product Reviews. My aim is to find you the same, best quality. At a much, much more affordable price.
Saving you the time it takes, to search out all these features to arrive at this conclusion. Up for review now is the, Makita MAC700 Big Bore 2.0 HP Air Compressor.
Now lets dig into it and find out what kind of muscle this things got...
The Makita Big Bore MAC700 Air Compressor won out easily over other air compressors with names like:
- Ingersoll Rand
- Kobalt
- Dewalt
- Champion
- and Sanborn
Makita MAC700 Big Bore Description
This Makita MAC700 is powered by a 2.0 HP motor. With a cast iron cylinder, for greater bore and stroke for increased compression. Making for faster recovery times and much less noise. Namely, 20 seconds recovery time and 80 decibels noise.
The noise level of the Makita Big Bore easily meets our requirement of quality attractiveness. All others looked at were 90 decibels and above. Anything over 80 and your getting into earplug or headphones range.
The Technical Jargon
It has a cast iron pump: Engineered with a Big Bore cylinder and piston. This means the small engine has a larger bore enabling it to greater maximum performance. This aids in the faster recovery times as mentioned.
Because of the larger Bore, it also gives it the ability to match up or exceed the other more expensive air compressors in terms of PSI (pounds per square inch) capacity for it's Horse Power. This is attractive in terms of our quality requirements.
Low Noise: This as mentioned before is at 80dB. Meaning at just 1720 RPM the low end of the RPM's, it has greater displacement of power compared to its more expensive matchups. We like this as well.
Low Amp Draw: Ever turn on something that draws a lot of amp's of electricity just to have your breakers blow? Yeah, me to. Sucks! With the Makita MAC700 air compressor you won't have that problem. It only draws 12.4 Amps. Nice.
It's Oil Lubricated: This makes it a cooler running pump. Which in turn, of course minimizes wear. Making the motor last for years and years of trouble free operation. It's another plus. I know, there are those that are non-oil lubricated.
Will it last as long as one that is? I Doubt it. And thats all I have to say about that.
More Bullet Point Features
- Powerful 2.0 HP 4-Pole motor produces 3.3 CFM at 90 PSI for increased productivity. At 3.3 CFM(Cubic Feet Per Minute) the Makita Air Compressor exceeds or meets most of its competitors. This again is due to the Big Bore cylinder. Nicely meets our requirement for what we're looking for.
- Roll-bar Handle - For portability and additional protection. Just in case you accidentally knock it over, or drop it for some reason or another. Nice quality engineered idea. Protects our investment.
- It has a large automotive style air filter for greater efficiency and air intake, which in turn helps it to reach high performance at low RPM's. Sounds like it's almost setup like a drag racing engine. Good stuff!
- As mentioned a cast iron cylinder which increases pump life. And it's easily removed for easy maintenance. If, it has to be worked on, I like easy. How about you?
- It has a built in Oil Sight Glass. Makes for fast and easy checking of the oil.
- Built in lever handle Ball Valve. Which improves upon the standard Petcock design of its competitors for easier maintenance.
- Also comes with a built in Thermal Overload for increased motor protection. Remember what I said about blowing your breakers? This is why it won't happen. Unless the wiring circuits in your house or business building were not laid out right when it was built. But at 12.4 amps, doubtful it will happen anyway.
What is Recovery Time
Recovery time is the time it takes for the compressor to recharge the holding
tank back to its maximum PSI. Once the compressor reaches its maximum PSI the automatic shutoff valve closes and the motor stops.
Then you have, in the case of the Makita MAC700 Air Compressor, 130 total maximum PSI to work with for whatever tool your running etc.. Once the holding tank decompresses and the pressure gauge reaches 0 PSI, the motor automatically kicks on opening the shutoff valve and refilling the holding tank back to 130PSI.
The beautiful thing with the Air Compressor in review here, is that it reaches this maximum recharge time in only 20 seconds. Thats faster than most of it's expensive competitors of the comparable models. This equates to less work and saving of time. We like this!
Alright Already Let Me Check Out the Nitty Gritty Specs
Here they are, read'em and weep:
- Motor - 2.0 HP
- Pump - Oil Lubricated
- Holding Tank (gal.) - 2.6 "Hot Dog Style"
- Performance (cfm) 90 PSI @ 3.3 40 PSI @ 3.8
- Maximum Pressure - (PSI) 130 Same as the more expensive units!
- AMPS - 12.4
- Noise Level - (dB) 80
- Dimensions - (LxWxH) - 18" x 10" x 22" Nice!
- Net Weight - (lbs.) 52.0
- Shipping Weight - (lbs.) 60.5
- Item model number - MAC700
Notice up there in the specifications you just read, where it says Net Weight. Thats just 52lbs. This is one of the greater points I liked about this air compressor for you. Most air compressors are not light by any means.
At 52lbs this means maximum portability for a portable air compressor. Easily carried with just one hand. This was what caught my attention the most when comparing all the models I did for review. A handy feature for you. Non-backbreaking. Now thats a quality point, wouldn't you say?
Ok So What Comes With It In Shipping
- Makita MAC700 2.0 HP Air Compressor
- Oil
- And 1/4-inch universal quick coupler
- Also there is a downloadable user manual for it as well. At Makita.com
No doubt!
- Each Makita tool is warranted to be free of defects from workmanship and materials for the period of ONE YEAR from the date of original purchase. Should any trouble develop during the one-year period, return the COMPLETE tool, freight prepaid, to one of Makita’s Factory or Authorized Service Centers
Alright I hear ya, my bad, check'em out...
The Pro's
- I've had it for about a year now and it is still working great. It fills the tank quickly, it is relatively quiet, it is light enough to carry around, doesn't trip any breakers...I don't think I could move around a bigger, heavier model without hurting myself.
- It pumps up quickly and is able to keep up with most tools air requirements.
- I'm a tile contractor and this little Mac700 is awesome for shooting roofing nails through cement backer board...it could keep up with me as fast as i could shoot em down...very quiet,,,runs like a charm,nice and smooth! highly recommended!
- The compressor (my first) fills VERY slowly and the pressure drops after only filling a car tire...maybe im doing something wrong but my construction friends had the same thoughts.
- After opening the cardboard box that was obviously crushed, I found the plastic motor cover broked and the brass unloading elbow broken-off in the check valve attached to the side of the tank. I called the Makita service center and explained the problem. They said I should sent it back, and agreed to fix it under warranty.
- The unit is built solid and is rather quiet, but could be quieter as the cooling fin sleeve around the pressure line is always rattling when the unit is running. Now what bothers me the most is the weight. I am a big guy and get annoyed by the weight.
So How Much Is This Unit Gonna Set Me Back?
Amazon always has the best deal going. Not just that they have the best prices, or their timely delivery, but the Free Shipping makes it even more attractive for us. Right now you can purchase this awesome Makita Air Compressor for just $194.00 (at the time of this writing).
Where Should I Get Me One?
Oh, no doubt about it - Click here Amazon! And thats all I have to say about that....;)
Thanks for coming by...
About the Author
2 comments:
No question about it, if you have a guys (gals)shop in the garage or in the basement you need a compressor. If you don't currently have a compressor and are thinking about buying one make it the Makita MAC700 and if you have a spare $200.00 bucks. Kevin is correct in recommending a compressor that is oil lubricated, they will last a life time. After having said this if you run across a cheap compressor at a garage sale for $15.00, and it works you might want to pick it up. Kevin is also right about how useful they are, but for those skeptics who don't want to spend the bucks on a new one pick up a cheap one and use it until it breaks and then buy the Makita.
@BuilderBob.....Thanks for the vote of confidence Bob. They are great Air Compressors.
Kev
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