Porter-Cable CPF23400P 3 HP, 4-Gallon Pancake Compressor

...The pressure supplied is more than sufficient for average duty use. The recovery time is not to bad. The price is reasonable. However with those positives let me get to the other side.
First, ..., the guages are exposed in a poor design and can be a serious potential liability. It can easily be broken off. The consumer needs to make special note of this.... Although most of these models are on the display floor, having four legs, I found that a good deal of them only have three legs. This makes it hard to stay upright any of the time. It rolled around the back of my van at every stop, go, turn, you name it. I even tried surrounding it with other items to box it in. It is so top heavy, it falls on its side anyway. A slight tug on your air hose is enough to send it rolling.
The four legged version is satisfactory but, watch out for that three legged version its a nightmare. I exchanged it for the roll cage model. I'll tell you about that one on that review.
I AM...Read more

I shopped extensively for a light duty compressor based on the following criteria: price, weight, and flow rating. I found the PC 3HP pancake style to be the best model that fit my needs. First the price...this model comes in at about the mid-range of the portables. It features the same motor and compressor as the PC 3HP twin stack model but is $40 cheaper and about 10 pounds lighter. I also thought it would be a little more compact and easier to move around. Given the twin stack has a few nice features, like dual quick connect fittings and a gage console, but I just didn't think I would need them.

As far as flow capacity the PC 3HP is one of the best considering its price and weight. It's rated at 5.3 CFM at 90 psi. It is an oil free design, so it can operate on uneven ground. The oil splash designs are supposed to have greater durability but for my infrequent use it should be just fine.

Other than that what can I say - it pumps air. Supposedly it runs at higher pressure (135 psi...Read more

There are a lot of pancake compressors on the market, but this one stands out for two reasons. First, the quality is better than most of the oiless models out there. Second, the Porter Cable service organization. If you're *anywhere* near a medium sized or larger city, spare parts and repair are just a phone call away.

For the remodeler working alone, or the handman looking for a small compressor for the shop, this machine is an excellent chice.