Last year, my friends asked me to choose two necessary things, and with them, I am complete. You know: after listening to the first option, they surmised and yelled loudly after hearkening to the second one. Can you imagine what can be the options? First, my wife, and second, my McGraw 20-gallon air compressor. Looks funny! Seriously, both helped me in painting, constructing, sanding, and nail-gunning my life.
After getting married, the first task was to nail-gunning and paint my house, but my previous air compressor was too loud to keep the dead alive. Well, my wife was on my case to nail gun our new home at warp speed, but my air compressor was acting more like a lazy sloth than a speedy cheetah. It’s putting a damper on my DIY dreams and making me wish I had the power of the Incredible Hulk to get the job done!
I want to confide my experiences to you, with the portable Mcgraw 20-gallon air compressor, its specifications, its handy features, and how I maintained my second love! Oafish, just my McGraw 20-gallon air compressor.
Specifications:
| Brand | McGraw |
| Maximum Power | 1.6 HorsePower |
| Tank Capacity | 20 Gallons |
| Air Flow Capacity | 4 CFM |
| AC Volts | 120 |
| Amperage | 14 |
| Unit Weight | 90.6 Ib. |
| Sound Rating (dB) | 85 dBA |
Features of McGraw 20 Gallon Air Compressor
First, I was using a CAMPBELL HAUSFELD 11 Gallons, 3.5HP air compressor, but it started to make a noise and was always in vibrating mode. So I decided to upgrade my air compressor. Yes, I came across different compressors but didn’t want to put a step on thin ice. My friends and colleagues use different air compressors. After testing all these air compressors, the McGraw 20 Gallons air compressor impressed me due to these features:
Work Efficiency:
1.6 Horse Power motor, enables to get efficient and reliable performance in the long run. Thermal overload relays protect the motor from overheating to reduce maintenance costs. The cherry on the cake is that it optimizes your work with 27% more run time.
Air Flow:
Just like me, you are going for nailing, painting, stapling, sanding, or anything else. You need frequent airflow to get your tool’s job done. You will get 4 CFM at 90 PSI to power your tools.
Continuous Compressed Gas:
You don’t want to compromise the flow of your job. Its 20-gallon tank empowers you to utilize compressed air for extended periods of time.
Noise Level:
As I mentioned, I have tested different air compressors, and most of them are terrifically loud, but I noticed it is quieter than previous ones. Yes, About 25% quiet than its competitors.
Portable Design:
My second love ( McGraw Air Compressor) impressed me with its sturdy and compact design. Its large rubber wheels make it easy to walk in step with me, like strolling with a new …… Hahahah! Got it.
User-Friendly Controls:
Do you believe in first-sight love? Yes, It’s easy to operate controls including two pressure gauges, on and off switches, and pressure regulators that feel automated.
Easy Set Up:
You know it’s not taking too long. You can easily set up the air compressor in 10 minutes for the operation.
Our Experience with McGraw 20 Gallon Air Compressor
Now, I want to do a quick assessment. Yeah! What I took after the first impression. I am here to impart my experience and what you can expect from a McGraw 20-gallon air compressor if you are inching your way to having it.
After unboxing your unit, you will get these things:
- Rubber Wheels with screws
- 30-weight non-detergent oil
- Air Filter
Follow These Steps to Set Up the McGraw 20 Air Compressor
- You are to set rubber wheels at the bottom with approximately 18mm screws.
- Move on to screw on the air filter at the head.
- The next step is to fill the oil that came with the bottle and fill it up to the red dot at the fill window. It will take approximately three-quarters of the oil.
- For break-in open the release valve at the bottom and let the compressor run for thirty minutes without pressurizing the tank
- After thirty minutes, you are to drain the oil that you have put in
- Now put the fresh oil again
- Switch on the air compressor, it will take approximately 4 minutes and 30 seconds to fill the tank from zero to 130 PSI, realistically not to 135 PSI.
Note:
After filling the tank to 130 PSI. I released some pressure to check when the motor started again. After hitting around 100 PSI, it kicked back again for a refill. Then, I tested its minimum pressure retaining limit. I refilled the tank and at 130 PSI it kicked off again. I set the pressure at 100 PSI and attached my air blower for dusting. After holding down the blower the pressure dropped, but the motor kicked on around 100 PSI. I tested it for the long run (hours). Due to too much continuous work, the pressure dropped but it sustained at 60 PSI and did not drop more. Therefore, I realized that’s good for the job done at this price. Because no one is going to use it constantly for hours.
Maintenance and Troubleshooting
When I was roofing, I faced an issue that I figured out. I was using a 15 amp circuit. As long as the compressor had no pressure, I kicked on the motor and got the desired pressure but after dropping to 90 PSI, the motor kicked on but did not provide enough power to fire up the pressure. I pinned down a way to get out of it. I turned off the compressor, released the pressure, and restarted to bring maximum pressure. The motor spun fast because it didn’t work against any pressure. After getting down to 90 PSI, I reprocessed it.
Then, I came to know, while doing work in the garage, was not having that annoying issue. First, I thought that machine was not for me. But I plugged in the compressor in a 20 amp circuit and did not use any extension cord. Everything was fine. So, If you face that issue, here is an expert tip:
Expert Tips:
- Kick on the air compressor for 30 minutes without pressure to warm up the machine before the actual operation for break-in.
- Always use a 20 amp circuit
- Don’t use any thin extension cord. It doesn’t help the motor to get power to work against the pressure to fire up the pressure in the tank
Maintenance Tips:
If you want to use your McGraw 20 Gallon air compressor for a longer time, you are to follow these tips to maintain the compressor:
- Check the oil level before using a compressor. The red dot at the oil gauge window depicts the limit. Proper lubrication ensures the performance of the pump and motor and prevents overheating.
- Keep the air filter clean to prevent the dust from entering the air compressor.
- After using the machine, drain the tank from the bottom to avoid any moisture build-up
- Hoses and fittings near the gauges are very sensitive. Therefore, protect them from any leakage
- After using an air compressor, place it in a dry place and away from sunlight.
Pros:
-
- The tank’s large size enables sustained air pressure
- Very easy to set up and easy controls
- 25% quieter than its competitors
- Don’t cover much space
- You can move around easily
Cons:
- 90.6 Ib. weight can be bulky for some users
- The brand is not as famous as others
Conclusion
Look! Have my word. To me, the McGraw 20-gallon air compressor is an efficient and reliable tool for DIY enthusiasts and professionals alike. With its powerful motor, abundant airflow, and portable sturdy design, you can perform various tasks from nailing and stapling to painting and sanding to make your life partner happy. Its quiet operation always helps you listen to your wife carefully. Hahahah! Its simple controls make it self-gratification to use, while its quick recovery time clinches steady work. As someone who has had the pleasure of using this air compressor … I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a high-quality and dependable tool to unleash their compressed air power.