Bostitch Pancake Air Compressor 6 Gal BTFP02012 Review For First Timers
Don't Feel Like Reading Today? Here's A Summary Of The Bostitch Air Compressor Review.
With This Bostitch air compressor you get a staggering 6 Gallon compressed air storage capacity and separate reading gauges with an oil free pump. Model BTFP02012 can easily support simultaneous operation usage and can do a variety of commercial and private sector pneumatic construction related tasks in a limited capacity. This air compressor comes with a high performance level at an affordable pricing fork.
Founded in 1986, Bostitch has earned a solid reputation for manufacturing a steady line of power tools for the industry’s professionals. The company focuses on creating products with a balanced proportion to cost vs. efficiency.
I have to admit, that sometimes Bostitch clearly demonstrates a lack of deliverables through its power tools compared to other air compressors, but this wasn’t the case with their latest air compressor. I recently tried the Bostitch BTFP02012 series Pancake Air Compressor and the results were quite impressive.
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This air compressor showcases a storage capacity of 6 gallons. It works as advertised and delivers results where it matters the most. While at one hand you can rely on the air compressor’s ability to fulfill daily tasks such as maintain vehicle tire pressure, and powering handheld power tools, you can take comfort in knowing that this little pupper does not shy away from meeting the demands of professional on-site skilled labor.
An Air Compressor Is Not an Air Pump!
Before continuing with Bostitch air compressor review, I’d like to clear a few things about this product. Usually, people associate these devices with air pumps, which is a common notion among the majority of user base. While it may be true that air compressors are capable of filling your car’s tires, their purpose is far beyond that.
They are used to power up a series of pneumatic power tools; machinery that solely operates on high air pressure, HVAC devices and so much more. Most of the air compressors include rotating components, which convert the air’s kinetic energy to the applicable task at hand.
Over the last couple of years, air compressors have evolved to handle a variety of on-site jobs. Think about supplying high-pressure clean air to empty cylinders, stabilizing air pressure for machines that depend on a steady supply of air, maintaining moderate air pressure for submerged surface supplied divers etc.
Source:Bostitch
And yes, with the Bostitch BTFP02012 pancake air compressor, you can use an impact hammer, a jackhammer or a nail driver to get any range of construction related stuff at hand. Let's take a look at what Bostitch Co. has lined up for first time buyers.
First Impressions With Bostitch BTFP02012 6 Gal. Pancake Air Compressor:
Right outside the box, this Bostitch BTFP02012 air compressor gives a very clean professional look that is consistent with the idea of a traditional homemade “pancake.” You’re practically looking at a fat pancake shaped outer hull covered in a striking yellow color.
This air compressor comes in a small box. The actual product weight is around 29 Lbs., which is definitely something “lightweight” by my standards. You can easily lift the compressor from the box. On the outside, you will see two individual dials – both of which represent tank air pressure and air distribution rate.
Source:Bostitch
The good thing is that Bostitch Co. has included enough supplies in the package to make sure that you can operate the Bostitch air compressor on the get-go. You don’t have to buy additional nozzles or anything else because a brand new order is most likely to come with a kit which includes the needed accessories.
This kit has an air hose, a blowgun, and a series of nozzles to help attach the compressor with other power tools and vice versa.
Bostitch BTFP02012 6 Gallon pancake air compressor is small, neat and tidy as long as first impressions last. They have included a detailed instructions manual with diagrams to illustrate any assembly or usage related issues.
The key feature of this air compressor is that the pancake shaped dome, which is the storage area, sits at the bottom like you will also find with the Porter Cable C2002 model. On the top side, they have installed the compression mechanism to make it easy for users to take the readings.
Bostitch air compressor was deliberately constructed in this way to offer top-down view to users. Usually reading dials are supposed to be placed/ installed on a part of the air compressor unit, which is easily visible. However, some companies install the dial on the side of the air compressor or at a slightly skewed position, which makes it a little inconvenient for on-site professionals to see what is going on exactly.
Size Vs. Dynamics:
Bostitch BTFP02012 pancake air compressor is comparatively bigger in size as compared to conventional models in the market. The company introduced a large storage capacity of 6 gallons, which called for an unusual size by a “pancake” style standard. Under normal circumstances, pancake air compressors do not have this staggering belly.
When empty, this air compressor weighs around 29 Lbs. However, the weight will go up once the air compressor is filled with an extra 6 gallons of highly compressed air. I was surprised to notice that the diameter of this air compressor is 14 inches, which makes it kind of a “compact” compressor, but not exactly the most slim model out there.
But then again, Bostitch has installed a very strong handle on the air compressor unit. You can lift the product and carry it around wherever it’s needed.
Raw Performance:
Performance wise, I was expecting the Bostitch BTFP02012 series air compressor to outperform other products within the same price range. Before buying and reviewing this air compressor, I had no clue about its HP (*Horsepower) output; I looked around but in vain. Eventually, I had to call Bostitch official sales rep, and I was devastated to discover that the BTFP02012 model only has 0.8 HP!
Obviously, I was not wrong in assuming that with only a fraction of horsepower, it would not only take the air compressor to fill up its own tank, but steadily deliver high pressure air to devices that specifically come with a bit of a challenge.
You see, filling up tires or your kid’s pool party swimming pool with an air compressor is the easiest job you can expect from normal compressors. The problem was that I was going to use this air compressor on jackhammers and other high performance power tools which relied on the rate of the compressed air and the speed at which it’d be supplied.
However, the official company rep assured me that Bostitch will not only render support in case my expectations fall short of anything but perfection, but the company will also make sure that the product is delivered on priority to help eliminate the waiting period.
Skepticism apart, once I had everything plugged in, this air compressor worked beyond my imagination. On the average, it took Bostitch air compressor roughly around 3 – 5 minutes to fill up its own tank at maximum pressure. Once it was turned on, the dial needles stayed at ‘0’ for quite some time, while the motor roared back with a dull hum.
I tried the air compressor on both my car and truck tires to see whether Bostitch could take a little beating. To my amazement, the Bostitch air compressor delivered stable air at 150 PSI in less than 2 ½ minutes. This was more than enough to assure me that I could try the product on weldment, jackhammers and other power tools in my garage.
Pump Performance:
The label says that Bostitch has officially tested the BTFP02012 model to last through 450 consecutive pumping sessions. At this rate, you can expect the air compressor to help you around 3 to 5 years easily. I am content as long as the pump’s average performance is concerned, but what really bothers me are other accessories/ parts installed on any air compressor.
Source:Bostitch
Usually, the pump does not pose any issues – but with failed meters, oil leakage and other problems, you are left with no other option but to sell the air compressor at a throwaway price. What’s interesting is that conventional air compressors come up with the aforementioned issues when the 1 year product warranty period is over.
At this point, it is not easy to claim a warranty. Repairs are expensive, so the best way to “deal” with the situation is by selling the air compressor. In this context all 6 Gallons of air in Bostitch BTFP02012 pancake compressor are regulated by a high flow regulator. They also installed couplers to make sure that the air compressor will continue to pump air at the same pressure until the last pint of reserve.
Who Can Benefit From This Bostitch Air Compressor?
By default, this is a contractor category air compressor. However, at 75 decibels of noise emission rate, you can use the BTFP02012 air compressor for residential purposes easily. The air compressor can serve the needs of professionals in a medium capacity. Do not expect it to perform on a hardcore level like a high performance Stanley Air Compressor, but it is safe to say that this unit is worth the price tag.
You get minimum short time on refill recovery, and a high air pump rate. In this context, whether you are a home renovator, or someone who uses pneumatic power tools frequently, Bostitch BTFP02012 model air compressor will easily fulfill the demand quota.
Product Specifications Bostitch BTFP02012 Air Compressor
Bostitch Air Compressor Specifications | Bostitch BTFP02012 |
|---|---|
Bostitch Max PSI | 150 |
Air Compressor Noise Level | 78.5 dBA |
Power Supply | Electric |
Bostitch Air Compressor Model | BTFP02012 |
Product Dimensions | 16.9 x 16.5 x 19.1 inches |
Pump Type | Oil Free |
Model BTFP02012 Tank Size | 6 gallons |
Measurement System | Metric |
Bostitch Warranty | 1 year |
Compressor Weight | 29 lbs. |
What’s in the box
The following is included with the Bostitch Air Compressor:
Bostitch Air Compressor Pros
Cons
Conclusion – To Buy or Not to Buy The Bostitch Air Compressor?
At a staggering 6 gallon storage capacity, and with a low ticket price tag, it is okay to buy this air compressor. You can do a variety of commercial and private sector pneumatic construction related tasks in a limited capacity.
Also, this Bostitch air compressor meets the quality standards of other products normally used at the U.S. Department of Defense. Therefore, it is completely compatible to meet the demands of government-sanctioned contracts.
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