Air Compressor

If you are using an air compressor on a regular basis, you know that sometimes it may need some lubrication to stay up and running. We’ll be talking about everything you need to know about that shortly. Whether it’s DIY projects or using it in cases of emergency, having a reliable air compressor in your garage is important. 

You want to take better care of it each time you have finished using it. The more you take good care of it, the longer it will last. And a long-lasting air compressor will give you better reliability and performance regardless of age. 

Whether you own a MAC5200 Compressor or something different, it’s always a good idea to put it to good use. With that said, we’re going to explain the importance of lubricating your air compressor and everything you need to know about it. Let’s dive right in and get started:

The Two Most Common Designs

You need to know that there are two different types of compressor designs: oil-free and splash oil-lubricated compressors. How do they differ from each other? Let’s explain that right now:

Oil-free: These types of compressors self-lubricate. So you don’t need to do any oil applications yourself.

Splash-oil: This uses a mechanism known as an oil dipper. You will find this at the bottom of the connecting rod. The purpose of this is to splash oil that comes from a crankcase. 

When comparing the two, nine times out of ten, the professional contractors will choose the splash-oil design over its self-lubricating counterpart. One of the main reasons is that it provides users with a better chance to use it regularly and longer. Not only that, but they are tougher on more commercial or industrial projects as well. 

If you are looking for something that is geared toward residential use, an oil-free compressor can be an excellent choice. Especially if you are looking for something that will fit your budget (since splash-oil compressors are usually expensive). 

Why is Lube Oil Used in Air Compressors?

One of the reasons lubrication is used in air compressors is that it acts like a sealant. There is a gap between the screw elements, and the lubricant makes sure that nothing is leaking out. The heat that is generated will often be absorbed by this seal and will prevent premature aging for the compressor itself. 

If you are serious about making an air compressor go beyond its expected lifespan, you’ll want to reduce the amount of heat that it can take by using lube oil. One of the things you need to be aware of is that it requires regular oil changes to ensure that it can continue its purpose. There are different types of lubricants out there that you can use, including food-grade oils (which will require more oil changes if you use it). 

What Should a Good Lubrication do?

It’s always a good idea to find a lubricant that will serve the best purpose possible. You’ll want to find one that has a viscosity grade that ranges from 32 to 46. However, this will differ from one manufacturer to the other. 

Lubricants have a responsibility to do the following:

• Provide a lengthy lifespan for the compressor with fewer oil changes
• Prevent damage or any kind of acidity, sludge build-up, and formation of any debris
• Easy filtering without any additional additives
• Demulsibility to ensure that there is less water that enters the lubrication system
• Protection against rust and corrosion both in operation or when it’s shut off
• Excellent foam control

How Often Should you Change the Oil?

This is a question that gets asked quite frequently. What you need to understand is that changing the oil in your compressor is a standard procedure. Think about it like changing the oil in your car.

While it may be hard to track how long you’ve been using your compressor, a good rule of thumb is to change the oil every 200 to 300 hours of use if you use conventional oil. If you are using synthetic oil, you can get away with changing it every 1,000 hours. Be sure to double-check the oil system before moving forward with the change. 

Final Thoughts

Keeping your air compressor lubricated is essential. Especially when you’ll be using it for all kinds of tasks. But the key here is to make it last longer than it normally should. 

Some compressors will last longer than others. Likewise, some oil lubricants may need to change quicker. If you are looking for a new air compressor, keep in mind the lubrication it needs to use plus how often it needs regular maintenance. A high maintenance air compressor can cost you time and money.  

This Makita MAC5200 air compressor review will look at what is a highly powerful, compact, versatile, and mobile compressor that is the first choice amongst professional tradesmen. This is because it has the capacity to power two pneumatic tools at once. Another first choice by the professionals is a high quality table saw.

However, for those workshops that require industrial level painting and sanding this type of air compressor may not be ideal. In these instances one with a large tank is preferable.

Makita MAC5200 Details

Power

It is powered by a motor that has 3.0 horsepower that is capable of generating as much as 3,420 RPM of speed. Makita use copper wire for the winding, which provides both improved performance and added durability. This also works to reduce the amount of heat that is produced by the compressor.

As a result of all this power it produces 90dBA of noise. For those individuals that have experience using compressors this should not be a big issue, as they will be aware of the amount of noise that they generate. Although 90dBA might be considered loud by some, it is actually is much less than other similar models currently available on the market.

It performs at 110 volts, drawing 13.8 amps. This means that a regular 15 amp household power outlet is more than capable of running the compressor. However, it is recommended that no other devices are plugged into the same outlet at the same time as it could cause the circuit to trip and cut out.

Tank

The air compressor has been made with an innovative piston pump that has a wide bore and its 5.2 gallon tank can be completely filled with air in approximately 2 minutes. It reaches a maximum of 140 PSI. The size of the tank is the main thing to consider when looking at a compressor.

With a 5.2 gallon tank the compressor can be used to power various tools for finishing basements, framing walls, removing lug nuts, installing crown molding, and tightening and loosening bolts. The pressure within the tank can be monitored at all times via the Makita’s integrated pressure gauges.

Check out the price of the Makita MAC5200 Air Compressor

Air compressor pump

The pump inside the air compressor is lubricated with oil so that when the piston goes into the cylinder at high speed it removes any source of friction and creates an airtight seal. A well oiled pump performs more efficiently, as well as keeps the cylinder cool, thus resulting in increased productivity and greater durability.

To help ensure that the amount of oil is always at the correct level, the Makita comes with a lubricant sight. On the glass there is a red dot to indicate the level that the oil should not fall below.

Dimensions

The MAC5200 is mounted onto a robust metal frame that has a foldable handle and a rubber grip that features an anti slip material. There is a small space for storing hand tools on the metal frame.

The tires on the mount are 8 inch in size, which helps to make it super easy to transport. It has four found feet that are made from rubber and work to keep it firmly on the ground in order to reduce both vibration and noise.

However, the Makita is very heavy and weighs in at 81 lbs. This is because of the robust and dense metal that is used throughout its construction. As you can imagine, lifting the compressor of the ground is practically impossible.

Build Quality

Not only is the frame robust but also so are all of the components that Makita have used to build the compressor with. These include the piston, the pump shroud, the motor cover and the cylinder. Because of their quality, this helps to extend the lifespan of the compressor altogether.

Each and every air compressor that Makita manufactures is intricately scrutinized and examined to ensure the highest level of quality. Any that are faulty or do not work fully can be returned within 30 days for either a replacement or a full refund. Similarly, they also have a 1 year warranty on them meaning that any that fail to work within that time frame will be fixed free of charge.

Check out the price of the Makita MAC5200 Air Compressor

Specifications

•     A 3.0 horse power motor
•     110 volts
•     13.8 amps
•     Up to 3,420 RPM of speed
•     90dBA of noise
•     Up to 140 PSI
•     5.2 gallon tank
•     A total weight of 81 lbs.
•     8 inch tires
•     1 year limited warranty

Pros

•     Highly durable
•     Builds pressure very fast
•     Easy to transport
•     Able to power two pneumatic tools

 

Cons

•     Heavy
•     Louder than some other air compressors

What do users of the Makita MAC5200 say?

If you look online or speak to anyone that has ever used the Makita MAC5200 air compressor you will find that what they have to say is generally very positive. It also compares well to other similar compressors currently available on the market – such as the Makita 700 model, you can check this review.. People also comment on its good build quality and that it is not a heavy as they thought it would be.

It has been used in the boat building industry, as well as for carpentry work on roofs and floors. Some of the not so positive comments include issues with the wheels and axles of the metal frame being faulty. The size of the compressor was stated to be too big for the smaller jobs, such as those around the home, but not big enough for the larger, industrial type jobs.

Conclusion

The Makita MAC5200 air compressor has been built to deliver a high level of performance and it does not disappoint. It is a highly robust and hard working compressor that is easily transported from job to job. If the size of the tank matches your needs then this will make a great compressor for any professional tradesman.

However, for use on larger projects or within an industrial / commercial workshop it may not provide the amount of power that is required and so you may want to look elsewhere.

Check out the price of the Makita MAC5200 Air Compressor