Dewalt Compressor??

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PostPosted: Sun Oct 17, 2021 6:54 pm
Hi Guys,

Not in a big rush to upgrade but....anyone use a Dewalt compressor? Looked at a new 60 gal, 2 stage 5hp unit. Rated at 15.3 scfm @ 100psi, 175 max psi. The numbers look good to me but are they any good? Thoughts?



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PostPosted: Tue Nov 23, 2021 9:32 am
Got a Link to the one your looking at?

Sounds like a Fine starter machine, But it really depends on what your planning to do with it. For me I would end up killing it in short order as its to small for my air needs.

Running Sand blasters, Blast cabinets, Die grinders, drills, Paint Guns even in a one man shop takes a toll on a Compressor if its running constantly trying to keep up with you. Different tools have different air requirements.
Prior to my current compressor I would burn up smaller pumps every two to three years.
Even when I used two compressors tied together!

When I am working I like to start a job and finish a job without stopping and waiting for a compressor to build a charge. Having a compressor that can keep up with you is priceless!

Pumps where out fast when they are running constantly @ Hi temps, It burns them up fast! Heat is the number one killer of compressor pumps.
.
Buy a Pump that can keep up with you with out running constantly is the best advise.
For me that meant buying an industrial size machine. I get it that not everyone can afford to do that on a budget. But when I stop and think about all the Compressors and Pumps I have burned up over the years could have been avoided if I had just bought a Pump that could keep up with me.

Then I think about how many air tools I have ruined by not having a decent water trap and and air drier that really makes me upset!
I have ruined a lot of expensive air tools over the years because of water in air supply.
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 23, 2021 10:02 am
The biggest problem I see with a compressor of that "size" is usually your underestimation of how much you will use it. I mean, air tools themselves are kind of "addicting" as far as performance. They are not terribly expensive and almost always out perform a competing electric tool (that is changing somewhat). The more you use the unit the more water it will produce and the more you must manage the removal of that water. For me/us here my minimum unit is a 7.5 h.p. 80 gallon. I've had CH models that were real workhorses and last year moved up to an Eaton.
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 23, 2021 12:09 pm
Since you seem to be regularly working on projects, I would recommend you get the biggest and best compressor you can afford.

I purchased a Porter Cable compressor well over 12 years ago and at the time it cost me just over $1000.
I have never had an issue with it but even with it's 6 hp motor and 2 stage compressor with what I though were high CFM output numbers, it still would be the bare minimum I would suggest for a 1 man shop.

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PostPosted: Tue Nov 23, 2021 5:19 pm
Doright wrote:Got a Link to the one your looking at?
I think this one is it--I seen it at Tractor Supply back in September. https://www.amazon.com/DeWalt-DXCMV5076 ... 680&sr=8-1

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PostPosted: Tue Nov 23, 2021 5:49 pm
So "5 running horsepower" is kind of scare inducing terminology. Down in the reviews at the bottom you hit this wall....
This is 75 % duty cycle with no more than 6 Start / Stop cycles per hour. So what happens at cycle 7?
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 23, 2021 11:35 pm
Doright wrote:Got a Link to the one your looking at?

Sounds like a Fine starter machine, But it really depends on what your planning to do with it.
Well, for me, I am running an air sander (although, my B&D electric is doing a better job right now). I would never need to run a sander or the gun at the same time--it's just me and I am lazy--sand a bit and take a break before I mix the primer, etc.. I'm only spraying bike tanks and fenders. Start to finish on first coat might be 5 minutes at the most. My wheeled 25 gal Devilbis baby compressor seems to let me do decent jobs. Maybe I am just getting lucky but, off the gun, most of my work looks like glass--if I get nibs, a cut an buff make it perfect. I am saying all this to say that, (IMO) almost any real compressor might be a lot better than what I have (??). I get it that I need to buy the best that I can afford and I know that the biggest is likely almost big enough--it might never end. So, from what I have learned from you guys is that a 2 stage 80 gal is probably the base to start with and look for at least 15CFM @ 100psi. (keeping in mind of the CFM requirements of all the tools I will use and overestimating those numbers).



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PostPosted: Wed Nov 24, 2021 10:08 am
All your air tools you buy will have cfm air requirements some will have good numbers some will be air hogs and all tool rating will be grossly underestimated at best.
Just like "Most ALL" Air compressors true performance numbers are grossly over rated.

Just me But If I was gonna endorse any bare min. it would be very similar to what Jim posted. Look at those pics of the specs on Jims Compressor, Pay attention to cfm output @ 100 psi and & 175psi those are really good numbers.
Hes got a GREAT little pump their!

Its the CFM output of the pump at working pressure you need to be looking at.
What good would a single stage 18 cfm pump be at 150-175 psi if it only put out 1-3cfm? but puts out 18 @ zero and maybe 11 at 100 This would be an example of what to avoid wasting your money on, their are a great many of them on the market for sale cheap!
Beware of cheap import units with 60-80 gal tanks with cheap 11 cfm pumps and 3hp motors these imports will claim 5hp motors and 14+ cfm and yet only make 1-3 cfm @ 150+psi. These cheap units have flooded the market for $600-$1200 range & should be avoided.

You can buy anything you like, just trying to help educate you on what to look for when shopping and what to avoid.
I could really care less about what your painting now how big or how small.
What your sanding or with what.
You your ability's and tool selection will grow in time.
An air compressor is an investment in your shop and you its Best to have a machine that can grow with you and serve you well into the future instead of being the bare min.
Eventually your gonna come up on the compressors limits everyone does heck I even knock on my compressors limits and its a 50cfm pump.


The Dewalt your looking at puts out a claimed 15.3 @100psi & 13.5 cfm @ 175psi.
Those are not terrible numbers if true? And I don't want to say Bad things about Dewalt but I am skeptical. Will it work to paint a car? Hell yes it will work! BUT will it last? is their enough pump their to grow as you get newer and better bigger tools?

In the end the Air compressor battle is a career life long battle for most of us.
Its a necessary expense that is hard to justify its cost for the novice or newbie.
But a battle that experienced tech understands all to well!!!!
Buy the biggest baddest SOB you can find & afford !!!!!
Last edited by Doright on Wed Nov 24, 2021 1:13 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Dennis B.
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PostPosted: Wed Nov 24, 2021 11:11 am
As Darrell pointed out, the Duty Cycle really comes into play as well. If the compressor has to run 75% of the time in order to produce the CFM they claim, it will generate a lot of heat which will cause a lot of moisture build up. Not to mention it will wear out much quicker as well.

Better to bite the bullet and get a good one now, than to wish you did after you spent money on one that you are not happy with.
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PostPosted: Wed Nov 24, 2021 12:12 pm
I have never seen or paid attention to duty cycle of an Air compressor, Welders YES.
I never knew Air compressors even had a Duty cycle?
I know most all Piston types are not rated to run CONTINUOUSLY.

BUT a limit of 6 starts per hour? not good.

The Motor is spinning at 3450 rpm, They are spinning that little pump really fast to make those number's don't expect this pump to last very long. Hi rpm is a Band aid to get big cfm numbers from a small pump not a good practice in Air compressor world Pump life is sacraficed.

If the motor lasts beyond warranty you could always get a Good Pump from Eaton or Polarair later when the pump quits, starts making oil, or stops putting out enough air.
They both make decent pumps and their customer support is good their techs can help with pump & pulley selection advise for the upgrade to slow it down a bit and get you where you wanna be.
I wanna say they recommend 1850 and slower for most of their stuff.
Slower speeds = lower temps = longer Pump life.
Dennis B.
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