In case you’ve ever found yourself wondering: “What is a pancake air compressor?”, one look at the picture of this one should explain it. The type of design just means that the air tank is round and stout instead of long and cylindrical. For the most part, this makes no difference to the overall functioning of the compressor, but it does have an effect in terms of convenience.
Short, round compressors like these have all of their working parts on the top, where they are easily accessible if you need to do any sort of work on them. The shape also lends itself to cord storage, since you can simply wrap the cord around the superstructure.
150 Internal PSI
One of the errors many people make when buying their first compressor is to think only of the PSI output. Certainly, the PSI output is an important aspect of the overall performance of a machine: combined with the CFM rating, it tells you which sorts of tools you can use with the machine.
The internal PSI is important as well, though, but is often ignored or neglected.
A high internal PSI of 150 means that this machine is designed to maintain a PSI of up to 150 in the tank during normal use. With an output of about 90 PSI, this differential means that your compressor has an extra reserve to keep up with the demand from your tools.
A Complete Package
It’s hard to believe that you’re getting more than just an air compressor for this extremely affordable price, but you are. Unlike most other air compressors, this one comes with a reasonably complete accessory kit.
Designed to meet the needs of the at-home handyman and the mobile professional alike, the accessory kit includes a hybrid polymer hose, blow gun, tire chuck, tire gauge, attachments for the blow gun, and plugs.
To keep things simple, a hose is an essential part of any compressor kit. If your compressor doesn’t come with one, you’ll need to purchase one separately before you can start using it. You’ll also have everything you need to change and inflate tires. The blow gun attaches to various small instruments and takes a basic air compressor to the next level without the need for purchasing additional tools.
Not interested in the accessories? Already have drawers full of them from your old compressor or simply see no use for them in your life? Don’t worry – you can also purchase this air compressor without them.
Power and SCFM
The Bostitch BTFP02012 only packs 0.8 horsepower, but it has an impressive maximum PSI of 150 and gives 2.6 SCFM at 90 PSI. Its large 6 gallon tank helps it keep up with your demand without wearing out the motor.
Although this is fine for hobbyist use, you can’t expect it to use for hours on end. Still, our thorough review of consumer opinions leads us to believe that this machine is more than capable of standing up to your home needs.
Two is Better Than One
Two couplers (or hookups) are included to allow you and someone else to work simultaneously with the same machine, or let a single person switch between tools without messing around with connections. Not all compressors have this feature, although five others on our air compressor page have twin couplers.
It’s important to remember that the machine won’t run quite as well with two tools pulling 90 PSI at the same time. If both are drawing a lot of air, the motor will have to run continuously to keep up with the demand.
That being said, the high internal PSI rating will help it keep up with the demand better than many other compressors, at least if the connected tools are used intermittently.
- Includes two couplers (or hookups) so two people can work from one unit simultaneously.
- At 29 pounds, this lightweight compressor is easy to carry around the work site or up scaffolding.
- The pancake design takes up little space and makes it easy to store the cord when not in use.
- The motor is really too feeble to drive two tools at the same time.
- An 80 dBA noise level puts it right on the cusp of potential hearing damage.
