Porter-Cable C2002-WK Oil-Free UMC Pancake Compressor with 13-Piece Accessory Kit

Reviews of Porter-Cable C2002-WK Oil-Free UMC Pancake Compressor with 13-Piece Accessory Kit

1.) Great compressor, but know what it's good for 1st, then buy it
Reviewed by: Flying V So Cal USA
Rating:
My background: I am a General Contractor/Finish Carpenter, 20yrs in the business. Some of the tool reviews I see are flawed based on perception; "this or that tool doesn't do everything I hoped it would" - regardless of the tool designer's intention. Granted, there are some crappy, poorly designed tools out there, and it's good to have feedback to prevent buying mistakes.
That said, be honest with yourself, what do you need this compressor to do?

Here is what this compressor isn't good for:

(1) Running as the primary compressor for your rough framing gun for production work. Not just because it won't keep up, but also that it will not last as long as an oiled compressor under those conditions.

(2) Running an air-chisel/chipper gun or other large air consumption tool; it will not provide enough CFM at pressure.

(3) Throw-N-Go; yes it's light enough to toss in the back of your truck with ease, but if you don't secure it - expect a lumpy red bowling ball rolling around on the first quick turn/panic stop. (Note: it's stable standing still/won't fall over when bumped)

(4) For homeowners, the hose and accessory kit is adequate, nothing more, nothing less. If you contract, you already know it's not the reason you are buying this compressor.

Here is what it is great for:

(1) The best reason of all - lightweight (34 lbs.) but still has punch. You will actually use this w/o hesitation because of weight. Great for running up stairs. Easy to set down on a moving pad w/o too much worry about denting finished flooring. Easy to move through doorways/prevent damaged jambs. No oily residue around motor. Start-up is circuit breaker friendly. Small footprint/low profile, (a real asset when carrying so many tools).

(2) Great for running finish guns. They don't have high CFM requirements, so why keep carrying around the 60lb+ compressor?

(3) Basic everyday homeowner needs; tire inflation, blowing off dusty workbench, filter cleaning, etc. This compressor is perfect for you. Buy it, you will have no regrets.

(4) The higher/150psi is good for the occasional "kick" for some harder wood. (most top out at 120-135psi) Just be sure to dial it back down afterward to save the nailgun seals.

(5) Higher pressure allows for the 120 psi cut-in/restart. This means more useable air pressure for the nailgun; a decrease in the last 2 or 3 shots not being countersank by the gun because of low pressure/waiting for the compressor to kick in. When it drops to 120 psi, it restarts. Most other compressors in this class max out/shut off at 120 psi.

(6) Larger tank, (6 gallon), and higher CFM @ 90psi than most other compressors in this class.

(7) More durable and it has features that make sense, (2 hose couplers, a new handle design lets you run a cable to lock it up at the jobsite). It's better designed than most other small compressors.

There's a reason you see this compressor so often on a finish carpenter's rig - great bang-for-the-buck and it works well. If your expectations are realistic, it will last too. As far as the comments I see about it being loud, it's not any louder than other compressors of similar capacity and price, and actually quieter than some of the rest.

I use the DeWalt D55155 for my intermediate/remodel compressor. It's an absolutely great multi-gun/moderate rough framing compressor, but just too heavy to carry for those days of just finish work. Construction is hard enough on us as it is. Buy your tools accordingly.

The bottom line is this:

Be honest in your tool expectations. I highly recommend this compressor but only for small to med CFM use/finish carpentry work, and some incidental/on-the-spot rough framing (e.g. correcting bad framing for finish work, NOT production rough framing). For construction with higher CFM needs, buy this as your second compressor, not primary.
If you only have basic, small business/homeowner needs, buy it with confidence in your decision. (For the record, I own and use this as one of my on-the-job compressors)

For those new to the construction business/or tool buying, I hope this helps.
For the other contractors, sorry if it sounds like preaching the obvious. Just trying to help the newbies.

- Spread the love -

Also Note: Before starting, be sure to follow the break-in procedure to-the-letter. Since it is an oil-less motor, it will make a difference in how long this compressor lasts, and save you from some unnecessary grief.



2.) Air compressor
Reviewed by: stuscale
Rating:
Was using a one gallon Campbell Haus compressor. It was incredibly loud and didn't hold much air. Using it for filling car and atv tires. Wanted more air capacity and quiter use. This Porter Cable six gallon is far better and quieter too. The extra accessories included with the WK version is less expensive than the standard C2002. Very nice unit and well built. Meets all my needs and runs less often due to the 6 gallon tank. Delivered on time as promised by Amazon. Well done!


3.) Great for the garage
Reviewed by: Gene Diefenbach
Rating:
I was actually looking for one of those 12 volt dc compressors that plugs into the accessories outlet of the car, but my auto mechanic-brother-in-law recommended that I go with a pancake compressor. I'm glad I took his advise. It's great for keeping the tires on our cars properly inflated, blowing the dust out of air filters and tools, and even cleaning the empty mouse nest out the engine of the garden tractor.
I was originally worried that it might take up too much space in the garage but it's very compact, light, and highly mobile. Great price, too. No post-purchase regrets.

Update: A year later and it's still working great. this last winter one of my tires developed a slow leak that necessitated adding air every other week. Doing so in the comfort of my garage instead of in the snow at the gas station was great. A month or so later a pot hole bent a rim on my wife's car and the compressor again came to the rescue. I have now acquired the annoying habit of checking the tire pressure on my daughter's and son's car when they visit.

4.) Great deal
Reviewed by: L. Webley
Rating:
I'm a framer and carpenter with a 4 man crew. We run 2 framing nailers off this compressor every day.

It's bulletproof, very well made, liteweight and has a great refill time.

5.) Fantastic, small, powerful!
Reviewed by: W. Richards Center Ossipee, NH
Rating:
I've used portable work-site compressors of various types for over 30 years; primarily for pneumatic fasteners and framers. The Porter Cable pancake compressor is, by far, the only one that is truly, comfortably portable, without sharp corners, while at the same time having the PSI and air capacity of six gallons to keep an air-thirsty framer working. I'm amused by the occasional complaints here and at other sites of the Porter Cable not having sufficient power for framing nailers, or that the unit kicks in regularly. Regarding the first commentary, my response is that this compressor has ample capacity to keep two framing nailers busy, PROVIDED THAT the user understands the simple physics in volume air handling. The hose ID is, in actual terms, a secondary stage air tank. The 25 foot x 1/4 inch hose supplied with the compressor is a terrific, light-weight hose and suits the machine's portability. For blowing up things around the home, and filling tires or delivering air to a stapler or brad gun, it is perfect. Having said that, ANY professional carpenter knows that a framing nailer, with its large bore and stroke, gobbles a very large volume of air, which must be backed up with volume that exceeds it. Only a 3/8" hose, or greater, will do that. As to the issue of the compressor kicking in regularly, perhaps some understanding of what's involved with this cycling is needed. All compressors have a turn-on/shut-off tank pressure parameter, whereby the tank pressure never rises above its safe working pressure, nor drops below the design minimum operating pressure. A look at the specs are pretty interesting. Porter Cable's design parameter is 120 PSI minimum to 150 PSI maximum. Their minimum is greater than the maximum of most machines in its class, and the maximum is 15 PSI greater than many machines that top-out at 135 PSI! Now, look at the tank capacity... 6 gallons! Again, it's the gallons of air--the volume--that refills the tool. Of course, such a machine is not ever going to maintain continuous air flow to tools that operate by bleeding off copious volumes of air, but then, such machines are not only not portable, they cost many hundreds, into the thousands, more. Finally, I live where oil-lubed air compressors stop working on cold days. A dry compressor such as the Porter Cable is unaffected by cold, and keeps working. I wonder how many people experience problems with their compressor because they didn't break it in, and began working it out of the box. Read the manual. The compressor requires a 15 minute break-in period, with no load, with the drain valve open. That's key. If you don't do it, you'll have a scored cylinder and air by-pass at the piston, and NO POWER. Your father used to ALWAYS break in his new car engine, because he knew that otherwise he'd be buying stock in an oil company. Even though manufacturers of many motors no longer stress this, it remains a fact that piston motors and engines run longer, more smoothly, more economically, and with greater efficiency after break in. Leakage around piston rings with a new motor is almost always caused by failure to break a motor in. Did you break your compressor in? Hmmmm???

This compressor is the loudest of the ones I've owned in this class, by far, but such is the price for this power, so I would not recommend running it in your bedroom at night.

Buy this compressor, break it in, get a 3/8" hose, and nail away with confidence and gusto!

6.) PC Pancake Compressor C2002-WK
Reviewed by: James Jauert Climax Springs, MO USA
Rating:
This small pancake compressor appeals because it is light weight, well balanced, easy to carry, reasonably quiet, and pumps the tank up to 150 psi. The ease of portability makes it enjoyable to carry about for use from one floor to another. The 150 psi means that the motor and compressor will not have to run as often. There are two air outlets for convenience; the two air pressure gauges are neatly arranged, located, and protected by the design of the cover. And the soft-start motor means that the unit will easily run off normal household circuits. This is a good tool.

7.) Great for home use
Reviewed by: gpserg Winfield, IL United States
Rating:
I can't speak to professionals but for myself, a homeowner with less demanding needs, this compressor is well suited. I needed something to top-off auto/bicycle tires and handle occasional trim nailing. Dusting off the work bench and other hard to clean items came to mind too (PC cases, keyboards, car interior, wood blinds, filters, etc.). Works great for all, although you're better off purchasing a higher quality hose and accessories. I bought the Hitachi 1/4" 100' hose so I can get most anywhere in the house from the garage (although it's small and light enough to move it around if you're sticking with the included 25' hose).

As far as noise, it's not that bad at all. Louder than a vacuum, but quieter than a lawn mower. It's a low droning noise, unlike the high-pitched whine I got from my portable tire inflator (which was much louder than this compressor). Takes a bit under 3 minutes to fill completely from empty, then under a minute to refill once it drops below 120psi.

Never owning a compressor before I didn't realize you need to empty it after each use. No big deal - I just use the remaining air to dust the car dash - it's great for cleaning out all those cracks and crevices (just don't blast any speaker cones).

Note I was planning on getting the DeWalt D55140 since it's smaller, lighter and very quiet. I know someone who has one so I was able to try it. Seems slightly better built too. If you just plan on doing trim nailing and tire filling I recommend it over this one. However for dusting the 1 gal capacity is limiting - you get about 30sec of 40psi air - the compressor kicks in but just can't keep up (you just have to stop and wait for it to refill). With the Porter-Cable I can get continuous 40-50psi with the compressor running. If this is not a need, the DeWalt may be a better choice.

8.) For home use, it fits the bill
Reviewed by: 12 Many Birds Panama City, FL, USA
Rating:
Highly portable. Light weight. We fill car, truck, rv tires and do everything else with it. We love it. Lots better than the old huge clunker compressors. Lots better than the little "toy" compressors too.

9.) So Far, Quality Air Compressor
Reviewed by: Dr. Rick McClain Lake Charles, LA USA
Rating:
After doing some research, I purchased this air compressor as a good, small light-duty compressor. So far, I'm very pleased with the purchase. I bought it to replace a DeWalt D55140 (1 gal.), which did not last nearly long enough. (See my review of that product.) The Porter-Cable is a little quieter than the DeWalt. I have felt comfortable using it in an open garage without ear protection. Because the Porter-Cable holds 6 gal., it cycles on and off less. At only 34 lbs,, it is very light, certainly lighter than the DeWalt. With the new top housing (a recent improvement), the handle is centered over the center of the weight so that it carries well, that is, it doesn't want to swing to one side when you pick it up. Having the gauges in the plastic housing has a much more finished look.

The WK version gives you an air hose and a few attachments. Many reviewers complain that they weren't worth the price differential from the compressor alone (C2002). I largely agree. The included hose isn't bad; it is identical to the hose originally included with the DeWalt. Although I have a couple of nicer, rubber hoses, I have more often used this one because it rolls into a smaller, lighter loop for transporting. The air gauge works, but it mostly plastic. In my case, I got the WK version for within $5 of the version without the added attachments.

The one thing I don't like as well as the DeWalt is the moisture-drain valve on the bottom. It is a screw type on this Porter-Cable, whereas the DeWalt had a thumb lever. The thumb lever is quicker. I'll take the valve off the DeWalt before I throw it in the trash.

So far, this compressor has handled everything I have thrown at it, and it hasn't had to run that much to keep up. I'm hoping that it lasts awhile since that's what really makes the difference between a winner and a looser. Please know that the Porter-Cable comes with a 1-year warranty. I was under the impression from this website that it had a 3-year warranty. After closer inspection of this website, it was an add-on warranty that Amazon sells separately from a third-party vendor. The Porter-Cable comes stock with a 1-year.

10.) Happy with product and price
Reviewed by: James A. Mclean Kenney, Il USA
Rating:
Set unit up very quickly, everything was as advertised. Broke unit in as specified, and then charged unit to full pressure with hose attached. Three weeks later unit has not lost and air pressure. Happy with purchase.

11.) good compressor
Reviewed by: hobby john
Rating:
This is a nice little compressor. Bought "used" and came in good shape from Porter Cable. After break-in worked well.

12.) Porter Cable Air Compressor
Reviewed by: Jeanne Lihotz Moorestown, New Jersey US
Rating:
Purchased the Porter-Cable C2002 to use with my Senco nailers. Though I only set it up to test it, it worked well with enough power to set 1 1/2" nails with no problems. The price was great and the free shipping on such a heavy item was a bonus. Only time and use will tell if it's built to last.

13.) EXCELLENT PRODUCT DELIVERED QUICKLY
Reviewed by: TRAVELLER NYC,NY
Rating:
EXCELLENT PRODUCT. GREAT FOR HOME OWNER. REASONABLE SIZE AND WEIGHT.
I RECOMMEND THAT YOU BUY THE GOODYEAR RUBBER HOSE. NOT ONLY IS IT PLIABLE BUT ADDS 25 FT. (50 FT.).

14.) Handy & Dandy
Reviewed by: Mighty Medic Bradenton, FL
Rating:
A lot of reviews ssy this is a noisy compressor, but I find it to be about average for a compressor, and not too bad at all for one its size and capacity. I use mine for small jobs around the house, car & bike tires, and some clearning jobs. Overall I am very imprssed and pleased with this unit.

15.) Nice Little Compressor
Reviewed by: John Hook Austin, TX
Rating:
I use this for my small painting business. It does have it's limitations from a CFM perspective, but if you use it within it's capabilities it is a nicely constructed unit. I've used it to power a texture sprayer, finish nailer and framing nailer with no problems. Granted the framing nailer dos not see heavy duty production use, so the compressor has no problems keeping up. It is light weight, quite and a very handy dependable tool. The Acc Kit is kinda cheesy, but for a homeowner who does not have much, it would suffice.

16.) Great product, great transaction!
Reviewed by: M. Davis Wisconsin
Rating:
This Porter-Cable Pancake Compressor is a great buy. My cousin purchased one a few years ago and it has helped him totally refurbish his summer home, with ease! I went on his recommendation of this unit, and couldn't be happier! I ordered it, and it was received within a week.

17.) Great little air compressor
Reviewed by: Software Engineer California
Rating:
I got this to use for light jobs around the house, like inflating tires
and occasionally running a nail gun. It's a very good compressor for
such use.

18.) Excellent for trim to tires
Reviewed by: Enginerd Texas
Rating:
I purchased this as a smaller alternative to my 25 gallon when operating a finish nailer or airing up car tires. It is a little noisy but similar to much smaller capacity compressors. It fills up fast though and maintains good pressure without always kicking on and off while I'm putting up crown.

19.) great compressor.....
Reviewed by: Gordo..... Homosassa Florida
Rating:
This is my second porter cable compressor. It appears to be as good as the first.. This would make it great...

20.) Great Portable Compressor
Reviewed by: Garage Guy Guyton, GA.
Rating:
This is a great portable compressor, best value for money homeowner compressor available. Gets to pressure quickly, holds the pressure very well. Worked great with 15G nailer, approx 30 nailers before compressor kicked in. Easy to move around.
I would definately recommend this product.

21.) Great Customer Service
Reviewed by: Gary R
Rating:
Bought the compressor to take with us while we are RVing across the US. When it arrived, it was in perfect condition and no damage to the box. I did not check it out for about a week after receiving it and when I did the regulator was apparently defective, for it would not deliver any air. Only had about a week before our trip, so called Amazon.com to see how there return policy worked or did I need to take it to a repair shop for repairs, due to the short time line. It was not a problem. They sent me a new compressor 2nd day at there expense and e-mailed me the UPS labels to send back the defective one, with instructions not to return it until I had received the new one and verifying it was working properly. The second compressor works great and has the power to inflate our trailer and p/u tires to the high pressures that are required in a short period of time. With this kind of customer service, I will never hesitate to purchase any item from Amazon.com


22.) WOW!
Reviewed by: K. white Clarkston, WA
Rating:
This compressor is light weight enough, that even I, a 60 yr. Woman can carry it around. I have done many projects using this compressor, the last of which was to enclose my porch.
I would highly recommend this machine.

23.) Light, easy to carry, most popular borrowed tool in my family
Reviewed by: Toyota Olympia Olympia, WA
Rating:
This compressor weighs 34 lbs. Thats about 50 pounds less than the competition. You can use it to frame if you are sensible with your speed and pressure, it handles pretty much every thing else with gusto. Doesn't draw huge amperage so it doesn't pop breakers. Did I mention it weighs only 34 pounds. That means when your relatives borrow it they won't be sweating so hard as they lug it down the driveway. Reliable, very cool that they added the easy care handle and the extra fitting, still this unit is usually sub $180. If the relatives decide to take a hammer and beat it into submission and then only want to pay $100 since it was (used), less impact on the wallet. They should work on its hammer impact by ex-wife capacity, however. Just a word to the wise.

24.) Great convenience
Reviewed by: John Coleman Fairfax, VA USA
Rating:
It's nice to have an air source that has some depth. The last pump I had was only 2 gal and took forever to come to pressure. This one comes up to a higher pressure fast and the 6 gal tank gives me plenty of reserve to unplug the compressor and take it out to the car for tire inflation. Great for blowing off stuff - the 150 psi keeps the volume going.

25.) One of the best household tools I've gotten!
Reviewed by: Tweakie
Rating:
Who would think that having a compressor would make such a big difference in a person's life, but it has. I've used this little compressor to clean my computer, clean smoke alarms (they go mad when dust or a little bug gets stuck in them) and the obvious maintain car's tire pressure. For me being able to put air in my tires at home makes this compressor worth having. The hassle of using a commercial compressor with their timers and wonky hoses is enough to make you go mad, especially when you're in a dress and heals! I once spent several dollars just to fill two tires. If you're fortunate to find a free compressor, there is usually something wrong with it and it comes with a line of waiting vehicles with impatient drivers. The first time I put air in my tires at home, I felt such relief.

As a previous reviewer noted the hose is on the cheap side, but for household stuff it works just fine. There is a fine assortment of nozzles too. The compressor is easy to maintain, instructions and warnings are clearly written. I purchased this compressor almost a year ago and waited until now to write a review. Wanted to see if something bad about it would come up with use, it hasn't. My Porter-Cable compressor is one of my favourite tools!

26.) It works perfectly
Reviewed by: Exval Chicago, IL
Rating:
The air compressor works perfectly and does all the jobs that I purchased it for. I am very happy with this purchase

27.) great compresser
Reviewed by: Delebo So Windsor CT
Rating:
We are small mechinical firm and need the portablity of this unit. It is easy to carry and does a great job!

28.) Porter-Cable C2002-WK- Compressor
Reviewed by: Julius OTERO PHENIX CITY, AL
Rating:
Out of the box, I was happy with the product. I put it through the "break-in" procedure. Initial operation was excellent. So far, I only used it once. In the future, I am contemplating purchasing a pneumatic nailer suitable for the unit. Good price and "free shipping" convinced me to go with Amazon.com.

29.) Air Compressor
Reviewed by: Honda Dog NW Ohio
Rating:
I gavethis as a gift for my father (82 years young), he likes it a lot, eaay to use, very portable and fills all his needs.

30.) perfect for the job
Reviewed by: dunn little rock arkansas
Rating:
I bought this for my Dad for Christmas. He loves it, he's using it to air up wagon tires and truck tires for his greenhouse/nursery.

31.) Good Value for a Small Compressor
Reviewed by: Vietphil51 Girard, PA
Rating:
So far, I'm pleased with my purchase. Product performs well with no apparent flaws. Word of advice - buy a good tire pressure gauge to go along with it - auto parts stores carry them for around $12

32.) works great
Reviewed by: bill boston
Rating:
I've used it three times since I bought it and I like it a lot. It is very light compared to other compressors I have used in the past.

33.) Porter-Cable set the standard in Quality
Reviewed by: Mack R. Vetter Royse City, Texas
Rating:
I have used Porter-Cable products for years and find that they set the standard as far as quality and durability. As for the compressor, I am not disappointed in its performance.

34.) Good Product
Reviewed by: seabeewife CA
Rating:
My husband was very happy. Says this is a great gift and a good product.

35.) Wife's reaction alone earns five stars
Reviewed by: Manoj Khiani San Jose, CA United States
Rating:
When this product arrived and I unpacked the item, I received the typical icy stare from the wife. It was immediately followed by the comment, "Uh what the he!l is this thing?"

That alone is worth 5 stars since I know the sight of this thing will keep her miles away from my garage.

36.) A Nice Little Compressor
Reviewed by: Chunk Ice Cream Capital of the World
Rating:
The Porter Cable Pancake Compressor is nice little compressor to have around the house. It's handy for keeping tires inflated to the correct pressure and having compressed air for blowing off the top of the work bench etc. The accessories aren't anything to get excited about but they will get you started. The hose that comes with the compressor is the stiff plastic type and not a nice rubber hose so it's a hard to roll up to keep out of the way. The write up states that the accessory pack is a $29.99 value, I'd rather have the money to purchase some better quality accessories.

37.) everything great except
Reviewed by: rickster California
Rating:
pros
its light
compact (you can toss it in the back of your truck)
its so light you don't feel the need to find a spot on the floor for this one (its oil less) so its not so imp. where u put it
lot of air to frame a house
or texture a room
or 3 trimmers
big tank for hand carry
good price


cons
its so loud that you cannot talk to someone in the room without yelling
when i say loud what i mean is
open the hood of your car lean over the engine think v8 1987
have someone rev the motor
thats exactly how loud it is
so if you can live with noise
get it its great
i cant



38.) Good little tool
Reviewed by: Grrrr Covington, LA USA
Rating:
This compressor takes the place of a borrowed oil compressor. The borrowed compressor was very heavy and hard to move around so we were shy to buy anything bigger than we absolutely needed. This will power our normal nail guns and keep us in weekend warrior mode. This is very light compared to the other - as a woman and not a lot of arm strength but can move this with one hand easily. The double hookups make it easy to multitask. Not terribly noisy and it charges up quick. The dial adjustments are very easy to use and gauges easy to read. Happy with this purchase!

39.) works well - poor manual
Reviewed by: mikeskee Somerton, AZ
Rating:
The compressor has worked just fine. I, like other reviewers am just a novice at using the compressor, so the manual was very little help and does not even mention anything about the accessories. I finally had to call Porter-Cable to get more info. The tire chuck was a piece of garbage. I could not inflate tires with it. I finally went out and bought a decent tire chuck and now the compressor works great. I couldn't figure out how the accessories worked until the man at Porter Cable told me the silver piece on the air tool unscrews. Once you do that all the pieces make sense.

40.) love it
Reviewed by: tool girl the south
Rating:
Just what I had been looking for. The handle at the top of this compressor makes it easier to tote around so I can actually get the compressor out and use it more places.

41.) Hard to beat for the price
Reviewed by: John K. Gaylord, MI
Rating:
Picked this up at a big-box for $[...], including the accessories. The price was right, but the accessories are pretty chintzy. That said, if you're starting out with nothing, the extras will come in handy. Time and experience will teach you the value of quality accessories, grasshopper.

Took it out of the box and began burn-in. Ran it for 25 minutes before pressurizing the tank. The tank came up to full strength after about two minutes. No leaks were apparent. Set the regulator for 80 PSI, and brought a 245/65-17 tire up from 20 PSI to 40 PSI in one minute. I was impressed. Compressor did not kick in during this time.

Attached my small disc grinder and set for 100 PSI - no problems grinding heavy rust from a test piece. Compressor kicked in, so I dogged the grinder to see if the air would peter out - it did not. I usually use the grinder head for polishing work, looks like this will handle that job with ease.

Attached my finishing nailgun, and figured this is where the little unit would bog down. No way - I couldn't squeeze fast enough on pine, maple or oak. For trim and finish work, this little sucker rocks!

Some folks are put off by the noise, but the level doesn't bother me. For those who are used to using compressors, it's about typical. From 50 feet away, the noise is not likely to bother anyone.

The oiless compressors are inherantly noisier than their wet counterparts, as well as less tolerant of heat and steady run-time - but they're much lighter. If you need a unit to work day-in, day-out without breaking, this is probably not a good choice. There's a good reason contractor-grade costs more.

However, it might be up to the lighter tasks associated with contracting work - like finish work and trimsetting. I don't know any carpenter who likes lugging around a 60-80 Lb unit on the jobsite.

For the price paid I could not find another model that came close. The shortcomings are few, and the overall package is pretty impressive.

PROS:
-Very lightweight - easy to tote
-Good pressure (150 PSI, 120 PSI Cutoff), decent storage volume as well
-Built to take some abuse
-Compact - will store easily, stick it anywhere on the jobsite
-Excellent recovery time when used for it's intended purpose
-A nice bridge between throw-aways and professional grade
-Less than 200 bucks - you kidding?
-Past reviews suggest reliability is good

CONS:
-Somewhat noisy for it's size
-Corners cut on some connection points
-50% duty cycle is the recommended max

UPDATE: 27 Feb 2010
After 20 hours or so, unit still performs as new. One small annoyance: The tendancy of the unit to rotate on smooth surfaces. I'm using it on a concrete floor, and it begins to wrap the hose after 3 or 4 charge cycles. I've thought about options for steadying, right now I just plop a car tire on top. Has anyone come up with a slick solution to this problem?

42.) Just a few issues
Reviewed by: C. Zettle
Rating:
I am a pro woodworker and already have an earlier version of this compressor I use for installation work. The regulator went on it and the sum of the parts equalled about half the price of a new one, so I looked at a rebuilt vs a new one. I thought that the extras with the new kit would make it the clear choice (I can always use an extra hose) but the hose they throw in is a stiff, cheap plastic thing that does not match the quality of the compressor. That hose may be ok in your basement, but on the job you would spend too much time wrestling with it. Also the hose leading from the tank to the regulator leaked at the tank seal, so I had to reseal it (a little tricky but no big deal). I obviously like this compressor or I would not have bought a second one, as it gets the job done for the right price, and the improvements, which are an extra port so you can have 2 guns hooked up, a cord caddy, and a big handle (the older version had a pocket to stick your hand, not near as easy to carry) are all welcome additions. They also covered both gauges with plastic, as one was uncovered on the older version, another improvement. All in all, you would have to buy an off brand to compete with this unit.

43.) Good compressor, Bad Accessories
Reviewed by: Ryan Crowder Las Vegas
Rating:
Great compressor. I couldn't be happier with it. The hose and accessories are a little low end but I pretty much expected that. Would definitely recommend.

44.) Porter-Cable C2002 review
Reviewed by: Mr. Herb Peoria, Il
Rating:
The compressor it's self is great. The hose that comes with it just plain "sucks". It is made from a stiff plastic and it has a mind of it's own. It will not lay flat on the floor and becomes a trip point. You fight it all of the time you are using it. They need to supply a rubber hose. I am using the old rubber hose that came with my old compressor.

45.) porter-cable compressor
Reviewed by: novice user Leadville, CO USA
Rating:
i am a novice at compressors. after reading the reviews of the different compressors, this looked like the best one for my needs; and it is. BUT the instruction manual is written for an experienced user. it is not explanatory at all. in fact i called the factory after i couldn't figure out how some of the fittings go together. the customer service person had to ask someone else. except for the instruction manual though, this is a great unit, & i'll get a lifetime of use out of it.

46.) Fine for a tire pump
Reviewed by: Norton the dog Center of the Universe
Rating:
I purchased this to use in my garage so I don't have to put air in my tires in 10 below zero winter temps.
It works fine, plenty of air, doesn't leak air when sitting, works as advertised.
Pro: Much better, faster than those little air pumps with no storage.
Con: It's a bit noisy, but it only turns on when you're using it, and it is in the garage, so it's ok with me. The hose is some kind of plastic, so it's stiff in the cold.
Attachments are medium grade, ok for light use.


47.) Porter Cable Compressor
Reviewed by: Gino North Tonawanda, NY
Rating:
I purchased this compresssor to replace a large Sears unit that I had for 20 years. It works well and does everything I need it to do. The only down side is that it is very loud and takes quite a while to get up to shut off pressure. I use it for inflating toys, keeping up pressure on my car tires and some air tools. I wouldn't recommend it for anything that requires a lot of CFM such as board sanders or spray painters.

48.) Strong Pump Loose Nipple
Reviewed by: Charliehorse Sumter, SC
Rating:
Overall a good product, only problem is the nipple connecting the regulator and the tank is loose which makes it annoying to connect to the quick connects.

49.) Best bargain on the net
Reviewed by: Gasdoc99 Northern Georgia
Rating:
I checked all over the net for a reasonably priced air compressor that would do the simple things around the house like tire inflation and blowing and the refurbished model was perfect. I like that it came with all the accessories needed to get the job done right out of the box. I hope it lasts, that's all.

50.) Great small compressor
Reviewed by: Timothy N. Grau Cleveland, OH USA
Rating:
Great compressor but I would recommend replacing the hose it comes with. Hose is fine for occassional use but is not of the best quality. For the price you can't beat this product and it is a Porter-Cable which is known for it's quality.

51.) Nice compressor - noisy?
Reviewed by: bargain hunter San Francisco
Rating:
My old compressor broke down after 35 years. The instructions on this compressor said not to use beyond the date on tank for risk of explosion. My old compressor didn't have that warning nor a date. WOW! Good thing the pump broke before the tank exploded. Same with propane tanks. Watch the expiration date on these tanks. It could hurt you or kill you.

Cute compressor and works as I hoped. Very portable. But I think it's noisy. I measured it with my Radio Shack sound meter and it read 90 decibels at 10 feet. It is painfully loud. But then, compressors are noisy machines. You really should wear ear protection and run it when it won't bother the neighbors. I ran it in my garage with all the doors closed and when I stepped outside, it was still sounded noisy to me. My old compressor gave off a "chug, chug, chug" sound while this gives off a loud hum. With this guy, put on your ear plugs before you switch it on and don't forget your eye protection too!

52.) Porter-Cable C2002 Air Compressor
Reviewed by: CID
Rating:
Never owned an air compressor before. This small unit is perfect for my small garage workshop. The accessories are NOT of a high quality; I would have preferred a few more higher quality and more useful accessories. But I'd purchased this unit again. The price and performance produced a valued tool for my woodworking area.

53.) Pretty good
Reviewed by: Moodydd Lincoln, NE
Rating:
I needed an air compressor basically to keep the air in my tires at optimal pressure without having to hunt down a gas station with free air. I would have to say this compressor does that well. No complaints there. The only complaints I have were:

1. Set up and break in instructions were a bit vague for a mechanical idiot such as myself.

2. There was absolutely no instructions with the accessories.

3. The air gauge that came with it was useless and had to be discarded.

4. The tire inflation wand, wouldn't work necessitating a trip to my hardware store to get a new one.

Otherwise it is perfectly sized, well priced, and works as advertised.

54.) Porter Cable C2002 WK Oil free tank compressor
Reviewed by: The confused OLED
Rating:


Very nice product withnice setup for regulator, tank and safety equipment.

Have to see how much stamina it has with various pneumatic tools.

55.) Durability is not this compressor's strong suit
Reviewed by: gman Santa Clara
Rating:
When buy I tool, I am essentially buying it for life. I don't expect my hammer to wear out, or my saw to stop working (maybe a new blade or some sharpening, but not total failure). I've had the 2003 version of this compressor since 2003 and it recently sprung a leak. It was working fine after several refills and then all the sudden after the compressor kicked off, it continued to hiss. It hissed until the tank was completely emptied. The hiss came from inside the ABS housing cover so I was unable to see the source exactly. I had to buy a special long-shank torx screwdriver to open the housing up (clearly they don't expect anyone to maintain this unit once they buy it). Once I opened up the housing I could see the problem and that there was no way I could just order a part and fix it myself. I read another review where there was a failure where the tank hose leads to the pump housing, mine was even further upstream so it wasn't on the rubber hose and not just a matter of getting a new hose clamp ans some hose. This to me is a huge drawback. Minus one star for not being owner serviceable.

Minus another star for short life span. I've done one major job with this compressor: I installed 1000 sq. ft of bamboo flooring and the base board to go along with it. It put about 40 hours of time on the tank. my other projects entailed making maybe a half-dozen cabinets, filling sports balls, blowing sawdust off of work benches and saws, and that was it. Tops I've put 120 hours on this product. Seems to be for $229 it should have lasted well into the 1000 hours range like my other power tools.

The pros have already been expressed but I will say it again, small, easy to carry, packs a punch (bamboo is 2x harder than oak so believe me it came it handy) and works generally well as a light-duty finish nailer - which I guess is all the claim it to be. But still, I'm bummed about the lack of durability. My dewalt power drill by contrast has lasted me over 9 years with easily a thousand of hours of driving and drilling on it.

I'm not sure if there are better compressors out there in this size and PSI/CFM but on the whole I am disappointed and can only recommend this if you think replacing your compressor every 5 years of light use is a reasonable thing.

56.) First unit failed at arrival
Reviewed by: Krystal Rhoades SF Bay Area, USA
Rating:
The first unit arrived and had instructions to run the unit for 15 minutes with the bleed valve open, which I did with no problem. After that the valve is closed and the unit came up to full pressure (150psi) fairly quickly and shut off. Unfortunately when the unit got down to 120 psi it is suppose to turn back on and it never did. I let all the air out and nothing. I let it sit overnight in case it was overheated and still nothing, so back it went.

The new unit arrived after waiting another 10 days and I hesitantly went through the same procedure, this time with the correct operation. Delivery on each unit is slow due to the size.

The new unit is working okay, so far, but there is only about 5 hours of operation on it at this point using it to run a brad nailer at 100psi. Unit is light enough to be portable, looks nice and seems to recover pretty quickly. It appears pretty well made and the included hose with quick connects and other accessories make it easy to get started fast. The unit is noisy though.

Overall it's not bad, but there are probably better quality pieces out there.

57.) dependable but LOUD! WHAT? I SAID IT'S VERY LOUD!!!
Reviewed by: Phil Loubere san jose, ca usa
Rating:
Haven't had it long enough to rate its long term reliability, but for now it seems solid and leak-proof. Also pretty light and easy to carry, and has two hose connections. But it is VERY loud and vibrates a lot. I had it on an unfinished hardwood floor and it left feet marks on the wood, fortunately not a big deal since floor will be sanded anyway.

58.) More powerful than expected but absurdly, absurdly loud.
Reviewed by: Kate Stokes Atlanta, GA
Rating:
I purchased this for some projects around the house, but unfortunately I had to return it due to the excessive noise level. Let me tell you how loud this is: so loud that you can not use it early in the morning or after dark because it would be that rude to the neighbors. My neighbor's houses are each about 20 yards away from my house, but 20 yards is still much too close fort this beast. It is not only eardrum-piercing loud (my ears hurt for 3 days afterward) but it has a throbbing bass (similar to one of those car stereos they have in the hood) which makes a rumbling noise that carries for at least 50 yards. To use this at 1:00AM (which at times I wanted to) even inside the house would wake up the neighbors. Folks, it is that loud. I did follow the break-in procedure, incidentally, but I don't think it has an effect on the loudness of this machine.

As far as the power goes, I found it to exceed expectations in this regard. It is quite powerful for something that is sold as an amateur grade or entry level compressor.

Regarding the accessory kit, I don't know what the other folks are talking about; this is a nice quality little kit. It is not junk at all.

Bottom line, this is a very capable machine and if I worked 9-5 on a jobsite I would not hesitate to get it, but I wanted to do some renovations in the house with it at odd hours and it is simply too loud for this. Even if I wore earmuffs it would keep my neighbors up and I'm just not going to do that. Anyway, again I had to return this for that reason so I will now look more seriously at the Makita and DeWalt offerings which are apparently quieter. We'll see.

59.) GOOD PRODUCT - INACCURATE AMAZON DESCRIPTION
Reviewed by: Veccster Greensburg, PA
Rating:
If the description was accurate, this compressor would get 5 stars. Unfortunately, the description is definitely incorrect. Please refer to Porter Cable's website for accurate specifications.

It only has a 0.8 horsepower motor. (NOT 1.5HP)

Also, it is 3.5 SCFM @ 40psi.

It is only 2.6 SCFM @ 90psi.

Source:
[...]

60.) 13 pieces?
Reviewed by: anonymous
Rating:
For the person selling this, what kind of joke is this? I mean, you advertise it on amazon as it comes with a 13 piece accessory kit...then in the "fine print" down below it says it comes with a 3 piece accessory kit?? Is this a typo or a false advertisement...? I mean the seller did clearly type out the word "THREE" with a hyphen between the word three and "PIECE" so it doesnt seem much like a typo. I give this 3 stars before I even purchase it.

61.) Nice Features But I Had Problem With Two In a Row
Reviewed by: LeeL
Rating:
I didn't buy this product through Amazon, but I read the reviews here thoroughly before purchasing at the local big box retailer. When I bought the compressor, in my first use, the "panel" with the pressure gauges and the air connections began to pivot and turn back and forth. I wrote Porter Cable and they said to return to the store, that this was not its intended functionality. I got my money back, and debated what I wanted to do next. The other compressors that I was thinking of were much more expensive. So, I tried to purchase another C2002, this time I happened to do it at big box retailer #2. I had the exact same problem! I tried to connect a hose and the whole panel turned. This is an issue because the way the panel is attached to the compressor is primarily through the air outlet coming up below from the tank. Although it didn't leak right away, I could imagine what would happen over time and I would just end up having problems. I ended up going back and getting the Dewalt D55146, which was much more compressor that I needed, but it is sturdy, pretty quiet, and works well. On the plus side, I will say that the C2002 was pretty quiet, very portable, and looks nice. Also, I was planning to do occasional framing nailing and didn't need a production compressor, and the C2002 could easily handle the type of work I was doing. I was new to compressors before buying this and in researching them learned along the way that what the compressor can push (framing, brad, etc.) is a function of PSI, not CFM. CFM is essentially a measure of how fast the compressor will return to its max pressure. If you are doing rapid-fire work then you would need a higher CFM but if you're not nailing so frequently a lower CFM like this has would do. I did plug in my framing nailer with 3 1/4 inch nails to the C2002 and it handled them fine. Hope this is useful.

62.) No more "break-in" directions?
Reviewed by: Roger C. Heath
Rating:
The web site instruction manual includes a 15 minute break in period and other posts have warned that this be done. That has been deleted from the printed manual included.

If it is no longer required that is fine, maybe the manufacturing has improved or they do the break-in at the factory now (lol) but I did it for mine anyway. If you cared enough to read this far, you will too.

The consequences are to great to skip this step. It is the purchasers last chance to overcome a factory mistake or oversight.

Otherwise a 5 star, and yes I think it is important enough to strike 3 stars with an explanation.

Included 13 hardware parts including hose with connectors already installed on both ends. No teflon tape included, but the two male "quick" connectors in the package had an adequate coat pre-applied.

63.) Quit working
Reviewed by: Geoffrey A. Hill Lake Geneva, Wi
Rating:
Had this compressor for about 5 weeks and it quit pumping over 50 psi. Still kept running but would not get up past 50. Sent it in for warrenty work a couple weeks ago and have heard nothing.

64.) buying through amazon will VOID WARRANTY ...compressor break after 4 months
Reviewed by: Ingo Gunther New York, NY United States
Rating:
After only 4 months of sporadic use the tank pressure gauge stopped functioning, so no automatic switch off at full pressure...and the release valve rubber gasket had evaporated and leaked permanently.
Amazon will not take it back and DeWalt - Porter Cable's parent company says warranty is limited. In the best scenario you would have to drive out to a remote repair shop. But when I told them I bought it through Amazon they said NO WARRANTY for ANYTHING sold by Amazon. Apparently they are trying to stop Amazon from selling. Amazon is not an authorized reseller...and that in DeWalt's book voids the warranty.

I will stay away from both Amazon and Dewalt/ porter Cable and Black and Decker and Stanley products in the future. I feel I got screwed by both companies - Amazon for not telling and Dewalt for enforcing such a ridiculous rule.

Features of Porter-Cable C2002-WK Oil-Free UMC Pancake Compressor with 13-Piece Accessory Kit

This highly portable oil free pancake-style air compressor packs a punch with an induction motor that provides improved performance and extended life, whether you're filling tires or firing a nailer. Complete with a soft-start motor, the C2002-WK can easily run off of normal household circuits and is able to run at 3.5 SCFM for faster recharge of its 6-gallon tank. The motor features replaceable brushes in order to extend motor life and 150 PSI max pressure to allow for extended run time. It also includes 120 PSI cut-in pressure that provides 30 PSI "Bonus Air" and High-Flo air regulator to protect against a large pressure drop. The C2002-WK includes a 13-Piece Accessory Kit with a 25-foot nylon hose, blow gun and attachments, tire chuck, tire gauge, quick coupler, plugs and Teflon tape.

1.) Oil-free pump and soft-start motor for long life and quiet operation;
2.) High-Flo air regulator to protect against a large drop in pressure;
3.) "Bonus Air" 1.5 HP induction motor for long life;
4.) Weighs 34.0 pounds;
5.) Comes with three-piece accessory kit;

Package Height x Length x Width: 20.6 in. x 20.6 in. x 19.4 in.
Package Weight: 36.8 lbs.

Accessories for Porter-Cable C2002-WK Oil-Free UMC Pancake Compressor with 13-Piece Accessory Kit