Makita MAC700 Big Bore 2.0 HP Air Compressor

There are three factors that made us form this opinion. First, it's the quietest compressor we've ever encountered. It's a remarkable departure in a genre of tools that normally force you to suspend conversation while it's cycling. The MAC700 puts out 80 decibels, according to the folks at Makita, and when you compare that to the 90 and up you get from most units, that's practically a hum. So we like this for household use, especially in a basement shop.

Next on our list of pluses for the DIY-er is the low-amp draw, and with that, fewer trips to the breaker box and less chance of premature motor failure. The other feature that won us over is the easy-on-the-hand lever handle ball valve that saves your knuckles when you drain the tank. It's also got a really fast cycle, so by the time you take a sip of water, you're ready to work again.

It's made like a champ, with a roll-bar handle that protects your investment, a cast-iron cylinder for durability and an oil sight glass that makes maintenance a breeze.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste

What's in the Box
Oiled single hot dog compressor with handle; 1/4-inch brass Makita universal coupler

Amazon.com Product Description
Makita's 2.0 HP Air Compressor is equipped with Makita's Big Bore engineered pump cylinder and piston for higher output, less noise and improved job site performance. The MAC700 delivers industrial power and results with improved durability under tough job site conditions.

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MAC700 Features PERFORMANCE - Low noise, low AMP draw in high output DURABILITY - Runs at a lower RPM (1,720) resulting in greater motor and pump life RELIABILITY - Low AMP draw reduces instances of tripped breakers CONVENIENCE - Oil drain and oil sight glass conveniently located for easy access and maintenance INCLUDES - Oil and 1/4" universal quick coupler

Tool Specifications Motor 2.0 HP Pump Oil-lubricated Tank 2.6 "Hot Dog" gal. Performance 90 PSI: 3.3 cfm 40 PSI: 3.8 cfm Maximum Pressure 0 - 130 PSI AMPS 12.4 Noise level 80 dB Size 18"x10"x22" Net Weight 52 lbs.

Versatile Design for a Range of Applications
The MAC700 is engineered for low noise, high output and less maintenance, and delivers industrial power and results with improved durability under tough job site conditions. The MAC700 is just another example of Makita's commitment to innovative technology and best-in-class engineering.

About Makita Big Bore Air Compressors
Makita Big Bore Air Compressors deliver higher output and less noise for improved job site performance. The Makita Big Bore engineered pump with cast iron cylinder has greater bore and stroke for increased compression, faster recovery and less noise. The cast iron construction is engineered for increased durability even under tough job site conditions. All Makita Big Bore Air Compressors are oil lubricated and equipped with large automotive style filters for increased air intake and greater efficiency. Makita Big Bore Air Compressors deliver industrial power and results with improved durability.

About Makita
Makita is a worldwide manufacturer of industrial quality power tools and offers a wide range of industrial accessories. Makita applies leading-edge innovation to engineer power tools that are more compact and energy efficient, yet deliver industrial strength power and results. Makita U.S.A., Inc. is located in La Mirada, California, and operates an extensive distribution network located throughout the U.S. For more information, please call 800/4-MAKITA (800/462-5482) or visit makitatools.com. Makita is Best in Class Engineering.

Warranty
Every Makita tool is thoroughly inspected and tested before leaving the factory. If you are not satisfied with any Makita tool within 30 days of purchase, return it and Makita will provide a replacement or refund. Each Makita tool is warranted to be free of defects from workmanship and materials for the period of ONE YEAR from the date of original purchase. Should any trouble develop during this one-year period, return the COMPLETE tool, freight prepaid, to one of Makita's Factory or Authorized Service Centers. Please see makitatools.com for complete details.

What's in the Box
Makita MAC700 2.0 HP Air Compressor, oil and 1/4-inch universal quick coupler.

The unit is compact, but much heavier duty than similar Cr*ftman compressors I saw at Sears. It recycles quickly and fills the tank in less than 20 seconds. It came with a good owner's manual and a bottle of oil. I did have a problem where the plastic oil filler cap was cracked, but Makita quickly sent me a replacement part under warantee. I would recommend this unit to anyone looking for an occasional use compressor and does not want something large or loud.


Compact and well made!   July 27, 2004
A. Dufault (Irvine, CA USA)
69 out of 71 found this review helpful

I purchased this unit to replace an oil-less pancake compressor that burned out. The Makita MAC700 is super! It has all the attributes of a large high quality oil-lube compressor. I am very pleased to report that the unit is as quiet as advertised. By comparison, the pancake compressor this unit replaced was DREADFULLY loud. I am impressed with the powerful low-rpm motor and the heavy duty oil-lube design. In my opinion, the longevity and quietness that an oil-lube compressor offers, far outweighs the time and slight inconvenience of routine maintenance. At this time, I cannot suggest any improvements to this machine. I love it! If you are looking for a light duty air compressor, I highly recommend the MAC700 Hot Dog Air Compressor. It's great for finish nailers, car and bicycle tires, and kids' toys. A great addition to any home garage!


Great compressor, but check the box thouroughly before signing for delivery!   July 15, 2006
AW (Santa Cruz Mtns, CA, USA)
45 out of 45 found this review helpful

After working with a friend's older version of this compressor for the last eight months, I decided to splurge and get my own. If this compressor is anything like the older model, it's going to last forever. We left the older model out, under a saw table, in rain, snow, 100 degree heat - you name it. Never had any problems with it.

I've only had this one for 2 days, so I can't speak much about it other than to say it's quiet enough to use and talk at the same time, and it feels very well built. It's also heavier than I expected, but the carrying handle makes moving it around easy on the back.

One thing - I had read the other reviews that mentioned shipping damage and hoped for the best. When it arrived, I checked the box, and there was only one small ding in a corner. What I should have done was kept the FedEx driver there until I actually got it out of the box. It looks like someone must've dropped it, and from a pretty good height! One of the legs was bent about 2 inches, so the compressor would rock when set down. Fortunately, the compressor itself (external tubes and gauges and whatnot) are all fine.

I fired it up and it ran fine, so I decided to keep it. I'll try to hammer out the bent leg at some point. It's annoying, but I don't want to go through the exchange process and be without air for another two weeks.

The startup process is fairly simple. The manual doesn't explain what goes where when you open the box, but it's reasonably self-evident. There are two plastic plugs on the compressor that need to come out. One covers the oil filler, and one covers the air intake port. You replace the plug on the air intake port (topmost plug) with the included air filter, and you replace the oil filler plug with the included oil cap. There's a window into the oil reservoir so you can see how much oil is in it. Before you run it for the first time, fill it (with the included oil) until the oil line is midway in the window. Then, open the air release valve at the very bottom of the air tank and run the compressor for 20 minutes. After that, you should be good to go. Check the oil level periodically, of course!

On a related note, I also bought the Campbell Hausfeld MP520010AV air tool accessory kit to get me started. For the price, I'm happy with that too.


What wasn't in the manual....   February 16, 2008
Anthony Hermans (Chicago, IL United States)
28 out of 28 found this review helpful

I just received the compressor and it's the first one that I've owned. The shroud was cracked upon receipt, but I don't think it's worth the trouble to have that piece replaced.

Now that I've gotten everything figured out, I think it'll work fine, but the manual is a complete disaster. Some important setup instructions are completely omitted and others are so obtuse as to be worthless. If you don't know your way around compressors, the following steps that I took may prove useful:

1. Remove the plastic plug on the back of the compressor and pour in the included oil until the level is about half way up the little transparent indicator window.

2. Replace the disposable oil plug with the long black plastic one that they include (not in the instructions -- the piece is item number 36 on the parts diagram)

3. Remove the other disposable plastic plug from the side of the compressor (high up and toward the back of the shroud. This is where you need to install the air filter (also not in the instructions.) The air filter assembly is item number 35 on the parts diagram -- it's the other spare part included that's chrome and about the size of a hockey puck with a wing nut holding it together.

4. You'll screw in the air filter assembly where you removed that plastic plug, but I'd suggest that you use some teflon tape on the threads to make a good seal.

5. The instructions mention that you're to open the air receiver's drain valve for initial start up. Nowhere in any diagram is any part labeled as such, but I'm pretty sure it's item number 47, a valve on the side of the compressor very near the bottom.

Hopefully this'll save someone some time!


An Airbrushing Powerhouse   September 18, 2004
C. Briley
20 out of 20 found this review helpful

My Mac700 survived UPS shipping from North Dakota to metro Atlanta, GA just fine.

I use it to power airbrushes along with an added-on airbrush regulator/gauge/moisture trap. This is exactly what I wanted for airbrushing. It has a much longer lifespan than "airbrush compressors". It's noise level is acceptible. It is fast about refilling. The airbrushes work consistently all throughout the refill phase. This is the muscle car of airbrush compressors even though it was made in Taiwan.

This is good to consider as the maximum desirable amp draw for common household electrical outlets. It's right there as high as you wanna go to get the tank filled up. I would not want it to pull any harder on the electricity of the house when it comes on.

It only runs for 15 seconds to recharge from 100 to 125+ psi, which is great. 5 to 10 minutes of airbrushing in silence, and when it comes on it does have some volume, but it is so much less noise than an oilless.

I had to tighten down the crankcase cover (Ref# 29, Part# 304013-E) because it was leaking oil. It's the large exposed part of the motor that you can easily reach and tighten up with a screwdriver. So, make sure yours is tightened up if you have one of these.