William Nawky Snowmobile Auction

Oil Tank Cap

Tool Review: Maxus Aluminum Tank Air Compressor

I wrote up the Maxus EX8016 X-Lite compressor as an Editor's Choice product for our HGTVPro news show HGTVPro.com Weekly, but I only recently had a chance to use the tool for any length of time. While I don't usually run a double-coverage defense with products I include on the show, I was so impressed with the 4-gallon twin-stack unit and its bevy of smart features that a real-time review had to happen.

Bottom line. Let's start with the BL. I used the 1.3 horsepower, 3.7 SCFM X-Lite in the three highest-drain applications I encounter as a home-improvement contractor: nailing off sheathing, running a roofing gun, and using my old Shingle Saw Pro II. It kept pace through and through.

I had absolutely no issue with laddered nails while rapid firing 8d, ring-shank nails or popping off shingles. And I wasn't nailing into any brand new softy 2x10 SPF; I was gunning into 80-year old Doug fir 1x12 sheathing and 2x8 rafters. I drove four nails into every 1x12 board up the roof — a way tighter nailing schedule than 1/2- inch roof decking, wall sheathing or subfloor. My nailer never starved for air.

It's worth pointing out that the EX8016 is a heavy breather and really liked having a dedicated cord straight out of the power supply — it tripped the lame-o surge suppressor strip I use as a multi-plug (no surprise, no demerits) — but on its own 100-foot cord, it ran fine, even in temps right around freezing.

I also ran my Shingle Saw Pro II. This pneumatic shingle saw (no longer in production; it's been re-designed) gobbles air big time. Nevertheless, one-off shingle cuts were a snap. Impressive. And X-Lite recovered quickly when the tank drained.

Weight a minute. When a tool's weight passes a certain threshold — around 80 pounds — carrying it becomes an experience of both necessity and pure dread. Such is the case with most compressors I've owned. But — and I mean and ALL-CAPS-bold-italics BUT — the X-Lite's aircraft quality aluminum tanks drops this baby's gross vehicle weight to a mere 57 pounds. I won't say that's feather-light, but holy mack-o (as my daughter says), there's no comparison between the X-Lite and other compressors where the lift-and-lug process toggles between a serious chafe at the minimum to an exercise in blood-pressure management by week's end.

Details done right. Beyond the light weight, the Maxus designers kept pushing during their design charrettes and executed smart, savvy details that carry the X-Lite furlongs further towards top-of-el-heapo status.

It starts with a carry handle/roll cage that's aces. See, the compressor is cubic — roughly the same shape as other compressors in the class — but the handle is positioned to deliver optimum carry efficiency between truck and site or between floors. Combined with its lighter weight, you can practically carry it like a suit case without having a back surgeon on speed-dial.

The roll-cage part of the handle houses everything — supply lines, gauges and the pump motor, to name a few biggies — so that it'll be darn tough to break them when Bruno the Meatball javelins a shovel or stack of 2x6s into the back of your truck.

Speaking of the truck and cubism, the machine really is cubic! This means that there aren't hose fittings, gauges, cords, or round/odd shapes sticking beyond the tool's recti-linear perimeter. How much do I love this when loading the truck? Seriously, thanks, Maxus, for yet another weapon against entropy.

What I also love (but can't recommend, of course) is that because the tool really is cubic, if you happen to load something on top of it in the truck or gang box, so what? Certainly loading tool and kit boxes around it is easier than any other compressor I've used. This is really smart design.

Here's some other cool stuff:

· The +/- pressure dial is easy to see, read, locate and use.

· There are two (thank you, lord) air ports right on the front of the tool.

· The cord is long enough too. I like this for trim or floor jobs where I might have the compressor in the room with me and need to move it here and there for whatever reason.

· The gauges are easy to see and read.

· Rubber feet mean I don't have to worry about putting the tool down on a finished floor. Tip: placing any compressor in the finished space on a piece of cardboard helps curb possible damage to the floors.

· It has an oil-lube pump; I don't mind changing the oil in every so many — er — years.

My only complaint. I wouldn't be living up to the secret writer's code if I didn't find at least one thing 'wrong.' Seriously, you get nasty letters from the Writers Guild if you don't. Anyway, it's the same complaint I have with all compressors and one that's a super-easy fix: the drain valve. I'd swap out the existing valve (one of those backwards-threaded 1/2 inch twist deals) with a ball valve. 'Nuff said.

Maxus-ed out. If you ask me, the Maxus EX8016 X-Lite compressor is the current industry leader in this category.

About the Author

Mark Clement is a remodeler and author of The Carpenter's Notebook and The Kid's Carpenter's Workbook, Fun Family Projects! To learn more about Maxus Tool's aluminum air compressor, please visit Maxus Tools at http://www.maxustools.com

Oil Tank Cap $10.9 Oil Tank Cap for Qingqi QM50QT-B2 scooters.

Oil Tank $167.95 Drag Specialties Oil Tank Replacement chrome oil tank comes with drain/fill plugs, cap assembly and gasket

Chromed Winged Oil Tank $214.95 Drag Specialties Chromed Winged Oil Tank Winged design fills in the gap between tank and frame Features a side-fill design oil spout Includes oil filler cap and drain plug

Chrome Oil Tank for Sportsters $139.95 Drag Specialties Chrome Oil Tank for Sportsters A duplicate of the original equipment black oil tank, but highly polished and chrome-plated for exceptional looks Includes filler cap

O.E.M. Style Oil Tank $134.99 Biker's Choice O.E.M. Style Oil Tank Direct O.E.M type replacement Accepts original fittings, cap and mount (sold seperately) Chrome plated Fits 65-E82 Big Twin Click Here for Oil Tank Caps Click Here for Rubber Mounts

Center-Fill Winged Oil Tank $199.95 Drag Specialties Center-Fill Winged Oil Tank Features chrome finish and a winged design that fills the gap between the tank and frame Includes filler cap and drain plug

Oil Equipment Mfg Oil Equipment Mfg Speedfill Oil Tank Cap 3100 $4.1 Speedfill oil tank cap Rust-proof zinc castings Economical, 100% interchangeable with industry standard oil fill-pipe nozzle adapters Fits all SpeedFill connectors. part number on each casting for easier reordering Brand #: Oil Equipment Mfg 3100 UPC: 815549014001 Keywords: fill cap speedfill oil tank

Smooth-Style Custom Oil Tank $293.95 Paughco Smooth-Style Custom Oil Tank Bolt-on oil tank with a custom wraparound look is easily installed Made of chromed-finish, heavygauge steel Conveniently located drain and chrome filler cap Battery opening measures 7 3/8" L x 4 3/16" W x 5 9/16" D Features a 3.5 quart capacity with Softail-type oil line fittings and a two-piece front mounting bracket for easy installation Requires drain plug (sold seperately) Made in the U.S.A.

Oil Cap $29.99 Oil Cap; Billet Aluminum;

Oil Tank - Air Horn $6 Oil Tank - Air Horn

Krups Cap/ Tank / Red $2.49 Cap/ Tank / Red

Oil Tank Smash $24.99 Oil Tank Smash - Photographic Print

Oil Equipment Mfg Oil Equipment Mfg 2 Slpon Oil Tnk Vent Cap 4039 $7.41 2 slpon oil tnk vent cap The slip-on design solves clearance problems Zinc-plated steel with screen to prevent debris from entering the vent pipe Lightweight and economical 2? Brand #: Oil Equipment Mfg 4039 UPC: 815549017125 Keywords: oil tank vent cap slip on

Oil Equipment Mfg Oil Equipment Mfg 2 Mshrm Oil Tnk Vent Cap 4025 $12.74 2 mshrm oil tnk vent cap This popular style is used in the majority of installations in the United States, Alaska, and Canada Rust-resistant zinc-plated cast-iron design Each cap is designed with a 30 mesh screen to prevent debris from entering the vent pipe 2? Female NPT Brand #: Oil Equipment Mfg 4025 UPC: 815549017064 Keywords: vent cap mushroom oil tank female npt

Oil Equipment Mfg Oil Equipment Mfg 2 inoil Tnk Hingd Fill Cap 4171 $11.21 2?oil tnk hingd fill cap Economical locking design Cast-iron construction Vented design keeps out debris and water 2? Female NPT Brand #: Oil Equipment Mfg 4171 UPC: 815549011055 Keywords: oil tank hinged fill cap vented design female npt

ARC Oil Catch Tank [03-Up Nissan 350Z] $260 ARC Oil Catch Tank

ARC Oil Catch Tank [95-98 Mazda Miata] $260 ARC Oil Catch Tank

ARC Oil Catch Tank [99-Up Mazda Miata] $260 ARC Oil Catch Tank

Vapamore VAPMR50WTC Water Tank Cap $5 Vapamore VAPMR50WTC Water Tank Cap

Oil Equipment Mfg Oil Equipment Mfg 1-1 4 Slpon Tnk Vent Cap 4037 $2.02 1-1/4 slpon tnk vent cap The slip-on design solves clearance problems Zinc-plated steel with screen to prevent debris from entering the vent pipe Lightweight and economical 1-1/4? Brand #: Oil Equipment Mfg 4037 UPC: 815549017101 Keywords: oil tank vent cap slip on

Oil Equipment Mfg Oil Equipment Mfg 1-1 2 Slpon Tnk Vent Cap 4038 $3.03 1-1/2 slpon tnk vent cap The slip-on design solves clearance problems Zinc-plated steel with screen to prevent debris from entering the vent pipe Lightweight and economical 1-1/2? Brand #: Oil Equipment Mfg 4038 UPC: 815549017118 Keywords: oil tank vent cap slip on

Chrome Oil Tank $199.95 Drag Specialties Chrome Oil Tank Features a side-fill design Includes oil filler plug

Oil Cap Cover by NCM $22.99 2.5L oil cap;Silver;Billet aluminum

Oil Equipment Mfg Oil Equipment Mfg 1-1 4 Mshrm Tnk Vent Cap 4023 $7.15 1-1/4 mshrm tnk vent cap This popular style is used in the majority of installations in the United States, Alaska, and Canada Rust-resistant zinc-plated cast-iron design Each cap is designed with a 30 mesh screen to prevent debris from entering the vent pipe 1-1/4? Female NPT Brand #: Oil Equipment Mfg 4023 UPC: 815549017040 Keywords: vent cap mushroom oil tank female npt

Oil Equipment Mfg Oil Equipment Mfg 1-1 2 Mshrm Tnk Vent Cap 4024 $8.51 1-1/2 mshrm tnk vent cap This popular style is used in the majority of installations in the United States, Alaska, and Canada Rust-resistant zinc-plated cast-iron design Each cap is designed with a 30 mesh screen to prevent debris from entering the vent pipe 1-1/2? Female NPT Brand #: Oil Equipment Mfg 4024 UPC: 815549017057 Keywords: vent cap mushroom oil tank female npt

ARC Oil Catch Tank [95-98 Nissan 240SX (SR20DET)] $260 ARC Oil Catch Tank

ARC Oil Catch Tank [03-Up Mitsubishi Evolution 8] $260 ARC Oil Catch Tank

Oil Tank Caps $7.99 Biker's Choice Oil Tank Caps Chrome-plated steel OEM and custom application

An Oil Tank Train Traveling to it's Destination $79.99 Bernard Hoffman An Oil Tank Train Traveling to it's Destination - Premium Photographic Print

A Miniature Replica of an Oil Tank Wagon $79.99 A Miniature Replica of an Oil Tank Wagon - Premium Photographic Print