Customer Reviews

Bosch CET4-20W 4-Gallon 2-HP Wheeled Twin Angled Tank Air Compressor

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this to replace my old dewalt air compressor and I could not have gotten a better replacement. After bolting on the wheels and 20 minute break in period your in buisness. This compressor pumps up and recovers very fast. I like the center drain valve as it makes draining the tanks a walk in the park. The pneumatic wheels make moving this compressor around the jobiste a breeze. If your looking for a mobile compressor that recovers fast this the compressor for you!

Being a carpenter in the north east I require a pretty heavy duty compressor that is low maintenance and can start up all year round. I shopped around before going with the Bosch, and it definitely lives up to expectations. I had already purchased a new Bosch (FNA250) angled finish nailer and was very impressed with their new technology, basically lighter and smaller, with more power. This compressor stood out from the other twin tank models for several reasons but mainly because of it's mobility and good strong design.

I like the fold down handle for storage, it fits right under my work bench no problem. And when extended you can wheel it around without bending over, unlike the Dewalt and Makita model. The wheels are pneumatic and high quality, and allow it to go right up stairs. Also it has two intelligently placed handles at the bottom of the two tanks and one on top for one and two man operations. Overall it is relatively light for its size, but I almost have never had to muscle it around because I favor the wheels. My other compressor (Hitachi EC12) hasn't left the garage since I bought this one.

This compressor must have been designed by someone who uses one daily. The whole compressor is surrounded by a sturdy roll cage. All the air fittings and gauges are recessed between the tanks which protect them from being damaged. The air release valve is conveniently located between the tanks at the bottom of the unit for effective water and air draining. I did have to change the couplings because the ones that come with it weren't compatible with all my other hoses, only took 10 mins. Also on my other compressor I had mounted a water filter right after the pressure regulator, but there isn't any room to do the same on this model. I am going to have to put it "in line" after the couplings somehow.

Another nice feature is the slow start motor, which draws less amps upon start up, so your not always tripping weak breakers. The power cord is very heavy duty and good quality, looks like it is 10 gauge. Also the recovery time is amazing, this motor is a workhorse, and fills the two tanks to 125 psi very fast for being 2 HP. It is not the quietest compressor, but because it recovers so quickly (appx 10 sec) it doesn't run that much.

Overall it is an expensive compressor, but well worth it because they didn't sacrifice quality in it's design . You really get what you pay for, so you might as well pay an extra $150 for something that won't kill your back, and is REALLY WELL MADE. Mine has already paid for itself and some.

I have never had a compressor and after shopping around and comparing features and benefits for my use as a cabinet maker/finish carpenter I felt this compressor would suit my needs.
I do store this in my basement and regularly haul it up stairs to a site and it's heavy but very well made. The dials are clear, and the pneumatic wheels attach to the frame much more solidly than the wheels on Bosch's Airsweep vacuum for example.
I use a variety of pneumatic tools - in 16gauge to 23 gauge staplers and nailers on a 50 ft hose and it has performed flawlessly.
The slow start motor is a great advantage in homes that have circuits that are close to max but it will pop 15 amp fuses if there is any other load on them so beware of the power requirements. As a safety feature (???) the compressor has a fuse called a thermal protector that will pop if the machine is overloaded when you do not use the on/off lever to restart. This thermal protector must be manually reset for the machine to start up.
While the compressor is heavy and is not ideal for moving up and down stairs once you get it there the pneumatic wheels and capacity more than makes up for this inconvenience. As another review mentioned there are handles around the top of the machine and it does make it more comfortable to find a good grip particularly walking up stairs without bumping the walls in a finished home. I just wish that Bosch could have added soft grips in more than one place.
I use this for on site and in shop (home) finishing/cabinet making and it is up to the task.

I did have some problems initially getting parts (in Canada) for this unit. I broke the catch for the swing handle, tightening it incorrectly. The way the handle is attached to the frame and lock into place on the unit seems to be an afterthought by Bosch. While I like the handle as it provides plenty of leverage for moving the compressor around and storing a hose, the way it is attached to the frame of the compressor is it's main (mechanical) weakness.

When I called Bosch in the US in February they were clueless as to what I was even talking about as this was a new machine and didn't have the parts. This seemed odd as the parts list was published on the Bosch web site. I was promised a call back but never received one. I called again left a message and it was never returned. Terrible service. 4-5 months later I did follow up with a retailer in Canada who I regularly buy parts from and they said the parts were back ordered but they did eventually get them for me in June.

When you run the compressor or move it around frequently the hex bolts that hold the handle on to the unit loosen up and need to be checked and tightened. You need two hex keys of the same size which can be a problem on a job site.

Other than the above mentioned inconveniences and minor design drawbacks with the handle this is a very well build, sturdy compressor.

I live on a 10 acre farm property and build quite a few things over a period of time using air driven fasteners. I have had it for at least a year.
This compressor is well featured with it's folding handle, wheels, and two air hook ups. It also puts out a lot of air(CFM) compared to other portable units.
I really enjoy having this unit in my tool collection. I believe it will provide many years of great service.

This is a great compressor. I replaced my six year old ChargeAir Pro with this unit and couldn't be happier. For its size, this is a splendid compressor. It quickly recycles (10 sec or so). Some consider its weight as a disadvantage, however, the fact that it is a tad heavier, to me is indicative of ruggedness. The fold down handle is convenient large rubber wheel facilitate ease of movement. Initial break-in instructions are clear and the process takes a little over 20 minutes.

I'm a remodeling contractor and I've had this compressor for about 3 months. One problem I've had to deal with is the slow start feature that doesn't start the motor at full speed right away. I have had problems with it popping the internal breaker at times, especially in the mornings when its cold. I suspect the oil is a little thick so it take about 3-6 trys for the motor to get going. Other than that its a great tool, once it gets going, it will handle just about anything from a framing nailer to a drywall texture gun. It has short cycle times and although heavy, is built to last.

Although I didn't purchase this item from Amazon, I did purchase it online from a chain home improvement store. I'm not sure why Bosch doesn't sell this item in a physical store, because it is obviously too fragile to ship. As another reviewer commented, my air filter was broken too. Its a very cheap plastic piece (not sure how it became broken since it is well placed within the cage) but it was broken off at the hub, and there was no way to remove the left over piece so I could install a new one, if I could even find the part. I called Bosch and was supposed to be connected to a parts technician to see if the item could be repaired, but was ultimately hung up on while I was waiting. When I heard the phone being answered the representative was obviously having too much fun and didn't have a chance to finish up her prior conversation with another employee before talking with me, which I find to be unprofessional. Ultimately I lugged the 100lb beast in my 4 door sedan to the store and returned it. I received a store credit and when I went to order another it was back ordered. I'm not surprised since all of the units that are being shipped are being returned and reordered. I was told I can make a request for better packaging, since the unit was shipped in its original box, which is always poor form when shipping an item. I hope round two works, I didn't have a chance to use the unit because it was damaged but it feels well made (other than the air filter) and looked great in my garage, until I hate to pack it back up. I gave it 2 stars for disappointment reasons only.

Arrived on time. Works well. Had broken air filter. missing hinge lock right out of the box.
I'll let you know how Bosch responds to my phone call.