The excellent Craftsman 6 gallon air compressor is part of the company's updated and expanded line of products that shouldn't be missed. We've used it to inflate the tires of government department vans, our neighbor's bicycle tires, and as a power source for our framing nailers. Here's how this reliable compressor works.
advantage
- Enough to inflate our high pressure van tires
- We can't beat 2.6 SCFM
- Practical handle design for easy portability
- Durable materials and rubber feet
- oil free pump
shortcoming
- no obvious disadvantages
Check out our Best Air Compressors article to see our top picks for a variety of applications and uses.
Performance
Hyperinflation
Parker Street Ministries is in its third decade of community revitalization in Lakeland, Florida. It offers academic enhancement programs (and transportation to and from these programs), home renovations, general neighborhood relations, and more to residents of the area. It takes a lot of tools to accomplish these things, including tools like the Craftsman 6 Gallon Air Compressor.
The department has several large vans that are used to transport children to and from our academic programs. Obviously, keeping everyone safe is our top priority, and that starts with properly inflated tires. Vans have high-performance tires that require more power to inflate. The 150 PSI, 2.6 SCFM Craftsman 6 Gallon Air Compressor has all the features we need. We have had other pancakes compressors not get the job done so this is a great bonus.
We often find ourselves inflating bicycle tires for kids and adults who don't have vehicles nearby. It may seem like a small thing, but it gives us the opportunity to serve and talk to neighbors we may not know.
pressure point
Through the efforts of our staff, volunteers, and neighbors, we've restored many homes over the years — and there's more to come. We run the Ridgid framing nailer with Craftsman and it works flawlessly. Craftsman lists recommended applications for the Craftsman CMEC6150 6 Gallon Air Compressor as well as some applications to avoid:
apply to
- Bolted
- Brad Nails/Pegs
- finish nailing
- frame nails
- roof nails
not recommended for
- air brush
- drilling
- to cut
- grinding
- spraying
- Sanding
- surface treatment
- HVLP Painting
The CMEC6150 is a well built and powerful portable compressor. Of particular note is the handle design and rubber feet to protect its legs and the surface it sits on. An oil-free pump also makes this compressor virtually maintenance-free. Living in Florida, we find it wise to use the drain valve to drain the water from the tank after each use.
We can easily read the large pressure gauges on the tank and output.
Adjusting the output with the front knob seems familiar. Dual 1/4" NPT ports allow you to connect two hoses and tools to the compressor at the same time. This can be very convenient. For example, we like the dual vents when using both a framing machine and an upright nailer.
Artisan CMEC6150 Price
The Craftsman 6 gallon air compressor is a great deal at $99 bare or $149.00 kit. Here's how it fared against some of the competition.
- Artisan CMEC6150
- Bare Metal: $99
- Kit: $149
- Porter Cable C2002: $99
- Bostitch BTFP02012: $99
- Dewalt DWFP55126: $129
the bottom line
The new Craftsman CMEX6150 6 Gallon Air Compressor is the best value for your money: great performance, aerodynamics, handle design for portability, rubber feet, and solid construction. It cycles fast enough for a nailing application at about 90PSI. You probably won't be able to run two removable roof nailers on this compressor or sander, but that's not what it's designed to do. Instead, you get a decent amount of air and a reasonably quick recovery time for an above-average price.
Craftsman 6 Gallon Air Compressor Specifications
- model:
- CMEC6150 (bare metal)
- CMEC6150K (kit)
- Maximum PSI: 150
- SCFM:
- @ 40 psi: 3.5
- @ 90 psi 2.6
- Number of couplers: 2
- Drain Valve Type: Manual
- Phase: single phase
- Phase: single phase
- Tank Size: 6 Gallons
- Amp 10
- Pump Type: Oil Free
- Horsepower: 0.8
- Tool Weight: 30 lbs
- Maximum pressure: 150 psi
- Decibel: 82 dB
- price:
- CMEC6150 (bare metal): $99
- CMEC6150K (kit): $149