Rolair Air Compressor,2.5 HP,115V,130 psi (VT25BIG)

I just received this today, but it looks to be a good product overall. I would like to see a better intake filter and I may modify it to suit myself. It came with solid rubber tires, the dolly feature works very nicely though it may be top heavy on uneven ground, but I don't anticipate it being a serious problem. I haven't tried to load it in the truck yet but it is pretty heavy, that is one of the things that make me feel good about this compressor. I did a similar break in procedure as the Makita calls for; running unloaded for 20 minutes, though I did 5 minutes, cool off, then 10, cool off then another 10. It pumped up from 0 psi to 135 psi in 1:12. It seems like a beast, but I don't know if it would handle 2 kick A roofers or not. It isn't excessively loud for what it is, even quieter than I expected. The folding handle is nice. Rolair seems to have successfully walked the line of quality and low cost. Barring some sort of mechanical tragedy, I am 100% satisfied with this compressor. I hope to use this machine for many years to help me earn an honest living. I checked online for replacement parts and they seem pretty reasonable; regulator for about $43 plus shipping, I think the Makita regulator was something like $70. Unlike a yellow and black well known brand compressor that chose to make the regulator and manifold all one piece that costs $142 and is only a temporary fix for a well known design flaw that renders the compressor inefficient or even useless. I just got through cutting up that DeFAULT compressor with my Milwaukee portable band saw and turning into a welder cart and auxiliary air tank for my new compressor. This compressor is Very similar to the Makita Mac5200, I'm sure it's a good compressor too, I selected the Rolair because the reviews were slightly better than the Makita, one complaint about the mac5200 was not kicking on soon enough. I noticed that te Rolair pressure switch costs more than the Makita replacement, but they may well be the exact same part. It seemed by reading the reviews that Rolair may have better quality control than Makita. It is so frustrating trying to find a quality made product since everything is made out of pop cans by the lowest bidder. I work many hours for my money, hours spent away from my wife and family. I am tired of crappy tools that need replaced years before their predecessors bit the dust. I hope this machine doesn't let me down. It was a tough choice but I like the design of the Rolair better than the Makit with the roll bar offering some protection for the gauges. I will be changing the oil before I use it on the job and again after I use it for a couple days. I will give it every advantage I can. If it doesn't break, I'm thrilled with it.

Wow! This compresor looks great, I’m impressed; moreover, the unit is very quiet, and not as heavy as expected. It goes from 0 to 130 psi in 78 seconds.The folding extension handle, and inflatable oversized rubber tires, makes handling and transportation, writhing job sites, an easier and safe task. I really love my Rolair 2.5-HP 5.3-Gallon (Direct Drive) Cast-Iron Air Compressor Model: VT25BIG. Azael Montejo

For the price, the quality is superb. Everything feels solid. The tube frame is thicker than I thought it would be. It was packed well for shipping.Break in:I couldn't find anything in the manual regarding break in procedure, so I did some research and adopted some of the more common methods. First, I poured the entire bottle of oil it came with into the motor. The oil level was perfect. Then I made sure the drain valve was open and I ran it for about 15 minutes, then let it cool. Then I ran it for 30 minutes (valve still open) and let it cool once again. Then I ran it for another 30 minutes before closing the drain valve. I allowed the compressor to reach 60psi before dumping the air to zero psi while running. Did this a couple times. The manual states that you should time the fill process, so I did. It took 1:13 to go from 0 to 130psi, recorded that in the manual. After about 8 hours of usage, I drained the oil and replaced it with high-quality compressor oil to the proper level. I noticed the old fluid had a deep silver tint to it. I think the most important point that manual made was to be sure to start the compressor with no load (drain valve open) until it warms up for a few minutes, then close the valve and begin working.This is a direct drive so it is loud, but not the loudest I've heard. Because of this design, I cannot dock my rating. This brand/model I chose over the IR twin stack because it had higher output, wheels, and a great fold down handle. The independent contractor reviews were great (including the consumer reviews).This compressor works fantastic for what I want it to do. It will drive nails (two framing guns) all day long, no problem. It powers my 1,000ft/lb impact wrench like a champ. I would like to see how it performs for spray painting and continuous usage air tools, like a die grinder, but I won't hold my breath. I know this compressor has its limitations.

The original switch barely worked for a couple of years of light use, then failed completely. I paid for a second switch which turned out to be the same junk. I took time I don't have to change it out, only to flip the switch and have the new one fail the same way, the first use! After examining both switches in detail, it turns out the switch is nothing but a bent piece of wire that prys a spring plate up and down. It fits loose, has no stop to speak of (see the little tab sticking out from the side?) and spins around till it goes too far and fails. Designed to fail. See the photo. I suppose I can make it work with some jury rigging, bend it around, etc, or just use it by leaving the switch permanently on and plugging it in when I need it, but I don't want this compressor any more. I will be irritated every time I use it, if I keep it. This isn't 1930, and I didn't pay for a cheap Chinese product. Got one anyway. Buyer beware. (By the way, I am not a negative person and don't usually do negative reviews. This one just really got to me).