I spotted this Makita MAC700 portable air compressor at the gym, and took a closer look.
To start off, it has wide legs and a roll bar carry handle that are welded directly to the storage tank. I’d say it still has a fairly compact footprint and size.
This is a 2.6 gallon air compressor, with 1.7 HP (2HP max) compressor pump.
It delivers up to 3.3 CFM at 90 PSI.
For comparison, the Ridgid 6-gallon pancake-style air compressor (via Home Depot) has a 1.5 HP compressor pump and delivers up to 2.6 SCFM at 90 PSI.
The Makita MAC700 air compressor has a maximum pressure of 130 PSI. The aforementioned Ridgid has a max pressure of 150 PSI, which seems to be standard.
It is part of the Makita Big Bore series, with cast iron air pump and heavy duty crankshaft for “faster recover time and higher CFMs for more efficient nailing and fastening.” The Big Bore piston and cylinder are “larger than those in standard compressors, so they compress more air on each stroke.”
That gives you “increased compressor efficiency, faster recovery, and lower RPM for reduced noise.”
The compressor lives in a small door-enclosed closet. Its 80dB noise output doesn’t sound very loud at all, and it does cycle quickly.
Makita says that the compressor’s “copper finned discharge tubing [means] increased heat dissipation and reduced water in the tank.”
There’s also a “large automotive style industrial air filter for increased air intake and greater efficiency.”
All of this sounds good to me, but there’s a surprise.
This is an oil-lubricated air compressor. An oil sight glass allows for quicker oil level checks and maintenance. I guess that’s what contributes to its greater efficiency and higher output.
I don’t think I’ve seen an oil-lubricated air compressor in this portable size class before. That should contribute towards greater durability.
There are some upsides, but also some downsides, such as its slightly lower tank pressure and its weight, which is listed 52 lbs.
I don’t know if this was spec’ed and provided by the equipment provider, or the gym manager spec’ed it out when buying and installing the connected equipment. But, it does seem like a great choice for daily use in an indoor space.
I think I’d pick this over a standard pancake-style air compressor – definitely for this application, but also maybe for my own use.
Makita has a great reputation for high-quality and durable air compressors. Looking closely at what this particular model offers, I think I can see why.
Price: $299
