I have been hearing quite a lot about the BOSTITCH CAP1512-OF air compressor for a couple of years. Some say it is really handy, while others think it’s not that good.
By hearing all these comments, I thought to check up on this compressor myself. So, for a while, I researched on this compressor myself and came up with a conclusion. In this BOSTITCH CAP1512-OF Review, I am sharing my thoughts with you guys.
Table of Contents
Who is it for?
You can use this compressor at home or professional purposes.
If you are new to working with air compressors then this one is a great choice. For small and light works it is a great compressor.
If you are a professional then you shouldn’t keep this as your primary compressor rather keep it as a backup compressor in case of emergency.
Compared to other compressors, this one gets up to the top speed 45 sec late. As you use it more and more, the time delay increases. So, if you have a tight working schedule you shouldn’t use this compressor.
You should know that this one is a trim compressor which means you use it to pick up extra workload. If you don’t know what a trim compressor is, here’s a little brief on that part.
What Is a Trim Compressor?
You cannot make your compressor operate over it’s optimal level. If you do so it will take excess power. This will lead to overheating and eventually your maintenance works and costs will increase.
But, sometimes you have to give a little extra power to the tool you are operating, in order to run it properly. In simpler term, you have to provide an extra workload on your compressor. But How can you provide that? That’s when a trim compressor comes in handy.
Like I said, the BOSTITCH CAP1512-OF is a trim compressor, and so it can be used as a backup compressor to provide some extra power or workload.
There are certain ways to control such trim compressor, so that when it’s necessary it can automatically provide the extra load. Like –
- When you set a cut out pressure for your primary compressor, the compressor will stop when it reaches that pressure. If you set a control switch on the trim compressor and set it to start at the cut out pressure, the trim compressor will automatically start when the main one stops. You can also turn it off using the same method, like when the pressure drops, the control switch will stop and hence the trim compressor will stop too.
- According to the tank pressure, the unloader valve of you compressor will close and open. When the valve opens, it discharges the air and for a few moment and the primary compressor stops providing the required pressure. In this case you can mount a switch on your trim compressor to turn it on whenever the unloader valve is opened.
I have discussed enough about what is a trim compressor and how the trimming actually works. Now let’s get on to the specifications of and review the BOSTITCH CAP1512-OF air compressor.
Specifications of BOSTITCH CAP1512-OF
- CFM Rating: 2.8 CFM @ 90 PSI
- Pressure Rating: 150 PSI (Max)
- Tank Capacity: 1.2 Gallon
- Power Level: 1.5 HP (Running), 2.0 HP (Peak)
- Noise Level: 89 dB
- Weight: 23.5 lbs.
- Power Source: Electric-Powered
- Required Voltage: 120 Volt
Our BOSTITCH CAP1512-OF Review
Power and Convenience
The BOSTITCH CAP1512-OF has a 1.5 HP motor. With this motor, the compressor is capable of reaching the maximum pressure (150 PSI) in 50 seconds or less.
You should notice that the tank of this compressor is only 1.2 gallon. With such a small capacity you may wonder how this compressor can be convenient. But as you can see, the motor power is good enough to fill the tank faster. So the size of the tank is not an issue when it comes to the performance.
The motor will start with only 13 amp current flow. So there is no need to worry about tripping a breaker as most standard circuits are 15 amp.
Overheating is not a problem for the motor of this compressor as it has a thermal overload protector. Whenever the motor tends to overheat, the protector automatically shuts off the motor and restarts when it cools down.
The duty cycle of the BOSTITCH CAP1512-OF is 50%. It can produce 2.8 CFM of airflow with 90 PSI and as the pressure reduces to 40 PSI the flow increases to 3.7 CFM. With such CFM rating, you cannot use it for heavy-duty works like, for impact wrenches or painting. But it is great for lighter works like, for nail guns.
Oil-Free Pump (Less Maintenance)
The pump of this compressor is oil-free. So you don’t have to change the oil or maintain oil level to run this compressor efficiently. That’s one less thing to worry about.
You can simply switch on the compressor and start working without having to wait for the pump to fill up with air. This not only saves your time but also reduces the maintenance work.
In cold weather, oil can get consolidated. For this reason, the compressors that require oil are not a good choice for cold weather. As you don’t need oil in the BOSTITCH CAP1512-OF, there is no problem to use this compressor in cold weather.
An Average Noise Level
It makes 89 Decibels of sound, which is not the quietest air compressor you can ask for. But it surely is not the loudest. So, the noise that it makes shouldn’t be a big headache.
If you still have problem with its noise, you can check my article on air compressor noise reduction to reduce this noise.
Expedient Size for Portability
The lightweight of this compressor makes it easy to carry around. Any adult can easily pick it up and carry it with less effort. It takes only 1.5 square foot area to be placed so you can tuck it in a small place easily.
What We Like
- Roll cage for extra protection
- Tool strap at the rear to keep tools.
- LED On-Off indicator.
- Rubber feet to stay put.
What We Don’t Like
- Some users find it noisy.
- Can’t be used for heavy-duty works.
Frequently Asked Questions About BOSTITCH CAP1512-OF
Question: Can I use this compressor to inflate bike tires?
Answer: For tire inflation, you need a compressor of minimum 6-gallon tank capacity. So, you cannot use this one.
Question: Will it be suitable for sandblasting?
Answer: This compressor is recommended for works that require a short blast. Sandblasting requires more volume of air that this compressor cannot provide.
Question: How can I disconnect the air hose of this compressor?
Answer: You don’t have to drain the tank to disconnect the hose. Simply push down the coupler sleeve to disconnect.
Question: Can I run this air compressor with a 2000 watt generator?
Answer: A 2000 watt generator can produce 18 amps so you can run the compressor with this generator.
Question: Will I be able to control the cut-out pressure?
Answer: Yes, this compressor has a pressure regulator dial that helps to control the cut-out and cut-in pressure.
My Final Thoughts
The BOSTITCH CAP1512-OF is quite a handy little air compressor if you ask me. I think it is quite efficient for small jobs like nailing with a nail gun or as a trim compressor.
However, for the heavy-duty works, this is not a compressor to rely on. If you wish to have a compressor that you will use for light works, this is a great air compressor for you.