fitz11
Well-known member
They don't exist anymore
Battle of the low cost ($400) 60-gallon 240v compressors -- help me decide
- Thread starter Jack Olsen
- Start date
They don't exist anymore
onewaydave
Well-known member
I have no clue why I am replying to a 3 year old thread that the purpose of which has been satisfied, sort of. I guess I'm bored.
Jack stated that noise was a consideration, but hasn't commented since. Well let me share my thoughts, rumors.
A lot of the ambient noise comes from the intake. I have read that rigging a remote air intake decreases noise considerably. One has to take into account the volume of air flow through the remote conduit, using a larger size. In doing so the air filter setup should probably be increased in size, also.
The compressor can be enclosed in a sound attenuated (as opposed to sound proof, which doesn't exist). One only needs to insure adequate air flow to provide cooling. Oxygen is not needed.
I have also read that changing the exhaust (muffler) can help.
So what gives Jack? How's she compressin?
Dave.
Jack stated that noise was a consideration, but hasn't commented since. Well let me share my thoughts, rumors.
A lot of the ambient noise comes from the intake. I have read that rigging a remote air intake decreases noise considerably. One has to take into account the volume of air flow through the remote conduit, using a larger size. In doing so the air filter setup should probably be increased in size, also.
The compressor can be enclosed in a sound attenuated (as opposed to sound proof, which doesn't exist). One only needs to insure adequate air flow to provide cooling. Oxygen is not needed.
I have also read that changing the exhaust (muffler) can help.
So what gives Jack? How's she compressin?
Dave.
TennesseeZ
Well-known member
I can vouch for the remote intake. My compressor is on the lower level of a duplex, maybe 30' from the other unit. It was pretty loud at first I stuck a 1"X1/2" reducer in the compressor intake, ran 30' of 1" PVC overhead to the outside wall on the side of the unit, it dramaticelly reduced the noise. I'm using a roughly 6X2" pancake style filter for the intake. Also using rubber isolators on the mounts, and it's on a wooden platform (2X4s on the side w/ plywood top) bolted to the slab.
PECVD2
Well-known member
Happened by HF today to pick up some blue gloves.
I noticed the 5HP/240v/60gal compressor was back on sale for $399.
I am not sure if it is just a local deal or nationwide.
I have no experience with this compressor but thought I would mention this.
I noticed the 5HP/240v/60gal compressor was back on sale for $399.
I am not sure if it is just a local deal or nationwide.
I have no experience with this compressor but thought I would mention this.
Rjc799
New member
Just read the entire tread and bought the Kobalt.
FYI, Kobalt redesigned thir compressors in the past few years. Saw this thread was started in 2009 so specs are likely different for current models. Maybe better maybe not but most definitely different.
Toomanytools?
Well-known member
I hate it when you get to about page three and notice the thread is from 2009!
kywildcat
Well-known member
Hell.........it was page four before I noticed!!!
Don't the compressors from HF just carry a 90 day warranty???
sandmanxx
Well-known member
On say a CH 60 gal 135 PSI tank.. How do you change it to a 155 PSI if needed for temp. time?? Just asking.. Where/how does the cut/out come in// Can't really anything on the auto switch setup..
garrinchilders
Member
- Joined
- Jun 10, 2011
- Messages
- 5
I have the Husky, my buddy has the Kobalt. The husky is quieter, and faster (believe it or not). The Husky seems to output a lot more oil & water, so make sure you have a GOOD separator. It just cost me an entire paint job on a truck I am restoring.
DiverBill - what's the difference between the Eagle you bought and the IronHorse they sell??
Old thread here but wth...Im board!!
I own the Iron Horse version and can mention some difference for future ref...Well' maybe?...lol
1st -pump: Notta, same iron pumps according to Eagles breakdown charts!! Never an issue in 5yrs daily use / always on 24/7. I do keep oil changed yrly. Right after buying it I looked up pump info at Eagle and saw its a 150psi pump/tank so I turned its cut off up from factory 125 to 145. Had no ill effects to date.
2nd- Motor: Iron Horse = China made vs Eagle ??? Again, never an issue running.
3rd- Tank: Notta, Same Certified Tanks...Eagle /Iron Horse --Nice air tight units.
4th- Gauges: My Horse had nameless cheap Gauges, I replaced both last yr with fluid style Wika. One read 20 lbs off so replaced both.
Only real difference I "may" have found was motor or gauges?? My Iron Horse was also built in Canada. I paid 369.00+ tax on sale in 2009-10?? at a local Rural King.
Add the cost of (2) 2.5 inch WIKA 9832152 Industrial Pressure Gauges (Liquid-Filled) regular around $89 ea retail but thanx too amazon screw up & why I bought them both was they were only $12 each, so Im still under the Eagle units price. So far' so good on the china motor...
Id buy 2 more just to have today for the price. Been an outstanding unit.
My cousin bought a CH just under 3 yrs ago and its been in shop once over pump (warranted).
Friend had an older craftsman/CH rebadge that his aluminum pump kept blowing head gaskets. There was a large flea market in our town a guy sold CH refurbs. He had them in about 6-8 booths. I mean everywere in there...Never spoke to them, no idea were he got them all but I saw enough to run like hell from CH. Every size every design he had them All & Everywere!!
Had to be customer returns & warranty duds.
Anywho' first choice, I'd buy a Quincy or a FS/Curtis if money was falling out of my drawers but not the case here. Eagles making the MAXAir premiums now with great reviews at homedepot website fwiw.
By the way, Eagle made our military/Firemen air equipment for yrs. They are not new to air.
http://www.eaglecompressors.com/about-2/
Now all that said...Later, long day today!!
*
Old thread here but wth...Im board!!
I own the Iron Horse version and can mention some difference for future ref...Well' maybe?...lol
1st -pump: Notta, same iron pumps according to Eagles breakdown charts!! Never an issue in 5yrs daily use / always on 24/7. I do keep oil changed yrly. Right after buying it I looked up pump info at Eagle and saw its a 150psi pump/tank so I turned its cut off up from factory 125 to 145. Had no ill effects to date.
2nd- Motor: Iron Horse = China made vs Eagle ??? Again, never an issue running.
3rd- Tank: Notta, Same Certified Tanks...Eagle /Iron Horse --Nice air tight units.
4th- Gauges: My Horse had nameless cheap Gauges, I replaced both last yr with fluid style Wika. One read 20 lbs off so replaced both.
Only real difference I "may" have found was motor or gauges?? My Iron Horse was also built in Canada. I paid 369.00+ tax on sale in 2009-10?? at a local Rural King.
Add the cost of (2) 2.5 inch WIKA 9832152 Industrial Pressure Gauges (Liquid-Filled) regular around $89 ea retail but thanx too amazon screw up & why I bought them both was they were only $12 each, so Im still under the Eagle units price. So far' so good on the china motor...
Id buy 2 more just to have today for the price. Been an outstanding unit.
My cousin bought a CH just under 3 yrs ago and its been in shop once over pump (warranted).
Friend had an older craftsman/CH rebadge that his aluminum pump kept blowing head gaskets. There was a large flea market in our town a guy sold CH refurbs. He had them in about 6-8 booths. I mean everywere in there...Never spoke to them, no idea were he got them all but I saw enough to run like hell from CH. Every size every design he had them All & Everywere!!
Had to be customer returns & warranty duds.
Anywho' first choice, I'd buy a Quincy or a FS/Curtis if money was falling out of my drawers but not the case here. Eagles making the MAXAir premiums now with great reviews at homedepot website fwiw.
By the way, Eagle made our military/Firemen air equipment for yrs. They are not new to air.
http://www.eaglecompressors.com/about-2/
Now all that said...Later, long day today!!
*
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My Old Tools
Well-known member
I paid less than that for my Quincy 210. It is pressure lubricated, quiet, and will live forever. Look around on Craigslist.
Old thread but I'll post my 2 cents. I had a 60 gal Husky, probably 10 years old- maybe more. Several issues the last year. Before tank got a pinhole in it- it would run forever & never build pressure over 60psi. After the tank leaked- I scrapped it. Got Home depot to honor a discount coupon & got a new one about 6 months ago for $390.00 plus tax. It's the black one. Works fine- single stage runs up & shuts off at 155 psi but this thing is loud! I mean real loud. Much louder then the one it replaced. The one thing I was disappointed in- old one was 5 hp, new one is 3.7. Specs are 11.5 scfm @ 90 psi, 13.4 @ 40 psi- cast iron twin cylinder (I see only 1 cylinder)
. Says it can't be used continuous for HVLP painting but I didn't have an issue with that. I set 27 psi at the gun & I'm good. When it's running- it just sounds cheap. Kind of a knocking sound the other one didn't have. I changed the oil & didn't change anything sound wise. I use the **** out of this ting everyday. I did plumb a ball valve on bottom of tank instead of that cheap bleeder it came with. Model C602H
One big difference- old one said Made in USA, new one says Assembled in USA. Big difference. Bet this one doesn't last 10 years. I use it for several hours every day.
FYI- I had a 2 stage IR at my work location that didn't make it 5 years. So much for paying 3 times more for better quality. It was a real POS.
. Says it can't be used continuous for HVLP painting but I didn't have an issue with that. I set 27 psi at the gun & I'm good. When it's running- it just sounds cheap. Kind of a knocking sound the other one didn't have. I changed the oil & didn't change anything sound wise. I use the **** out of this ting everyday. I did plumb a ball valve on bottom of tank instead of that cheap bleeder it came with. Model C602H
One big difference- old one said Made in USA, new one says Assembled in USA. Big difference. Bet this one doesn't last 10 years. I use it for several hours every day.
FYI- I had a 2 stage IR at my work location that didn't make it 5 years. So much for paying 3 times more for better quality. It was a real POS.
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sberry
Banned
I like the old thread. It gives a little perspective. I understand the desire to sop used for a better comp, I think there is also something to be said for buying new cheap right out of the box. These are such a step up from a 120V unit. They make a respectable amount of air, they have relatively modest electric demand. Perfect for Jack's type of garage.
He didn't buy another project. I just went thru it. 50$ was a steal for the little beauty, a days work and some down times haved those margins to the point where new would have been a good option.
Fix the tank, got an hour in to a pressure relief, re plumbed it, cleaned, tested, loaded and unloaded again and stll had to finish by hand when it shate the pump.
I robbed some more used stuff and now have it working again after a morning of repair but still got an old comp when I am done.
He didn't buy another project. I just went thru it. 50$ was a steal for the little beauty, a days work and some down times haved those margins to the point where new would have been a good option.
Fix the tank, got an hour in to a pressure relief, re plumbed it, cleaned, tested, loaded and unloaded again and stll had to finish by hand when it shate the pump.
I robbed some more used stuff and now have it working again after a morning of repair but still got an old comp when I am done.
redmondjp
Well-known member
Don't be disappointed - there is no difference in actual HP between your old and new units. There was a huge class-action lawsuit about compressor horsepower "inflation," shall we say (google it; plenty of reading material). The result of the lawsuit is a bit more honesty now about what the RUNNING HP of the motor is. Comparing CFM numbers and motor amps (at the same voltage) will show you this.
And thanks for posting the update on your new compressor. I have a 1990 version of the same compressor (box store IR 60 gallon "5" HP single stage), and pretty much everything you mention about yours is equally true about mine. I'm doing a 3-phase to single phase conversion of a Quincy 325 right now and that will be my last (and "bucket list" ha ha) compressor for the rest of my life, and probably also for much of somebody else's life after me!
Kpaige
Well-known member
as far as noise. if you can not build a compressor room take some of the sheet insulation that is pink or blue comes in 4x8 sheets cut it to size and set it around the sides of the compressor it will help with noise.
Spdfreak91
Well-known member
I'm looking for a new 60 gallon air compressor with the mind of less than $800, which models and brands are on the "garage journal approved list" right now im thinking the kobalt or husky and maybe the ingersoll ? are these basically all the same or should I stay away from some, thank for the input
6768rogues
Banned
I looked at the specs and the Husky is 84 decibels, the Kobalt is 86 decibels. Kind of a toss up. OSHA says that 85 is the action level and and average of 90 for 8 hours is the exposure limit. Sound drops off by a factor that is squared with distance, so you could use either and put them as far from your typical work spot as possible. I don't like noise so I have a compressor that is a little over 70 decibels, but it cost many times what those cost.
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TSC has a 60 gallon "Porter Cable" (I think the brand doesn't really mean anything as much as the OEM of motor/compressor) for $420.
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/porter-cable-stationary-belt-drive-air-compressor-60-gal?cm_vc=-10005#
Does anyone want to pick apart why this is a terrible compressor and I should spend $2000 on a Quincy to inflate my tires? It's either this or the $500 Kobalt for me.
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/porter-cable-stationary-belt-drive-air-compressor-60-gal?cm_vc=-10005#
Does anyone want to pick apart why this is a terrible compressor and I should spend $2000 on a Quincy to inflate my tires? It's either this or the $500 Kobalt for me.
EOC_Jason
Well-known member
Holy heck way to resurrect an on old thread...
Nothing wrong with the PC unit from TSC if it will suit your needs. Just be sure to give it some good run time at first in case something breaks and you have to return it. The reviews I've read on getting support to repair anything seems to be pretty poor...
If I recall I think those go on sale during BF or other holidays for like ~$389? They also have a portable 30 gallon I think goes on sale for ~$329.
Nothing wrong with the PC unit from TSC if it will suit your needs. Just be sure to give it some good run time at first in case something breaks and you have to return it. The reviews I've read on getting support to repair anything seems to be pretty poor...
If I recall I think those go on sale during BF or other holidays for like ~$389? They also have a portable 30 gallon I think goes on sale for ~$329.
I found the one with the most replies and went with it!
I currently have a 110v 5 gallon portable unit, and it can of course run an impact and inflate tires, but I have to wait for it to build pressure when use it, and a blow gun kills it. This is overkill, but I want a nicer one that has a chance of replacing components if they fail, and is also a bit quieter.
Does anyone know if the Kobalt is any better? I can't find pump RPM anywhere but otherwise they look identical.
I currently have a 110v 5 gallon portable unit, and it can of course run an impact and inflate tires, but I have to wait for it to build pressure when use it, and a blow gun kills it. This is overkill, but I want a nicer one that has a chance of replacing components if they fail, and is also a bit quieter.
Does anyone know if the Kobalt is any better? I can't find pump RPM anywhere but otherwise they look identical.
firebirdparts
Well-known member
I'd take a chance on it. There are many 60 gallon compressors around this price range in a two cylinder/single stage/oil lube/about 10 CFM/90 psig configuration. $420 is right at the bottom of the range for these things. The 50% duty cycle is a little perplexing to me. The reviews are not great, did you look at that? Just be aware you have a lot of options in this general price range.
fabjunkie
Well-known member
Not that the name really means much anymore with the small compressors, but I just replaced a 5hp (pre HP lawsuits, so it was really like a 3hp) 60 gal Porter Cable after 18 years. It has a different pump than the TSC one though. Mine blew the pump apart (broke both rods and the crank in three places) after me running it really hard the last year way over the duty cycle. I was out of town when it blew and came home to the motor running full bore with the belt smoked.
If noise is a concern, I would look for a model that has an NPT fitting for the intake, one that has a screw in filter. This way you can screw in different adapters to be able to build a silencer of some sort. The TSC one does not.
My new compressor has a silencer from the factory and it runs about 65db at the pump, and gets louder as you get closer to the intake of the silencer, but still only gets up to about 68db. I can talk on the phone standing next to it while it's running. But like someone else said, it's many times more $$ than what you're after.
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redmondjp
Well-known member
That 60-gallon compressor for $420 above is a great deal - that beats most of the Craigslist compressors for sale by a mile (a lot of people, maybe because drugs(?), try to sell older versions of this same size compressor for $600-800).
red61cj5
Well-known member
Since the thread is open again, is this thing worthwhile? I don't even know if he still has it, but if its any good I might call him. Anything to look for? https://parkersburg.craigslist.org/tls/d/air-compressor/6567647019.html
its a big red air machine, 2 stage 80 gallon.
its a big red air machine, 2 stage 80 gallon.
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redmondjp
Well-known member
That's easily a $2K compressor new (closer to $4K if it has the magic letters "SnapOn" on the label - Big Red Air makes their compressors). Looks like an ABAC pump. Check for excessive water/oil in the tank, and you want to see non-cloudy oil in the pump crankcase. If you can get into the belt guard and turn it over by hand, it should make the usual compressor eeking and wheezing noises.
If you can hear it running, start it with no pressure in the tank and listen for excessive knocking sounds from the pump before the pressure builds over 25-30psi - if you hear knocking sounds at first which then quiet down with a bit of pressure in the tank, you've got loose rod bearings and/or piston pins.
The big question is - if you can't hear it run, is it worth taking a chance on? Replacement motor is $350 - 400, replacement pump is maybe around $800 if not higher, but parts should still be available. If the guy seems straight with you on its history and the above non-running checks seem OK, I'd probably go for it.