looking to buy this compressor from Northern Tool

[Burnt C6]

does anyone have any experience with the North Star Compressors sold at Northern Tools?



I'm looking to purchasing one sometime in October for the Garage build. any review would be great good or bad.

 

[c39er]

I'd buy a real quality compressor (Champion/ Quincey ect) that would hopefully last at least 10 years.
Not a Chinese hope it lasts compressor.
A good one will cost double or more though.

 

[Hawk]

Same as this one:
http://www.harborfreight.com/5-hp-60-gallon-165-psi-two-stage-air-compressor-93274.html

Probably built at the same co.

 

[matt_i]

I'm convinced a good compressor is basically good for a lifetime in a home shop. Commercial shop, no. But there are only so many air tools and blast cabinets and CNC machines you can run...

 

[Hawk]

I have had my HF 60 gallon compressor for 15 years with absolutely no problem, so think what you will. All compressors do not fit all needs.

 

[James-W]

I have had a Craftsman compressor for about 30 years now and have no real problems with it.

 

[c39er]

Old CM compressors were good.... I have 2 of them.... 20 gallon models and a old IR 80 Gallon T30.

 

[Burnt C6]

I like IR and they are made in the USA. Now is that just assembled or all parts I dont know. There are some mfg that just claim assembled others say made in America.

 

[Redwolf947]

does anyone have any experience with the North Star Compressors sold at Northern Tools?



I'm looking to purchasing one sometime in October for the Garage build. any review would be great good or bad.

I'm looking at that same compressor.. It compares just different paint as the PUMA PK6060v.

It is defiantly not the same one as the HF model (not even the same type of compressor or HP)

http://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/Puma-PK6060V-Air-Compressor/p591.html

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I only hear good things from the the NorthStar and Puma lines. Compare the reviews and stats. I think I'll be buying the NorthStar unit.

From Northern Tool site:

This Northstar Electric Air Compressor is made from multiple part sources. The final assembly and testing is done in Faribault, Minnesota at our Northstar Manufacturing Facility.

Just my $0.02..

 

[Cyberbear]

Whatever you choose to purchase, save all the warranty and sales slip receipt info, do the proper break-in, and be sure to change the oil regularly, oh, and don't forget to drain the tank often. These tips should help to maximize life expectancy of your new purchase.

 

[DangerousDan55]

When I purchase from Northern Tool on line, I play with the coupon code numbers when checing out to get the largest discount possible. In the mail, I normally get that $5,$10&$15. Use those code numers & work the numbers up & down & you can find a $50.
You have to try this during the "check out" process, but before the final purchase.

 

[redmondjp]

Any of these compressors discussed will be fine for occasional use (no more than a few start/run cycles per hour). If you plan on serious continuous air usage, then their life will be shortened accordingly. I have been using a consumer-grade IR 60-gallon single-stage compressor for the past 25 years that I bought new. It is fine for 90% of what I do. But if I use air for more than 5 minutes continuously, it can't keep up, and I'll get a lot of water vapor blowing out the end of the line as well (yes, I need to install a water separator at the end of the line - the one right at the compressor doesn't do much).

So I have collected a few 'serious' compressors now, including my bucket-list compressor, a Quincy 325, that is awaiting a 3-phase to single-phase conversion so I can power it at my home. This Quincy will run continuously and not break a sweat. But it weighs more than 500 lbs. more than my IR compressor does!

Agree with the above, do the maintenance - scrap the drain petcock and go with an auto-drain, or at least a ball valve so it's easy to drain. It's no fun crawling around on the floor with the slip-joint pliers fighting the spiders trying to drain the tank.

 

[CNGsaves]

When I purchase from Northern Tool on line, I play with the coupon code numbers when checing out to get the largest discount possible. In the mail, I normally get that $5,$10&$15. Use those code numers & work the numbers up & down & you can find a $50.
You have to try this during the "check out" process, but before the final purchase.

^ ^ ^ This. Should go to .....www.RetailMeNot.com
as they have discount codes for Northern Tool every day.

Good luck in decision. If NorthStar same as Puma, that compressor likely will be fine for your homeowner shop.

 

[RecceDG]

It's no fun crawling around on the floor with the slip-joint pliers fighting the spiders trying to drain the tank.

Why are the spiders trying to drain your tank?

Why are you fighting them with slip-joint pliers?

 

[dfiler2]

Why are the spiders trying to drain your tank?

Why are you fighting them with slip-joint pliers?

Still chuckling over this one.....

I need to go throw the cow over the fence some hay.

 

[Hornman]

Burnt C6

I don't have the compressor you referenced, I bought it's big brother: 5 HP and 80 gallons. So far it has done everything very well. It has a large oil sightglass, so keeping track of the oil level is easy. It is set up to make draining and filling the crankcase easy. My 5 HP makes 175 psig, so I had to changout my regulators. The old IR would only make 125 psig. I an running a cabinet sandblaster and I spray paint a lot. The 5 HP never has a problem keeping up.

 

[Burnt C6]

Burnt C6

I don't have the compressor you referenced, I bought it's big brother: 5 HP and 80 gallons. So far it has done everything very well. It has a large oil sightglass, so keeping track of the oil level is easy. It is set up to make draining and filling the crankcase easy. My 5 HP makes 175 psig, so I had to changout my regulators. The old IR would only make 125 psig. I an running a cabinet sandblaster and I spray paint a lot. The 5 HP never has a problem keeping up.

Thanks for the info. Hoping to pick it up here real soon