My new Kobalt 30 gallon compressor

bucs012 · Nov 25, 2009

I have to start off by thanking you guys for helping me come to a decision. I don't need LOTS of air just minor to medium usage.

1. This thing is Super QUIET! I was comparing what you guys said about noise to my old 11 gallon internally lubed 14 year old Campbell Hausfeld.....The kobalt is a whisper compared to my old one!

2. Thanks to whoever mentioned the coupon in the house relocation packet from the post office! I stopped and got one on the way home and that alone saved me $40!. Funny thing is, is that we DID move 2 months ago and got that same packet but just threw the coupon away........

belvedere · Nov 25, 2009

Congrats! Glad it's working well for you.

Displaced Hokie · Nov 25, 2009

That looks like a nice compressor. I also like the compact size. Enjoy!

pseudorealityx · Nov 25, 2009

I was all excited about the compressor until I realized it's the same price as the 60 gallon... that's too bad.

Falcon67 · Nov 25, 2009

Nice pick - looks like a real good unit.

Number22 · Nov 26, 2009

I really don't need to be rude, but you just paid a premium price for the "Kobalt" sticker on a cheap chinese made unit much like the ones Harbor Freight sells. That's not to say the cheap chinese compressors are bad - I have a couple of them, and they work quite well actually, but you probably paid too much at Lowes. I looked closely at that compressor before buying basically the same thing for much less at HF.

pseudorealityx · Nov 26, 2009

Number22 said:
I really don't need to be rude, but you just paid a premium price for the "Kobalt" sticker on a cheap chinese made unit much like the ones Harbor Freight sells. That's not to say the cheap chinese compressors are bad - I have a couple of them, and they work quite well actually, but you probably paid too much at Lowes. I looked closely at that compressor before buying basically the same thing for much less at HF.

Harbor Freight's 60 gallon is the same price as the HD and Lowe's equivalents. What's the premium you're talking about?

Number22 · Nov 26, 2009

pseudorealityx said:
Harbor Freight's 60 gallon is the same price as the HD and Lowe's equivalents. What's the premium you're talking about?

This is a 30 gallon compressor.

pseudorealityx · Nov 26, 2009

Number22 said:
This is a 30 gallon compressor.

It's the same motor as the 60 gallon, just with a smaller tank, and wheels.

Number22 · Nov 26, 2009

pseudorealityx said:
It's the same motor as the 60 gallon, just with a smaller tank, and wheels.

No, it isn't. This compressor has a motor/pump all to itself, it is clearly a Chinese import by Lowes. Unlike most the others that are made by CH under a lot of different brands. I looked at it very closely/almost bought one before I realized how much more the Kobalt sticker cost.

Not saying it's a bad compressor, just not a great price point...(unless you got it on sale or something)

usmc_noma · Nov 26, 2009

not to bust on the op's buy but the 60gal ch is the same price as that 30gal right?

regardless, it's what the op bought and if it fits his needs then who are we to say he was wrong in buying it. maybe he couldn't fit the 60gal. this would be the case for me. i think some here have actually had good things to say about the lowes compressor. i've seen it a few times in the ongoing compressor thread that's on here.

ImportTuner · Nov 26, 2009

Lowes just recently reduced the price on that compressor .. very nice compressor (able to run on 120Vl, portable, decent pressure). Did you get a chance to fire it up yet? How loud is it?

usmc_noma · Nov 26, 2009

what's the price on it now? last i remember in store was 399

jimbozini · Nov 26, 2009

Number22 said:
No, it isn't. This compressor has a motor/pump all to itself, it is clearly a Chinese import by Lowes. Unlike most the others that are made by CH under a lot of different brands. I looked at it very closely/almost bought one before I realized how much more the Kobalt sticker cost.

Actually, it's made in America although the electric motor may have been assembled in Mexico. It's made by Sanborn/Powermate/and now under the name of IndustrialAir and not by CH. Look at the first picture in bucs012's post & you'll see part of the US flag from the made in America sticker on the bottom of the tank.

Jack Olsen · Nov 26, 2009

Number22, I don't think the Harbor Freight or the Kobalt 60-gallon compressors are Chinese-made.

bucs012 · Nov 26, 2009

ImportTuner said:
Lowes just recently reduced the price on that compressor .. very nice compressor (able to run on 120Vl, portable, decent pressure). Did you get a chance to fire it up yet? How loud is it?

Thanks to those of you with kind remarks. I did not want a huge 60 gallon compressor that I would NEVER need. Wanted it to be portable with wheels since I have a 2 and a half attached garage and next to it my 50x30 garage) and can run on 110 or 220. Truth be told I probably over bought at 30 gallons.

I have had an old 10 gallon compressor for years and there were only a hand full of time I wished I had a little moer storage for air when I was running a cut off wheel or grinder.

The unit is very quiet. I was very surprised. Fired it up and broke it in for 30 minutes last night and tried out my air wrench and impact wrench. Worked like a charm!

Price- $399 Minus my 10% off coupon......$350. After all my research and posting off this site, I feel this was my best option based on my needs.

Also, they had the 60 gallon compressors right next to it..at the same price. They also had an 80 gallon there for $749. I got all I want with the 30 gallon. 60 gallons is just too big and clunky for me and not portable. I am wired up for 220 outlets in 2 spots in my garage but just does not meet my need.

z28snksknr · Nov 26, 2009

I have this compressor and I think I even suggested it to you. I can say that it is the largest, oil lubed, 110V / 220V compressor I could find and that is what the OP wanted.

It's actually made by Coleman.

The 60 gallon unit, while not much more, was only a 220V unit and the OP does not have 220V.

z28snksknr · Nov 26, 2009

By the way, I love mine and would buy it again if I had to.

You got yourself as nice compressor there that suits your needs and price range. You made a good decision.

JakeD · Nov 26, 2009

I think a 30gal is a great size for many hobbyist type garage enthusiasts, myself included. I have a similar IR unit and it's also very quiet and portable and capable of running my air tools and plasma cutter. I'd contend that you can paint relatively small things, say motorcycle parts without any problems. As long as a guy doesn't want to paint a whole car or do any kind of sand blasting etc, it's adequate.

Ah who am I kidding... if I had more room I'd have a massively oversized compressor and be waving it around these forums like Ron Jeremy standing at the trough at the baseball game.
:lol_hitti

bucs012 · Nov 26, 2009

O.K.- So now I have this thing all set up.

I will mainly be using air socket wrench, impact wrench, airing up tires and a grinder and or cut off wheel here and there.

1. Do I need to install one of those inline water filters I hear people talk about. All I have ever done with my small/older compressor was have a air line. No Filter of any kind.

2. When you guys let all the air out of the bottom of the tank, do you leave the valve open or do you close it again? I have always left it open so if water WOULD get in there, it would run out........??

ironroad 9c1 · Nov 26, 2009

its not the fact that you can't use a larger compressor, its the fact you paid the same price for less product.

Number22 · Nov 26, 2009

bucs012 said:
1. Do I need to install one of those inline water filters I hear people talk about. All I have ever done with my small/older compressor was have a air line. No Filter of any kind.

No, you'll never be able to use them enough with a 30gal to need that, unless you're trying to use them for hours on end or something. Honestly, with a lot of the $15 pneumatic tools I buy at harbor freight, I rarely even bother to oil them. I have yet to break one.

bucs012 said:
2. When you guys let all the air out of the bottom of the tank, do you leave the valve open or do you close it again? I have always left it open so if water WOULD get in there, it would run out........??

Water's not going to get in there when the compressor is off, you can close it or leave it open, it won't make much difference. I never completely empty my tanks anyway, it's just extra wear and tear on the compressor next time you fire it up. I usually let them down to about 100 PSI - long enough for all the water to come out.

On that same note I have a 10 year old Porter Cable compressor that I ALWAYS forgot to drain. Recently I took the big valves off the tank and looked in with the flashlight, I was horrified to see all the rust and that I was still using it. I mean THICK, DEEP looking rust. So I pressure tested it to 330PSI - fully ready for it to explode - but it didn't. Now I feel safe using it at 150 PSI again, though I'm more careful about draining it!

RbrtAWhyt · Nov 26, 2009

Damn man, some of you guys really know how to rain on a guy's parade...

I think the compressor is a really nice one for the size. From what the OP said he was looking for in a compressor, it looks like this one should fit his needs with no problems...

cashishift · Nov 26, 2009

this compressor is making me wonder if i really need/want the Ingersoll Rand Garage Mate..

its ~200 bucks more.. is it 200 dollars more of a compressor?

My new Kobalt 30 gallon compressor

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