Customer Reviews

DEWALT D55146 4-1/2-Gallon 200-PSI Hand Carry Compressor with Wheels

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I like this compressor; quiet, fast, efficient, solidly built. Good features: heavy duty wheel kit, dual connections, good gauges & controls. However, be aware that the drain is not set to drain water completely from the tank in either the vertical or horizontal positions. It needs to propped up at about 45 degrees to get all the condensation out. This is a critical design flaw as residual water in the tank is a big cause of tank failure. Buy the compressor but be sure you drain it well and often.

After my last cheapo compressor died in a horrible texturing accident (after five years of faithful service, may it rest in peace at the landfill), I felt like it was time for the real deal. Things that drove me to pick this model in particular:

- Wheels, beautiful wheels -- last one was a dual tank 70 pound behemoth. This compressor is heavier, but those wheels make life so much easier. Granted, I could've used a hand-truck before, but having it all integrated as a single unit is a huge bonus. Not looking forward to the first time I get to heave it into the truck, but for now, it gets around the shop just fine. The handle extends easily and quickly for smooth portability.

- 200 PSI, will I ever use it? Well, um, not likely. However, the more important numbers: 5.4 CFM at 90 PSI is pretty great. Opens up alot of options in terms of running a variety of air tools. While I probably won't ever run more than two framing nailers at a time, this compressor should have no trouble with any other air tools I could conceivably use.

- Low noise. At least, lower noise. Air compressors are noisy beasts, no doubt. This one is pretty tolerable in comparison. Fair warning, the 15 minute, no load warmup period is the noisiest this compressor will be. Once the warmup is over and you close the drain to start building air pressure, the RPM cycles down (almost sounds like it's laboring at first, but it chugs away all the way up to an honest 200 PSI). The normal cycle on is at about 160 PSI, and it runs at around 1750 RPM. It's pretty calm sounding, again, as compressors go. No accompanying vibration.

- Price. It's not cheap, but this compressor compares very favorably to others at this price point in terms of features and technical details.

So far I've only used the compressor for finish and brad nailing. The Dewalt has proven way overqualified for that job. No problems at all to this point. If issues develop in the future, I'll edit the review.

Only gripe thus far: One of the wheels was flat when I opened the box. The tubes are replaceable 410/350 x 4 utility tubes. I just did some creative flat repair. Luckily I had a reliable source of air to pump the tire back up! Take note, if you have a tire that goes flat while the unit is stored upright, it will fall over . . . so keep an eye on the tire pressure.

Happy, erm, inflating.

The thing I like best about this compressor, is the fact that I will never lose pressure to my nail guns before the motor kicks on again.
With my old compressor I had 125 psi after the motor kicked off, but after a dozen or so shots with my framing nailer, the pressure would drop to around 90 psi, and the motor wouldn't kick on until about 85 psi, so sometimes the nails wouldn't shoot all the way into the wood.
With this compressor, the motor kicks in when the pressure drops to about 160 psi, and since it pressurizes to 200 psi, I get a consistent pressure through my hose, guaranteed. (I run the regulator at 110 psi for framing nailers.)
Also, since the tank pressurizes to 200 psi you get a larger volume of air stored in the tank than other compressors with the same size tank.

I also like the look, the wheels, the relatively quiet operation, 2 air outlets, the extendable handle, and the ball valve drain.

I am a diy'er, with little experience with air compressors before I bought this one. I researched between the porter cable, rigid and dewalt. I went with the dewalt because of the overall construction and quality of their other products. The pneumatic weels are great for moving it around in the garage and storing upright. The handle is solid and extends/retracts smoothly. The gauges are easy to read and the connectors are solidly built-in. The air drain release valve is a little difficult to reach, but a minor inconvenience. As for the power, I could see how if you were running two air nailers, the higher psi would be helpful when in reality for me it is bit overkill. It has a high scfm rating which I would like to test with a hvlp conversion gun for light spraying.

I first put this to use with a porter cable 16 gauge finish nail gun. I was installing Brazillian Walnut flooring (extremely hard), and used the nail gun to install the first row against the wall. After testing a few pieces, I installed the first row. Along with the test shots, the compressor fired 25 two inch finish nails before kicking in. With very little air coompressor experience, someone else might be able to tell you if this is good. I was impressed. The compressor kicks in at about 160 psi and cranks itself back up to 200 psi within about 20 seconds. It's not too loud at all. I have it in the garage and it sounds like the vaccum cleaner on in the next toom with the door closed. The next tool I used was the Bostitch MIIFS floor stapler. My contracter friend let me borrow it to do the floors. I've only put in about 20 staples and I haven't heard the compressor yet.

Overall, this compressor is great. I am very pleased. It's really more than I need, but tools are really not that expensive considering on what they can do for you and how long they last. If you really want this one, go ahead and get it. Just make sure you follow the instructions and treat it well. You will be glad years from now when it is still working as well as when you first bought it.

I purchased my DeWALT D55146 on 4/25/2007 and have a reoccurring problem. I had it for 3 months when it began leaking air from around the pressure adjusting valve. I took it to an authorized repair shop. It was repaired under the warranty, but the part was on back order and it stayed in the shop for over 4 months. The same problem has again occurred and of course it is now out of warranty. I took it back to the shop and I'm told the repair kit is on back order until September.

I am very disappointed with this compressor and the availability of parts! It has spent almost as much time in the shop waiting for parts as it has in service. The fact that the replacement parts always on back order would seem to indicate that there is a problem with the design and/or manufacture of this model.

The specs for this model look great on paper, but it has not performed well.

The DeWalt compressor is capable of 200psi. As such, a 300psi hose is
recommended. I learned only after reading the user's manual and had to
return a 250psi hose. Great jobsite compressor!

After researching compressors for six months I
was very confident that I was buying the best
in, or even near, this price range. It seemed to
be in good condition when I received it- I helped
unload it myself. Box was in great shape and no
dings at all on the compressor.

I did everything by the book- the initial breaking
in, etc. Neither gauge was working properly. The
pressure regulator was cranked down so tight that I
could not tell if it was fully open or closed at first.
I had to take off the knob and loosen the regulator
stem with a wrench- absolutely ridiculous. I eventually
got the regulated pressure gauge to free up but no luck
at all with the tank pressure gauge.

These issues should have been addressed with even the
most rudimentary quality control inspection at the
manufacturing facility.

I will update in the near future to let everyone know
how Amazon and/ or DeWalt address this, and hopefully I
will be writing a glowing review like those people with
working compressors.

Frankly, I expect better for $349.00- who wouldn't?

A good solid compressor for the money. I used the compressor for the first time to install wood flooring with a Senco SHF50 Pneumatic Hardwood Flooring Nailer. The compressor handled the job very well. The unit's gauges are easy to read with easy to operate controls.

Great air compressor much quieter then the Porter Cable. Easy to use and move from one place to another.I would recommend this compressor to others who need lots of power and low maintence.I believe it is proably one of the best air compressors in this category on the market. Another great tool from DeWalt.

I've done a lot of research before deciding on this purchase. Luckily, Lowe's had it for 349 plus 15% off during their Tools World sale event until 4/11/07.

The other reviews pretty much say it all, so no need for me to repeat.

Follow the break in steps.

It takes about 80 seconds to fill the tank to 200 psi, so it should be quick to do little things like pumping the tires, ... non-construction work.

Used it to build a potting station with a finish nailer. It was a little loud for the garage, so I just left it outside. A hearing protector wouldn't hurt either.

I will update more as I use it more. The upcoming project will be building an overhead storage in the garage using framing and palm nailers.