DEWALT D55141 Heavy-Duty 8 Amp 1/2-Horsepower 2-Gallon Oil-Free Single Hot Dog Compressor

Comment: Right to the point: This compressor, due to the way it is plumbed, produces A LOT of WATER that goes directly into the header, then into your expensive nailers...

Only workaround, without buying and rigging a water filter, is to tilt the compressor so that the header inlet is at a downward pitch and the outlets are at the top of the pitch. But add higher volume (framing nailer) and you will get water droplets/vapor no matter what position the compressor is in.

The problem is that there is only one fitting on the tank (besides drain) and the air that the compressor makes bypasses the tank and goes directly into the header and into your tool. Sadly, this air is LOADED with water vapor and quickly condenses into water. I get very little water in the tank as the air and water have to take a 90 degree turn to enter into the tank. Least resistance would just take the air straight through into the header during demand times.

The solution for DeWalt: add a second fitting to the tank so that the compressor directly feeds into the tank and then the other fitting goes to the header for use. That way the water enters and stays IN THE TANK.

Otherwise, this is a GREAT little compressor. Very portable and relatively quiet. Tough design. But I would not buy another unless that water problem is fixed by DeWalt. Maybe a less humid environment (I'm in Virginia) would fair better, but I think it is just the physics of compressed air... YMMV, as others seem to give it great reviews and do not mention the water entering the header...

After I use tools on this compressor, I then oil and use them briefly on my large, stationary compressor to blow out any water that has entered the tool.

Comment: A great product and a good price. I am very pleased with the quality. It meets my current needs to operate my pin, brad and finish nailers and other shop uses. It was ready to use right out of the box.

Comment: (This compressor was refurbished when I bought it through Amazon) I typically am satisfied with Dewalt products and almost every cordless tool or saw I have are theirs. I feel like this compressor is one step above something from Harbor Freight. When I first got it it ran for the break-in period then wouldn't turn on. Got something electrical fixed by the nearest service center. Then after a few months of very light use it started leaking from somewhere around the piston. There's a metal tube that has a poor seal to the piston head. I took it apart and everything is cheaply made. So now it will fill to 130psi, and hiss like crazy for 5 minutes going back down to 0. I wanted quiet and light, but I'm thinking I'd rather lug around 50-60 lbs than a light weight piece of junk. *EDIT* After taking the compressor apart myself I found a check valve that was corroded and leaked. I ordered another one for $12 and installed it myself. By the way, the unit was missing several screws and the plastic housing was held together with two different sized allen screws that looked like spare parts. The compressor now works again but I was just about ready to throw it away.

Comment: First day on the job problem with the check valve (aka)head relief valve. After it built up pressure instead of the regular hiss it kept leaking air unless you tapped the valve? I'm very familar with this problem after having a Craftsman many years ago that did this. It's more than annoying having to stop what your doing to tap it to shut it off or let it run hoping after the next cycle it will work? Took it to the Dewalt repair place and picked it up today as they said there was nothing wrong with it? Some days it only happens 2 times, other days it's 10 times! Good thing I still have my Porter Cables as backup as I'm using a compressor everyday and for a lot less money they always work year after year. Right now I'm stuck playing games with a compressor they won't fix unless it happens in their shop? I shoulda bought the Thomas but thought I could save some money.

Comment: Worked fine for about 15 months then the motor burned up and with only a one year warranty they want almost as much for a new motor as they do for a brand new compressor. Also i was very unhappy with the customer service