Great & Quiet Portable Belt Drive Compressor

When I discovered that my loud old direct drive unit would not supply enough air to run my new framing nailer I started searching for a portable belt drive replacement with a 4 or higher CFM @ 90 PSI, which is supposed to be adequate for framers. I wanted a belt drive because I knew they were quieter, and I couldn’t stand the noise of my old one.

I searched on the web and found this compressor to be highly rated by contractors, and it was supposed to be very quiet with plenty of power to run framing nailers.

Boy have I been pleased as punch with this unit. I had seen in it my local Lowe’s but assumed it was another loud direct drive. Wrong, went on the DeWalt web site and found that it was a oiless portable belt drive, with low 1750 rpm speed,78dB noise factor, 1.8 hp and 5.2 CFM @100 PSI, and an unusually high PSI of 200.

Since it was a bit pricey but what I needed I took advantage of a 10% discount Lowe’s was running at the time on nailing compressors and bought it. Good move

Got it home and opening the box the unit was completely assembled and ready to go. My only additions were getting a couple of new sections of air line, and a 25ft. section of heavy duty extension cord.

Turning it on in the shop I was immediately pleased. It quietly chugs along and reaches 200 PSI in about a minute. Top regulated pressure is 140 PSI which is plenty for any tool I am aware of. The cool thing is that the compressor cuts back on when tank drops to 160 PSI. It has two air outlet ports, easy to read 2 inch dials and a large lockable regulator valve. As you can see from the pic it has a roll cage, foam filled no flat tires, and underneath the tank a ball valve drain cock.

Power to spare and then some!! I’ve been framing a shed and at about 92-95 PSI, I can counter sink 3 1/2 inch 16D nails and flush them toe nailing. No stair stepping, no recovery, just plenty of air!! Wonderful.

Dropping back slightly to 90 PSI and a small adjustment to my depth of drive on the framer I can counter sink 8D nails and flush 10D 3 inch.

The nice thing when you are through is that the unit stores vertical flat against the wall, which is a big space saver. The handle extends for transport or collapses back into the unit. I leave mine extended and wrap the extension cord and two 50ft. sections of hose on it. Nice neat and tidy.

I highly recommend this compressor.