Harbor Freight Compressors

[JoeyMitch]

Hey guys. Our old Craftsman horizontal 12 galloon compressor is on it's last leg. We are looking for a new one. It will not be heavily used; mainly for some finish nailing, some light cuttng, and (don't laugh) a little snow making. Has anyone used the one I posted below? Looks pretty good for our use but we want to hear some feedback from you guys. Thanks!!

http://www.harborfreight.com/25-hor...-cast-iron-vertical-air-compressor-67847.html

 

[SpawnedX]

There are 87 different individual first hand experiences listed right on that page.

 

[bcradio]

Great price on it, but the reviews have me scared. I'll prob go with a Craftsman Pro model instead or get Mickey-O to forge and build a 100% USA made one for me.

 

[Matt018]

Great price on it, but the reviews have me scared. I'll prob go with a Craftsman Pro model instead or get Mickey-O to forge and build a 100% USA made one for me.

Hahaha lets see if he can rise to the challenge.

 

[JoeyMitch]

There are 87 different individual first hand experiences listed right on that page.

Yes I know that but I want some information from guys like you that I know really know their stuff!!

 

[SpawnedX]

Yes I know that but I want some information from guys like you that I know really know their stuff!!

Then I will tell you what you probably don't want to hear, a compressor isn't where you want to go economy on.

 

[SpawnedX]

I have this for home use: http://www.sears.com/ingersoll-rand...p-00989225000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

 

[neonnblack]

I have the old model red one. I have had it for maybe 6 years. it sits outside through the rain, heat, snow, ice, etc. Never changed the oil, starts everytime with no issues. does well with light work.

I used a HF DA sander to sand a card down once, took a while but it managed it. Use the ratchet with it occasionally.

 

[lennoxlennox]

it all depends

how good is your fire insurance policy?

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=192927140729017&set=o.145522102125479&type=3&theater

 

[JoeyMitch]

Ok maybe I will rethink te whole harbor freight one. How about the Husky model that is similar. I know the reviews aren't good but some are good.

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...ord=compressor&storeId=10051#customer_reviews

 

[NC-Fordguy]

I have a HF 60 gallon 5 hp air compressor

Painted a few trucks with it

Countless hours of running air chisels, die grinders, and sanders

It does lag a bit when using sand/soda blasters

All in All I'm satisfied with it

 

[O_M_Jeep]

^^^ What I was going to say ^^^^^^ I have the 30 gal upright, has never failed or let me down and it gets used quite a lot, all different applications, mostly impact and air chisel work, not a lot of delicate work, some media blasting, best value on the market, 4 years and running strong (also I havent changed the oil in it and my garage isnt heated, -35f the oil was too thick for it to run, the breaker on the compressor popped, as soon as it hit 15f I pushed the breaker it started right up.

 

[wornoutoldman]

Have you checked your craigslist? Find one you can see and run before purchase. $250 should get you a pretty stout used one.

 

[Southern]

The only two reasons I see to consider a harbor freight anything are:

1) You are trying to save money.
2) You actually want cheaply made Chinese garbage.

If your case is case #1, take the same money you'd spend on the HF compressor and spend it on something decent but used on craigslist.

If your case is case #2, go to Sears and buy a Craftsman or home depot for a Husky.

 

[StaggeringGoat]

it all depends

how good is your fire insurance policy?

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=192927140729017&set=o.145522102125479&type=3&theater

Because we all know name brand electronics NEVER catch on fire! Nowhere does that picture show the cause of the fire...for all we know somebody torched it!

Ok maybe I will rethink te whole harbor freight one. How about the Husky model that is similar. I know the reviews aren't good but some are good.

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...ord=compressor&storeId=10051#customer_reviews

The cheap chinese compressors at Home Depot/Lowes/etc are all the same as the ones from Harbor freight, but they cost more. They most likely come out of the same factory with a different paint job and stickers.
I bought a miter saw from HF for $99 and found the exact same item at HD for $200 with a "Ryobi" sticker.
I also have one of the older red compressors from HF. The only problem I had with it is the chinese air regulator/quick connect fittings/pressure gauges. I replaced them with better quality pieces for a few bucks.

If your case is case #2, go to Sears and buy a Craftsman or home depot for a Husky.

Pay more for the same chinese **** because it has a Husky sticker? That makes a lot of sense...

 

[Danglerb]

All the "stores" Sears, HF, Lowes, Home Depot, seem to have a constant change in details of air compressors and manufacturers, so it makes no sense to recommend by store or even brand anymore.

I have a Craftsman 33 gal oilless, very loud, no other real issues, but I've been thinking about it, and were I to be doing it over I think I would opt for the cheapest decent small pancake or hotdog compressor and full set of good cordless tools.

 

[GeneralDisorder]

If you want to stay out of the Chinese compressor world you pretty much are screwed unless you will be stepping up to a Quincy, higher-end IR, or something more exotic like a Powerex or a small rotary screw.

Having been a compressor technician and with ties to that community still - I can't count the number of times I had to tell someone their Chinese **** from (insert big box store here) was not economically viable to repair.

It's not hard at all to build a very nice compressor with a bit of research. Buy a used Quincy QR series (a QR-325 is a 5 HP beast of an air-end that will hand-down nicely to your grandchildren) off craigslist, rebuild it, and have a compressor that can really go to work.

GD

 

[Mori55]

My son has 20 some gallon HF he uses for painting nail guns etc . It works perfectly fine.
Personally I love HF, if it wasn't for there prices I wouldn't have half stuff I have.
My kid bough a small 110 flux core welder from HF , works great foe what he needs it for , about 100 bucks.
Sometimes I wonder how many "name" brand tool guys even use there tools or just are tool hoarders ?

 

[Basstracker34]

I'd recommend a 30 gallon upright air compressor from northern tool. Morgan RE30 model. $299.99(only really a deal if you have a Northern tool store near you to avoid shipping) http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200396622_200396622

Or get the new version for more $$.

A belt drive is much quieter than the direct drive (oilless models)

 

[lennoxlennox]

If you want to stay out of the Chinese compressor world you pretty much are screwed unless you will be stepping up to a Quincy, higher-end IR, or something more exotic like a Powerex or a small rotary screw.

Having been a compressor technician and with ties to that community still - I can't count the number of times I had to tell someone their Chinese **** from (insert big box store here) was not economically viable to repair.

It's not hard at all to build a very nice compressor with a bit of research. Buy a used Quincy QR series (a QR-325 is a 5 HP beast of an air-end that will hand-down nicely to your grandchildren) off craigslist, rebuild it, and have a compressor that can really go to work.

GD

THIS ^^^

Instead of listening to "opinions" of HF enthusiasts, this is a credible post. No substitute for quality.

It's funny, I posted a pic taken by a HF employee of what happens to their **** and someone tries justifying the ****... go figure.


Here's a link to one of "many" people tasked with reselling HF returns on fleabay.... I wonder why there are so many compressors returned?

http://www.ebay.com/sch/m.html?_nkw=compressor&_sacat=0&_odkw=&_osacat=0&_armrs=1&_ssn=taddwholesale


did you notice... NOBODY is bidding at the low prices.... hmmmm what could that be telling me?

(his completed listings only go back to Sep 8 and there are 300 listed - in 2 WEEKS!!! That's 7200 returned units this guy sells in a year!!!! and that's just one reseller.... um yes Houston we have a problem - http://www.ebay.com/csc/taddwholesale/m.html?_sacat=0&_armrs=1&_nkw=compressor&LH_Complete=1&rt=nc)

Do what the "GeneralDisorder" or "wornoutoldman" advise you to do, i.e. spend a few more dollars on quality or you can roll the dice and buy chinese **** - as always, it will cost you more in the long run

 

[lennoxlennox]

i'm not sure where you are in jersey... but start with these:

http://cnj.craigslist.org/tls/3153038360.html

http://cnj.craigslist.org/tls/3218712923.html

http://jerseyshore.craigslist.org/tls/3253793937.html

see what price you can get it off the seller

 

[O_M_Jeep]

LMAO ! ! ! ! ! No one brings a chinese made car to NASCAR I would guess because they keep making them with the ability to turn right as well.

 

[O_M_Jeep]

The bottom line is, you have to be happy with what you spend and what you get, you've gotten some good opinions, the HF people are telling you about HF compressors, and the chinese tool haters like Lennox here are also telling you about HF compressors, I have one and it works perfectly, I have been in a HF store when a compressor was returned though, it does happen quite often, I dont know about them all, but the white-trash I was in line with said he buys one when he needs it, does the job then returns it because he doesnt want to spend the cash for it. I think that happens a lot since the store employees dont even care why your bringing it back.

Was there a bad review of a HF compressor by someone who actually owns one? I dont recall seeing it, but again, it's your money and only you have to be happy with what you get for what you spend. Good luck.

 

[GeneralDisorder]

Don't get me wrong - for a lot of people that "play mechanic" or "play contractor" a few weekends a year the HF stuff is probably the ticket. Get the warranty and deal with the hassle of returning it if it breaks. People like that don't even really *need* a compressor they just think they do.

If you really *need* one and you need serious air delivery without downtime then HF is not even an option.

Real compressors don't have to cost a lot. My "home" machine is an 80 gallon vertical with a QR-325, baldor industrial 5 hp, and full industrial NEMA rated controls. I have about $800 into the machine - half of which was the motor because single phase 5 hp motors are hard to find used.

My shop machine (I own a Subaru shop) is a 20 HP Ingersoll Rand that I picked up used for $750. It's a beast and lays down 70 CFM at 120 psi. I have two blast cabinets and many air tools and typically two to three guys working 9-5.

Harbor Freight compressors are a joke to me and any real professional that relies on his tools. They are the duplo blocks of the compressor world. Hell even the 5 and 20 hp machines I own are toys by comparison to the vast majority of "real" compressors out there.

GD

 

[RCStocker]

I have this for home use: http://www.sears.com/ingersoll-rand...p-00989225000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

Great little compressor. I don't think I would look at any other brand or go any smaller. It is a great little home compressor and is portable to boot.

I have an IR 60 gallon 2 stage 175 psi in both shops. I have a bunch of little ones that are older but built very well.

If you are making snow you will need more volume. 12 gallon is a toy for taking with you to inflate the tires on a sandrail or to the boat at the docks.

Years ago Sears made good compressors. They have better brands but they want top dollar for them. Harbor Freight is junk but works.

Ingersal Rand, Champion and others make good compressors. Don't skimp.
3 cheap compressors will pay for a good one and in the end you will need more than 3 cheap ones.

 

[Southern]

Pay more for the same chinese **** because it has a Husky sticker? That makes a lot of sense...

If you're actually under the impression that the Sears and HD compressors are the exact same compressor as HF with a different sticker on them, I really don't have anything to say in response.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

Looking at my 240 volt US General Compressor

Motor-- AO Smith made in Mexico

Tank--? Can't find any stamping but IIRC reading on another more factual web-site, it is made in China

These units are assembled in a plant in South Carolina

Can't comment of the origins or durability of the HF 120 volt compressors

What I can say for certain is the US General compressor has handled everything that I've thrown at it for the past 5 years I've had it. While I don't have a "Pro" shop, I do spend most nights and weekends repairing/restoring/modifying 4x4s. Many of these projects that come into my shop are trucks that Professional shops have already fawked up or are to scared to touch. So yea I guess I play a pro on the weekends.

I've gotten my moneys worth out of it for sure. If it craps out I'll likely get another brand with more capability that's better suited to keep up with the demands of soda/sand blasting.

 

[GeneralDisorder]

If you're actually under the impression that the Sears and HD compressors are the exact same compressor as HF with a different sticker on them, I really don't have anything to say in response.

They are right there in the same league - playing the same sport as the saying goes. Very small air-ends driven "hot" at high RPM and made of very cheap materials. The goal is cost savings and the market is flooded with lots of competition. They build the machines as small as possible and rate them at CFM they can only achieve by running at 1800 or sometimes 3600 RPM! A proper compressor that's going to live a long, happy life needs lots of cast iron, large oil capacity, pressure fed lubrication, proper oil and air filtration and MOST OF ALL it needs to run at a healthy 900 RPM max. Even at that RPM you can easily hit discharge temps of 350 *F when running continuously for 30+ minutes. These tiny big-box-store machines would die a horrible death if run continuously for 8 hours at pressure. Which - coincidentally is the BREAK IN run for new rings on a Quincy QR series. We operate them for a full 8 hour work day at 100 psi. They can do this for DECADES and they love doing it.

Both HF and Sears/HD use entirely Chinese components. Some of the higher end units may have bits in their build from Taiwan... but by and large none of these machines would hit 1,000 hours of operation without a 99% failure rate. The fact that many live on for years of abuse in the hands of people that use them once a month to inflate a bicycle tire is pretty much meaningless data. I could show you dozens that lasted a week or less on a real job site.

I get it - real compressors are expensive. But that's what craigslist and the used market are good for. Lots and lots of machines out there that need a good home and some TLC. I recently picked up a QR-240 at a sale for $100 - it was laying on it's side in some brambles. Turned out to be a WW-II vintage machine of US Navy origins. I did a service on it and put in new rings and bearings and it's running great. Total cost was probably in the $300 range. It's a 5 HP single stage machine that makes 17 CFM all day long at 120 psi. It runs at a tollerable 850 RPM and you can talk to someone standing right next to it.

GD

 

[pipsters]

They are right there in the same league - playing the same sport as the saying goes. Very small air-ends driven "hot" at high RPM and made of very cheap materials. The goal is cost savings and the market is flooded with lots of competition. They build the machines as small as possible and rate them at CFM they can only achieve by running at 1800 or sometimes 3600 RPM! A proper compressor that's going to live a long, happy life needs lots of cast iron, large oil capacity, pressure fed lubrication, proper oil and air filtration and MOST OF ALL it needs to run at a healthy 900 RPM max. Even at that RPM you can easily hit discharge temps of 350 *F when running continuously for 30+ minutes. These tiny big-box-store machines would die a horrible death if run continuously for 8 hours at pressure. Which - coincidentally is the BREAK IN run for new rings on a Quincy QR series. We operate them for a full 8 hour work day at 100 psi. They can do this for DECADES and they love doing it.

Both HF and Sears/HD use entirely Chinese components. Some of the higher end units may have bits in their build from Taiwan... but by and large none of these machines would hit 1,000 hours of operation without a 99% failure rate. The fact that many live on for years of abuse in the hands of people that use them once a month to inflate a bicycle tire is pretty much meaningless data. I could show you dozens that lasted a week or less on a real job site.

I get it - real compressors are expensive. But that's what craigslist and the used market are good for. Lots and lots of machines out there that need a good home and some TLC. I recently picked up a QR-240 at a sale for $100 - it was laying on it's side in some brambles. Turned out to be a WW-II vintage machine of US Navy origins. I did a service on it and put in new rings and bearings and it's running great. Total cost was probably in the $300 range. It's a 5 HP single stage machine that makes 17 CFM all day long at 120 psi. It runs at a tollerable 850 RPM and you can talk to someone standing right next to it.

GD

Yeah I think this guy who's going to do some finish nailing should totally go pick up a 60-80 gal 240v Quincy compressor, makes total sense

Context is everything...

 

[JoeyMitch]

Thanks for the replies guys. I really appreciate it. I have had a big 80gal compressor before, but didn't like how it wasn't mobile and took up so much space. I like the 20-30 gal size because they are on wheels and I can move them around for when I do some nailing and minor cutting.

 

[Hiball]

I get it - real compressors are expensive. But that's what craigslist and the used market are good for. Lots and lots of machines out there that need a good home and some TLC. I recently picked up a QR-240 at a sale for $100 - it was laying on it's side in some brambles. Turned out to be a WW-II vintage machine of US Navy origins. I did a service on it and put in new rings and bearings and it's running great. Total cost was probably in the $300 range. It's a 5 HP single stage machine that makes 17 CFM all day long at 120 psi. It runs at a tollerable 850 RPM and you can talk to someone standing right next to it.

GD

Yeah I think this guy who's going to do some finish nailing should totally go pick up a 60-80 gal 240v Quincy compressor, makes total sense

Context is everything...

I think you overlooked General Disorders last paragraph... Obviously someone who isn't pushing air on a daily basis doesn't need a industrial unit. I've never owned anything but some pieced together junk.. And it's so nice when I head over to my buddies house to use his sandblaster, he has (2) 120 gallon units that he picked up used. It's nice to be able carry on a conversation without screaming at the top of our lungs. I've been searching for a quality compressor/pump for quite sometime.. My day will come eventually. I concur with most of the members recommendations.. If the Op doesn't intend on ever doing any blasting/da sanding he could get by witha smaller unit, my only recommendation would be to try and find a splash lubed pump versus the teeth chattering direct drive units.

I picked up this unit at a garage sale for like $60 bucks or so.. I didn't need it but couldn't pass up the price.

 

[GeneralDisorder]

Exactly - there are tons of quality machines on Craiglist in the $50 range that are small, portable, and probably just need a good cleaning and a belt or some simple electrical repair like a start cap replaced, etc.

At least going that route you will have the satisfaction of reusing something instead of it being thrown away for some trivial problem - even a lot of these small Chinese machines... when they do fail it's not that big of a problem to fix. It's just beyond most people and they don't want to take the time to learn anything. But that's exactly what web forums such as this are for - take some pictures and post them here and within a short time you will likely have all the information you need to get it running again.

GD

 

[SMKS]

Hmmm, I just checked CL in my area and there aren't cheap used compressors like some people here claim. The only name brand ones I see are Craftsmans and Colemans and the sellers seem to want near retail price.

So, there's a guy claiming the HF units and all the big-box store units are garbage and multiple people telling the OP to buy a huge or expensive compressor for his DIY work.

It seems the people bashing the HF compressor just in general hate HF and haven't actually used the compressors in question. The few people posting that they have a HF compressor seem to be happy with them.

As usual, many people responding to a post asking about the merits of an item form HF seem to ignore the actual item in question and just bash HF. Same with many of the threads on the 44" box that people like, the Earthquake impacts that many members seem to like or the made in Taiwan impact sockets that some people here like.

I haven't used the compressor posted by the OP, but if I was in his position I would consider it, too.

To the OP-
I would ignore most of the HF bashing here and focus on the few posts by people with actual experience with similar compressors. The only advice I can give you is to consider the belt-driven models. After owning a Craftsman direct-drive compressor, I told myself my next compressor will be belt driven.

 

[GeneralDisorder]

Hmmm, I just checked CL in my area and there aren't cheap used compressors like some people here claim. The only name brand ones I see are Craftsmans and Colemans and the sellers seem to want near retail price.

This ^ is exactly the problem.

The problem is not with the HF's or HD's or Sears' or their products. The problem is with PEOPLE. They want the instant gratification of buying something new in a box RIGHT NOW. If they can't find something on Craigslist with a single search on a single day then it's NOT THERE to them. In fact most people just assume it's not and don't even look.

I have used plenty of HF tools and I own plenty of them right now that get used DAILY in my professional auto repair shop. Some are fine. Others won't take the abuse, and still others are ok with some modifications.

There are items I have bought that I wished I had time to find quality versions of on Craigslist, eBay, etc but due to the demands of a business I was unable to source them quickly enough for my needs. Though major purchases like compressors I never pickup "lightly".

Frankly the problem is that people just don't want to be bothered to slow down and think things through, to wait for the right deal, or to learn something about how to repair someone's cast off. People often ask me how it is that I know so much about so many broad subjects at what they consider to be a relatively young age - my answer is simple - "I desire to know". I would rather something take me a little longer so that I may learn from it than have it done for me. I would rather have the satisfaction of have people ask where I got this or that item in my shop and my reply be "I built that, you can't buy them, and you can't afford to have me build one for you".

I am the anti-consumer. Not because consumption is bad - but because consumers are over-represented in our society and there needs to be people like myself and many members of forums such as this that keep alive the knowledge of the past and share it for the enrichment of us all.

A compressor is a simple thing. Go get some bits and pieces off craigslist and from your local hardware store and ask some questions of myself or the rest of this board. You'll have your compressed air and it will cost less, be more reliable, and you'll get a greater sense of accomplishment from the experience..... Or don't. Really doesn't matter to me since I have more air than I can use.

GD

 

[SMKS]

I'd be surprised if some of the people posting in this thread get off their high horses often enough to even use a compressor...

 

[pipsters]

Thanks for the replies guys. I really appreciate it. I have had a big 80gal compressor before, but didn't like how it wasn't mobile and took up so much space. I like the 20-30 gal size because they are on wheels and I can move them around for when I do some nailing and minor cutting.

FWIW I did actually own that HF compressor you linked to for about 24 hours. I ended up getting a horizontal 25 gal compressor instead. It's pretty hard to move because that compressor is vertical.

I also paid a LOT less new, roughly $130 out the door. Back then it was less and you could use the 20% off coupons.

Craigslist is so hit or miss with anything used. You could get lucky and get a smokin' deal after driving just 10 mins or drive 2 hours round trip and get a bum deal on something that quits 10 mins after you fire it up.

After I bought my new compressor (in store) about 6 months later a guy down the street from me was selling this one:

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200347528_200347528

I talked him down to $220...but I didn't need a compressor 6 months later, I needed one when I bought mine...

So yes the deals on CL are out there. I don't disagree. But sometimes you just need something.

 

[GeneralDisorder]

I'd be surprised if some of the people posting in this thread get off their high horses often enough to even use a compressor...

Funny.

I understand your viewpoint. I just think it applies mostly to people who aren't on GJ asking about compressors. If people are here and care enough to ask for help then one would think that puts them in a category of people willing to do a little more work than slide a debit card for their compressed air. If that's what you want to do then by all means. But if you prefer a little investment of time, energy, and appreciate the logic behind reusing a product that's already been manufactured and is very likely of higher quality than what's available at the price you are willing to pay for a new one.... then perhaps my argument has some merit?

Tell you what - let us know where you are geographically and I'll search Craigslist for the next couple weeks and if I don't find a compressor that's tons better than what you could buy new for the same price then I'll mail you a refund for taking your valuable time to read my post

GD

 

[3xpendable]

I found my craftsman 30 gal in the woods behind my house and some George straight
CD's. It has a busted shroud but works. I think it's getting time for rings tho. I got my small one gal husky from HD. It pulls around like a suit case I Like it for small brad nail jobs and pumping up tires around the lot. I bought a few HF compressors and can tell you they are worthless! They lie about the CFM and worked nothing like my husky.

A buddy of mine got a HF one and was trying to put down some shoe molding and the thing would not turn on. He came over to get mine and I had a look at his while he was gone it was just the switch I removed it and the thing just started working lol. When he came to drop mine off an pick his up he was going on and on about how much nicer mine was that he could run some nails and it would pump right back up and his would run for ever to get back to pressure .

Now I'm not bashing I have tons of HF but the compressors no thanks

(x)

 

[GeneralDisorder]

I talked him down to $220...but I didn't need a compressor 6 months later, I needed one when I bought mine...

So yes the deals on CL are out there. I don't disagree. But sometimes you just need something.

People in situations that "need" a compressor once every six months probably don't actually need one at all (not saying that's you - just in general). Often they could simply borrow or rent for their needs.

That's like the guy we all know that owns a truck - probably lifted, probably with mud tires, and probably with a bed cover of some kind - because he thinks he "needs" it to move a couch now and then or buy a new TV. In all probability he actually just "wanted" it and could have borrowed or rented a truck for much, much less than the payments on his toy.

"NEED" is a very strong word. Most people should use it much less.

GD

 

[DanMasshardt]

I had the one linked in the op until it recently died. I was happy with the power it produced... If you want something to last a few years it will do. I'm holding out for something a little better quality. Looking at this one on Craigslist.