To my extreme surprise, Porter Cable has come out with a new tool – a 20 gallon quiet air compressor, model PXCMSAC420VW.
No, this is not a late April Fool’s Day gag – Porter Cable has really come out with a new product!
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The new Porter Cable PXCMSAC420VW air compressor is described as a quiet model, with a noise rating of 69 dBA, and the brand also says it is “80% quieter compared to other 20 gallon 150 PSI oil-free air compressors.”
Porter Cable also says the new air compressor has “up to 4X the life compared to other 20 gallon 150 PSI models.
It has a maintenance-free oil-free pump, and heavy duty direct-drive induction motor.
Key Specs and Features
- 20 gallon air tank
- 150 PSI max pressure
- 1.5 HP
- 4.0 SCFM at 90 PSI
- 69 dBA noise level
- 8″ wheels
- Tank and output pressure gauges
- 2 quick-connect air couplers
- Steel air tank
- 12.5A current draw
- Weighs 106 lbs (this could be the shipping weight)
Buy Now via Amazon
Buy Now via Home Depot
Compare: Husky via Home Depot
Discussion
I had assumed that Porter Cable was down for the count, with their parent company, Stanley Black & Decker, instead preferring to funnel new releases through to Dewalt and Craftsman brands.
It’s good to see new life for the brand, but I wouldn’t consider this a revival just yet.
Still, the important takeaway here is that Stanley Black & Decker brands are getting into the quiet air compressor market, which is an interesting development and one I hope we see more of.
Amazon lists MAT Industries as the manufacturer. MAT Holdings, their parent company, owns several air compressor brands and also acquired (parts of) Campbell Hausfeld in late 2020.
Will
What can’t this compressor do?
Clark
It’s output short for tools like die grinders, air saws, sanders, hammers, media blasters and HVLP spray equipment bigger than maybe a touch up unit. It would be OK for impact wrenches, air ratchets and the like, though. Their requirements tend to be for short bursts. Blow guns, nailers and some air over hydraulic tools would be fine, I imagine.
fred
I thought that Campbell Hausfeld was part of the Marmon Group – A Berkshire Hathaway Company – and that MAT Holdings only acquired some of the CH assets back in 2020 – not the CH company itself. Its so hard to follow the who owns what trail these days.
Stuart
I couldn’t find a straight answer on this.
MAT Industries said:
(Emphasis is my own.)
I took this to mean that they acquired the Campbell Hausfeld air compressor segment, and maybe more than that. What assets did they not acquire?
fred
https://www.campbellhausfeld.com/about-us.html
The CH website is quoted above.
Maybe MAT acquired the compressor manufacturing part of the business – while the other parts (air tools etc. – made by/for CH in China) were retained as part of Marmon – Berkshire Hathaway
Koko The Talking Ape
It seems like a few manufacturers are beginning to pay attention to noise, finally! That’s a good thing.
King duck
Good we need more quiet air compressors not all of can or want spend 2k on a professional quiet model.
Mickey
Looks to be a California Air Tools 10TL tossed on top of an air tank.
Stuart
Would that be good or bad?
Sanfam
Not the same unit, has different ports and cutouts in different locations and appears to have other subtle differences. It’s also different then the compressor pump used on The similarly sized Kobalt, Stealth and Husky models, the terrible build quality of which (Kobalt 26) forced me to make a return. It appears to be the same pump as on the 26 gallon Harbor Freight fortress with nearly identical casting and looks to share the same manifold.
I’d love to see a map of the Various OEMs for these things some day.
Dave the tool
It’s cool looking but I need at minimum 5.0 SCFM @90 PSI before I would consider it.
M
Claims 5.77 cfm for $400
https://www.ebay.com/itm/402647549990
I bought one of these a year ago and it’s done well so far. Got mine on Amazon last year for 410 but the price has gone up there considerably since
Jerry
For that price one could get a lower end oil lined belt drive unit that would give as much air, be as quiet, and last longer (provided the oil was changed occasionally). Except for on a roof or where it can’t sit level, what is the appeal of oil free? Or did they figure out how to make them last now?
Addicted2Red
Oil free being reliable has been a thing for like 20 years.