The Hitachi EC119SA 4-Gallon Twin-Stack Air Compressor comes with many big compressor features in a compact and portable unit. With class leading power, this unit is ready for action. Featuring a powerful yet quiet 2.5 HP induction motor that runs at 15 Amps with a large metal cooling fan integrated into the assembly. The pump crankcase is oil lubricated and utilizes oversized bearings to ensure a long service life. The compressor head is cast iron and has large fins on the outside to help it run cooler. All this is enclosed in a steel roll cage for protection and also doubles as the carry handles. The control panel is located on the front of the unit and includes separate tank and line pressure gauges, a positive locking line pressure regulator and two quick connect couplers. Both of the two gallon tanks each have separate ball valve drains. A few of the other features include thick rubber feet on the bottom, a manual overload protection button and a place for the power cord to be wrapped up when not in use.

When we received our compressor for review, it arrived in a properly sized heavy duty cardboard box. Even with minimal styrofoam packaging, the compressor stayed put and did not move around during shipping. Also included in the box was the dip sick, an 8-ounce bottle of synthetic oil to put in to the crank case and the instruction manual.

The first thing we did was dump the entire bottle of oil into the compressor crankcase as the manual directed and then we fitted the enclosed dip stick into the fill hole. No addition parts or assembly was required. Next we closed the tank drains and plugged the compressor’s power cord into the outlet and pulled out the power switch. The power switch on this compressor is activated by pulling out on a little red colored button and shutting if off was accomplished by pushing it back in. As with most compressors, we anticipated this compress to run pretty loud but we were a little surprised that it hummed along at a very tolerable noise level. We were able to easily carry on a conversation right over the unit without having to shout. The other thing that surprised us was how quickly the compressor tanks filled up. The quick fill up can be attributed to the large motor and quality compressor pump. Another feature that sets this compressor apart from other similar compressors is the impressive air volume of 4.0 CFM at 90 PSI. This amount of air is sufficient to run a few nailers at the same time without having the compressor running continuously.

To put our compressor to the test, we took it to one of our construction projects where a framing crew was just starting to build a large hip style roof over a new screen porch. The initial response from the head guy was that the small size compress was not going to be able to “keep up” which is a way to say that it would not deliver enough air volume to keep the nail gun shooting the framing nails under continual use. Well much to their surprise they where wrong! This is the little compressor that could! The only draw back that we encountered was that on the cold mornings it has a difficult time wanting to start up and we think it has to do with the fact that the oil is thicker when it is cold and therefore takes a little extra effort by the motor to get it moving until it warms up. Once the compressor was up and running, it was able to run all day non-stop.

The only other complaint we had from the guys was that for its compact size, it is pretty heavy at 64 pounds. What this translates too in the real world that if you have to trek this thing up and down flights of stair to a work area, it can get pretty cumbersome. We ended up getting a 100 ft hose to keep with it so we did not have to move it around much. Aside from that, the Hitachi EC119SA 4-Gallon Twin-Stack Air Compressor was able to handle all the tasks we tried with it which included using roofing nailers, framing nailers and finish nailers.

Conclusion

The Hitachi EC119SA 4-Gallon Twin-Stack Air Compressor’s quality built and heavy duty construction is what will make this a solid performer and it a great addition to any worksite. We feel that the few negative aspects of the compressor are quickly overtaken by the many positive features.

About Hitachi Power Tools USA
Hitachi Koki U.S.A. carries an extensive line of professional grade tools and accessories for residential construction, commercial construction, tradesman and Do-It-Yourselfers. Headquartered in Atlanta, GA, with satellite offices in Valencia CA and Toronto ONT, Hitachi Koki U.S.A. supplies nearly 4000 retail locations, both independent and home center, and supports over 1000 authorized service centers. Many Hitachi tools are designed and offered for use only in North America.

When you’re on the job framing a house there’s nothing worse than having to wait for your compressor to play catch-up. Those days are likely over with the Bosch CET4-20W 4 Gallon Electric Hand Carry Compressor with wheels. Not only is this a convenient tool to carry around, it’s got the volume and fast recovery time to make sure you can keep working, uninterrupted, no matter what the job. We used the CET4-20W on a variety of jobs and it held its own each time, earning it the nickname “Jack” – as in “be nimble and quick.”

We’ve used many different air compressors over the years, from hot dog style to pancake and even 8-gallon wheeled models that provide a large volume of air. Nothing, in our opinion, beats a nice compact twin-stack for all around usefulness. While not exactly compact, the Bosch twin stack is convenient in that it presents itself as an easily portable solution that packs a punch. Bosch’s take on this design improves it further by offering 4 gallons of air capacity and wheels for easy transport. They also mount the tanks vertically, something unique that allows both tanks to drain simultaneously. Because this is a heavier-duty model, be aware that it weighs in at around 85 pounds, making it one of the heavier units (by roughly ten pounds) we’ve tested. This is no simple trim compressor!

Build Quality

The CET4-20W 4 gallon Compressor comes in the expected Bosch Blue. The tanks are welded steel and are oriented vertically, which makes draining easy. The engine is an electric 2 horsepower model that sits within a steel roll cage which protects it from the hazards of jobsite use. The air compressor is oil-lubricated to keep the parts from premature wear. You literally have tubular steel surrounding all of the sensitive parts. It ships filled with oil and the cap includes an integrated dipstick for checking levels every 200 hours of use. The system comes with the wheels detached so the first thing we did was attach them using the included bolt washers and nut. The entire compressor weighs nearly 85 pounds, making it quite heavy to lift. The wheels, however make it easy to port this tool around and all but eliminate the need to pick it up, save unloading it from your truck or work van.

The wheels go on such that the inflation stems are located on the inside. You can (barely) reach them using the backside of a standard tire inflation adapter, but they would be more accessible on the outside of the wheels. We found this out the hard way when a friend (who shall remain nameless because I want to hold this over his head for a while longer) rolled all 85 pounds off the side of an 8″ tall deck. One of the wheels lost its seal and we had to re-inflate it. Other than inserting the oil dipstick/cap there is no further assembly required to get the CET4-20W up and running.

The integrated handle swings up and locks in place to allow you to easily cart the compressor around the jobsite. What we noticed, however, was that the locking pin was very shallow. In addition, there was only one, whereas we would expect there to be one on each side of the handle. This made the handle a bit unsteady in its upright position, something that you don’t want in a tool that is otherwise very ruggedly built. After inquiring with Bosch, we found that the locking mechanism hadn’t been fully threaded into the steel plate. Once we bottomed it out, the pin inserted fully into the hole and we concurred with Bosch that the single pin was probably just as good, in terms of stability, as using two.

Between the tanks lie the twin pressure gauges, one for the tank PSI and the other for the outlet PSI. The pressure regulator control is between and below this assembly are the twin outlet fittings. The pressure regulator was very hard to turn at first, but once we broke it free it worked as expected. Having two outlet fittings means you can use two pneumatic tools at once, or simply keep two tools connected so you don’t have to reconnect when, for example, you switch from a framing nailer to a roofing coil nailer. We were also pleased to find these sensitive controls and couplers partially recessed within the tanks. That provided them ample protection during use and meant that we were unlikely to accidentally damage them on the job. At the very bottom of the regulator assembly you’ll find the tank drain valve, which we thought was very well designed and easy to use. After pulling the safety release valve to drop the tank pressure down to 20 PSI or below, this drain valve easily allows air and condensation to drain from both of the vertically-positioned tanks at the same time. I try to drain my tanks daily unless they are kept indoors where I can get a bit more use out of them before they build up with condensation.

The air compressor pump looks to be ruggedly built and the oiled system ensured a quieter operation than typical Teflon coated or other oil-free systems. The major heat-prone areas of the motor are covered with ABS plastic and thus protect somewhat from the ability to inflict accidental burns, should you venture too close. The pressure switch cover was easily removed and you can set the limits of when the compressor will stat to refill as well as the maximum pressure to which it will charge the tanks. The hoses used to route air from the tanks to the regulator and outlet fittings is rugged, with a thick wall that isn’t likely to give you any problems over time. In fact, I’d have to say that in taking a look at this compressor in comparison with our other models we’ve used it’s got to be one of the more well-built products we’ve seen on the market. This isn’t a casual-use tool. With a 12-second recovery time, 4.9 CFM rate, and 4 gallons of air storage, the CET4-20W is a tool that can go all day long in framing applications without breaking much of a sweat. Those looking for a constant-use flow of air will, of course, want to either check out one of Bosch’s Wheelbarrow compressors or a larger capacity vertical air compressor.

In the Field

We used the Bosch CET4-20W hard. From framing a deck, to putting up walls for a Habitat for Humanity home, we ran it through its paces in almost every conceivable way that it was designed for. In our Habitat project, it was paired with a Bosch Full Head Angled Framing Nailer SN350-20F which we were able to dial in perfectly for both framing and sheathing. The consistency of the pressure, meant that the depth adjustment dial could be used – as designed – to perfectly set the nail as needed. But what we really appreciated was the infrequent recoveries and consistency that the CET4-20W offered. It was also nice for us to be able to simply lower the compressor off our work truck and quickly roll it into position without having to break our backs lugging the tool to our staging position. Hose connections were quick and easy and the cord was long enough that it gave us some flexibility in moving it around without yanking on all our other tools that were connected to the same breakout box.

In using two nailers at once, the compressor had to recover more often, but the 4 gallons definitely made a difference and we found that we could all but disregard the compressor and just get to work. It was nice not having to slow down or worry about it catching up to us. Every nail fired smoothly and the supply seemed consistent with what our tools were expecting. You can actually dial the pressure switch in to alter the recovery cycles, allowing for more leniency (lower pressure) between when the pump kicks in, or holding the compressor to a tighter standard where your tools maintain higher PSI. We configured it close to its defaults, where the CET4-20W would find itself turning on at around 95 PSI and charging up to 120 PSI.

Conclusions & Recommendations

This is a great compressor for professionals and homeowners alike. What makes it especially good, aside from its excellent portability and wheeled frame, is the ruggedness of the tool and its ability to quickly recover air. Twelve seconds is a fast recovery time for a tool of this size and the balance of fast recovery to tank size is an important one. Bosch seems to knock it out of the park with the CET4-20W. Those looking to use this in a daily contractor’s role will appreciate the attention to detail, low noise, integrated protection provided by the recessing of the controls, and the all-steel cage that virtually surrounds the motor. At a street price of less than $350, this tool is a great value as reflected by our 8/10 Value rating. If you can’t already tell, its performance blew us away and we only dinged it for what we feel are some minor quality control issues, earning it a 9/10. Heartily recommended!

The Emglo EM810-4M 4-Gallon Dolly-Style Twin Tank Air Compressor is designed to meet the needs of the trim carpenter,
remodeler, framer, roofer or flooring professional. With a 1.1 HP
motor and an oil-lubricated cast iron cylinder, performance,
durability and reliability are built in. The capacity and air
delivery gives this compressor the ability to support up to four brad
or finish nailers or two framing, roofing or flooring nailers at once
without compromising performance.

Jobsite
performance comes from the 1.1 HP motor of the Emglo EM810-4M
Air Compressor which is able to produce 4.0 SCFM (standard cubic feet per
minute) at 90 PSI. Dual soft-start valves make it quicker for cold
weather or extension cord starts. High flow regulators and couplers
minimize pressure drop for consistent air delivery and the couplers
are the easy-to-use universal push-to-connect style. The Emglo
EM810-4M Air Compressor comes with a oil-lubricated pump that has
a cast iron cylinder which helps to enhance pump life and provide
durability. For trouble-free maintenance, the compressor has a oil
level sight glass, making it easier to check the oil at a glance. On
the pump bottom there is easy access to the crankcase drain for quick
oil changes when needed.

Emglo
EM810-4M Heavy Duty Air Compressor

The EM810-4M comes with a full, wrap-around
frame to help to prevent accidental damage to the pump and motor. A
ball drain valve is standard which helps to make for quick and easy
tank draining. A protected control panel shields gauges and couplers
from routine wear and tear, and provides for an easy to read
dashboard. The compressor operates at a very tolerable 83dBA which
makes for a much more pleasant day at work.

“Utilizing over 50 years of
expertise in air compressors, the new Emglo heavy-duty compressors
offer contractors dependable, robust features and service, After
talking to contractors about what they need in a compressor, we
delivered a tool that is easy to use and durable enough for virtually
any jobsite.”

- James Vintzel, Group Product Manager, Emglo Compressors.

The
Emglo EM810-4M Air Compressor is designed for easy maneuverability around
the jobsite. The included wheel kit includes two 10-inch pneumatic
tires with metal hubs and a solid axle that enables easy
transportation of the 88 pound compressor. For more compact storage
the handle is collapsible and it is also outfitted with an on board
cord wrap. A built-in transport deck allows the compressor to carry
up to 100 lbs. of additional tools, including storage boxes,
pneumatics, hoses, sawhorses, miter saws or even another compressor.
The Emglo EM810-4M Heavy-Duty Air Compressor is backed with a one-year
limited warranty and will be available in September 2011.

About
Emglo Compressors
Utilizing
over 50 years of expertise in manufacturing quality air compressors,
Emglo branded compressors are recognized as leader in the contractor
compressor segment. Emglo compressors have featured many
industry-first developments, including the world’s first
low-profile wheelbarrow air compressor, first stacked-tank hand-carry
model, first gas-powered hand-carry model, and the first compressor
with an integrated control panel. For more information about Emglo
Compressors, visit www.emglo.com.

The
Emglo EM810-4V Heavy-Duty 4 Gal Oil-Lube Stacked Tank Air Compressor
has twin tanks, a cast iron cylinder and a central handle that makes
it easy to carry around on the jobsite. With a 1.1 HP motor, plenty
of air capacity and air delivery; this compressor has the ability to
drive up to four brad or finish nailers or two framing, roofing or
flooring nailers at one time with out slowing down. We think that
this 56 pound compressor should meet the needs of most trim
carpenters, remodelers, light duty framers, roofers or flooring
professionals.

Jobsite
performance comes from the 1.1 HP motor which is able to produce 4.0
SCFM (standard cubic feet per minute) at 90 PSI. The compressor
is equipped with a oil-lubricated pump that has a cast iron cylinder.
While the case iron cylinder might add some weight, it goes a long
ways in extending pump life and long term durability. With a quick
glance at the pump crank case, you can see the oil level sight glass.
There is easy access to the crankcase drain for quick oil changes as
well. Things that you can’t see built into the inside is the dual
soft-start valves which make it quicker for cold weather or extension
cord starts. There is a high flow regulator that has an easy to
adjust control knob. There is a single standard 1/4” push to
connect style coupler on the top of the tank as well. The
Emglo EM810-4V Heavy-Duty 4 Gal Oil-Lube Stacked Tank Air Compressor
weighs in at a reasonable 56 lbs. and features an single
angled handle on top that makes for well-balanced portability. The
compressor operates at a very tolerable 83dBA which makes for a much
more pleasant day at work.

Testing
and Use

The
first thing that we did when we got the Emglo
EM810-4V Heavy-Duty 4 Gal Oil-Lube Stacked Tank Air Compressor was to
fill up the crankcase with the included oil. Since this is a oil lubricated compressor, it is critical to make sure that it is all
ways filled with the oil, which is easy to check since it has a built
in oil level sight glass in the crankcase. We used the compressor on
a small bathroom renovation project where we had to trim out a window
and hang some crown trim. The controls of the compress are logical
and have easy access, we plugged it in, turned it on and let it go.
In a relatively short time, the twin tanks were full to the
compressor’s shut-off pressure of 125 PSI. Since we were using the
compress for shooting 2-1/2” 15 gauge trim nails, in the course of
our nailing, the compressor only had to cycle a few times which it
did quick and with minimal noise (since it is oil lubricated). As we
worked with the compressor, one of the small things that we noticed
that is a slight bummer is that it only has a single quick connect
coupling which means that we will have to run a splitter if we want
to use more than one nailer at a time. Portability is pretty good and
we liked the centrally located carry handle that also acts as a role
cage of sorts for the pressure gauges and hose coupling.

Conclusion

Our initial testing and
use shows that the Emglo EM810-4V Heavy-Duty 4 Gal Oil-Lube Stacked
Tank Air Compressor offers plenty of performance and features. Seeing
how Emglo has been making compressors for other big name companies
like DeWalt for years, we would expect that this compressor should be
up to snuff for many contractors needing a compact solution. For our
Value rating we gave this compressor a score of 7/10 since its price
point is right in the middle of the pack of other similar offerings
from other manufacturers and it comes with a one year warranty. For
our Performance rating we gave this compressor an above average score
of 6/10, if it had an additional quick connect hose coupling it
would have score an additional point or two. All in all, this
compressor is a solid performer that we can definitely recommend.
Look for it at your local Lowe’s Home Improvement Center and online.

Having a full sized 4-gallon compressor for framing and other construction projects is great, but what about the smaller job where you don’t want a larger compressor that takes up lots of space and is bulky to maneuver? For that, Porter-Cable has introduced its new heavy-duty,
one-gallon, 135 Max PSI quiet trim compressor (model C1010). This is the kind of tool you want to bring with you to do punch lists and smaller trim work, making it perfect for general contractors, trim carpenters, and remodelers. It’s even suitable for woodworkers, wanting a lightweight tool for furniture assembly. We’ll be getting one in for review within a week, so we’re looking forward to putting it through a lot of local projects and testing out its use on the jobsite.

The C1010 delivers 0.75 SCFM (standard cubic feet per minute) at 90 PSI, which is a decent flow rate for most trim tools. Since it has a 1 gallon tank, and operates at up to 135 PSI (max) you can get some decent performance out of it with a relatively fast recovery time (the time it takes to refill the tank back to capacity). The compressor uses a maintenance (oil) free pump, so there’s not much involved in keeping everything up and running and it’s fairly quiet, operating at just 71 dbA – this is a very impressive stat for an oil-free model and one we’re anxious to measure when our review sample comes in. Another thing that’s nice is that the compressor only draws 2.6 amps – and that means you’re not going to trip a bathroom or kitchen breaker if you’re using it in a home where you’re not sure what’s the circuit capacities are.

The Porter-Cable C1010 weighs just 23 lbs and is only 9″ tall, making it easy to carry from jobsite to jobsite. Picking it up is like carrying around a toolbox in both size and weight. It has an integrated roll cage that means you’re going to be able to use this compressor in a variety of conditions without worrying about damage to the tank or its components. Even the air manifold is covered by a metal control panel cover.

Other features we liked include:

• Ball drain valve
• Convenient cord wrap
• Full roll cage
• Quick-connect port

The Porter-Cable Heavy-Duty One-Gallon Quiet Trim Compressor (C1010)
is available online and at The Home Depot and carries a one-year limited warranty.

We
often use trim compressors to do smaller projects because of their
compact size, convenience and mobility. The Porter Cable C1010 1
Gallon 135 PSI Max Quiet Trim Compressor is all of that and more.
Overall weight is a very manageable 24 pounds and there is a
protective steel roll cage that also doubles as the carry handle,
allowing the compressor to be carried in an upright position.
Probably the biggest feature of this little compressor is that it is
oil-free and quiet. Normally you can’t say both of those words in the
same sentence when talking about compressors. Somehow the engineers
at Porter-Cable figured out how to make this little guy maintenance
free and you can stand to be in the same room with it when it is
running. Our plan was to find out if it really is as good as they say
it is.

When
we first heard about the The Porter Cable C1010 compressor, we were
slightly skeptical because all the oil-free compressors we used in
the past had one thing in common and that was the annoying and almost
painful loudness at which they operated. To combat this
“oil-free-is-bad” stigma, Porter-Cable did a commendable
job of delivering an oil-free compressor that operates at levels that
are equal or less than their oiled pump counterparts. The reason that
oil-free is a great way to go is that, for one, there is no required
maintenance other than draining the air tank when not in use. Also,
it makes portability and storage easier since there are no problems
in how you position it (there is no oil to leak out). The motor has a
really low 3.5 AMP draw at start up which makes for easy start-up in
cold weather or when using extension cords. There is no fear of
tripping breakers with this compressor. The C1010 produces air at a
rate of 0.75 standard cubit feet per minute at 90 PSI with a 135 PSI
maximum pressure. There is a quick 20-second recovery time, an easily
adjustable high-flow regulator and a single quick-connect coupling.

The
compact design of the Porter Cable C1010 is well-suited for
contractors that don’t mind carrying their compressor around a work
site. At about the size of a small carry-on, it is only 9” wide and
weighs 24 pounds. There are thick rubber feet on the bottom and the
roll cage carry handle is positioned so that it is easily transported
with just one hand. A metal control panel covers the air manifold
and surrounds the gauges so that all the critical components are
well-protected. To facilitate easy tank draining, there is a 1/4 turn
ball valve at the bottom center of the tank.

Testing
and Use

Obviously
with claims that this oil-less compressor is quiet, we were pretty
eager to plug it in and give it a listen. When the compressor
arrived, it didn’t require any set up or assembly. Quite simply, we
tore open the box, took out the compressor and plugged it in. Our
first impression of the noise is that we were, well… impressed. We
were working on a small bathroom remodel project that required all
new trim work. This was a great place to use this little compressor
because of the tight quarters. Our decibel readings for this
compressor, which we measured at our standard 3 feet distance, was a
low 75 dBA. Now this is a tad higher than the published reading of 71
dBA which was measured by the ISO3744 standard that sets the
measurement distance at 25 feet away. For our own internal testing,
we feel that in many, if not most situations, the tool user is in
fairly close proximity to the tool so we have been using three feet
as our standard. Just to give you an idea of just how impressively
quiet this compressor is, here are a few other compressors we have
looked at and their noise levels all measured at our standard three
feet distance:

• Bosch
  4 Gallon Oil-Lubed Twin Tank Compressor: 80 dBA
• Emglo
  4 Gallon Oil-lubed Twin Tank Compressor: 88 dBA
• Hitachi
  4 Gallon Oil-Lubed Twin Tank Compressor: 93 dBA

Once
we had the noise level out of the way, the next thing we needed to
check on was the air delivery performance. We had a few different
trim nailers in for review, so we tried it out with a Hitachi 15
Gauge angled finish nailer, a Porter Cable Pin nailer and a Paslode
16 Gauge flooring/finish nailer. We found that for these nailers,
this compressor was an ideal match. Air delivery was consistent and
the recovery time was very fast. Just for fun, we had a few nails to
put in with a Duo-Fast angled framing nailer, so we hooked it up and
it was able to run this nailer as well, but we quickly found that
using the framer with bump fire mode, depletes the little one gallon
tank faster than the compressor can keep up. We are not at all
advocating that this be used for framing, but in a pinch, when you
have just a few framing nails to drive, this compressor can help you
out for sure.

Conclusion

The
Porter Cable C1010 1 Gallon 135 PSI Max Quiet Trim Compressor is a
good choice for work in any trim job. We loved the fact that we could
talk and actually hear ourselves while the compressor was in-use. Not
having to do periodic maintenance or use caution when storing or
transporting this compressor are also big features that we liked
thanks to its oil-free design. For our Performance Rating, we gave
this compressor a high score of 7/10 thanks to its built-in roll
cage, sturdy construction and super quiet operation. For our Value
Rating, this compressor earned a very high score of 9/10 because it
will be hard to find a better value given its low street price and
features. Aside from going cordless, or using a larger oil-lubed
compressor, this compressor is probably one of the best ways to go
for doing trim work.

Five gallons, four gauges, three tanks and two regulators makes for one handy tool.

The Ridgid Tri-Stack air compressor is a star performer in the brand’s line of inventive compressor designs. At first glance, it’s a 150 psi, five gallon compressor that is a capable size for most job site tasks. But a closer look reveals a much more versatile tool with features and abilities not found on other compressors in its class.

The tool breaks down into two components: the motor section and the tank section. Besides allowing the user to carry the 77-pound weight of the compressor split between both hands, this convertible function provides flexible uses of the tool on the job as well. When disassembled, the Tri-Stack provides separate mini-compressor and storage tank units—each with its own regulator and air outlets. The motor section also has its own small tank, so it can be used alone for small jobs like trim work to keep you from having to lug the weight of the complete five gallon unit around when it’s not needed. In addition, the tank section can be hauled out for mobile punch lists or more remote tasks like tire inflation.

Taking the Top Down

The convertible function of the Tri-Stack is what makes it really different than other five gallon air compressors. To separate the two sections, you just need to disconnect the air hose between them and mechanically de-couple their locking connection. The air hose has a small ball valve that you must close before disconnecting to keep the motor section’s small tank from rapidly exhausting its air. At the physical connection point, the rubber feet of the motor section fit into divots formed into the welded bridge that connects the two main air tanks below. Once in place, twisting a spring-loaded locking knob rotates two steel hooks up out of their storage positions to mechanically lock the motor and tank sections together. The hooks are beefy, and the knob mechanism is sound, so the locking assembly never gave me any cause for concern about the two halves accidentally separating. I did, however, test the durability of the short connecting hose many times…by unlocking the two sections and then yanking up on the motor unit. Forgetting to disconnect the air hose so many times allows me to report that it passed my unintended and repeated torture tests with no apparent ill effects.

Comfortable rubber-grip handles are located at the balance point of both sections, and there is a right way and a wrong way to situate the tool in all three configurations so that gauges, knobs, and couplings don’t dig into your legs while carrying.

Tank Section

Besides being able to top off four underinflated car tires on one charge, the tank section by itself has a few valid uses on the job site too. In nailing tests, the 4-1/2 gallons of air stored in the tanks could shoot about forty-five three-inch framing nails or about eighty-five 2-inch trim nails into stacked 2x material. That’s enough nailing for a handful of punch list tasks or installing all of the baseboard in a room. It’s lighter (and quieter, of course) than the motor unit, so for small jobs—or in a location without power—it may be the most convenient half to grab.

Motor Section

The motor section has a 1/2-gallon tank, so it can be used as a self-contained mini-compressor. The tiny storage volume means that the motor cycles nearly constantly, though. I could only shoot one to two framing nails or two to three trim nails before the pressure dropped enough to require the tank to be pumped up again. Since the motor and pump are sized for a five gallon compressor, they are more than enough to quickly fill the 1/2-gallon tank, but the constant off/on cycling is annoying, and the lack of reserve air will slow you down during framing and roofing uses. Hot air is much less dense at a given pressure than air at room temperature, so with the 1/2-gallon tank being filled constantly, its small volume of hot air is even smaller. I also worry that running the compressor nearly continuously like this for an extended period may overheat the motor, pump, or wiring. For most uses, keeping the air tanks linked is the way to get the best performance out of the Tri-Stack.

Remote Motor Use

Keeping the air tanks linked doesn’t mean that the motor and tank sections have to be kept in their stacked configuration, however. Since the air tanks of the two sections are linked by a short length of air hose when stacked, separating them physically just means that a longer hose needs to be used—the Tri-Stack will still perform as a full-capacity five-gallon compressor.

Since the tank section has its own regulator and two air outlets onboard, the motor section doesn’t need to be near the work space and can be positioned quite a distance away. This allows the noise and heat of the motor section to be kept in a different room or even outdoors. Of course you can leave any compressor across the building from your work location and just run a long hose, but being near your pressure regulator is crucial for setting the pressure accurately and when switching between different tools and tasks.

Unlike the scream of compressors and other tools with high-speed universal (brushed) motors, the large induction motor on the Tri-Stack generates a less annoying sound. I would describe it as a loud but pleasant baritone buzz that is not unbearable, but that probably delivers enough sound pressure to cause hearing damage (over time) just the same. I didn’t perform a decibel reading on this compressor, but it’s obvious to my common-sense-powered dosimeter that it necessitates either hearing protection, or being relegated to another room.

Two Compressors in One

With each section having its own storage tank and regulator, the Tri-Stack could be used by two workers simultaneously if you needed to get work done in two distant rooms or at two different air pressures. However, any use of the motor section air outlet—whether the two sections are linked or not—comes with the same limitations mentioned above. Being connected to the main tanks does not give the small motor section tank access to any additional storage volume, nor does it provide a faster refill time. In fact, the capacity and pressure of the 1/2 gallon tank will fluctuate at the whim of the main tank user downstream. Since there is a one-way valve between the tanks, the main tanks drain down the pressure in the motor tank at the same rate they are draining, but the air contained in the main tanks isn’t able to refill the smaller tank.

Since any use of the main tanks will affect the pressure of the other, simultaneous use could cause the output of the small tank to drop below where you set its regulator and provide uneven output pressures—even while the pump is running. Also, the small tank alone triggers the pump cycling, and using it for just about anything will require nearly constant cycling. For these practical reasons, I recommend using the small tank air outlet of the Tri-Stack only as a last resort.

Basic Features

Pressure regulator adjustments are made just like any other compressor. You pull out the knob, turn it clockwise or counterclockwise to adjust the pressure, and push it back in to lock. But the size, shape and texture of the knobs are much better than most. Instead of common straight-sided, slippery plastic knobs, the Tri-Stack features generously-sized knobs with bulbous rubber ends that make it easier to dial in your desired pressure while wearing even the thickest work gloves. This is a nice professional touch that users will notice and appreciate whether they are wearing gloves or not.

Air hose outlet couplings on the Tri-Stack are the push-in type that don’t require pulling back on a spring-loaded metal sleeve to insert a hose plug. This simplifies plugging in an air hose and qualifies them as one-handed couplings because, even though you must pull the sleeve when releasing a hose, it can be done easily enough with one hand. That being said, when using either section separately, the amount of force required to push the hose plug into the outlet will slide the unit back across the floor if it’s set on a dusty or otherwise slippery surface. In this case it may require a second hand to anchor the unit. In the rare instances when I have not had a free hand, quickly shoving the plug usually clicked it in without moving the compressor section very far.

There are actually four female coupling fittings on the Tri-Stack but only three of them are for use as air outlets. The fourth is used as the filler inlet to the tank section and a one-way valve located between it and the tank keeps it from expelling any air if you accidentally connect a hose to it. This is a nice safety feature because the unregulated air pressure in the tanks could potentially damage the seals or drivers in a tool and cause an unsafe nailing situation at 150 psi. One thing we did note is that the inlet valve on the tanks is situated directly on top—and it’s completely uncovered. As a result, any sawdust or debris encountered during your work day could potentially make it inside and subsequently get blown into the tank the next time you connect the motor unit’s supply hose. We’ll probably rig some kind of inlet condom to cover the connector, but we would have loved to see some kind of cap integrated into the unit to better protect the tank.

The outlet couplings fit both 1/4-inch industrial and automotive plug profiles (also known as Type M and Tru Flate plugs, respectively). Between these two common fitting types, the Tri-Stack should be ready to go for both nailers in the field or impact driving tools used more commonly in the shop.

Unit stability rates very-good to excellent for the Tri-Stack. Whether fully assembled or broken down into separate sections, all components of this compressor have been designed to stay low and stable on their grippy rubber feet. The units carry well, sit flat, and are unlikely to tip over in the back of a truck. If they do take a tumble, roll cage features protect the gauges, knob and air outlet of the motor section, but fall just short of shielding the air outlets from impact on the tank section.

Another important, yet often overlooked aspect of unit stability is the measure of how well a compressor stays put while it’s pumping up. I have used lightweight units that skittered across a dusty floor the instant the motor started and would pull out their own cord within several seconds. I’m glad to report that the Tri-Stack always stayed put, no matter what kind of surface it was sitting on.

Draining the air tanks is made easier by having quarter-turn ball valves located at the bottom of all three tanks. The small plastic lever tabs on each valve provide a wide, flat area to twist that won’t hurt your fingertips like the thin metal tabs on some drain valve assemblies. With only 5/8-inch of ground clearance, I was concerned that the plastic tabs on the twin 2-1/2 gallon tanks would be susceptible to damage, but so far I have not experienced any mishaps. Pickup trucks with deeply-ribbed plastic bedliners may present a problem, so my advice is to check that the 77 pounds of the Tri-Stack is not sitting on the valve lever or even the valve itself when transporting.

The motor overload circuit button is located low on the back of the motor, and it got a lot of use at times. I quickly learned that even though the compressor motor is rated at 14.5 amps, the high start-up draw makes the Tri-Stack difficult to use on 15 amp circuits. With a 50 foot long, 12-gauge cord attached to an outlet on a 15 amp breaker, the motor would only start if I drained the tank way down to reduce the load on the pump significantly. Usually, the motor would strain to start and then kick its overload circuit after a few wheezy chugs of the pump. I checked the voltage drop at the compressor plug, and at start-up it plummeted from 124 volts down to 76 volts—way too low. After plugging directly into the outlet, the voltage dropped as low as 82 volts, but at least the compressor motor would start without much hesitation. The product manager said that the Tri-Stack should start down to 100 volts, but I found it could beat that spec in tough circumstances. Of course that’s no way to treat a motor you want to keep in good repair, so I suggest finding a 20 amp circuit and avoiding the use of an extension cord whenever possible. (And if you do need to run one, make sure it’s a 10 gauge cord or lower.) As with any compressor, it is much more efficient to run longer air hoses instead of power cords.

An easily removable air filter located atop the unit makes it a breeze to replace, or you can just pop it out and brush or blow it clean. This is a good maintenance practice to perform at regular intervals and especially at the end of any particularly dusty day. The filter’s pleated paper construction is reinforced with wire mesh, so it shouldn’t crush down and let air get by unless damaged by careless handling.

The break-in procedure is not outlined anywhere in the manual, but the product manager recommends running the unit for 15 minutes continuously with the top tank valve open to wear in all of the seals in the pump before the compressor is placed under any load. This is standard practice for oil-free air compressors, so I was surprised that the manual contained no mention of it. This procedure is designed to make the unit run better throughout its service life. (I was assured that proper break-in instructions would be included in the next revision of the owner’s manual.)

A Second Opinion

While I was testing the Ridgid Tri-Stack compressor, a commercial contractor buddy of mine was making regular reports from the field about his unit that he bought about five weeks before I got one. It turns out that we shared many of the same concerns about certain features and were both impressed by the model’s performance strengths. In addition to what I already covered, he mentioned that the three-year warranty seemed better than what he saw from most competitors. And he couldn’t say enough about how the convertible function of this compressor made it the best choice for him and his line of work. Besides making it much less of a physical chore to load and unload into a tall service truck, the ability to isolate the motor and pump noise is a feature he wouldn’t live without. He works in a lot of hospitals and other occupied commercial buildings, so the ability to stash the chugging motor section way down the hall in a supply closet while having the regulator and air outlet in the room he’s working in is an invaluable feature that gives the Tri-Stack an 8.75 out of 10 in his estimation.

A special thanks to Dawee Dodson of Hard Rock Construction in Fort Collins, CO, whose reporting on his experiences with his Ridgid Tri-Stack compressor in the field added additional perspective that helped round out my tool review.

Michael Springer

Craftsman and writer Michael Springer specializes in testing tools and covering the tool industry for construction and woodworking professionals. Based in Boulder County, Colorado, but going wherever the story takes him, Michael crisscrosses the country yearly to visit manufacturers and attend trade shows, and occasionally gets as far afield as Europe. When he’s not running the kilowatts through power tools, Michael enjoys drumming and rustic woodworking with chainsaw, axe, and adze.

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