Customer Reviews

Thomas Compressors T-617HDN 4 Amp 1/2 Horsepower 2 Gallon Oil-Free Hot Dog Compressor

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I'm an experienced hobbyist woodworker. Lately I've been tapped by my son's school for various projects such as bookshelves and work carts. A number of casework and trim projects are ahead for my household projects. I decided to speed things up by shifting to dado/rabbet joinery held with brads during glueup instead of biscuits. I researched compressors carefully around town and on the Web. Compressors available at the Borg and various local tool shops are gawdawful loud, heavy, and look to be made of cheap plastic and pot metal. It seems like most consumers want units that are cheap and powerful. I don't expect to use the unit for more than finish nailing, inflating tires, and blowing dust around the shop. The compressor will be carried around and used indoors. I don't mind paying more for tools that will last a long time. In my case cheap and powerful are low on the list. I'm looking for quiet, durable, and light.

The 1/2 HP Thomas seems to be right for me. It is conversation-level loud. Occasional indoor use won't send family members scurrying to other rooms. The unit is light enough to carry around easily, and its shape rides comfortably beside your walking legs (unlike pancake compressors). The unit seems to be assembled well using quality components.

The compressor only puts out about 1 CFM and has a 2 gallon tank. It will drive about a dozen nails before cycling on. There is plenty of capacity for inflating bike tires and topping up car tires. I only get several seconds of shop blowing before the unit cycles on, but that's OK for my home workshop use.

You will not be happy with this compressor unless your needs and preferences are similar to mine. It really doesn't put out or hold much air. So far it's looking like a good choice for me though. No durability experience since I haven't had the compressor for long. The factory replied quickly and completely to an e-mail question I had while shopping. I'll write again if my opinion changes over time.

I have several compressors - from a commercial "giant" model - down to this newest addition. I bought this for my hot rod trailer - and I needed a compressor that would run off a 3kw generator. I only needed this to air up the tires (75 psi on the trailer and 85 psi on the fronts of the truck) and the occasional "blow gun" for clean up. Not only does this little guy make 120 psi - it's quiet - light - and very nicely built! This is no imported junk! I couldn't be happier.

Received my compressor today. It's very loud. Clearly too loud to have less than a shouting conversation next to the compressor. Much louder than I expected. I have a RadioShack "sound level meter" which reports that the compressor is 76 decibels at 5 feet. Otherwise it seems to compress air as specified but much louder than the advertised 60db!

I called Amazon Customer Service. I told them that it appears that the compressor is defective. I was told that they put in a request for a replacement and that I should wait "24 to 48 hours" for instructions.

I will post back to this review when this is resolved. At this point, one star.

12/2/08 update:
Received a second compressor from Amazon yesterday. This one measures 74 db at 5 feet. Just for yucks, the sound is 60 db at a little more than 50 feet consistent with "inverse square law".

The sound level alone makes this compressor unsuitable for my intended purpose. Called Amazon tonight to arrange a return. Apparently they have to arrange something with Thomas because the compressors are listed as "non-returnable". They said to wait 24-48 hrs for instructions.

Definate 1 star to Thomas for not properly stating how much noise their compressor makes. So far, 5 stars to Amazon for being very helpful. I expect that they will eventually take back both compressors that I now have.

I should point out that both compressors compress air properly and that 74 to 76 db compressors are much quieter than most but these compressors make much more noise than the claimed 60db (unless you measure sound from 50 feet away!)

12/7/08 update:
No word from Amazon. I've waited more than "24-48 hrs." Called Amazon again tonight. The operator was very apologetic but said that he was not authorized to arrange for a return label for either the first compressor I received or the second replacement. I expressed concern that I would be charged for two compressors from Amazon when neither on met my needs because they were much louder than the advertised 60db. He said not to worry and that I should wait "24 to 48 hrs".

12/8/08 update:
received an email from Amazon telling me that they cannot "process" my return request until they know if the compressor has been used or "if fuel has been added to it". They also said "also please provide more information as to what exactly the defect with the product is"

I was instructed to go to the website http://www.amazon.com/contact-us to supply the requested information. For the life of me, I could find no place on the specified website to give this information. So I called them again. The person I spoke to was "very sorry" but told me to call another number tomorrow AM.

I'm getting very frustrated with Amazon!

12/13/08 update:
Called that other number on 12/9/08. Took some doing but both compressors sent back. Sad saga over!

If you just want a quieter than normal, presumably well made, oil-less compressor than this might work for you. Just be aware that two compressors that were sent to me were about 30 times louder than the advertised 60db.

I needed a compressor to use with a finish nailer and wanted something quite portable and not too deafening when used indoors. I was also hoping for an oil-free model. This Thomas fit the bill and has performed flawlessly for several months. With the handle installed as shown it can easily be carried and moved with one hand but still gives plenty of air for a single 16 gauge finish nailer.

While all compressors are loud, especially indoors, this one may be the least noisy available at 60 dB. A note of caution, though: Much of the online documentation from Thomas regarding the dB ratings of their smaller compressors is inconsistent and incorrect. According to Kathleen with Gardner Denver, the manufacturer, "The T-617HDN is 60 dba and the T-635HD and T-635HT is 75 dba." Decibel ratings are on a log scale so 75 dB is over 30 times louder than 60 dB.

The pressure switch keeps the tank between 100 and 125 psi. There is a gauge but no regulator, so if you are going to be using a tool that requires a max pressure below 125 you will need to go to a home center and pick up an inexpensive pressure regulator. You will also need to get an air hose if you don't have one and a handful of quick-connect air fittings and some teflon tape.

Thomas has an excellent reputation for quality and durability. So far this compressor is everything it claims but I'm taking off one star for the painfully high price and the fact that no regulator was included.

I am a small remodeling contractor/cabinet installer and have owned this little compressor for about 15 years of which it has been used DAILY. I just installed a rebuild kit in it as it was getting a little tired and I have no doubt it will run for another 15 yrs. This compressor owes me nothing. We mostly use it with small pin guns and finish nailers. It will not handle any rapid fire framing or sheeting nailing altough we have occasionally used it for that, just have to wait for it to build up. It is light and quiet and I have had MANY people coment on that over the years. My older bigger compressor just died and I am going to buy a Thomas as I've been so impressed by this one. If your considering buying a compressor and not sure which brand is the best, your search is over. All these guys do is build compressors, the reviews speak for themselves.

as a trim guy , painter, handyman, lover of quality tools.
this is the finest of all the compresors i have tried, for light small.
its 1/30 the noise of the porta cable pancake (i mean that). its only 60 db. i cant believe this this is so quiet yet easily runs my 15 ga senco at 30 2 1/2 inch nails a min and my bostitch 16 ga 2 1/2 long brads at 60 per min and 18 ge at at fast as i can shoot them . its oil free so you can set it on its side, (i dont have to find floor space in my van for it like my oiled unit) and thomas reputation is the best.you dont toss a thomas compreeor in the garbage you rebuild it. so you wont need to fix it for about 10 years but if you do thomas sends you the parts for about $45, to rebuild it for another 10 years . if you need a trim compressor, need quality, like quiet, like light, like not blowing fuses .stop looking and buy it.

I received exactly what I was expecting, a slightly used
compressor, in clean condition, works great. Even got a pressure gauge thats normally not included.

This is a really nice compressor, however it is exceedingly slow so usefulness is very limited. I have an old 1982 1hp 12.5 gal compressor,and an old late 80s 3/4hp craftsman tankless portable compressor. I also have a portable air tank. I emptied the tank, then filled each compressor with air and compared times to fill the portable tank to 90psi. The results:
Craftsman 1hp: 1:47
Craftsman 3/4hp: 3:30
Thomas 1/2hp: 8:00
Yes that's right, it took this compressor over twice the time to fill than even a 3/4hp tankless. My advice is get the larger model, unless noise is foremost concern.

I'm thrilled with this compressor. I was so worried it would be loud, like the ones my husband uses. I can work comfortably with this little compressor right beside me and I don't even think about it being there.