Which air compressor to buy?

[zap]

Lowes Kobalt 3.7 h.p. 60 gal, 11.5 SCFM @ 90 PSI, 155 MAX PSI

or

HF 4 h.p. 29 gal., 14.5@90 PSI, 120 MAX PSI

The HF is rated at higher scfm but lower max psi and smaller tank. Both are on sale at $300. I'm not going to spend more as my use is light and infrequent. The HF 20# sandblaster will be the most demanding tool(again light use).thanks for you opinions. Joe

[Ohio Mike]

I looked a several when I purchased 2 or so years ago. I went with the unit from Home Depot. All the specs (and prices) on the units were close some a little more cfm some with higher pressure etc. I went with the one from Home Depot as it was the only one that stated 100% duty cycle.

[zap]

Happy with you choice Mike?

[Ohio Mike]

Happy with you choice Mike?

Yes, I haven't done anything to it but change the oil once a year. It comes as 110v but will run 220v.

[Hotfoot]

I bought the HUSKY from Home Depot about 6 years ago (5hp/26 gallon). I've painted a car or two, run the 20 pound sandblaster (which I never could keep from instantly clogging, even with my dry air system. It needs very fine media), al kind of air tools, but I run out of oomph on air sanders after about a minute, and have to let it catch up...same with my air scaler and die grinders.

that unit is a Campbell Hausfeld. I found that out when the regulator went out about 6 months old...(I replaced that on my own , rather than take the whole compressor into the shop and let it sit for weeks.) About year after that the pressure switch quit working, but I removed the cover and played with it, and it has worked fine since then. Works great with my Plasma Cutter.

You might check and find a unit identical to the HD one ...WalMart used to sell the CH here, but no longer does.:)

[cope]

Of the two listed, I would get the Husky.

[yorkiepap]

Hey zap,
If you're going to get a compressor in the same price range, get the Kobalt 60 gal.....you won't be sorry. I got a flyer for a 4 day sale from Lowes that ran a sale from 12/20- 12/23 and had the Kobalt for $299. I went early the 2nd morning, and when I got there, the sales girl said they were sold out. I was looking at the display unit and said I would take the display unit. She said since it was the display model, she would give me another 10% off....got it for $269. It is a superb unit and "MADE IN USA"!!!!!! Denny

[mike6845]

If they are oiless, neither one. If they are piston compressors with oil lubrication, go fo the Kobalt unit. For the price they sound like single stage units, and if you need a readonable amount of air for the blast pot, get the bigger tank version.

[yorkiepap]

Hey mike6845,
You're right about the oil/oilless compressors. The Kobalt is a 2 cyl. 220vac unit, and surprisingly, there is a tag on it that specifies "Pure synthetic 10w30 oil only", not the general "compressor oil" most use. I ran it all day yesterday with my air grinder & die grinder and no problems keeping up with the demand. The one modification I made was to remove the bleeder valve from the bottom, install an elbow, 3" nipple, ball valve, & 1/2" line thru the wall to outside to drain. I drain my units after each days' use. Oh.....and get a good filter/regulator to maintain clean dry air. Anyway, I feel this unit would serve anyone's needs quite nicely. Denny

[salvageclaus]

I have had a Blue Point 20? gallon oil-less compressor since 1996 and I have never had to replace the piston sleeve yet. I can't cuss it too much.:D
I do hate how loud it is when running.
I can tell it takes a long time to recover and I want to replace it with a oil type with a 30 gallon tank.
this thread has been good reading for me to know what others have done

[mike6845]

Yorkie:

Same set up with my Ingersoll Rand compressor. They also reccommend synthetic oil only. I make it a practice of changing oil every year along with the air intake filters. It only costs a few bucks but a lot cheaper than a new compressor unit. I've also put a better drain on the bottom of my tank. It's a little messy when I drain it but it works. I tried one of those auto drain systems but if a particle of crud gets into one, you are s.o.l. It cost me over $100 to learn that lesson, so a ball valve and some pipe work jut fine.

[John Stuckey]

Although it might be overkill I really like my 7.5hp Eaton compressor- quiet, lots of volume and exceptional features like the automatic unloader to save the start/stop wear. I opted for the ball valve instead of the automatic drain system. I hooked plastic tubing to the tank ball valve and run the water into the foundation. I do the same for the drain on my 40' of 3/4 pipe that I use for condensing the hot vapor before in goes into my water separator and filter.

[Brianstick]

Why, what kind of problems are you guys having with the auto drain set up? I was thinking of putting one on my 80 gallon 2 stage.

[treborly]

wow, where are you guys seeing these 10+ cfm compressor for under 500 bucks?

at home depot.. the highest cfm at 90 psi for under $500 is 5.4

[zap]

treborly, we're talking U.S dollars. HD 10.2 @90=$400.

Yorkiepap-- I contacted Lowes the day of the sale and none of the 4 stores near me had the 60 gal. Kobalt.They still don't have them and saying it might be a month until they come in. I'm now looking at an Iron Horse(Eagle) that is 11@90, 15 amp GE motor, 60 gal for $400.

[mike6845]

You might try your local tractor supply store if you have one. I think they are running one of their 10%off sales now.

[mike6845]

Why, what kind of problems are you guys having with the auto drain set up? I was thinking of putting one on my 80 gallon 2 stage.

Stay away from the cheapo H.F unit unless you wanted to replace all the pressure lines for their unit. The plastic lines they supply are chinzzy. I looked at the HF kit and laid it back down on the shelf and walked away. This is one time I draw the line of HF stuff as this could have serious consequences if it failed.

I had an IR auto drain and it got plugged up and I could not clean it out good enough to work properly. There must have been some welding scale or crud in the tank that plugged up the valve. I have since went to a trusty ball valve and a short piece of drain line and everything works just fine.

[treborly]

treborly, we're talking U.S dollars. HD 10.2 @90=$400.

Yorkiepap-- I contacted Lowes the day of the sale and none of the 4 stores near me had the 60 gal. Kobalt.They still don't have them and saying it might be a month until they come in. I'm now looking at an Iron Horse(Eagle) that is 11@90, 15 amp GE motor, 60 gal for $400.


I thought the dollar was pretty much the same right now?

[John Stuckey]

As for an auto drain, I skipped it because I didn't want it going off at all times of the day and night since the compressor is in my basement. I don't like loud unexpected noises. The guys at Eaton warned me about getting the auto drains and I'm glad they did!

[yorkiepap]

Hey treborly,
When I told my buddy about the Lowes sale, he went out to get one at the store I got mine. They were also sold out as I bought the display unit. He got a raincheck from Lowes at the sale price. They have to provide the items listed on the sale or a raincheck, unless the sale flyer indicates the price is not valid after the stocked items are sold out. He got his 8 days later at the sale price.

Denny

[zap]

Not wanting to make anyone drool but I managed to get the Kobalt 60 gal. compressor for the sale price of $299. As of now its the only one to hit the 4 "local" Lowes. They are currently as scare as hens teeth. I'll have it hooked up in a few days.

[Woof]

Here's one of the best articles I've seen pertaining to air compressors

http://www.truetex.com/aircompressors.htm

[SCHoot]

I just bought a 26 cfm compressor on a 80 gallon tank for $150. It needs a new motor which I've seen from $300 for a Leeson and right at $500 for a Baldor. Any opinions on which motor to go for? It probably won't see a whole lot of hours day in day out. Any opinions appreciated.

[mike6845]

I just bought a 26 cfm compressor on a 80 gallon tank for $150. It needs a new motor which I've seen from $300 for a Leeson and right at $500 for a Baldor. Any opinions on which motor to go for? It probably won't see a whole lot of hours day in day out. Any opinions appreciated.

Need to know the size of the motor before an accurate analysis can be given. Both motor brands are very good and would be acceptable but you can shop around and perhaps score on one a little cheaper. If you have a TSC store in your area, they have compressor motors, again what size though.........

[SCHoot]

Sorry. 7.5hp
184T frame.

I didn't see one that big on TSC's website. I'll probably go with the Leeson since the Baldor is at least 50% more, at least that's what I've found thus far.