DeWalt 5 HP 175 PSI 2-Stage Stationary Electric Air Compressor (80 gal)

I parked this 80-gallon DeWalt two-stage in the corner of my shop to see if a single-phase, 5 HP vertical unit could serve as the backbone for bodywork, light fabrication, and general maintenance. After months of sanding, blasting, blowing out lines, and running grinders, it’s clear where this machine shines—and where you’ll want to plan ahead.

What it is and who it’s for

This is a 230 V, single‑phase, 5 HP, two‑stage, oil‑lubricated compressor built around an ASME‑rated 80‑gallon vertical tank. It’s rated at 17.9 CFM at 100 PSI (about 17 CFM at 90 PSI) and tops out at 175 PSI. In practice, that puts it squarely in the “serious home shop/small professional shop” category: more than enough for multiple nailers, a die grinder, HVLP paint, and light to moderate sandblasting; not intended for 24/7 production blasting or an air‑hungry CNC line.

Key hardware includes a cast iron two‑stage pump, a belt drive with a large cast iron flywheel, an oil sight glass, and a magnetic starter paired with a 1,725 RPM motor that has thermal overload protection. The package is about 470 pounds and stands roughly 80 inches tall.

Setup and installation

Moving it took an engine hoist and a friend. I set it on vibration pads and anchored the feet to a thick slab—recommended for a tall vertical tank. Power is straightforward: single‑phase 230 V, 22 A running, with a 40 A recommended breaker. I had an electrician install a local disconnect and run appropriately sized copper conductors. The included magnetic starter simplifies inrush and offers basic motor protection.

The integrated control panel gives you large tank and outlet gauges and two quick‑connect outlets for convenience. The main tank tap is a beefy 3/4‑inch port; I plumbed that to a wall‑mounted manifold with a regulator, filter, and auto drain. Plan to add your own downstream regulator and air treatment; the factory panel is functional, but serious work benefits from a dedicated regulator/filter/dryer stack and a 3/4‑inch hard line to keep pressure drop low.

My unit arrived oiled with a synthetic blend, but I still checked the sight glass before the first start. I also leak‑checked every fitting. I did have a minor seep at a compression fitting on the pump-to-tank line that a touch of thread sealant and a careful snug fixed.

Performance and air delivery

This compressor’s output matches its spec sheet. At typical shop pressures (90–110 PSI), it keeps up with:

• DA sanders and HVLP guns in the 9–13 CFM range
• A 1 HP die grinder with minimal cycling pauses
• A small siphon blaster or spot blaster without pressure droop

With an 80‑gallon tank, the cycle times are comfortable. From empty to 175 PSI, I consistently saw a quick fill for the class—fast enough that I wasn’t waiting around between tasks. For extended blasting with larger nozzles, you’ll outrun 17–18 CFM eventually, but for small to midsize jobs and intermittent use, it’s a steady partner.

The two‑stage pump gives you the higher 175 PSI ceiling. That matters for tools that benefit from a bit of headroom or when you want longer run time between cycles while operating at 90–120 PSI. The magnetic starter and 1,725 RPM motor help it start confidently on single‑phase power without hard slams on the lights.

Noise, heat, and moisture

Two‑stage cast iron pumps are still loud compared to a screw compressor, but this one is civilized for its output. My meter hovered around the high‑70s dB at a few feet—conversation is possible without shouting, though I consider hearing protection good practice for extended sessions. The big flywheel moves a lot of air across the pump, but heat is heat: after sustained runs, head temperatures climb, and moisture follows.

If you’ll be painting or blasting regularly, budget for air treatment. A tank‑mount auto drain, a decent coalescing filter, and, ideally, a cooler or long metal run before the regulator make a noticeable difference. With that in place, my lines stayed dry enough for clean finishes.

Controls and usability

The integrated panel is a nice touch: large, readable gauges and two quick‑connects mean I can plug in a blow gun or brad nailer without walking over to my wall manifold. The sight glass is placed where you don’t have to contort to check it, and the fill and drain points are easy to service.

Two things to be aware of:
- There’s no low‑oil shutdown. The sight glass helps, but you need to be disciplined about pre‑flight checks.
- As with most verticals, the manual tank drain is low and awkward. A ball valve and a short hose make purging water painless; an auto drain is even better.

Build quality and serviceability

The pump is old‑school cast iron and splash‑lubricated, which I prefer for longevity and rebuildability. Belts and pulleys are standard, and the belt guard provides decent access for tensioning. I checked fasteners and belt alignment after the first few heat cycles and again at 10 hours; everything stayed put.

Component quality is a mix of robust core parts and cost‑sensible accessories. The tank, pump, and motor are the stars. The pressure switch and fittings are fine but very much “commodity.” That’s not a knock—if something fails down the road, replacements are easy to source. The 2‑year limited warranty is typical for the class. Keep your receipts, log oil changes, and keep the serial number handy.

Maintenance notes

• Oil: Arrives with a synthetic blend; stick with full‑synthetic, non‑detergent compressor oil. Check the sight glass before each session, change early after break‑in, then follow the manual.
• Belts: Check tension after the first few hours and seasonally thereafter. Keep a spare on the shelf if downtime is costly.
• Cooling: Keep the flywheel and fins clean. Dust buildup hurts cooling and accelerates wear.
• Draining: Purge the tank daily in humid climates; an auto drain pays for itself.
• Electrical: Periodically re‑torque lugs in the disconnect and inspect the contactor in the magnetic starter for pitting.

What I liked

• Strong output for single‑phase: 17.9 CFM at 100 PSI covers most shop needs.
• 175 PSI ceiling gives more usable run time between cycles at common tool pressures.
• Cast iron two‑stage pump with 1,725 RPM motor feels relaxed, not frantic.
• Magnetic starter and thermal overload protection included from the factory.
• Sensible service touches: oil sight glass, large flywheel, ASME‑rated tank.
• Integrated gauges and dual quick‑connects are convenient for quick tasks.

What could be better

• No low‑oil shutdown; you’re the safety system.
• Heat and moisture management are on you—budget for a filter/regulator and drains.
• The drain location is old‑school; add a valve and hose for daily purges.
• Shipping and handling can be rough on fittings—plan to leak‑check and re‑seal any suspect joints.

Who should buy it

• Home and small pro shops running grinders, sanders, HVLP guns, brad/finish nailers, impact wrenches, and occasional blasting.
• Users who need single‑phase power but want the smoother operation and headroom of a two‑stage, 175 PSI system.
• Folks comfortable adding a simple air management manifold (regulator/filter/dryer) and doing basic maintenance.

If you’re running multiple high‑draw tools all day, or a big blast cabinet, step up to higher CFM or rotary screw. If you only need a pancake for trim, this is overkill.

Recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt 80‑gallon two‑stage for anyone who needs a serious, single‑phase shop compressor with room to grow. It delivers honest CFM, fills quickly, and benefits from a durable, serviceable design. Plan a proper install—dedicated 230 V circuit with a 40 A breaker, vibration pads, a wall manifold with regulator/filters, and either a ball‑valve drain or auto drain—and you’ll have a dependable air backbone. The lack of a low‑oil shutdown means you must stay on top of checks, and I’d consider an air treatment budget part of the purchase. With those boxes ticked, this unit has the performance and manners to anchor a busy hobby shop or a small professional bay without crossing into three‑phase complexity.