DeWalt 80 Gallon Vertical Stationary Electric Air Compressor

Why I chose this 80‑gallon compressor

I needed a stationary shop compressor that could keep up with a mix of automotive, woodworking, and light fabrication tasks without jumping to the complexity and cost of an industrial two‑stage unit. The DeWalt 80‑gallon compressor hit a useful middle ground: a big ASME vertical tank, a cast‑iron, oil‑lubricated, three‑cylinder pump, and real‑world output that supports most air tools I use every week. After several months in my shop, I’m confident in where it shines and where you should plan around its limits.

Setup and installation

This is a heavy machine—over 350 pounds and tall—so plan on a pallet jack or a couple of extra hands. I set it on rubber isolation pads and anchored it to the slab. The vertical footprint is friendly to smaller shops, but leave clearance for cooling air around the pump fins and for routine service.

Electrically, it’s a 240 V, single‑phase unit drawing about 22 amps. I wired it to a dedicated 30 A, two‑pole breaker with appropriately sized conductors. The pump arrived with synthetic oil already in the crankcase, and the sight glass made it easy to verify level at a glance. Before putting it to work, I ran a 30‑minute break‑in with the tank drain open, then checked fasteners, belt tension, and for any weeping at fittings.

Plumbing is flexible. The integrated control panel has an adjustable regulator, readable gauges, and quick‑connect outlets for immediate use, which is great for testing. For the shop main line, I used the 3/4 in. NPT port on the side of the tank to avoid the flow restriction of quick‑connects. From there I ran 3/4 in. piping to a manifold with a water separator and ball valves at each drop.

Build and design

The cast‑iron, oil‑lubricated pump is the heart of this unit. It’s a single‑stage, three‑cylinder design with a one‑piece cast‑iron crankcase and separate cast‑iron cylinder bodies. The independent cylinders, stainless steel flex leaf valves, and a 12 in. cast‑iron balanced flywheel give it a robust, serviceable feel. The full metal belt guard is substantial, not flimsy sheet plastic, and the intake filters/silencers are larger than the typical small‑compressor fare.

On the tank side, you’re getting an 80‑gallon ASME vertical receiver rated for a maximum working pressure of 155 psi. The pressure relief valve, integrated controls, and accessible oil fill/sight glass keep routine tasks straightforward. There’s nothing exotic here, which is exactly what I want in a stationary compressor: simple, durable components with standard service parts.

Performance in the shop

Rated output is 16.1 SCFM at 40 psi and 14.0 SCFM at 90 psi. In practical terms:

• Mechanics and general shop: Impact wrenches, ratchets, and nailers are a non‑issue. Even with a couple of people using blow guns and an impact intermittently, the compressor cycles predictably and doesn’t chase pressure.
• Sanding and grinding: A single DA sander or die grinder is comfortable territory. Continuous grinding will make it work, but the large tank smooths the duty cycle so you’re not starved for air mid‑pass.
• Painting: For HVLP, I can spray panels and small projects with a single gun without starving the regulator. You’ll want to pay attention to moisture control (more on that below), but the 80‑gallon buffer helps maintain consistent pressure at the gun.
• Light blasting and plasma: Small cabinets and low‑CFM blasting nozzles are doable in spurts. If you’re blasting continuously or running multiple high‑demand tools, a two‑stage unit with higher SCFM is the better fit.

Max pressure is 155 psi—lower than the 175–200 psi ceiling you’ll see on two‑stage units—but for most tools that want 90–120 psi, it’s plenty. What stood out to me was how quickly it builds and recovers for a single‑stage. The three‑cylinder pump and balanced flywheel keep it smooth, and the regulator on the panel is responsive without hunting.

Noise and vibration

DeWalt lists the noise around 83 dB. In practice, it’s quieter than a lot of belt‑drive shop compressors in this class. The intake silencers help, and the cast‑iron pump doesn’t have the sharp note you hear from splash‑lubed aluminum pumps. With the unit on rubber pads, vibration through the slab is modest. I can hold a conversation a few feet away without raising my voice, but it’s still a compressor—hearing protection is smart if you’re nearby during long cycles.

Air quality and moisture management

This is an oil‑lubricated, single‑stage pump. That means two things for your air system:

• Heat: Single‑stage compression runs warmer, which encourages moisture to condense in your lines as they cool. The tank’s size helps by giving water a place to drop out, but you should still plan for moisture control if you’re painting or running sensitive tools. I added a water separator, an aftercooler loop on the wall, and a desiccant dryer before the paint regulator.
• Maintenance: Oil carryover is minimal and consistent. I haven’t seen any issues with the stainless flex leaf valves, and the intake filters are easy to service. The sight glass makes daily checks painless.

Drain the tank regularly. I swapped the stock drain for a ball valve with a short hose to make it quick and clean. An automatic drain is a worthwhile upgrade if the compressor will cycle unattended.

Controls and usability

The integrated panel is more useful than I expected. The gauges are legible, the regulator tracks well, and the quick‑connects are a nice convenience for short tasks or testing a reel before plumbing it into the main line. For permanent shop plumbing, feeding from the 3/4 in. tank port is the way to go for flow. I also appreciate small details like the accessible oil fill and a clear sight glass; they lower the friction of good maintenance.

Maintenance and support

Routine maintenance has been straightforward:

• Oil change after break‑in, then at regular intervals based on hours and environment.
• Check belt tension and pulley alignment periodically.
• Clean or replace intake filters.
• Keep the flywheel and fins clear for cooling.
• Inspect for leaks at fittings and around the pump after the first few heat cycles.

The warranty is 2 years on the pump and 1 year on other parts. Parts and consumables are standard fare, and everything on the pump is accessible without gymnastics. That’s a big plus for long‑term ownership.

What I’d change

• Higher max pressure would broaden its range. A two‑stage option at this footprint would serve heavy sandblasting or continuous high‑draw work better—but that’s a different class (and price).
• A factory quick‑drain or auto‑drain on the tank would be a nice touch for a stationary unit.
• The quick‑connects on the panel are convenient, but they’re not a substitute for proper 3/4 in. plumbing if you need full flow across the shop.

None of these are deal‑breakers, but they’re worth planning for so you get the best performance out of the system.

Who it’s for

• Small professional shops and serious DIYers who want a dependable, serviceable compressor with a large air reserve.
• Auto enthusiasts, woodworkers, and fabricators running one or two high‑draw tools intermittently.
• Anyone who values a cast‑iron, oil‑lubricated pump and ASME tank without stepping up to a true industrial two‑stage.

Who should look elsewhere: If your workflow is continuous sandblasting, multiple grinders running all day, or you need 175–200 psi for specific equipment, a larger two‑stage with higher SCFM will make you happier.

Recommendation

I recommend this DeWalt 80‑gallon compressor. It delivers honest, usable airflow (14.0 SCFM at 90 psi) from a durable, cast‑iron, oil‑lubricated pump, paired with an 80‑gallon ASME tank that smooths the duty cycle and keeps tools fed. The integrated control panel makes it easy to get started, the noise level is manageable for a stationary shop unit, and maintenance is straightforward with the sight glass, accessible fill, and full metal belt guard. You’ll want to budget for proper 240 V wiring, vibration pads and anchors, a moisture‑control setup, and plumbing from the 3/4 in. tank port if you need full flow. Within those considerations, it’s a reliable, value‑minded workhorse for a wide range of shop tasks.