Makita MAC5200 3.0 HP* Big Bore™ Air Compressor

I needed a compressor for my small workshop for air tools, nailers, blowoff, tire inflation and spray painting. I've had oil-less compressors in the past and although I liked their lower prices, I absolutely hated the terrible, high pitched screams they emitted when running. After looking around, I settled on a Makita, but I needed to choose between the Makita MAC700 Big Bore 2.0 HP Air Compressor , Makita MAC2400 Big Bore 2.5 HP Air Compressor and MAC5200. I decided that the MAC700 was too small for my needs. The MAC2400 was interesting, and I saw that a number of people had built carts to move it around and store hoses and miscellaneous parts. Then it struck me that for only $25 more, I could get the MAC5200, which came with more air, wheels and storage for hose and other bits. I've had the MAC5200 for about a month. It arrived well packaged and in perfect condition; none of the scratches and bent parts that some reviewers have noted. I was immediately impressed with the build quality. The collapsible handle is very heavy duty and the wheels are decent. After unpacking, I added the oil and did the 30 minute break-in with the tank valve open. The compressor is not what I would call quiet, but it makes far less noise than the oil-less compressors, and the pitch is lower. I am fortunate that I can put the compressor in a small room off my workshop. With the door closed, the compressor sound is muffled and I don't need hearing protection. If I were working in the same room with the compressor, I would use hearing protection. This is a heavy machine and it would be difficult to move around without the attached wheels and handles. For this reason alone, I am glad I went for the MAC5200 over the MAC2400. The MAC5200 puts out a decent amount of air. It takes 1 minute and 17 seconds to charge the tank to 120 PSI and an attached 3/8" X 50' hose to 90 PSI. Using an air gun with 3 1/2" nails, I can fire 15 - 20 shots before the compressor needs to recharge. So far, I've had enough air to do anything I wanted to do. I got a couple of accessories for the MAC5200. I needed some quick connects and bought the Milton M-Style Air Coupler and Plug Set - 1/4in. NPT, 7-Pcs., Model# S-212 . These quick connects are well made, sturdy and work well. I also got a Campbell Hausfeld MP5143 Pistol Grip Blowgun and think it's great value for money. I'll update the review in the future, when I've had more time on it.

I was stunned to see the UPS man at my door at 10:15 am today (Monday morning) already delivering my MAC5200. WTF? I just ordered it what seemed like a few hours ago (Saturday evening). Talk about fast shipping. I wondered how they got it here so quickly, so I checked the tracking info and noticed it was shipped from MD, only one state away from me here in VA. In any event, I'm blown (no pun intended) away at the speed in which Amazon completed and delivered my order. Right after ordering, it basically went straight onto a UPS truck. That's pretty impressive considering the size and weight of this thing. I was a bit worried at first because the box had arrived a little beat up and torn. However, after a thorough inspection, there appears to be no damage anywhere to the unit. My one gripe is that they need to work on the sturdiness of the box. Also, the box would have been more manageable if there were heavy-duty handle cut-outs. I didn't see how the guy managed to carry it to my front porch, but I did notice the box was starting to fall apart. Anyway, I have yet to run and break the unit in, but judging by the quality craftsmanship, it appears that this machine will last me a lifetime (knock on wood). This is probably more compressor than I'll ever need, but I wanted to be sure I'd have something powerful enough to allow me to winterize my underground sprinkler system each year, which incidentally costs me about $50 per year to have someone else do. Therefore, after seven winterizations this beast will have paid for itself. Other than that, I really only plan to use it for air in the tires and small projects around the house. My compressor came with what appear to be some fairly heavy-duty and solid rubber wheels. At first glance, it looks like there's still a tiny bit more room for improvement with the wheels, as they seem to be just slightly out of alignment when wheeling it around (no biggie). After beating my head against the wall in deliberation, in the end, I elected to step up to the MAC5200 over it's little brother, the MAC2400. What put me over the edge was the wheels (greater portability), more HP & CFM, a bigger tank, and a folding handle. For me, it was well worth spending the extra fifty bucks or so to upgrade from the MAC2400 to the MAC5200. I'm really impressed with the look and feel; it's solid and heavy-duty, and built like a freaking tank. Even though I have yet to use it, I'm confident this compressor will surpass my needs and expectations. UPDATE I: I just added 21 photos to the gallery. Enjoy! UPDATE II: I broke the machine in and successfully winterized my underground (well-water) sprinkler system with no problems whatsoever. I bought this hose: GoodYear 045 3/8-Inch-by-50-Feet Safety Yellow Rubber Hose 3/8 -Inch by 50-Feet 250 PSI With 1/4-Inch Ends and this tire gauge: Milton S506 Dual Head Inflator Gauge with 12" Air Hose and couldn't be happier.

For 28 years I had a cheap little 12 gallon compressor that worked but was loud and I was lucky to get 110 psi out of it. It finally died thank goodness. I was looking for something that I could use with a plasma cutter but didn't want a huge 60 gal shop 220v loud ass compressor. I found this beauty and it's not the perfect compressor for a plasma cutter but it will deliver good working times and is perfect for everything else I need. Smallish and still somewhat portable, this thing is quiet and powerful and very well made. I've had a Makita circular saw that is well used for the last 25 years and it still works like new after I put a new cord on it. Makita stuff is well made.

I've had the MAC5200 for about 2 years now and have used it on many projects around the house. It has enough power to drive roof and frame nailers as well as drive an impact gun for changing the winter tires on all my family vehicles. Is it loud? Why yes of course it is, it's a big compressor after all. I have to say though that before purchasing this model my wife had bought me a tri stack "contractor grade" model from HD which was noticeably louder. The thing though was that model was oiless. Not only was it louder but it used a larger amount of current just to start because of the higher initial cylinder resistance inherent on such oiless models. I was constantly blowing my poor 15amp garage circuit. Yes I know I should have a dedicated 20amp circuit but I don't and wasn't about to run a new one just to drive an oiless compressor some of the time. I did some reading and discovered that this particular tri stack was known for it's high initial current demand and it also had poor long term reliability. A handyman friend of mine informed me he had gone through 3 of them in a year before he decided to step up and by an oil lube model from the big yellow tool company. This is when I did my research and discovered the MAC5200. I returned the tri stack to HD and ordered the MAC5200 from Amazon. At the time HD had the MAC3200 but it was the same price as Ordering the MAC5200 from Amazon.....including shipping!! When I got the MAC5200 from amazon it came on a large pallet in a heavy grade cardboard box. I had to help the poor delivery guy unload it as it's quite large and heavy when shipped. The first thing that I noticed when I ran it is that it was not as loud as the HD tri Stack and it wasn't blowing my 15amp circuit whenever I turned it on. Despite all of that it actually has a higher CFM rating than the HD tri stack. 6.5 CFM @ 90 psi vs 4.9 CFM @ 90 PSI. It also has a slightly bigger tank. 5.2gallon vs 5gallon. This unit is fantastic for moving around to different locations. It has a built in hand truck, cable wrap and accessory storage. I've rolled it all around the outside of my house for different projects and even across the street to the neighbors to change their tires. It's heavy but yet very portable. It's brilliant! Most of the time I keep mine in the garage and just run a 50' air hose to it so noise doesn't bother me at all. All in all I love my MAC5200 and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good all around compressor for personal or professional use.

This is a great compressor! The wheeled frame with flip up handle is perfect for mobility and it also folds down and has grab handles at both ends to load up with two people. At 100+ pounds it is not a toy and it produces a good supply of air. I only received it today but this is at least my 7th compressor in my 56 years so I have some idea of what I'm talking about. As to shipping, it came well packed with the oil in a bottle inside a bag so regardless of how it was tumbled in transport, it came through with flying colours! Time will tell, but this looks to be a well built tool!!

Great compressor but it had trouble keeping up with my 4.5 SCFM paint gun and was pretty much running constantly, although that could have been an inaccurate SCFM rating from the paint gun manufacturer. Otherwise very high quality, as is usually the case with Makita. Works great with my nail guns. Is somewhat loud but still usable indoors. It does not trip my household outlets which are standard 15A fuses.

I had a noisy piece of garbage from Walmart and replaced it with this. You can turn it on empty and start filling a car tire and the pressure will continue to rapidly rise despite filling the tire. This thing exudes quality and takes a bottle of oil (supplied). It reminds me of an old Mercedes - nicely finished and solid metal parts. I expect (and hope) it will last me a lifetime. I ordered a Makita brad nailer to go with it too. The only downside is that it is heavy. I am using it as a stationary compressor. If I ever do any amount of sand blasting, I will get another and parallel them. It isn't continuous duty and Makita says more than 30 minutes of operation per hour is abuse. For most people, that is loads of capacity.

Great piece of equipment. I did some nailing and painting for a whole day and was impressed cat how quickly the tank would fill right back up. By far the best compressor I owned so far. Neat design with the foldable handle. Takes only a little mor space rhan a pancake compressor when folded, but delivers much more power on the job. The 80 pounds make it a little tough to clibm stairs with, but the wheels are great and the handles are steardy. I count on it to be wuth me on the job for years to come! Don't hesitate to make this your own. Totally worth it!