Hand-picking a 10-gallon air compressor that can reduce your project time – involving air tools – to half without compromising your safety or the quality of your work can be pretty challenging; unless you already know which brand’s arsenal to explore.
You must have heard about Craftsman’s air compressors, right?
Their 10-gallon air compressor is a darling of a vast population of workshop owners and DIYers because of its exceptional quality and performance.
We discussed all its strengths and shortcomings in the review below to let you see what makes it better than the rest.
Its pricing might not be ideal for all, but the overall durability and capacity make it a worth considering option.
If your priority is durability and efficiency, then go for this fellow.
What Makes Craftsman 10 Gallon Air Compressor Stand Out?
Craftsman 10-gallon Air Compressor (CMXECXA0201041) eclipse other models of the same capacity due to its beast-like power, regardless of its small and compact size.
Its trouble-free operation and zero maintenance further distinguish it from the rest.
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Our Craftsman 10 Gallon Air Compressor Review
Power is the strongest suit of this air compressor.
You see, this 10-gallon air compressor can touch a peak pressure of 175psi with the support of a 1.8HP motor.
To put it simply, you have an additional amount of compressed air that can lend continuous power to run an array of tools,
Including wrenches, spray guns, nailers, staplers, inflators, paint sprayers, drills, chisels, bolters etc.
You will be pleased to know that it doesn’t make you wait when refilling or starting in cold temperature. Thus, your productivity gets doubled – tripled even.
Its pump doesn’t need any lubricant, which means you can enjoy a leakage-free, maintenance-free and hassle-free performance for an extended period.
It has two pressure gauges so that you can observe the pressure of both the tank and the tool.
There’s also a big regulator knob that enables you to crank up or reduce the pressure per your needs.
Because it is Craftsman, we already know that its quality and durability are unquestionable.
In a nutshell, we have a workhorse here that might not be so pocket-friendly for everyone, not to mention not-so-lightweight either.
63.1 pounds seems a bit bulky and beefy regardless of its smaller size.
However, the unit has a sturdy handle and a pair of rugged wheels to help you easily transport it from one location to another like a hand-carry.
I didn’t like its noisiness. For your information, its noise rating is 80dBA, which means you’ll have a little hee-haw in your work environment.
But, the good thing is that you’ll not have any unpleasant incidents during work because its automatic pressure relief valve keeps a check on the pressure.
The size and placement of the drain valve is another bummer.
All in all, if you want to work with a high-power 10-gallon air compressor to enjoy 2x or 3x productivity, buy this air compressor in a heartbeat.
Construction
Craftsman 10-gallon air compressor isn’t like most affordable models by the brand.
The reason is its premium quality and durability. You see, the small size is just a pretence.
In reality, it has sturdy steel anatomy that weighs 63.1 pounds and can endure years of relentless use in a garage,
Workshop or any other work environment.
Yeah, I know carrying around over 60lbs can’t be a walk in a park. But, in this case, it is.
The credit goes to its ergonomic handle and rugged rear wheels. The unit also has a pair of rubberised feet for stability.
Operation
If you ask me to describe this air compressor in one word, I would call it “Power”.
The reasons for choosing this word are its 1.8HP beastly motor and 175psi maximum pressure.
So, actually, you’re looking at a workhorse that can carry out plenty of jobs in a workshop or a DIYer’s den.
I love what these configurations hint at implicitly: No break or wait here.
Er, how? It takes less than 70 seconds to recover. In addition, the tank carries extra stored air to run tools for quite a while.
The unit has two pressure dials to help you keep a keen eye on the pressure of both the tank and the tool in hand.
There’s a pressure regulator mounted between the two gauges to let you set the required pressure flow.
In other words, it won’t be wrong to claim that setting into motion power tools – wrenches, spray paints, inflators, drills, chisels, spray guns, brad/finish nailers, staplers etc. – is a piece of cake for this unit.
Ease-of-Use
Well, well, that’s another perk hidden up its sleeves. First, its UMC motor puts you out of the misery of trying several times to start it in cold weather.
Secondly, it doesn’t require oil. Simply connect the desired air tool with its ¼ npt quick coupler, and enjoy the plug-and-play game – no oil feeding,
No maintenance; nada. Moreover, it has a built-in pressure tank safe valve to ensure safe and sound function throughout the project.
Warning, the engine produces a sound having 80dBA loudness. However, the performance is so good that most of the customers overlook this braying.
Pros
- Compact and solid built.
- Rugged handle and wheels for trouble-free manoeuvrability.
- 175psi and 1.8HP motor make it super powerful to run nearly any air tool.
- Stores extra air to offer continuous and longer runtime to enhance productivity.
- Super-fast refilling.
- Hassle-free and safe operation in all work environments and weather conditions.
- Reliable with a 12-month warranty.
Cons
- A bit costly and noisy.
- Drain valve needs improvement.
- Air filter requires regular changing.
Why Should You Buy Craftsman 10 Gallon Air Compressor?
The highlight of this air compressor is its power.
The unit has a 1.8HP motor paired with 175psi maximum pressure to store plenty of air in the tank to offer longer runtime for different air tools.
These variables also lessen its refill time to under 70 seconds to prevent wastage of time.
The next best thing is its portability. Despite having a super-solid and durable built, the unit is pretty small and has rugged wheels to help you move it around with zero trouble.
Lastly, it doesn’t involve any maintenance or learning curve.
Anyone with a little ABC about air compressors can run it like he was born with the talent.
Final Verdict
This air compressor by Craftsman is pretty famous among workshop owners and passionate handymen because of its higher quality, endurance and potential.
The unit is laden with a powerful motor and a pump to provide a steady air source to any air tool you throw at it, and that also for an extended period.
The model also boasts super-easy operation to make it more enticing.
Its price is a tad bit higher. However, its maintenance-free operation, overall quality and performance make up for the slight rise in the cost.
Conclusion: definitely buy it!
