I have owned this compressor for 4+ years now and am still completely satisfied. I did have one problem with a leaky pressure regulator. I was able to fix it a few times by disassembling the regulator housing but eventually stripped one of the connectors. I used a hand held, air chisel to break up the mortar joints. The compressor was operating at 100% duty cycle for 10-15 minutes at a stretch, but couldn't quite keep up with continuous use of the air chisel. As an last ditch experiment, I bought a 10 gal portable air storage tank, some extra quick disconnect fittings and rigged up a reserve tank in parallel with the 4 gallon PC tank. (yes, I am an engineer) My thinking was that I would run the crap out of my little PC and if it bit the dust, that was my excuse to buy a new compressor. I am amazed to say the PC compressor ran flawlessly for the entire chimney demo and still works fine today.
Great Little Air Squeezer!!! - This little Porter Cable compressor is all (and more) that I expected it to be. The output should be more than adequate for my needs to run an air ratchet, blow nozzle, hand sandblaster and pressurize a small auxilliary portable tank.

The gauges, regulator and hose coupling on this model are out in the open, and exposed to potential damage if used at a busy construction site.

Features

• 4 cubic feet per minute at 90 psi
• Direct-drive electric motor
• Line regulator with gauge
• Vertically stacked twin tanks, 4.3-gallon capacity
• Comes standard with line regulator and gauges
• O-ring on draincock makes valve easy to open and close
• Pressure switch has start/stop control at 100 and 125 psi with 14-second recovery time
• 15 amp motor runs at 3,450 rpm, providing 8.2 cubic feet per minute of free air

Specifications

• Horsepower: 2
• Amps: 15
• Speed: 3,450 rpm
• Air displacement: 8. Oil lube single piston compressor type, line regulator with gauge, direct drive electric motor, suction cup feet for extra stability, O-ring on draincock makes valve easy to open and close and resists stripping, vertically stacked twin tanks.
  found in EC12's reviews:
  Compressor great, regulator bad - This compressor is a great value. It has a quality oil lubricated motor and is competitively priced with "oil-less" compressors of similar size and capacity. It works great with my various small air tools (palm nailer, impact wrench, etc). My only complaint: After a few hours of light use, the regulator dial became very hard to turn, and eventually stopped working altogether. I replaced the regulator with an inexpensive AmFlo model purchased at Lowes, and am much happier with the new one -- easier to adjust, more precise, and more accurate. If Hitachi included a better regulator, they would have a 5 star product.
  great quality, reasonable price - The other item is the brass stem out of the upper tank to the regulator; it positions the regulator in a location which is very susceptible to be knocked off. The positives: I've used it for over a year now, building two houses (both framing and finish guns), with little or no maintenance, the oil lubed compressor is fast.
  Excellent Compressor - The compressor is quiet, powerful, and reliable so far. I have looked at quite a few compressors and 95% of them have something hanging out waiting to be sheared off if impacted. I think it would be fairly simple for them to tuck the regulator assembly between the tank and pump to avoid possible damage but few manufacturers do so I didn't take any stars away for that. Great price, great compressor. I modified my compressor by bolting a single gang plastic electrical box to the leg under the regulator. The compressor power cord is spliced inside the box to a recepticle and a 25 foot 12ga cord that provides power to the recepticle for accessory power tools or extension cords, etc.
  Get It. -
  The other reviews about the regulator being in a vulnerable position are true and you need to take some care with location on the job.
  Take care to read all the instructions before using the compressor. The compressor ships without oil in the compressor and in my haste to get started I nearly missed filling it with oil.
  Hitachi quaility and plenty of air. - This compressor has outlasted several other brands. The machine has run two finishing guns continuously for almost a year and hasn't needed anything more than an oil change The regulator is predictable, and adjusts as easily as other brands. We simply do not run out of air no matter how fast we are working with the Senco SFN40's.

  While I have given this compressor a 5 star rating, there are some things for the engineers (and you!) to think about in the next model: 1. The way the regulator is mounted it is difficult to make a manifold for two hoses without hanging those pipes out there where they can get knocked off. This means you have to hold it out away from your body a bit more than the size of the compressor would promise.

  These are relatively small gigs on a really great compressor.
  Tremendous product, good value - )

  The regulator stem is in an exposed position where it could be damaged/broken off if struck hard enough or handled carelessly, and the unit is every bit as loud as I expected (invest in some good earplugs) but still, I am extremely pleased my decision to go with this unit.
  A good little workhorse - Puts out enough air to keep two framing nailguns running at full speed.

  I find that I am using the big shop compressor much less - it's just so easy to plug in the handy little Hitachi for everything. As the Hitachi uses an odd-sized thread for their gauges you have to either replace them with another (relatively expensive at $17 or so and weak plastic ) Hitachi gauge or replace the regulator and add a new gauge (costs a little more but most replacement regulators are better made than the original costs maybe $21 with a better gauge).
  

It has a sturdy cage that protects the Tubing, Regulator, pressure switch, and brass connectors.