Makita MAC2400 Air Compressor:

It’s easy to overlook the advantages of owning an air compressor. I mean, let’s face it, other than attaching an air line to clean out a dusty garage or to inflate the odd slow puncture now and again, there isn’t too much else you can do with them…right? Wrong!

Yes, you certainly can (and should) use an air compressor to help speed up these tasks, but they’re really just a fraction of what you can achieve whenever you add a compressor to your tool arsenal. The fact is, there’s no shortage of pneumatic tools available to help you nail, drill, saw, polish, sand, and grind (or pretty much any other construction-related task you can think of).

There are some considerable advantages to hanging up a few of your electric tools in favor of pneumatic equivalents, too. Air-powered tools tend to be a lot more reliable as a result of ditching the electric motor, and when combined with the fact that they have far fewer moving parts, you’ll be well on your way to saving both money and maintenance headaches going forward. Shedding the motor also helps to reduce weight, and this makes them easier to handle and maneuver than their heavy, cumbersome electric counterparts. Finally – they’re usually cheaper to run too, and you’ll often enjoy a productivity boost thanks to it being super quick and easy to swap between the various air tool attachments available to minimize disruption.

So, what’s not to like?

We’re probably getting a little ahead of ourselves though, as the heart of any pneumatic tool setup is the air compressor itself. So with that, enter the Makita MAC2400 – a 2.5 hp air compressor featuring Makita’s Big Bore technology to provide sufficient output for two nailers, for example, all the while delivering less noise and improved overall job site performance.

Let’s look at the MAC2400 in more detail…

The MAC2400 features a maximum power of 2.5 hp and standard running power of 2.1 hp. While it isn’t the most powerful air compressor on the market by any means, the 4-Pole motor produces 4.2 CFM at 90 PSI which makes it more than adequate for the needs of keen DIYers and professionals who don’t intend to run it continuously.

Touching on this last point briefly – one aspect of the MAC2400 that may put off certain users is its duty cycle. All Makita air compressors feature a maximum-recommended duty cycle of 50%, meaning that you shouldn’t run the compressor more than 30 minutes of every hour, and this could ultimately prove too restrictive for some large-scale users.

For the vast majority of users, however, it’s unlikely that the air compressor will need to run continually and so this shouldn’t be a massive issue.

While Makita explicitly mentioned that the MAC2400 is ideal for tasks such as nailing, the reality is that provided the CFM/PSI requirement of the air tool falls within the compressor’s output values, there’s no reason why you can’t complete the task for which it is intended.

As mentioned in the introduction, there is no shortage of air-powered tools available, for example:

• Tire inflators
• Blowers
• Brad nailers
• Framing nailers
• Hydraulic riveters
• Grease guns
• Air hammers
• Angle grinders
• 3/8″ impact wrenches
• 1/4″ socket wrenches

Each of the above could realistically be used with the MAC2400’s 4.2 CFM / 90 PSI output (remember to check on a tool-by-tool basis for exact confirmation, however). Examples of air-powered tools that the compressor would likely be underpowered for is larger impact wrenches and socket wrenches than those listed above, and also needle scalers, speed saws, and angle grinders – a more powerful compressor will be needed for these.

Also, while the MAC2400 has two outputs which Makita states are capable of running two nailers simultaneously, it’s worth remembering that nailers, for example framing nailers, typically use about 2-2.2 CFM at 90 PSI each, which makes this claim feasible. When using an air tool with a higher CFM requirement, however, it is unlikely that the MAC2400 will have the capacity to run two of these at the same time.

This likely won’t be an issue for most users, but it’s worth bearing in mind.

Finally, aside from the compressor’s 4.2 CFM / 90 PSI output, it’s worth remembering that the tank’s capacity will also play a large part in how well the compressor performs. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that using tools with a higher CFM draw will drain a smaller capacity tank like the MAC2400’s more quickly, and so more frequent recharging will be required to allow the compressor to rebuild the pressure.

Thankfully, this shouldn’t be an issue with the MAC2400 given its fast recharge time which we’ll discuss in more detail later.

Using the air compressor couldn’t be more straightforward. To keep you on the right track, though, Makita has provided a helpful set of operating procedures in the owner’s manual which includes simple steps to follow when starting up and shutting off the compressor.

When it comes to monitoring and adjusting the MAC2400’s performance during use, you can do this via the simple and uncluttered control panel on the front of the compressor, and this features an oversized pressure gauge dial for easy adjustments and large, easy-to-read gauges for better visibility of the tank and regulator PSI.

The manufacturer has also included a few handy features to make maintenance as easy as possible on the MAC2400. For example, the pump’s cylinder is removable for easy maintenance, and it features a convenient oil drain and oil sight glass, as well as a valve to drain condensation from the tank after use to prevent rust build-up.

When it comes to specific maintenance and servicing requirements and timescales, these are covered in the user manual. Following these will help to keep the air compressor in peak condition for longer.

Picking up on an earlier point; the compressor features a rapid recovery time thanks to its cast iron pump, and its Big Bore cylinder and piston which are larger than those found in standard compressors. The oversized profile of the cylinder and piston allows the pump to compress more air on each stroke, helping make the MAC2400 more efficient and minimizing any downtime experienced while the compressor’s tank recharges.

It’s usually the case that a pump is loud during this stage while it pulls in air, too, but that isn’t the case with the MAC2400 given that its pump runs at a lower (RPM), resulting in a lower noise output of only 79 dB to help provide quieter recharging.

Makita has an excellent reputation for producing quality tools and equipment, and the MAC2400 air compressor more than lives up to that.

The most obvious factor that leads to the compressor’s durability is its heavy-duty steel frame, and this acts as a roll-cage to help it withstand even the toughest of site conditions. The frame also features a convenient carrying handle, but if we’re honest, even with this, the overall weight of 77 lbs means that the compressor isn’t the easiest thing to transport or maneuver.

Given a choice, however, we’d choose a robust, sturdy design over portability every time (which is good – because that’s 100% what you get with this model).

Less obvious, but just as crucial in providing toughness and durability, is the pump’s heavy-duty cast iron construction. Cast iron is tough by itself, but the pump is given a further helping hand from the fact that it is oil-lubricated (see: oil vs oil-free air compressors) to produce cooler running temperatures, and this translates into reduced wear and increased durability for this critical component.

There are other ways that the MAC2400 incorporates a smart design in a bid to improve durability, too. For example, the pump’s lower RPM that we discussed earlier isn’t just good from a noise perspective; it also helps increase the pump’s operating life by reducing the stresses and strains it experiences.

The MAC2400 also features a low AMP daw which reduces instances of tripped breaks and voltage drops that could otherwise lead to premature motor failure, in addition to a built-in thermal overload for even greater motor protection and peace of mind.

It’s no great surprise that the Makita MAC2400 is one of the most well-reviewed air compressors on the market.

No, it probably won’t be the best option for someone who is looking to run their compressor continually, but its 2.5 HP motor capable of producing 4.2 CFM at 90 PSI will be more than adequate for the bulk of DIYers and professionals completing on-and-off, lower-intensity tasks.

The build quality is second-to-none too, and while the steel frame adds to the overall weight and reduces portability, you’ll have the added peace of mind that the compressor can handle any job site conditions you throw at it.

To summarize, if you’re in the market for an air compressor that will allow you to take advantage of the inherent benefits that come from using air-powered tools, in a package that’s as quiet as possible and comes from a brand name you can trust, then the Makita MAC2400 air compressor is a great option.

We’ve included a summary of the various advantages and disadvantages of this model below to help you make up your mind.

Makita MAC2400 vs MAC5200

(Scroll table if needed)

Model Number:	MAC2400	MAC5200
Manufacturer:	Makita	Makita
Gas or Electric:	Electric	Electric
Maximum Horsepower:	2.5 hp	3 hp
Running Horsepower:	2.1 hp	2.1 hp
Motor RPM:	1720 RPM	3420 RPM
Tank Size:	4.2 gal.	5.2 gal.
Pump:	Oil Lubricated	Oil Lubricated
Performance (40 PSI):	4.8 CFM	6.9 CFM
Performance (90 PSI):	4.2 CFM	6.5 CFM
Maximum Pressure:	130 PSI	140 PSI
Bore:	51 mm	47 mm
Stroke:	44 mm	44 mm
Voltage – Single Phase:	120	120
Amperage @ Max Pressure:	12.3	13.8
Minimum Circuit Req’d:	15 Amps	15 Amps
Wheeled Frame:	No	Yes
Weight:	77 lbs	88 lbs
Dimensions:	20″ x 18″ x 18.75″	29″ x 19.5″ x 19″
	Read Reviews	Read Reviews

Like most premium air compressors, this model comes with little in the way of accessories other than the required quick couplers and a bottle of air compressor oil. The first accessory shown below, therefore, is born out of necessity, as a high-pressure hose is needed to connect the straight finish nailer, medium crown stapler or any other tool you wish to use:

Here are a few popular options:

Makita B-80020 100-Foot High Pressure Contractor Hose

A highly flexible hose prone to fewer kinks for easy rolling and better air flow. It’s up to 2x lighter than heavier hoses and is ideal for a wide range of construction applications.

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Makita AF601 16 Gauge, 2-1/2″ Straight Finish Nailer

The AF601 features an efficient motor design to offer leading power performance. It includes a built-in air duster to clear the work surface of dust before you start nailing.

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Makita AT1150A 7/16-inch Medium Crown Stapler (16 Ga.)

The AT1150A features a top-loading magazine to allow quick loading of up to 140 staples, and a quick release nose assembly to clear jammed staples helping to minimize downtime.

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1. Does the Makita MAC2400 come with an air hose?

2. What hose size does the manufacturer recommend using with the MAC2400?

3. Can this compressor be used with a spray gun, nailer, or other pneumatic tools?

4. How loud is the Makita MAC2400 during operation?

5. How long is the power cord?

6. How portable is the Makita MAC2400 big bore air compressor?

7. What is the recommended duty cycle of the MAC2400?

8. How often does the oil need to be changed on the MAC2400?

9. What oil does the manufacturer recommend using?