Senco dates back to the 1930’s so when it comes to experience, you know they have it. They have been working with fasteners and compressors for a long time. Today we are taking a look at an older product they have the Senco PC1131. This is one of the compressors that is a workhorse and performs. So let’s jump into the Senco PC1131 Compressor Review.
Senco PC1131 Compressor Review Overview
You may be asking why are we reviewing a tool that has been around for a while and why hasn’t it been updated? Simple, why update a good thing that offers performance, tradesman love and it has a proven track record. Don’t worry, this isn’t going to be a long-winded review since you can find a bunch of reviews on this compressor.
However, we have received a ton of emails over the last year or so about this compressor so we figured it would be a great time to take a look at a solid, proven compressor.
Senco PC1131 Compressor Review Features
The PC1131 is a twin steel tank for durability. This unit generates 4.4 CFM which is a ton for this size system. The compressors do have a little weight coming in at 60 lbs.
The compressors feature a single outlet.
The gauges are easy to read and are protected by facing the inside of the compressor. The max psi is 125.
The motor is on the back of the unit which gives this more of a box design compared to a pancake design. The motor is a 2 HP motor with an oil-splash pump. The motor draws about 14 amps.
On top of the unit, there is a rubber handle which is located directly in the center of the compressor making the balance better when carrying it from point A to point B.
Senco PC1131 Compressor Review Performance
Right now we have it on a job site and they are loving it. For these guys, they want two things. A tough compressor that will last and a compressor that will keep up with their needs. Sometimes they are running two framers and other times they are doing trim work. So for them, having a single compressor is priceless as they only have a certain amount of room in their truck and don’t want to carry unnecessary tools.
A couple of points that stuck out to them besides the above items is the fast fill time. They timed it a couple of times and it’s about 70 seconds with a 15 second recovery time.
One good point that was brought up was the gauges and air intake. They do like the fact that it’s recessed which means it’s more protected than other compressors that have it protruding.
They had two cons to this unit. First, was that there was no see-through glass window to check the oil. Not a huge deal as they can check the stick, but they would like to be able to see the oil level. The second item was the valves. While they were easy to bleed, the thumb screw can be a pain if the last person really tightened it hard. With a ball valve, it would be much easier to open and close. Again, it wasn’t a huge deal on their end but something to note.
Senco PC1131 Compressor Review Value
The compressor runs about $210 on Amazon. How well it’s built and the power behind this unit, it seems like a fair price. Of course, we have seen compressors for much cheaper and some for much more. So looking into the range of other compressors in the same class, it’s a deal.
Senco PC1131 Compressor Review Final Thoughts
Before I close this out, you will see some people complain about the compressor. Mostly that it will have a hard time starting in the cold. This isn’t unusual for oil compressors. It’s the same when you have fuel for nailers and lithium batteries. So I am not holding this one on Senco as it’s just the way these compressors work.
So in the end, I think this is a beast. Now, this isn’t for everyone. If you are looking for a little finish nailer or something lightweight, this is not your compressor. If you want something that is strong and will take job site abuse, this is it. If you want power and airflow to run some framers and need a small size, this is your compressor.
