Customer Reviews

Porter-Cable CPF23400S 3 HP, 4-Gallon Side Stack Compressor

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a nice tight little machine which should have plenty of power
to run two hoses at one time, and the professional HVLP spray painting
gun I plan to use with it in my small general contracting business,
BUT, it will need the right power source. I tried the compressor on an
undedicated 15 amp circuit, and it immediately blew the switch every
time. I called Porter Cable and they admitted this 3HP motor NEEDS A
DICATED 15AMP CIRCUIT (with nothing else on the circuit to compete).
I also learned (the hard way, of course) that if you are using the
compressor with a 50' extension chord (with too high a guage) on a 20
amp circuit, the pump will not get enough electricity to pump air
after cutting-in when the tank pressure drops to 110 psi (the
specified cut-in pressure) - the pump will start pumping, but quickly
stop and you'll hear the motor straining until it blows the 20 amp
circuit, too. Porter Cable told me that if I plan to use even a 20
amp circuit with an extension chord, I need to use a 12 (preferable
10) gauge extention chord (ideally 25' rather than 50'), or the pump
won't get enough juice to cut-in properly and refill the tanks. It's
cheaper, my new Porter Cable friends say, to buy more air hose than
the right gauge extention chord - Ah, such knowledge I'm gaining.
Sadly, the compressor arrived with an air intake filter housing badly
bent downward (done apparently at the factory, as the box from Amazon
wasn't damaged), so I couldn't remove the air filter. AND, the drain
valve (to drain water from the bottom of the tank) would not
completely close allowing lots of air to excape from the tank. In my
chats with an Amazon tool sales rep, and later with a Porter Cable
tech rep (to help me unravel the compressor's electrical-needs
mysteries), both Companies quickly and nicely insisted on sending me a
new air intake filter housing and a new drain valve (I guess I'm
getting two of each?) - no questions asked. The machine is fairly
loud, but it only takes my pump about 6 seconds to refill the tanks
from the 110 psi cut-in pressure to the specified 135 psi cut-out
pressure. I figure the noise level goes hand-in-hand with the added
power this compressor offers - power I think I need. Suggestions: the
manufacturer needs to tighten quality controls inspection of the
product prior to boxing & shipping, and the editorial reviewers
need to "call a spade a spade" in write-ups on this tool's
power needs.

I bought this compressor to run nail guns, air sand and spray paint. It is much more compact than other units of similar capacity. The controls are conveniently located and easy to operate. There is an on/off switch located behind the main control that will turn off the unit if you leave it plugged in. (I always unplug everything before leaving my shop.) The tank pressure gauge is just behind it.

The main panel has a working pressure gauge with a pressure adjustment knob next to it. This regulates the pressure that reaches the hoses, not the tank pressure. If you work at lower pressures, the unit will not cycle as often. It is also handy to limit the pressure to safe levels for your various air tools. The two quick connect hose couplers are located on this panel also.

You do have to "break it in" before working with it; just open the drain valve and let it run for 15 minutes. Shut it off, close the valve and turn it back on; you're ready for action! The unit really is portable, especially with the well balanced carry handle protruding from the top. I can easily carry it with one hand from the tank side.

I plug it directly into a 20 amp circuit and have had no problems with breakers popping. I wired my shop area with 12/3 to carry enough current for power tools. The unit does not stay on too long when it cycles, so the noise is not really a problem. It is not as loud as large upright compressors, but it does make a fair amount of noise, although not as much as I expected.

It will keep up with nailers and other "burst" applications without cycling too often. I use it with a Souix air sander and it does run longer when I am working. I like to take a break every minute or so to clear dust anyway, so this is not a problem. I don't think it would keep up with two continuous flow tools. Painting on furniture sized projects is no problem. If you take on a tractor trailer, get a bigger compressor.

Overall, this is an outstanding unit with few limitations for the average user. I also consider it an great value, given its capacity and well thought out design. It will be a great addition to your shop. (It will also inflate tires!)

I purchased this compressor for my crew of six men after I read the other reviews on the tool crib website. I am very impressed with the capabilities of this lightweight/powerful and relatively inexpensive compressor. As with all Porter Cable tools it is well designed, strongly constructed and built to LAST !! I especially like the two built in quick connects and the power to run two framing nailers at once from a small and easily transportable package. I highly recommend this product to anyone looking for a powerful, compact and one man transportable compressor. Three cheers and a Hoopla to Porter Cable on this one...

I am never able to live without a good air compressor. I use them for a variety of tasks from simple blowing to nailers and air hammers. As smaller air compressors go, this one really delivers a nice, steady pressure for quite a long time.

Normally I like to blow through my air gun at about 50psi to clear sawdust. Blowing air at that pressure really drains a small compressor fast, but this one really handles it well and gives me quite a bit of extra time due to the fact that the motor really kicks in quickly and efficiently to keep the pressure up. In fact, from empty it only takes about a minute to fill the tank, which is nice.

I couldn't outpace the compressor with a single nailer.

The two air ports is really nice in one this size because I can put the compressor underneath my workbench and mount a static line on my workbench for easy access anytime while leaving the other open for longer hoses.

The noise level of this unit is very acceptable. These size compressors can make an INCREDIBLE amount of noise, but the Porter-Cable 3hp 4 gallon side stack really keeps the noise level at a minimum. From the nicely padded feet to the obviously insulated drive casing, this quiets it down as much as can be hoped for.

I bought it to replace a 1 1/2 horse 2 gallon compressor because it's twice as powerful. I found it to also be at least twice as heavy. At 73 lbs your not going to be picking this puppy up and carrying it too far. I know now why most compressors this size have wheels. I was also surprised to find that a 15 amp circuit breaker was not big enough. I wanted an air compressor that could inflate tractor tires and power air tools. It certainly meets all of those needs. It is very quiet and appears to be very well made. I recommed this to any one looking for an good air compressor that stays for the most part in one place. I would also recommend a 20 amp circuit breaker.

My compressor arrived about 7 days after I placed my order. I used it to power my spraygun and paint my motorcycle. Keep in mind that your compressor does'nt include a hose, fittings, or a filter which is a good idea to extend the life of your air tools and a must to spray paint, so these items must be purchased seperatly. After adding my accesories I put it to work. Overall I'd say it worked very well. It's not too loud, it can fill up fairly quick, and most of all it provided plenty of power for what I was using it for, even when using a 100 foot extension cord. I am happy with the performance of my Porter Cable and would recommend it to anyone.

I've used the smaller Porter-Cable pancake compressor for about 2 years. I've had no problems with it using it 3 or 4 times a week for my wife's upholstery & drapery business (stapler and brad nailer).

This model excels in a few areas over the smaller one. First, and probably most obvious is that it runs less often with a larger capacity. Believe it ir not, though, when it does run it is quieter than the smaller one and it runs a fraction of the time before it cuts off. It is definitely less annoying. I like having the two outputs also. The only thing I don't think is an improvement is the knob for adjusting air pressure. It's too hard to turn and you have to do a lot of turning to get it up to 85 lbs.

This time I installed the compressor with the air hose reel from Amazon mounted right beside it on the floor. A bit difficult to install, but really worth it to keep the hose in order and out of the floor when it's not used. If you get the reel, you'll probably need to make a trip to the local hardware store for an interconnecting piece to connect the reel to the compressor.

I'm really happy with this tool -- its quiet operation (well, relative to the other one), short run time, and it stows out of the way in the same space I had the smaller one in. I now use the pancake style as the portable one (I agree, this one's too heavy)

Just for little bit more of money, it is much better equipment than a pancake version. It is little bit heavier, however, its design and build sturdier.

Outlet pressure control is very ease to use. It is essential that you change pressure for various tool you are using. i.e. HVLP spray gun (50psi), nail gun 110psi, torque wrench 100psi.

I have been using 50 ft extension cord with mine and have not had any problem not enough electrical power nor having any circuit breaker ever poping.

Size of the tank is fine, but its really about the horsepower of the motor and amount of air motor can put out so that you don't have long period of motor running in order to build a pressure in the tank. This 3hp engine is much better than large size tank with 2hp engine.

Size of the tank is fine, but its really about the horsepower of the motor and amount of air motor can put out so that you don't have long period of motor running in order to build a pressure in the tank. This 3hp engine is much better than large size tank with 2hp engine.

First off I am a homeowner, not a contractor and have been using this compressor in my house to do renovation trim work for over two years. I have not been running it on a dedicated 15-amp circuit and certainly not on a 20 amp circuit and it has yet to trip a breaker.
It is a fantastic compressor for my purposes. I rarely move it. I keep two hoses attached. I run one in to my garage for airing my tires, and one in the shop for projects. Ahh... the benefits of a two outlet panel. Yes you do need to break the machine in but that is all in the owner's manual.
When I move the compressor in to a room I am renovating, the two outlets also let me have two tools going at the same time, i.e., bradder and finish nailer without constantly disconnecting and reconnecting the hoses. A great time saver.
I will tell you it is LOUD but so are all compressors in this class, and this one is not as loud as my last old Campbell-Hausfeld. Nonetheless, if you are married, and you want to stay that way, put it where it won't be heard at night, or shut it off at night.
I will also say it is heavy. So if you are planning on moving your compressor around a lot, this is the WRONG compressor for you.
But if you want a relatively stationary compressor with greater than ordinary capabilities, you may agree this is the ticket.
It has run glitch free and recharge time is fast. For my purposes, I would definitely buy it again.